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Nilpena - A Pinch of Salt

Difficulty: Trek rating 1 of 5 - Click for details   Suitable for: 4WD AWD 2WD Caravan Camper Motorhome Bike 
This is one of the few access tracks to the shores of Lake Torrens. It is accessable via Nilpena Station
StartClick to Reverse the Dynamic Map and Driving NotesParachilna
FinishLake Torrens Lookout
Distance61.78 kmMinimum Days1
Average Speed54.9 km/hrDriving Time1 hour 7 mins
Article By: Member - Willem Kempen   Updated: 25 Jan 2008
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 Description

Nilpena Station is one of the few stations that allow access to Lake Torrens, there are no public access routes to the Lake. This trek starts from the Prairie Hotel at Parachilna and goes to Nilpena Station and then to Lake Torrens. It takes about three hours and costs $30.00 a vehicle. Bookings can be made at the Prairie Hotel on (08) 8648 4844.

The graded station track meanders along the gibber and sandy plains. There are a couple of low sand hills to cross over to bring the traveller in to the dune corridor which eventually peters out as the shore of the lake is approached. In the distance to the east the Flinders Ranges provide a back drop to this trek which is best viewed on the return trip. Lake Torrens lies 8 metres above sea level and is 205km in length and 40km wide. It is usually a dry salt lake but the surface is powdery and when damp can become a quagmire. Visitors are requested not to attempt to drive on the lake as bogging is inevitable, recovery difficult and will leave unsightly scars on the lake.

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Nilpena - A Pinch of Salt Help

From: Parachilna
To: Lake Torrens Lookout

Distance: 61.78 km
Direction: 271 °
Average Speed: 54.9 km/hr
Travel Time: 1 hour 7 mins

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 Permits

Key required for access. A $30 fee applies as well as a refundable key deposit of $20. Contact the Prairie Hotel (08) 8648 4844.

 Things to See & Do

A pleasant drive over plains and dune corridors to a lookout over Lake Torrens

 Preparation

Adequate supplies of water and fuel should be taken as well as a minimum of a UHF Radio for Communications.

Fuel Supplies & Usage

Fuel SymbolParachilna Diesel4cyl 5 litres * ULP4cyl 10 litres LPG4cyl 12 litres
6cyl 9 litres6cyl 11 litres6cyl 11 litres
8cyl 10 litres8cyl 10 litres
Usage is averaged from TrekFuel (* specific to trek) submissions and calculated based on trek distance.
There is fuel available at Hawker (83km) and Leigh Creek (66km). These towns are not featured in this trek note.

Best Time To Visit

Closest Climatic Station

Leigh Creek Airport
Distance from Trek Mid Point 61.65km N
 JanFebMarAprMayJun JulAugSepOctNovDec
Mean Max. °C 35.034.431.226.2 21.017.016.418.9 23.226.430.533.0
Mean Min. °C 20.420.417.312.9 8.85.44.76.1 9.312.316.118.6
Mean Rain mm 24.123.117.410.6 16.217.719.216.8 16.819.316.324.2
    Best time to travel      Ok time to travel      Travel NOT recommended

Services & Supplies

The following locations have various services and supplies: Parachilna
There are supplies available at Hawker (83km) and Leigh Creek (66km). These towns are not featured in this trek note.

 Camp Sites & Accommodation

Parachilna - SA   RatingRatingRatingRatingRating
Populated Place Caravan Park Fuel Toilet Pub Food,Shopping Resort,Motel
great out back pub nestled on the edge of the Flinders range with the flat plains to one side and the Flinders on the other. Sunsets are great and sunrises too. The site of the former rail siding on the original Ghan of Parachilna it is now a great place to relax and just spend some time chilling out.

 Environment

Sandy loam soils interspersed with gibber stones cover the plains to the east of Lake Torrens. The flora comprises salt bush, blue bush, samphires and other fleshy leaved plants which can stand being inundated with water. There is no growth on the surface of the lake other than salt crystals. It is rare to see water entering this flat salt encrusted basin. Visitors are requested not to attempt to drive on the lake as bogging is inevitable, recovery difficult and will leave unsightly scars on the lake. Nilpena Station runs cattle on some very sparsely vegetated country.

 History

Lake Torrens became part of the speculation and myth amongst early European explorers of the presence of an Inland Sea. In 1831 after Charles Sturt had rowed down the Murray River, he confirmed that the river did not flow in to the inland sea.

Edward John Eyre explored the western side of the Flinders Ranges in 1841 and he 'discovered' Lake Torrens and named it after Colonel Robert Torrens who was one of the founders of South Australia. Eyre was also under the impression that it was part of the great inland sea. Further explorations by Babbage and Warburton in the late 1850's skirted around the western side of the lake.

In the 1883 a scheme was mooted to permanently flood Lake Eyre via a canal connecting Spencer Gulf to Lake Torrens and on to Lake Eyre. This scheme was howled down with derision and shelved.

 Driving Directions

Time
Direction
Distance
Parachilna to Blackfellow Creek & Route B83 14.13 km N 356° 13 min
Blackfellow Creek & Route B83 to Route B83 & Nilpena Station Access 10.47 km NW 331° 9 min
Route B83 & Nilpena Station Access to Lake Torrens Track 13.06 km SW 228° 13 min
Lake Torrens Track to Lake Torrens Track & 6 Mile Well Access 4.26 km SW 226° 7 min
Lake Torrens Track & 6 Mile Well Access to Unknown on Nilpena Station 3.41 km SW 228° 3 min
Unknown on Nilpena Station to Lake Torrens Lookout 16.45 km SW 222° 19 min
Parachilna to Lake Torrens Lookout 61.78 km     1 hr 7 min
Distance is GPS recorded driving distance (not straight line), Direction is straight line from start to end, Time is calculated from actual GPS driving data.

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What Others have Said

Latest 1 of 1

Member - Michael O (NSW) : 20 Jan 09 20:32
Followed most of this trek January 2009 without any dramas. We went ...

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