Public Access Routes and sites of interest
If you're interested in exploring the vast landscapes of South Australia, the PARs offer an exciting way to do so. Read on for detailed information about each route’s location and distinctive features or download the PAR Map.
Always check outback road warnings and closures before your trip on the Outback Road Warnings - Department for Infrastructure and Transport special notices page.
PAR 1 - Copper King Mine
Historically, the Copper King Historic Mine site is a Heritage Site and was mined from 1899 to 1955 for copper and ochre. It is significant as one of the four principal mines which produced coloured pigments for paint manufacture and industrial use in SA. It appears that copper was first discovered there by J. and W. Hill in 1899. This was a late starting copper mine for the Flinders Ranges, it being established almost 40 years after the earliest ones.
Physically, the site has a high level of integrity in that much of the plant installed in 1924 is still relatively intact, the arrangement of the plant and the layout of the site constitute important and rare physical evidence of this type of technology.
Directions: Easily accessible via a bitumen road approximately 17km south of Leigh Creek. Take Beltana Road and access via Perylia Zinc Mine.
Region: North Flinders.
Lease name: Puttapa Station.
Length: 5km.
Safety: The track is rough in places and a high clearance 4WD vehicle is recommended. Exercise extreme caution when walking around the site, take care and be responsible for your own safety.
PLEASE NOTE: Proposal to close PAR 1
Pursuant to Section 45(3)(a) of the Pastoral Land Management and Conservation Act 1989, the Pastoral Board is proposing to revoke Public Access Route (PAR) 1, to help preserve a highly valuable fossil site, and ensure public safety by preventing access to an unsafe mine site.
PAR 1 runs adjacent to the Ajax Hill archaeocyath fossil site, which preserves exceptional pavements of archaeocyath fossils of international significance and includes the greatest number of archaeocyath species recorded for any individual locality on Earth. Due to the site’s sensitivity and importance, the closure of PAR 1 will help the Department for Environment and Water to appropriately manage and preserve this valuable fossil site.
In addition, PAR 1 leads to Copper King Mine, a former ochre and copper mine located 10.6km southeast of Copley and 1.9km east of Perilya Puttupa Pit. Historical excavations and selective mining of pigments by hand have resulted in many unfenced small shafts and open cut excavations, making the site unsafe to the public. Unregulated access to the site is a public safety concern.
Written comments to:
Manager, Pastoral Unit
Department for Environment and Water
GPO Box 1047
ADELAIDE SA 5001
Please refer to PAR 1 in all correspondence.
Submissions close 7th of June 2024.
The Pastoral Unit will undertake a review of the options for long-term management of PARs given their current level of use and the need to sustainably manage the network. The review will commence in 2024/25 after the completion of the track repairs. The Pastoral Unit will welcome input and feedback from PAR users and other stakeholders.
PAR 2 - Lake Eyre – Level Post Bay via Muloorina
The main purpose of the PAR is to provide access to Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre National Park which is a significant tourism icon. At the start of the PAR is the Muloorina Campground and at the end is national parks signage.
Level Post Bay was named by Warren Bonython in 1949 when he used a "level post" to monitor water levels in the great flood of 1949-50. At or near this point the water reaches the greatest depth when Lake Eyre North floods, as occurred during 1974-75 when a water depth of 6.6m was recorded.
The PAR is a sandy based no-through track approximately two vehicle widths wide and traverses through typical gibber plains and sandy rises before running along the northeast shore of Lake Eyre South, along the Goyder Channel and terminating at Level Post Bay in the Madigan Gulf of Lake Eyre North.
At the end of the PAR there is a fenced area for car parking. From the car park, there is a walking track to the edge of Kati Thanda - Lake Eyre National Park (approximately 150m) and an information shelter.
Access: Before heading out to visit Kati Thanda - Lake Eyre National Park, please check the Desert Parks Bulletin website for closures or alerts associate with the PAR https://www.parks.sa.gov.au/know-before-you-go/desert-parks-bulletin
Directions: Located northwest of Muloorina Homestead, which is situated approximately 50km northwest of Marree.
Region: Marree-Innamincka.
Lease name: Muloorina Station.
Length: 51km
Safety: No other services are provided here. Please ensure you have adequate food and water for your trip and are equipped with a UHF radio for contact with surrounding stations (channel 30, or channel 7 repeater), or satellite phone in case of breakdown.
Stay on the track and do not attempt to drive onto the lake surface. Driving on the Lake surface is an offence and is dangerous. Apart from the risk of bogging, vehicle tracks will spoil the natural appearance of this unique area.
PAR 3 - Nuccaleena Mine
The main purpose of the Nuccaleena PAR is to provide tourist access to the historic mine site and settlement ruins.
At the site there are historic mine shafts, and buildings/ruins. The majority of these are within a fenced area, however, some ruins lie outside. Many of the mine shafts are open cut and have deep shafts. There is a walking gate which provides access into the fenced area.
The Nuccaleena PAR is a no through track which comprises multiple land systems. The track is quite narrow in some places, has frequent embedded material (rocky) due to the terrain in which it is located and crosses multiple creek lines which are rocky.
The country traversed is diverse and scenic, with good views over surrounding ranges. Vegetation is mainly low shrubland of hopbushes and soapbush, with patches of native pine, traversed by red gum creek lines.
On the way to the mine site, the track provides access to the historic Tam O'Shanter (Bushmans) Hotel. Do not disturb the fragile stonework on these buildings.
Heritage SA have provided interpretive information and a map of the site near the entrance gate at the car parking area at the terminus of the track.
Directions: Travelling west turn off the Blinman - Moolooloo Homestead Road approximately 4km south of Moolooloo.
Region: North Flinders.
Lease name: Moolooloo Station.
Length: 14km.
Safety: The track surface is rough and rocky in places. A 4WD vehicle with high clearance is essential as there are numerous sharp creeks and frequent washouts. The Nuccaleena mine site has many open cut mine areas and deep shafts. Exercise extreme care when walking around the site. Do not go past the safety barrier. Be aware the ruins and associated infrastructure may be unstable, please take care and be responsible for your own safety.
PAR 4/5 - Artimore and Patawarta Gap
The purpose of the Artimore PAR is to provide tourist access to Artimore ruins. The route provides ring route access to Artimore ruins which can be accessed from Blinman via the Narrina Road or from Moolooloo via the Glass Gorge Road, and links with Patawarta Gap PAR.
The PAR comprises multiple land systems which traverse through predominantly shaley pine woodland. Three full site assessments were conducted. There are numerous creek crossings (with the track following a creek bed at the western side of the route) and cross track gutters of varying depth and severity.
Patawarta Gap PAR is solely for tourism purposes. There are no stock watering points or yards accessed from this no through route which terminates at the property boundary. The PAR leads to Patawarta Gap (a gap in Patawarta Hill) which lies on Narrina Station, however the PAR ends at the Narrina boundary.
The PAR is a dead end track and comprises of multiple land systems. It is a single vehicle width track that traverse over steep hills and creek crossings.
These routes traverse scenic vegetation and landforms in valleys typical of the central Flinders Ranges. These include grasslands, shrublands, blackoak pine and mallee communities.
Directions: To access Patawarta Gap, take the turnoff a few kilometres east of Moolooloo Homestead. There is no public access beyond the Narrina Station boundary fence along this track without prior permission from Narrina Station, however the Artimore public access route is a through route to the Narrina / Blinman main road.
Region: North Flinders.
Lease names: Moolooloo Station and Angorichina Station.
Length: The Artimore route is 26km in length, while Patawarta Gap route, branching off from the Artimore route is 12km return.
Safety: A high clearance 4WD vehicle is required at all times, as there are numerous creek crossings and washouts are common. This track is considered to be challenging and should only be attempted by experienced 4WD operators. Do not camp in creek beds.
Please notify Narrina station if you intend to walk off this route e.g., to climb Patawarta Hill.
Be aware the ruins and associated infrastructure may be unstable, please take care and be responsible for your own safety.
PAR 6 - Tallaringa
The main purpose of the Tallaringa PAR is to allow access to Tallaringa Conservation Park, Emu Junction and ultimately Western Australia via the Anne Beadell Highway. The track leads to Laverton Western Australia, approximately 1300km with no services through the Great Sandy Desert.
The country traversed by the track is mainly sandy mulga woodlands with some sand ridges, becoming a dunefield further west with dense scrub, marble gum and mallee. Extensive salt lake complexes, remnants of former river systems occur in both South Australia and Western Australia.
Access: Before heading out to the Tallaringa PAR, please check the Desert Parks Bulletin website for closures or alerts associate with the PAR https://www.parks.sa.gov.au/know-before-you-go/desert-parks-bulletin
Directions: This route begins 44km west of Coober Pedy, along the road to Mabel Creek Station, where there is a detailed information shelter. Drive approximately 1km north along the Old Stuart Highway before heading west at the sign marked "Vokes Hill".
Region: Marla Oodnadatta.
Lease name: Mabel Creek Station.
Length: The Tallaringa Route itself is approximately 62km long and provides access to the Tallaringa Conservation Park and the Anne Beadell Highway. The highway is an overgrown track heading west from Mabel Creek in SA to Laverton in WA across the Great Victoria Desert, a total distance of 1296km with no services available.
Safety: Detailed safety advice and approvals needed to traverse this route is provided on an information shelter near Mabel Creek Homestead on the Old Stuart Highway. The route should only be attempted by properly equipped and maintained vehicles, preferably in a convoy, avoiding the months of November to March inclusive.
Ensure that vehicles have adequate supplies of food and water, have a HF radio with RFDS frequencies, or a satellite phone.
For further information contact the Coober Pedy Police on phone (08) 8672 5056.
PAR 7 - Curdimurka
The PAR is a short no-through track traversing though a single land system. The PAR has two entrances, both off the Oodnadatta track, one from the north and one from the south, that sweep in towards the buildings.
The Curdimurka PAR leads to the historic Curdimurka Railway siding and associated water tank infrastructure. The Curdimurka site has a restored section of old Ghan railway track, which crosses one of the main watercourses in the region.
This track runs off the Oodnadatta track near the Wamba Kardabu Conservation Park on Anna Creek Station. The route runs past an enclosure where the rare plant Shrubby Pigface is protected from grazing by stock.
Directions: The Strangways Springs turnoff is 66km southeast of William Creek on the Oodnadatta Track, or 56km northwest of the Borefield Road turnoff. The Curdimurka turnoff is 22km west of the Borefield Road turnoff on the Oodnadatta Track.
Region: Marla Oodnadatta.
Lease name: Stuart Creek Station.
Length: Curdimurka - 1km.
Safety: Ensure you have sufficient food and water supplies and reliable communication (satellite phone or HF radio with RFDS frequencies) when travelling the Oodnadatta Track, particularly during the warmer months (November to March). Be aware the ruins and associated infrastructure may be unstable, please take care and be responsible for your own safety.
PAR 8 - Pedirka
Named after the railway siding on the old Ghan line which it originally serviced, this route was established to provide access to the Witjira National Park via Dalhousie Springs.
The PAR is the main Southern access point to Witjira National Park and Dalhousie Springs. The PAR also travels past the old Pedirka siding. The PAR represents a major track through Hamilton station with a trucking yard located at Pedirka Siding.
The Pedirka PAR is a through track that is comprised predominantly of a gibber based land system. This results in most of the track being stony with a minor section traversing the Hamilton creek. The sections of the track that go along the creek line are sandy with deep soft sand in places.
The redgum communities in the Stevenson Creek where the track crosses (east of Pedirka) make attractive photographic subjects. Creeks are lined with Minneritchie (Acacia cyperophylla) and gidgee (Acacia cambagei) on the gibber plains near the park boundary.
Access: Before heading out to visit to Witjira National Park & Dalhousie Springs, please check the Desert Parks Bulletin website for closures or alerts associate with the PAR https://www.parks.sa.gov.au/know-before-you-go/desert-parks-bulletin
Directions: Head north from Oodnadatta along the road to Mt Sarah and Hamilton Stations approximately 110 km. The public access route runs from the terminus of the existing public road at Hamilton Station and traverses downstream and along the north bank of the Hamilton Creek crossing the old Ghan line at Pedirka siding. It is often used as the preferred route to access the Rig Road or French Line in the Simpson Desert National Park via Purnie Bore.
Region: Marla Oodnadatta.
Lease name: Hamilton Station.
Length: This route is 43km in length and provides access to the Witjira National Park which leads into the Simpson Desert Regional Reserve. A Desert Parks Pass is required to enter these areas.
Safety: 4WD vehicles properly equipped for outback travel are needed when accessing Witjira via this route as deep sand drifts, washouts and rough, rocky stretches are common.
This route traverses both dunes and sandy flood out areas, as well as stony tableland country further to the east. There is limited sight distance in some areas so travel slowly or carry a flag and pole for visibility over dune crests.
This track, like other roads in the region, can be rendered impassable by heavy rainfalls for weeks at a time. Do not attempt to access Dalhousie Springs and the Simpson Desert if significant rain is forecasted or has fallen in the area.
PAR 9 - Warraweena
Warraweena pastoral lease is run as a private conservation reserve by Wetlands and Wildlife.
The purpose of this PAR is to provide tourist access which traverses through the property (and Warraweena Gap) and terminates at the Narrina boundary.
The PAR is a single vehicle width track and is a no through track which comprises multiple land systems. At the start of the PAR the track largely follows sections of a gum creek line (track is in the creek lines itself) and so has large material (rock). The rest of the track passes through hilly terrain.
The track begins near the Warraweena Station Homestead and traverses the property, through Warraweena gap, terminating at the boundary gate with Narrina.
It is a very picturesque area with fine examples of Central Flinders Ranges vegetation and landforms. These include native pine, gumbarked coolabah and a variety of shrublands dominated by silver wattle.
Attractions accessible from the public access route include Mt Hack and Old Warraweena, as well as the yellow-footed rock wallaby colonies near the homestead. The Sandy Camp Pound north of Mt Hack is also worth visiting, together with the rock holes and gorges along the main creek systems in this area.
Directions: Turn off the Hawker to Leigh Creek Road at the Beltana Roadhouse, heading through the historic town of Beltana to Warraweena Sanctuary.
Warraweena is run as a private conservation reserve - a fee is payable to access any area of the property from this or other tracks. No fee applies if you are only staying on the public access route.
Please call in at the homestead before traversing the public access route.
Region: North Flinders.
Lease name: Warraweena Station.
Length: 22 km.
Safety: High clearance 4WD vehicles are needed as the track has many steep creek crossings, with areas of the track surface comprising large rocks or where the soils have become eroded and gullied.
PAR 10 - Lake Gairdner National Park
The purpose of this PAR is to provide tourist access to Lake Gairdner National Park and is a single width no through vehicle track.
A fully restored and working example of one of the original catchment tanks (Waltumba or Sisters Tank) can be seen at the turnoff. These tanks caught run off water from the nearby road and stored it underground to prevent evaporation, thus enabling the surrounding pastoral land to be developed for sheep grazing.
Water was pumped from this tank using a hand pump similar to the one installed now. This tank should not be relied upon to provide water as it does not always have water in it. Boil the water if you intend to use it for drinking or cooking.
The track provides the only public access point to Lake Gairdner. This 5500km² lake is one of three salt lakes comprising the Lake Gairdner National Park. The lake consists of a hard salt crust of varying thickness, with approximately 315 islands up to 65km2 in size.
At the terminus of the track near the lake, a walking trail has been developed to a lookout on a granite hill overlooking the coastline providing stunning views of the granite islands studded across the lake surface.
Access: Before heading out to visit Lake Gairdner National Park, please check the Desert Parks Bulletin website for closures or alerts associate with the PAR https://www.parks.sa.gov.au/know-before-you-go/desert-parks-bulletin
Directions: This short track is off the Kingoonya to Iron Knob Road, about 25km north of the Pondanna out station ruins (Yardea Station turnoff).
Region: Gawler Ranges.
Lease name: Yardea Station.
Length: 2.5km.
Safety: Stay on the track and do not attempt to drive onto the lake surface. Driving on the Lake surface is an offence and is dangerous. Apart from the risk of bogging, vehicle tracks will spoil the natural appearance of this unique area.
PAR 11 - Gawler Ranges National Park
The purpose of this PAR is to provide access to Gawler Ranges National Park, predominantly from Kimba, and it is one of three main entrances to the park.
The PAR is a through track from Buckleboo Road to the National Park which has other entry and exit points leading to Gawler Ranges Road via Yardea in the north and Wudinna via Minnipa in the south.
The PAR lies on multiple land systems.
This route is a well formed road through mallee and western Myall woodland, with an understorey of bluebush and bluebush daisy. As the route travels through a working pastoral property, please respect the stock and any infrastructure that you encounter.
Directions: This track provides access to the Gawler Ranges National Park from Kimba, or the Gawler Ranges Road via Yardea. The turnoff is approximately 60km from Kimba and 15km north of Buckleboo Station Homestead.
Region: Gawler Ranges.
Lease name: Buckleboo Station.
Length: 20km to the park boundary and the end of the route. Approximately 27km to the Paney Homestead (Rangers Residence) within the park.
Safety: Please ensure you have adequate food and water in case of breakdown as traffic is sparse during the summer months. Ensure vehicle is equipped with adequate spares and that you have a satellite phone or HF radio.
PAR 12 - Old Peake Telegraph Station
The Old Peake PAR leads to the Freeling Springs complex and the Old Peake Telegraph station ruins. It is a no through track with a turnaround at the terminal point and no provision for camping due to a small area at the end.
The Old Peake telegraph station was one of several settlements set up to ensure effective operation of the Adelaide to Darwin overland telegraph line, completed in 1876.
The stone buildings at the site have been partially restored, stabilised and interpreted by Heritage SA. Adjacent to this site is the "Copper Top" mine. A walking track provides access up the creek line to the west of the ruins complex.
The Old Peake PAR is comprised of a single land system that is rocky, and the track twists around the base of the hill range. This results in several areas that are twisting and tight.
This rough 4WD track heads east through the Denison Ranges. These ranges are an outlier of the Flinders Ranges and contain a stunning array of ancient rock types.
There are several creek crossings and once through the range, the track turns south and runs past several mound springs - natural outlets for water from the Great Artesian Basin.
Directions: Approximately 95km south of Oodnadatta along the Oodnadatta track or 110 kilometres north of William Creek.
Region: Marla Oodnadatta.
Lease name: The Peake Station.
Length: 16km.
Safety: This is a very remote area and it is essential that you have an adequate food and water supply in case of breakdown. Also ensure your 4WD vehicle has adequate spares and is equipped with a satellite phone of HF radio with RFDS frequencies. Be aware the ruins and associated infrastructure may be unstable, please take care and be responsible for your own safety.
PAR 13 - Halligan Bay - Lake Eyre
The primary purpose is tourism, providing access to Kati Thanda - Lake Eyre National Park. This track provides access to Lake Eyre North from the western side, through Anna Creek Station and terminates at a prominent point which cuts out into the lake to the north of Halligan Bay. Halligan Point is another 10km north.
The track is a no through track that terminates at the camping and day visit area on the edge of the lake. The camping/ day visit area has National Parks infrastructure including toilets, shelters and interpretive signs.
The PAR receives a high level of vehicle traffic. The track traverses multiple land systems with most of its length dominated by stony gibber overlying a softer clay-based substrate and sandy rises on the edge of dune fields.
Main features along the track include vast dune fields - low spreading sand ridges, and wide interdune flats with pastures of annual plants after rain and various perennial grasses and shrubs, including Mitchell grass and low bluebush.
The PAR is used by the lessee, as there are water points and a major trucking yard located along the track. The track goes past several flowing bores - please do not interfere with these as they provide the only stock water in an area of very low rainfall.
Around the margins of Lake Eyre are spectacular residuals (erosion landforms) covered by black gibber stones - remnants of when a much larger inland sea covered the area.
Access: Before heading out to visit Kati Thanda - Lake Eyre National Park, please check the Desert Parks Bulletin website for closures or alerts associate with the PAR https://www.parks.sa.gov.au/know-before-you-go/desert-parks-bulletin
Directions: The start of this public access route is located approximately 7km southeast of William Creek on the Oodnadatta Track.
Region: Marla Oodnadatta.
Lease name: Anna Creek Station.
Length: Approximately 62km.
Safety: The public access route is classed as four-wheel drive but should not be attempted during summer or if rain has fallen or is forecast for the area. This can be an arduous and difficult trip given the distance and varying condition of the track. Drive slowly as there may be holes filled with bull-dust that are hard to see or anticipate. The condition of this public access route can decline during high traffic periods.
Stay on the track and do not attempt to drive onto the lake surface. Driving on the Lake surface is an offence and is dangerous. Apart from the risk of bogging, vehicle tracks will spoil the natural appearance of this unique area. Ensure you have adequate food and water for your trip and are equipped with a UHF radio for contact with surrounding stations, or satellite phone.
PAR 14 - Strangway Springs
The purpose of the PAR is to enable access to the Strangways Springs complex and historical ruins registered as a state heritage site. The whole area is fenced from stock grazing and the ruins of the repeater station, other buildings and the stone yards used for sheep shearing have been preserved. These springs and ruins were one of the repeater stations on the old telegraph line and so represent a significant historical and ecological point of interest.
The PAR is a short no through track that terminates at the springs.
The parent material is rocky in nature and there is quite a lot of rock and associated material within the matrix.
Due to a reduction in pressure in the Great Artesian Basin in this area the springs have ceased active flow.
Directions: The Strangways Springs turnoff is 66km southeast of William Creek on the Oodnadatta Track, or 56km northwest of the Borefield Road turnoff.
Region: Marla Oodnadatta.
Lease name: Anna Creek Station.
Length: 2.5km.
Safety: Ensure you have sufficient food and water supplies and reliable communication (satellite phone or HF radio with RFDS frequencies) when travelling the Oodnadatta Track, particularly during the warmer months (November to March).
Be aware the ruins and associated infrastructure may be unstable, please take care and be responsible for your own safety.
PAR 15 - K1 Warburton Crossing
The name "K1" is taken from a notation used by seismic survey teams when installing shot-lines for oil and gas exploration in this region.
The primary purpose of the K1 Warburton Crossing PAR is to provide tourist access to the Simpson Desert Regional Reserve via the Warburton creek and the K1 line. It can also be traversed from the Regional Reserve in reverse via the French Line, Rig Road and K1 line.
The main track crosses two pastoral leases, Clifton Hills on the east and Cowarie on the west, beginning at the Birdsville Track on Clifton Hills. Travelling from the Simpsons Desert to the intersection of the K1 line, the Rig Road junction and Warburton Track is approximately 105 km from the Birdsville Track and 1km north of the old oil exploration site, Kuncherinna 1 Oil Well (now abandoned).
The K1 Warburton Crossing PAR is single vehicle ‘through’ track to the Simpson Desert Regional Reserve which comprises of floodplain and dune swales.
The track traverses the floodplain of the Warburton (Diamantina) River for approximately 60km, with Warburton Crossing itself only about 10 km from the start of the track. Much of this area is canegrass or lignum country with deep cracking clay soils. It is very rough in some stretches due to the "crabhole" nature of these soils when dry.
Good examples of coolabah woodland occur in the interdune swales in the north western edges of the floodplain. Forests of dead trees bear testimony to the harsh environment and length of time between good floods down this river system.
Some of the most massive sandridges to be found in the Simpson Desert occur about 60-80km from the Birdsville track along this route.
Access: Before heading out to visit Munga-Thirri–Simpson Desert Regional Reserve, please check the Desert Parks Bulletin website for closures or alerts associate with the PAR https://www.parks.sa.gov.au/know-before-you-go/desert-parks-bulletin
Directions: Access is from the Birdsville track, approximately 100km north of the Mungerannie Hotel. A signposted turnoff is located just to the south of a fence crossing (grid) about 10 kilometres south of the Clifton Hills Homestead turnoff. The Warburton Crossing itself is located approximately 10km from the start of the route.
The route provides access to the start of the Simpson Desert Regional Reserve. A Desert Parks Pass is required and is available from National Parks. The Simpson Desert Regional Reserve and Conservation Park is closed annually from Dec 15 until March 15.
Region: Far North East.
Lease names: Clifton Hills and Cowarie Stations.
Length: Approximately 80km.
Safety: Vehicles attempting to cross the Simpson Desert should be well equipped for remote areas with a satellite phone or HF radio with RFDS frequencies. It is inadvisable to take a trailer or any towed vehicle into the desert.
For information on attempting a Simpson Desert Crossing and obtaining a Desert Parks Pass phone (08) 8648 5328.
PAR 16 - Walkers Crossing
The Walkers Crossing track provides access from the Strzelecki Track to the Birdsville Track, via Innamincka, without leaving South Australia. It follows the 15 Mile Track in the Innamincka Regional Reserve from Innamincka to the Gidgealpa Homestead Road from Moomba. It then crosses Tirrawarra Gasfield Road and runs north, passing other gas fields, before crossing Cooper Creek at Walkers Crossing. From there it follows Christmas Creek downstream for approximately 15km, before heading generally north westwards across an increasingly arid landscape to the Birdsville Track.
The route is popular with tourists but is also used by pastoralists travelling to Birdsville or Innamincka
The PAR is a high use traffic and is comprised of three land systems. Much of the track traverses or skirts around the edge of floodplains and wetlands associated with the Cooper Creek and are therefore subject to inundation. These low lying areas have more of a natural clay base, with the remainder of the track being predominantly sandy with some dune swales.
Directions: The Walkers Crossing route can be accessed from either the Birdsville Track or Innamincka. From the Birdsville Track, the entrance is located 72km north of the Clifton Hills Homestead turnoff, or 122km south of Birdsville. The turnoff is not highly visible so keep an eye out for it. From Innamincka, the route can be accessed from the 15 Mile Track, which forms part of the Walkers Crossing route. At the end of the 15 Mile Track, turn north and take the turnoff to the left approximately 8km down the track towards Gidgealpa.
Region: Marree Innamincka.
Lease names: Clifton Hills and Gidgealpa Stations, and Innamincka Regional Reserve
Length: 226km.
Safety: Access by high clearance 4WD only. This route can be closed for months after local heavy rains, or when the Cooper system floods. Do not attempt this route if rain has fallen or is forecast for the area.
PAR 17 - Arckaringa Hills
The purpose of the Arckaringa PAR is to facilitate the viewing of the Arckaringa Hills formations. The Arckaringa Hills are a series of breakaways that have various colours dependent on their parent material that can make a spectacular vista.
The track is comprised of local parent material that has washed down from the breakaway formations. At the end of the track a well-defined walking track has been constructed through the hills, providing spectacular views of the mesas and buttes which characterise the "painted desert" area.
Despite the arid climate, good examples of mulga and emubush vegetation communities exist, with spectacular displays of everlasting daisies and parakeelya after winter rains.
Do not attempt to drive off the formed track – this landscape is easily damaged by vehicle tracks and may take decades to recover.
Directions: Accessible from the Oodnadatta to Arckaringa track. Take the turnoff towards Arckaringa, approximately 50km from Oodnadatta. The public access route is located approximately 30km along. Alternatively, it is 10km from Arckaringa Homestead, where the route turns to the north from near a fence line.
Region: Marla Oodnadatta.
Lease name: Arckaringa Station.
Length: 1km. The PAR is a short dead end track that leads to a small viewing area and turn around point. There is a walking trail that leads from the parking area.
Safety: If rain is forecast or threatening, it is advisable to leave the area, as heavy rains can cut the Oodnadatta to Coober Pedy track via Arckaringa for up to a week.
Do not park or traverse near the cliffs edge close to the end of the track as it may be unstable. This area has naturally occurring hazards, please take care and be responsible for your own safety.
PAR 18 - Lake Cadibarrawirracanna
Lake Cadi for short is an inland drainage basin. The purpose of the PAR is for tourism access to the Lake. It is a dead end track that traverses through soft moon plain like landscape with soft sand present in many sections of the track. The track terminates at a point overlooking one of the creeks feeding into the lake.
Other features of this route are the often prolific wildflowers in the sandy dunefields around the lake after winter rains, and the spectacular flowering of the fankenias on the salty ground during spring.
Directions: Accessed from the Coober Pedy to William Creek Road. Approximately 88km east of Coober Pedy, or 77km from William Creek.
Region: Marla Oodnadatta.
Lease name: Anna Creek Station.
Length: 6.5km.
Safety: This area is very soft, and easily damaged; it is also treacherous for vehicles and walking for help from this locality would be a life-threatening experience in hot weather. The water in the creek is too salty to drink. Do not attempt to drive further north or onto the lake shore or the lake itself. Apart from the risk of bogging, vehicle tracks will spoil the natural appearance of this unique area.
PAR 19 - Algebuckina Bridge and Waterhole
Algebuckina Bridge was built over the Neales River to allow the Ghan train to cross during floods. The southern section of the PAR allows tourist access to the Algebuckina Siding ruin
in a loop track that returns to the Oodnadatta track.
The southern section of the PAR allows tourist access to the Algebuckina Siding ruin in a loop track that returns to the Oodnadatta track.
The northern section allows access to a campground adjacent to the waterhole on the eastern side of the Oodnadatta track.
The western side of the Oodnadatta track allows access to the Algebuckina Bridge. The current track travels under the bridge and allows vehicles onto the old raised railway line area.
The majority of the PAR is to facilitate tourism to the bridge, ruin and campground though it is also used for pastoral lease management.
Directions: The Algebuckina Bridge is easily accessible from the Oodnadatta track, approximately 56km south of Oodnadatta and 220km north of William Creek. A campsite has been established on the east side of the Oodnadatta track, approximately 1km from the bridge.
Region: Marla Oodnadatta.
Lease name: Allandale Station.
Length: 500m to the bridge and 1.5km to the waterhole and campsite.
Safety: Do not attempt to travel when the track is wet.
Do not attempt to walk across the bridge and remain within the safety barricades. Be aware the ruins and associated infrastructure as it may be unstable, please take care and be responsible for your own safety.
PAR 20 - Beresford Bore
The PAR allows access to the old Beresford siding ruin and associated infrastructure including overhead tanks.
The PAR track is a short no through track made from local substrate including clay and river rock from a nearby drainage line.
Beresford Bore was one of a number of refilling stations for the old Ghan rail link between Port Augusta and Alice Springs.
Directions: Beresford Bore is situated on the Oodnadatta track approximately 150km north of Marree and 49km south of William Creek. Beresford ruin and bore is easily accessible from the main Oodnadatta track.
Region: Marla Oodnadatta.
Lease name: Anna Creek Station.
Length: 500m from the main track to the ruin and bore.
Safety: Avoid disturbing the cattle that water at the dam. Keep off the track when wet.
Be aware the ruins and associated infrastructure may be unstable, please take care and be responsible for your own safety.
PAR 21 - Mungerannie Bore
Originally the Mungerannie Station was watered by three artesian bores and supplemented by groundwater from a network of creeks that mainly head in the table-top and gibber country as well as periodic floods in Cooper Creek.
The Mungerannie Artesian Bore was put down in 1900, being drilled to a depth of 1027m. The temperature of water from the bore is 86°C with a shut-in pressure of 94 psi.
Historically, water from the bore flowed uncontrolled, the unintentional result of which was the creation of the Mungerannie wetlands. Concerned about the effects of the loss of water from bores like Mungerannie on the Great Artesian Basin, the South Australian Government and pastoralists pursued a policy of capping uncontrolled bores - which resulted in the establishment of the Mungerannie Demonstration site, designed to illustrate best practice in stock water management in the Great Artesian Basin. The wetland extends approximately 600m down Derwent Creek and is a habitat for wildlife and popular tourist location.
The point of interest no longer exists as Mungeranie Bore and therefore the cooling grid is no longer in use. The bore has been re-drilled in a new location and there is no cooling grid.
Directions: Mungerannie Demonstration Bore is approximately 2km northeast of the Mungerannie Roadhouse and is accessible via the Mungerannie Homestead.
Region: Marree/Innamincka.
Lease name: Mungeranie Station.
Length: Approximately 1km from Mungerannie Homestead.
PAR 22 - Goog’s Track
Goog’s Track is an iconic tourist 4WD route from Ceduna to the Transcontinental Railway Line, constructed in 1973 when “Goog” and Jenny Denton built the road from Lone Oak farmhouse to Tarcoola. The track passes over sandhills, and past granite outcrops and dry salt lakes.
Goog’s Track in its entirety is approximately 200km with majority of the track lying on Yellabinna Regional Reserve, with the last 20km passing through Wilgena Station (which is the section that is a PAR). The track on Yellabinna Regional Reserve is a National Park track; vehicle entry to this park is free, however fees apply for camping and camp sites need to be booked prior to arrival. The regional reserve has camp sites at the Googs Lake Campground, Yumbarra Conservation Park, located in the northeastern corner of the park along Googs Track. The campground offers some shade and is flat sandy terrain. Contact National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia to reserve a site.
The PAR is a through track comprised of multiple land systems of mulga and Myall woodland with areas of dense shrub cover including cassias and pearl bluebush. It is a narrow single vehicle width track.
Access: Before heading out to visit Yellabinna Regional Reserve, please check the Desert Parks Bulletin website for closures or alerts associate with the PAR https://www.parks.sa.gov.au/know-before-you-go/desert-parks-bulletin
Directions: Googs Track runs from 36km north of Ceduna at the Dog Fence to the Transcontinental Railway Line west of Tarcoola (approximately 200km), from Tarcoola there is a road back to Kingoonya and Glendambo.
Region: Gawler Ranges.
Lease names: Wilgena Station and Yellabinna Regional Reserve.
Length: 22km to Yellabinna Regional Reserve (track continues through reserve to Ceduna approximately 200km).
Safety: Vehicles attempting to cross the Simpson Desert should be well equipped for remote areas with a satellite phone or HF radio with RFDS frequencies. Taking a trailer through the sand dune is not recommended.
PAR 23 - Nonning
The main purpose of this PAR is to provide a shortcut from Kimba to Nonning / Gawler Ranges, and to access the Nonning Gymkhana grounds from Kimba. There are a number of stock watering points and yards located along the PAR or are accessed from the PAR.
The track is predominantly single vehicle track and is comprised of multiple land systems.
Directions: At the Nonning Gymkhana ground turn off of Gawler Ranges Road and head south, which will bring you out on Drekurmi Road north of Kimba. If leaving from Kimba head north on Pile Pudla Road, then turn left onto Buckleboo Hundred Line Road and right onto Drekurmi Road which continues to Nonning.
Region: Gawler Ranges.
Lease names: Nonning and Yeltana Stations
Length: 42km (approximately 95km in total from Nonning to Kimba).
Safety: Ensure vehicle is equipped with adequate spares and that you have a satellite phone or HF radio.
PAR 24 - Secret Rocks
The purpose of this PAR is solely for tourism as Secret Rocks (also known as Refuge Rocks) are large stone landforms with rock holes. It is a unique landform that is listed in the South Australian Heritage Register.
Secret Rocks is a pastoral lease used for conservation purposes and is not stocked with cattle or sheep.
The PAR is a short single loop vehicle track. The surrounding land is slightly sandy however the track is hard packed. There is a small area for car parking in the middle of the loop.
Directions: Secret Rocks is approximately 56km from Kimba via the Middleback Road.
Region: Gawler Ranges.
Lease name: Secret Rocks Station
Length: This route is 1km in length and provides access to Secret Rocks landform.
Safety: Ensure vehicle is equipped with adequate spares and that you have a satellite phone or HF radio.
Always check outback road warnings and closures before your trip on the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure's special notices page.
Contact
Pastoral Unit
Phone: 8429 0333
Email: DEW.pastoral@sa.gov.au
GPO Box 1047
ADELAIDE SA 5001
