Flooding of the Eyre and Warburton Creeks has altered through access to Birdsville and Clifton Hills. QAA Line to Birdsville is open sign-posted detours at Eyre Creek and Big Red.

The Warburton Crossing to Clifton Hills is closed. Frequent rains in the Outback are still causing continual road closures.  Please refer to the Transport SA Road report for up to date road closures (see details below).

If you decide to travel in the Outback Region, you should ensure your vehicles are properly prepared and equipped for outback travel and any emergencies or delays. The use of trailers in the Simpson Desert is strongly discouraged, plus motor homes and caravans should never attempt this crossing. Serious damage can be caused to vehicles and the environment, and difficulties are likely to result. Take extra water, food and fuel supplies. Ensure good communications equipment, either HF Radio or Satellite Phone. Ensure you notify a responsible person, such as a family member, of your plans prior to travelling into remote areas, and seek local advice.  

If you attempt driving in sandy conditions and get bogged, do not attempt to get the vehicle out without ensuring 4WD and hubs are engaged, tyre pressures are decreased and sand is removed from the path of the tyres. If you become stuck, do not leave your vehicles to walk for assistance as this can have fatal consequences.  

Check road and weather bulletins and local conditions before travelling into the Outback Region. Speed limits of 40km per hour apply within all Parks. For up to date public road information outside of National Parks, please call the Transport SA Road Condition Hotline on 1300 361 033 or visit the Transport SA web site on http://www.transport.sa.gov.au/quicklinks/northern_roads/northern.asp  

Be aware that entry to Desert Parks requires a day/overnight permit or a Desert Parks Pass that must be displayed on the vehicle windscreen.

Water is entering Lake Eyre from the Warburton Groove to the north but is slowing down. Water from Cooper Creek has entered Lake Eyre. The best way to see water in Lake Eyre is still from the air. Local charters are available at William Creek and Marree.

General Conditions

For further information regarding the National Parks and Wildlife South Australia visit our web site www.parks.sa.gov.au.  For information regarding air tours phone the Wadlata Outback Centre on 1800 633 060.  Check local conditions before traveling into the Outback area.   

If you decide to travel in the following areas you should ensure your vehicles are properly prepared and equipped for outback travel and any emergencies. Take extra water, food and fuel supplies. Ensure good communications equipment. Notify a responsible person of your plans prior to travelling.  No fires at Lake Eyre.

Halligan Bay Track – Closed due to rain.

Level Post Bay Track – Open to 4WD with caution around ponded water on track. This track is a declared Public Access Route.  It is a bush track, not a road.  Drive with caution as the landscape is fragile and the track will deteriorate due to the unusually high number of vehicles using it.  Be aware of ponded water, pot holes, corrugations and sand drift.  Please drive to track conditions. Driving on the Lake surface is an offence and dangerous. 4WD only along this track.  Trailers and caravans are not recommended.  No camping at Level Post Bay – camping at Muloorina campground

Marree’s Outback Roadhouse – Agents for the Desert Parks Pass & Lake Eyre Permits. Post Office & Commonwealth Bank Agency, diesel & unleaded fuel, gas bottle refills, licensed restaurant and take away service available. Ph (61 8) 8675 8360  

Note: Be aware that entry to Innamincka Regional Reserve requires a day/camping permit or a Desert Parks Pass that must be displayed on the vehicle windscreen. Desert Parks passes/permits are available from the Innamincka Trading Post.

Recent rains has caused all roads leading to Innamincka and around the Regional Reserve to close.  Roads may be open again by early next week

Bore Track – Closed due to rain Contact Bollards Lagoon (61 8 8091 3873) prior to crossing private land.  

The Innamincka Trading Post Ph: (61 8) 8675 9900. Agent for the Desert Parks Pass and camping permits. Provide a comprehensive range of supplies and services for visitors in the Innamincka area

Innamincka Hotel Ph: (61 8) 8675 9901.  Provides meals, drinks and accommodation.  

Check local conditions before travelling into this area. See the National Parks and Wildlife South Australia web site on www.parks.sa.gov.au for more information.  Please purchase Desert Parks Pass or permit before travelling to Witjira.

Frequent rains and visitors driving on wet roads have churned sections of tracks up. Please use caution at these areas, as well as washouts and corrugated areas. Drive with caution and to track conditions as tracks are over a fragile landscape and deteriorate rapidly. Visitors should purchase permits or Desert Parks Passes before travelling to Witjira.  Spring Creek Delta is permanently closed, so use the by-pass road east of Dalhousie Springs.

Simpson Desert – Open to 4WD. 

Flooding of the Eyre and Warburton Creeks has altered through access to Birdsville and Clifton Hills. QAA Line to Birdsville is open sign-posted detours at Eyre Creek and Big Red.  The Warburton Crossing to Clifton Hills is closed.  Please check with local authorities or call the Desert Parks Pass Hotline on 1800 816 078.  

Due to sand drifts and green growth from recent rains, some of the tracks are hard to locate, such as the WAA and south of the Knolls. However due to increased traffic, this may not be a problem any more. Some salt lakes have water in them so please drive around these to reduce the risk of becoming bogged.  Carry extra fuel reserves as up to 50% more fuel may be used currently than a normal desert crossing.

The use of trailers in the Simpson Desert is strongly discouraged.  Serious damage can be caused to vehicles and the environment, and difficulties are likely to result. 

Visitors are advised to drive in a convoy, carry a HF radio or sat phone and limit the total load of their vehicles. However, do take extra reserves of fuel, food and water. Check local conditions before travelling in the area. Satellite phones are available to hire for Simpson Desert trips from Mt Dare Hotel and the Wirrari Tourism Centre in Birdsville. See contact details below.

Warburton Crossing – Closed until further notice. Water from the Birdsville/Bedourie area will keep the Warburton Crossing closed for an unknown time.

Mt Dare Hotel – Desert Parks Pass Agents - Diesel and unleaded fuel, accommodation, meals, hot showers, fuel, minor repairs, camping, travel supplies and phone cards available for travellers. Satellite phones are available to hire from Mt Dare Hotel for trips across the Simpson Desert.  Contact Mt Dare on (61 8) 8670 7835.

The recent warm weather and rains in the Northern Territory and in Northern South Australia has seen an increase in mosquito numbers across central Australia . 

Mosquitoes are not only a nuisance but some can spread serious disease such as Ross River virus (RRv) and Barmah Forest virus (BFv) when they bite (symptoms of RRv and BFv can include joint pains, rash, fever, fatigue or muscle pain). 

There is NO CURE and NO VACCINE to protect against these mosquito borne diseases. The only known and effective way to reduce risk of mosquito borne disease is to prevent mosquito bites.

If you are a visitor, or if you live in northern South Australia , it is important that you protect yourself, your family and friends against mosquito borne disease by Fighting the Bite. Key strategies include:

·         Covering Up – wear long, light coloured, loose fitting clothing (mosquitoes can bite through tight clothes like jeans)

·         Apply personal insect repellent containing DEET or Picaridin (avoid using on babies and toddlers and ALWAYS read and follow instructions on the label first).

·         Ensure insect screens cover openings in holiday houses, boats, caravans or tents.

·         Cover sleeping areas or beds with mosquito nets if necessary.

For additional strategies and information about how to Fight the Bite and protect against mosquito borne disease visit www.health.sa.gov.au