Witjira National Park

On the western edge of the Simpson Desert, among sand dunes and floodplains, lie thermal springs surrounded by lush vegetation and an abundance of wildlife.

Witjira National Park features more than 120 mound springs providing opportunities to swim in the warm waters of the Dalhousie Main Spring. The nearby campgrounds offer a good base to explore the park.

The springs were used by Aboriginal people for years as a source of food, shelter and medicine and are home to unique species of fish such as the Lake Eyre hardy-head and other rare aquatic life that are found nowhere else in the world. The springs are also a haven for arid land birdlife.

If you're lucky enough to be visiting the park a few weeks after a soaking rain, you'll be rewarded with the ephemeral wildflowers bursting into bloom.

Location

Witjira National Park is located 887km north west of Port Augusta. Access is via Stuart Highway, Oodnadatta.

Opening Hours

Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Fees

Fees apply.

Contact Us

Desert Parks Hotline - 1800 816 078
DEWNR Port Augusta office Phone - (+61 8) 8648 5300
Transport SA Road Report Hotline - 1300 361 033

Flora Species

Witjira National Park flora - alphabetical (161kb pdf)
Witijira National Park flora - family (183kb pdf)
Wildlife of the Desert Parks (419kb pdf)

Important Information

Access east of Dalhousie requires the purchase of a Desert Parks Pass.

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

Access may be restricted due to local road conditions. Please refer to the latest Desert Parks Bulletin (79kb pdf) for current access and road condition information.

All wood fires or solid fuel fires are prohibited throughout the year. Gas fires are permitted other than on days of total fire ban.

Exception: Mt Dare Campground - Gas fires are permitted other than on days of total fire ban. Wood fires and solid fuel fires are prohibited during the Fire Danger Season (check the CFS website for dates in the North East Pastoral District). Wood fires or solid fuel fires are otherwise permitted outside the Fire Danger Season at Mt Dare providing the following conditions are met:

it is not a total fire ban day
wood has been supplied from outside the park
an adult is in attendance
the fire is extinguished before departure.

Wood collection is not permitted within Witjira National Park. Wood collected outside of the park can be carried through to the Simpson Desert Regional Reserve and Conservation Parks.

The Dalhousie airstrip is a private airstrip which is currently closed to the public.