Simpson Desert Conservation Park and Regional Reserve

Simpson Desert parks in South Australia and Queensland are closed in summer from 1 December to 15 March.

Located within the driest region of the Australian continent, the Simpson Desert Conservation Park is in the centre of the Simpson Desert, one of the world's best examples of parallel dunal desert.

The Simpson Desert consisting of sand dunes that stretch over hundreds of kilometres lies across the corners of three States - South Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory.

Explore the sheer magnitude of the endless landscape and the ever-changing environment by four-wheel driving among the red dunes, salt-crusted lakes, vast stretches of grasslands, dense scrubland and even tall stands of hakea and gidgee. After the rains the wildflowers bloom across the sand dunes.

The Simpson Desert Regional Reserve, just outside the park, features a wide variety of desert wildlife preserved in a landscape of varied dune systems, extensive playa lakes, spinifex grasslands and acacia woodlands. The reserve links the Simpson Desert Conservation Park to Witjira National Park.

Location

Simpson Desert Conservation Park is located 957km north of Port Augusta. Access is via Stuart Highway, via Oodnadatta and Dalhousie Springs or through Birdsville from the east.

Opening Hours

Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week April to November. Both the conservation park and regional reserve are closed from 1 December to 15 March.

Fees

Fees apply.

Contact Us

Desert Parks Hotline - 1800 816 078
DEWNR Port Augusta office - Phone: (08) 8648 5300
Transport SA Road Report Hotline - 1300 361 033

Flora Species

Wildlife of the Desert Parks (419kb pdf)

Important Information

The Simpson Desert can only be accessed with a Desert Parks Pass.

Access may be restricted due to local road conditions. Please refer to the latest Desert Parks Bulletin (66kb pdf) for current acces and road condition information.

This park may be closed on days of extreme fire danger.

All wood fires and solid fuel fires are prohibited from 1 November to 31 March. Gas fires are permitted other than on days of Total Fire Ban.