No. 734 - 21st May 2022

Check out our Simpson Desert information page for general resources, books and maps.

ALERT: COVID-19 information

People travelling should check SA COVID-19 restrictions at https://www.covid-19.sa.gov.au/restrictions-and-responsibilities/travel-restrictions before you travel. 

COVID Safe Check-In is South Australia's QR code check-in system.

All travellers should download the mySA GOV app from Google Play or the App Store before travelling to South Australia. You are required to use the COVID Safe Check-In whenever you enter a business or premises displaying an approved QR code.

If you do not have a smartphone, you must complete a manual check-in.

It is important that campers and other park visitors are self-sufficient, and carry their own cooking, cleaning and personal hygiene products with them.

Please respect other campers and park visitors by keeping a safe distance and practicing good hygiene.

For more about visiting parks during COVID-19 go to www.parks.sa.gov.au/know-before-you-go/covid-19-faqs

More information about COVID-19: www.sa.gov.au/COVID-19

South Australian COVID-19 Information line: 1800 253 787

Safety in the Outback

ALERT: Water across tracks has resulted in electrical faults being reported in a number of vehicles. High clearance 4WD’s recommended and extra care is required when navigating these areas.

Outback daytime temperaturs can reach into the high 30's C. If you are travelling in the Outback, you should bring appropriate clothing, ensure your vehicles are properly prepared and equipped for outback travel and any emergencies or delays. Take extra water, food and fuel supplies. Ensure good communications equipment, either HF Radio or Satellite Phone and an EPIRB. 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.

Speed Limits

Check road and weather bulletins and local conditions before travelling into the Outback. 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.dpti.sa.gov.au/OutbackRoads

Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre National Park

Halligan Bay Track – Open to 4WD - It is a bush track, not a road.  Drive with caution along the entire track as the landscape is fragile and the track will deteriorate with the number of vehicles using it.  Please drive to track conditions. Driving on the Lake surface is an offence and dangerous. Trailers and caravans are not recommended.

Level Post Bay Track –  Closed until further notice

Tallaringa Conservation Park

Online park bookings or a Desert Parks Pass is required, as well as a tourist access permit to access this area from the Department of Defence. Details can be found at http://www.defence.gov.au/woomera/permit-tourist.htm

Tallaringa Public Access Route – Open to 4WD

ALERT: It is important that campers and other park visitors are self-sufficient, and carry their own firewood, drinking water cooking, cleaning and personal hygiene products with them.

ALERT: The Anne Beadell Highway west of Tallaringa crosses the Amber Zone 2 in the Woomera Prohibited Area and is subject to annual closures by the Department of Defence. For the latest information please check the Department of Defence website at: www.defence.gov.au/woomera.

Innamincka Regional Reserve and Malkumba-Coongie Lakes National Park

ALERT: It is important that campers and other park visitors are self-sufficient, and carry their own cooking, cleaning and personal hygiene products with them.

ALERT: Please remain on tracks at all times, the surrounding ground can be wet, boggy and treacherous.

Extreme caution at ponded water, washouts and corrugations, plus rutted sections from visitors driving on wet tracks.

Please note that chainsaws and fire wood collection is prohibited in Innamincka Regional Reserve and Malkumba-Coongie Lakes National Park, with no wood fires permitted at Malkumba-Coongie Lakes National Park. Bring firewood with you and take your waste material home or deposit it at the Innamincka township refuse site.

Coongie Track to Kudramitchie - Closed due to rain

Kudramitchie to Malkumba-Coongie Lakes National Park - Closed due to rain

15 Mile Track - Open to 4WD. Caution at ponded water and washouts.

Merinie Loop - Closed due to rain

Cullyamurra Waterhole – Closed due to rain

Burke’s Grave – Open to 4WD. Caution at ponded water and washouts.

Queerbidie – Open to 4WD. Caution at ponded water and washouts.

Policemans – Open to 4WD. Caution at ponded water and washouts.

Kings Marker - Open to 4WD. Caution at ponded water and washouts.

Ski Beach Campground – Open to 4WD. Caution at ponded water and washouts.

Wills Grave /span>– Open to 4WD. Caution at ponded water and washouts.

Minke Waterhole Campground – Open to 4WD. Caution at ponded water and washouts.

Old Strzelecki Track (on Innamincka Regional Reserve only) – Closed due to rain

Bore Track North – Closed due to rain

Bore Track South – Closed.

Walker Crossing PAR – Closed until further notice

Witjira National Park

ALERT: It is important that campers and other park visitors are self-sufficient, and carry their own firewood, drinking water cooking, cleaning and personal hygiene products with them.

Witjira National Park– Open to 4WD. Caution at ponded water and washouts

Dalhousie Campground - Open to 4WD. Caution at ponded water and washouts

Three O'Clock Campground - Open to 4WD. Caution at ponded water and washouts.

Dalhousie Campground to Purni Bore - Open to 4WD. Caution at ponded water and washouts

Bloods Creek Track: Closed due to deep water across track

Pedirka Public Access Route – Closed until further notice

Binns Track: Open to 4WD. Caution at ponded water and washouts

The Dalhousie airstrip is currently - Closed to the public

Tracks in the park are graded in June.

Rubbish tips are located 3 kilometres east and west of the Dalhousie campground or at Birdsville for disposal of rubbish.

Check local conditions before travelling into this area. See the National Parks website at www.parks.sa.gov.au for more information. 

Wood fires are not permitted in Witjira, with the exception that wood fires are still permitted at Mt Dare. This does not apply to the Munga-Thirri-Simpson Desert reserves in South Australia and wood can be carried through Witjira to be used in the Munga-Thirri-Simpson Desert reserves.

Munga-Thirri – Simpson Desert Open to 4WD. Extreme caution at ponded water, washouts and corrugations, plus rutted sections. The tracks within Munga-Thirri – Simpson Desert are un-maintained 4WD tracks and conditions can change unpredictably. National Parks and Wildlife Service of South Australia do not recommend the towing of trailers or campers within the Desert.

Colson Track – Open to 4WD.  Caution at ponded water and washouts.  For Permit information and track status of the Northern Territory section check with the Central Lands Council https://www.clc.org.au/permits/

Condition updates

As conditions change a further update bulletin will be issued. For further information on SA Desert Parks and Far Northern South Australian road and track access, please call Desert Parks on (61 8) 8648 5328 or the Transport SA Outback Roads hotline on 1300 361 033.

Alternatively contact local Police where applicable for condition updates. For travel communications, contact the Australian National 4WD Radio Network Inc on (61 8) 8287 6222. 

Fight the Bite - a health warning from SA Health

Even though conditions are dry, mosquitoes can still be active around waterbodies in northern South 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.

On-line park entry and camping bookings 

ALERT: It is important that campers and other park visitors are self-sufficient, and carry their own cooking, cleaning and personal hygiene products with them.

ALERT: Limited mobile reception exists across the Outback.  Please book prior to leaving where possible.

Travis Gotch
District Ranger Outback
Flinders & Outback

desertparks@sa.gov.au

While every attempt has been made to provide up to date information in this bulletin, all travellers are responsible for ensuring that they obtain accurate and detailed information and are properly equipped and prepared for all emergencies prior to travelling into remote outback areas. Privacy, Disclaimer, Copyright © 2021