Simpson Desert Regional Reserve and Conservation Park

1
Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources
Simpson Desert
Regional Reserve and
Conservation Park
Simpson Desert Regional Reserve
and Conservation Park
Heritage
Located in the driest region of Australia, the Simpson
Desert is one of the world's best examples of dunal
desert, a sea of parallel sand ridges ranging from
red to white, covering a total area of 170 000
square kilometres. The Simpson Desert lies across
the boundaries of South Australia, Queensland and
the Northern Territory. The South Australian section is
divided into three protected areas, Simpson Desert
Conservation Park, Simpson Desert Regional Reserve
and Witjira National Park.
Most Simpson Desert Aboriginal groups in the
nineteenth century were concentrated around the
watercourses on the desert boundaries. Prior to
this time, the Wangkangurru actually lived in the
desert; and to the west of their traditional boundary
the Lower Southern Arrernte lived on the edge and
partly in the desert. Family groups were generally
concentrated around native wells, or ‘Mikiri’ which
provided the only permanent source of water.
The Simpson Desert Conservation Park was originally
proclaimed as a national park in 1967, but changed
to conservation park classification in 1972. The
regional reserve was established in 1988, linking the
conservation park with Witjira National Park. The
enormous size of the parks (the regional reserve
covers 29 191 sq km, the conservation park, 6 881 sq km)
allows a wide cross-section of diverse flora, fauna
and sand ridge formations to be protected.
The sand dunes stretch over hundreds of kilometres
- the towering crests and vast, flat valleys (or swales)
between them seem endless. The sheer magnitude
of the endless landscape inspires a wide range of
emotions in visitors – some are overwhelmed by the
seemingly repetitiveness of the desert while others
marvel at the ever-changing environment.
There are several routes through the parks, allowing
visitors to cross the desert by four-wheel drive while
camping in the true outback of Australia. The most
enjoyable times to visit the Simpson Desert are
autumn, winter and spring. Simpson Desert Regional
Reserve and Conservation Park are closed annually
between 1 December and 15 March. This closure
is to ensure public safety as temperatures can
exceed 50˚. A breakdown during this time
could be fatal.
www.parks.sa.gov.au
Aboriginal culture and heritage
In good seasons they could spread out away from
these sites, taking advantage of groundwater and
the flush of new life that rain brings to the desert.
Aboriginal groups living in this area were hunters
and gatherers, but they also traded extensively
with groups to the north and south. Ground-edge
axes from quarries in Queensland were traded, as
were sandstone grinding stones and ochre from
the North Flinders Ranges. Some stone implements
and workings can be seen in the park, but are not
common. All Aboriginal sites are protected, so please
do not disturb them.
European settlement brought about the decline of
Aboriginal occupation of the desert. White settlers
introduced influenza to the Aboriginal groups,
decimating the population. Groups were displaced
as pastoral properties took over their land, while
other Aboriginal people were attracted to work on
properties and to towns and communities.
Central Bearded Dragon
Pogona vitticeps
www.environment.sa.gov.au
Exploration
The first European to see the grandeur of the
Simpson Desert was the explorer Charles Sturt
in 1845, but the desert was not fully recognised
and named until the 1930s when another
explorer and geologist, Cecil Thomas Madigan,
named it after Allen Simpson, the sponsor of his
subsequent expedition and then president of the
Royal Geographical Society of Australasia (South
Australian Branch). The explorers who came after
Sturt, mainly government surveyors, named a
number of the familiar landmarks in the area.
Notable among the early surveyors was Augustus
Poeppel who surveyed the junction of the borders of
Northern Territory, Queensland and South Australia
in 1880. The original peg marking Poeppel Corner
was removed to Adelaide for preservation in 1962
by Dr Reg Sprigg and now forms part of the History
Trust of South Australia's Historic Relics Collection.
On 25 August 1968, Bill Haylock of the SA Geodetic
Survey placed the current steel and concrete post
to mark Poeppel Corner. In 1989, the Friends of the
Simpson Desert Parks erected a red gum replica of
the original peg near the corner post.
The first successful European crossing of the desert
was in 1936 and is credited to E. A. Colson, who,
with Peter Ains (an Aboriginal companion) and
five camels, travelled from Mount Etingambra
eastwards via Poeppel Corner to Birdsville.
Geologist Reg Sprigg and his family completed
the first motorised crossing in 1962, with Dr Sprigg’s
Geosurveys of Australia company.
In 1936, the French Petroleum Company was
contracted to conduct seismic surveys and explore
for oil and gas deposits. These workers spent months
at a time in the desert, building what are now known
as the French and QAA lines, Rig Road and other
tracks, thus opening up the desert for other explorers,
pastoralists and tourists to follow.
Facilities
The only services available between Oodnadatta
and Birdsville, are at Mount Dare in Witjira National
Park. In Simpson Desert Regional Reserve and
Conservation Park visitors may camp within 50
metres of public access tracks. The best places to
camp are mostly located towards the swales in the
central region where Gidgee woodlands provide
shade, shelter and soft ground for camping.
If you are travelling this area for the first time, it is
recommended that you cross the reserves from
west to east to take advantage of the gentler
upsweep to most dunes. Reserves of fuel, water
and food, as well as basic vehicle spare parts and
recovery equipment, must be carried.
Things to do
The vast wilderness of the Simpson Desert allows
Facilities
visitors
to explore the natural features of the
extreme outback. Visitors can enjoy photography,
The only services available between Oodnadatta
birdwatching, camping, and of course,
and Birdsville, are at Mount Dare in Witjira National
experiencing the challenge and enormity of the
Park. In Simpson Desert Regional Reserve and
desert while crossing the innumerable dunes by
Conservation Park visitors may camp within 50
four-wheel drive.
metres of public access tracks. The best places to
There
areare
several
sites
of interest
throughout
thein the
camp
mostly
located
towards
the swales
parks.
The
Lone
Gum
stands
beside
the
Rig
Road
in
central region where Gidgee woodlands provide
the
conservation
park,
a
solitary
Coolibah
(which
shade, shelter and soft ground for camping.
these days is slowly being joined by its seedlings).
If you are travelling this area for the first time, it is
The tree thrives, despite growing far from the
recommended that you cross the reserves from
nearest watercourse. It remains a mystery how the
west to east to take advantage of the gentler
tree survives in this location.
upsweep to most dunes. Reserves of fuel, water
The
Approdinna
Attora
Knolls,
in the spare
conservation
and
food, as well
as basic
vehicle
parts and
park,
are rare
gypsum outcrops
that are very
recovery
equipment,
must be carried.
fragile and of great scientific importance. They
appear, almost ghost-like, from amongst the
red
sand dunes.
The unusual formations are also
Things
to do
significant to local Aboriginal groups - please treat
The
vastwith
wilderness
of the
Simpson Desert allows
this
area
the respect
it deserves.
visitors to explore the natural features of the
Poeppel Corner, first surveyed by Augustus Poeppel
extreme outback. Visitors can enjoy photography,
in 1880, is the junction of the South Australian,
birdwatching, camping, and of course,
Queensland and Northern Territory borders. The
experiencing the challenge and enormity of the
original post is preserved in Adelaide, but a replica
desert while crossing the innumerable dunes by
post stands near the survey post where visitors can
in 1880, is the junction of the South Australian,
The
swales between
the sandTerritory
dunes collect
Queensland
and Northern
borders.more
The
water
and
nutrients
than
the
sand
dunes
and
so can
original post is preserved in Adelaide, but a replica
support
larger
shrubs
such
as
eremophila,
grevillea
post stands near the survey post where visitors can
and
acacias
likestates
Mulga
Gidgee – particularly
stand
in three
atand
once.
around Poeppel Corner where low open woodlands
of Gidgee spread out to the horizon. The playa
lakes
in these swales also support small clumps of
Flora
salt-tolerant samphire and other herbaceous plants
On thetheir
crests
of the sand dunes small grasses
around
periphery.
and herbs, such as Sandhill Cane-grass thrive,
while on the more stable sands Triodia species like
Fauna
Lobed Spinifex and other small grasses and shrubs
dominate. These spinifex tussocks can often grow
You
may be
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to know
that
195 bird
to form
large
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assome
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Simpson
plant dies out, while new growth continues Desert.
at the
Common
birds include Crested Pigeons and Zebra
outer edges.
Finches, while Galahs and corellas are often seen
After rain the sand dunes can become covered
congregating away from the midday sun in a tree
in a veritable carpet of wildflowers, as the long
overlooking a waterhole. The desert is home to
dormant seeds of Poached-egg Daisies and Fleshy
several species of birds of prey such as the mighty
Groundsel spring into life.
Wedge-tailed Eagle (often seen soaring on the
The swales between the sand dunes collect more
desert thermals), as well as
water and nutrients than the sand dunes and so can
Black Kites, Nankeen Kestrels
support larger shrubs such as eremophila, grevillea
and Brown Falcons.
and acacias like Mulga and Gidgee – particularly
around Poeppel Corner where low open woodlands
of Gidgee spread out to the horizon. The playa
lakes in these swales also support small clumps of
salt-tolerant samphire and other herbaceous plants
around their periphery.
Fauna
You may Wedge-tailed
be surprised
to know that some 195 bird
Eagle
Aquila audax
species have been recorded in the Simpson Desert.
Common birds include Crested Pigeons and Zebra
Finches,
while
and corellas
areon
often
Look
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the Eyrean
Grasswren
the seen
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congregating
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a
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several species of birds of prey such as the mighty
Following a good season, the Simpson Desert can
Wedge-tailed Eagle (often seen soaring on the
become a birdwatcher’s paradise as flocks of birds
desert thermals), as well as
arrive to take advantage of the water and abundant
Black Kites, Nankeen Kestrels
food, particularly around the playa lakes and
and Brown Falcons.
temporary waterholes. Watch out for waterbirds,
chats and the rare Australian Bustard.
www.environment.sa.gov.au
To escape the searing heat of the day, many of the
2
Aquila
audax
their
periphery.
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Approdinna
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another.
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Information brochure from Desert Parks Pass stockists,
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Brown Falcons.
away from
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Information brochure fromcongregating
Desert Parks Pass stockists,
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come out to feast on insects, while
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download it from www.parks.sa.gov.au or free-call
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issued on a per vehicle basis. It includes the maps
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including
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e vast
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dominate. These spinifex tussocks can often grow
and requirements for safe desert
travel through
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to explore
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natural
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to form
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as the centre
of the of the
of South Australia.
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plant dies out, while new growth continues at the
Fees collected are used for conservation and to
treme
outback. Visitors can enjoy photography,
outer edges.
and
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maintain and improve park
facilities
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camping,
and of
course,
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Eagle
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dunes
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ongoing
enjoyment.
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in a veritable carpet of wildflowers, as the long
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and enormity of the
Fat-tailed Dunnart
Fat-tailed DunnartDaisies and Fleshy
dormant seeds of Poached-egg
Sminthopsis crassicaudata
Sminthopsis crassicaudata
courtesy of Lorraine Hancox
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the
on the slopes
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while
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innumerable
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Groundsel
spring
into
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safety
courtesy of Lorraine Hancox
of sand dunes, scurrying from one Sandhill Caneur-wheel
drive.
The outback of South Australia is a vast, wonderful
grass clump
to another.
and rewarding place to visit. To ensure that you get
Following
a goodsites
season,
Simpson Desert
can
ere are
several
oftheinterest
throughout
the the best out of your experience it is important to
become a birdwatcher’s paradise as flocks of birds
As you drive, remain
the lookout
for some of
the Rig Road obtain
arks. The
Gumonstands
beside
the
in good advice and thoroughly prepare for
arrive Lone
to take advantage
of the water
and abundant
your journey.
reptilian inhabitants of the desert. Australia’s biggest
food, particularly around the playa lakes and
e conservation
park,
afound
solitary
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(whichThe Desert Parks Pass contains detailed safety
lizard, the Perentie,
can be
out here
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temporary waterholes. Watch out for waterbirds,
as the more common Sand Goanna. Painted and
chats and
the rare Australian
ese days
is slowly
being Bustard.
joined by its seedlings).instruction, outback driving advice, as well as
Central Bearded dragons can be found sunning
detailed maps for extended travel throughout
escape the
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For shorter trips, pick up a Remote Area Travel
arestout
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how the
at night.
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Skinks
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to mystery
look.
Information brochure from Desert Parks PassWedge-tailed
stockists,
and Ampurta come out to feast on insects, while
Eagle
e survives
in this location.
download it from www.parks.sa.gov.au or free-call
Dingoes are out searching for bigger prey such as
Aquila audax
the Desert Parks Hotline on 1800 816 078 to
rabbits.
If you’ve
gotPass
a good field guide handy, try
Desert
Parks
e Approdinna
Attora
Knolls, in the conservationfind out more.
to identify the different tracks on the sand dunes in
A Desert
Pass
is required
to enter
and camp
the
morning.
The
desert
isoutcrops
also home
to feral
animals
ark, are
rareParks
gypsum
that
are very
in the Simpson
Desert
Regional
Reserve and
including
rabbits,
camels
and foxes.
Look carefully for the Eyrean Grasswren on the slopes
www.environment.sa.gov.au
gile and
of great
importance.
They
Conservation
Park. Ascientific
Desert Parks Pass
is a 12 month
hings to do
Fauna
3
4
Facilities
The only services available between Oodnadatta
and Birdsville, are at Mount Dare in Witjira National
Park. In Simpson Desert Regional Reserve and
Conservation Park visitors may camp within 50
metres of public access tracks. The best places to
camp are mostly located towards the swales in the
central region where Gidgee woodlands provide
shade, shelter and soft ground for camping.
If you are travelling this area for the first time, it is
The swales between the sand dunes collect more
water and nutrients than the sand dunes and so can
support larger shrubs such as eremophila, grevillea
and acacias like Mulga and Gidgee – particularly
around Poeppel Corner where low open woodlands
of Gidgee spread out to the horizon. The playa
lakes in these swales also support small clumps of
salt-tolerant samphire and other herbaceous plants
around their periphery.
As you drive, remain on the lookout for some of the
reptilian inhabitants of the desert. Australia’s biggest
lizard, the Perentie, can be found out here as well
as the more common Sand Goanna. Painted and
Central Bearded dragons can be found sunning
themselves next to the track, while the desert python
(the Woma) and smaller Beaked Geckos and Desert
Skinks may be seen if you take the time to look.
Desert www.environment.sa.gov.au
Parks Pass
Fire safety
5
Location map
• Wood fires are not permitted in the parks during
the Fire Danger Season usually 1 November to 30
April. Please use liquid fuel or gas stoves only.
Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources
Simpson Desert
Regional Reserve and
Conservation Park
• On Total Fire Ban Days, all fires (liquid, gas and
wood) are prohibited in the parks.
• Please do not collect firewood as fallen timber
provides refuge for small animals. It is preferable
you use a liquid fuel or gas stove.
Minimal impact
• Avoid washing close to water supplies, as
even a small amount of soap or detergent
will cause pollution.
• Bury toilet waste well away from water and
burn toilet paper.
• Bag and carry out all rubbish.
The National Parks Code
Help protect your national parks by following
these guidelines:
• Leave your pets at home.
• Take your rubbish with you.
• Observe fire restrictions, usually 1 November
to 30 April. Check CFS Hotline 1300 362 361.
• Conserve native habitat by using liquid fuel
or gas stoves.
• Respect geological, cultural and
heritage sites.
• Keep wildlife wild. Do not feed or disturb
animals or remove native plants.
• Keep to defined vehicle tracks and
walking trails.
For further information contact:
Department of Environment, Water and
Natural Resources
SA Arid Lands
9 Mackay Street Port Augusta SA 5700
Phone (08) 8648 5300 Fax (08) 8648 5301
Website www.parks.sa.gov.au
Desert Parks Hotline
Freecall 1800 816 078
Email desertparks@sa.gov.au
Phone Information Line (08) 8204 1910
Email dewnrinformation@sa.gov.au
Website www.parks.sa.gov.au
• Be considerate of other park users.
Thank you for leaving the bush in its natural
state for the enjoyment of others.
Cover: Eyrean Grasswren Amytomis Goyderi
© Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources
March 2013 • FIS 91851
www.parks.sa.gov.au
www.environment.sa.gov.au