Permits for South Australia

For travel over aboriginal lands in the northern part of South Australia, which includes for example, the Giles-Mulga Park Road from Mulga Park Station to Wingellina, contact the Anangu Pitjantjatjara/Yankunyjatjara Land Council.



But bear in mind that currently the Land Council does not normally issue transit permits for that part of the Giles-Mulga Park Road, nor for any of the other tracks in the area. However, if you simply wish to visit any of the very worthwhile art galleries located on AP-Y lands at Indulkana, Fregon, Nyapari, Amata and Papulankutja, then it is strongly suggested that you simply contact the Manager of the particular art gallery concerned. The web site for Amata is www.minymakuarts.com.au and information on a number of other art galleries in the area is available on www.marshallarts.com.au.

If you do manage to gain a permit to visit any of those areas you will find that it is the most beautiful document you will ever have been issued. The permits are a work of aboriginal art in themselves. There is a per person charge of $22 for the issue of a Permit.

AP-Y do have a website where some further information about Permits is available, but bear in mind the general principle that AP-Y do not normally simply issue transit permits.

If you go to their website (see below) and have a look at the pdf download Permit Application Form on page 2, there is a prominent note that states: “No Transit Permits will be issued for tourists/travelers wishing to pass through any part of the AP-Y Lands”.

To gain a permit you must have a need to travel to conduct proper and appropriate business in a community or to visit someone in a community. Their website is at www.waru.org/organisations/ap and click on “Permits”. A pdf download application form for a permit is available on the site. or fax (08) 8954 8110.

Surveyor-Generals Corner

To visit Surveyor-General’s Corner, the normal access is from Warakurna on the Great Central Road down to Wingellina (where you pick up an escort/guide) and then out to the Corner. The turn off from the Great Central Road onto the Giles-Mulga Park Road to access Wingellina is 29 k’s east of the Warakurna Roadhouse. Applications for permits are made to the Ngaanyatjarra Land Council – see Permits for Western Australia.

To visit Surveyor-General’s Corner, the normal access is from Warakurna on the Great Central Road down to Wingellina (where you pick up an escort/guide) and then out to the Corner. The turn off from the Great Central Road onto the Giles-Mulga Park Road to access Wingellina is 29 k’s east of the Warakurna Roadhouse. Applications for permits are made to the Ngaanyatjarra Land Council – see the Western Australia pdf on this web site – Surveyor-General’s Corner information.

For travel over aboriginal lands in the central part of South Australia, for example to traverse the Anne Beadell Highway, contact the Maralinga Lands Council at Maralinga Tjarutja Inc.


Also bear in mind that a range of other permits are also required to travel the Anne Beadell Highway, including a Desert Parks Pass (see below), or at least a permit to access and camp in the Tallaringa Conservation Reserve and one for the Munangari Conservation Park (see below). And very importantly, you will need a pass for the Woomera Prohibited Area (also see below). And, as the Desert Parks Pass does not include in its coverage the Munangari Conservation Park, you will still need a permit for there even if you have a Desert Parks Pass. For the Tallaringa Regional Reserve contact the Department of Environment &Natural Resources, Outback Region, P.O. Box 78, Port Augusta, SA 5700. Telephone (08) 8648 5300 and fax (08) 8648 5301. Costs as at August, 2010 were $8.50 per vehicle Entry Fee and $6.00 per vehicle per night Camping Fees. Concession rates are not available.

Unnamed Conservation Park (now Munangari CP)

The area previously known as the Unnamed Conservation Park now has a name: it is now the Munangari Conservation Park. For permit and camping applications for Munangari please contact the Ceduna Office of the Department of Environment & Natural Resources (for contact details see below under Googs Track). Entry and Camping Fee costs (2010) are the same as Tallaringa, i.e.: $8.50 per vehicle Entry Fee and $6.00 per night per vehicle Camping Fee with no concessions being available.

Mt Davies Track

Permits to travel the Mt Davies Track, which most maps show as running from Anne’s Corner on the Anne Beadell Highway north west to Iltur, are NOT being issued by the Land Council. Apparently the track has never been used since it was first put in by Len Beadell in the 1960’s and in the main simply no longer exists.

The WPA is a declared Prohibited Area under the Defence Force Regulations and is used for the "testing of war material". You must have a permit to traverse and visit any location within the Woomera Prohibited Area (WPA). Permits are not required for travellers along the Stuart Hwy, the William Creek to Coober Pedy Rd, and the 6.5km Lake Cadibarrawirracanna access track. Permits are required for the Anne Beadell Highway and access can be closed at certain times of year due to scheduled defence activity.

For travellers of the Anne Beadell Highway, you will need to traverse an Amber Zone 2 area, which in 2013 will be closed 4 March - 24 March, 13 May - 2 June, 12 August - 25 August, 28 October - 10 November. In 2014 the closure dates are 3 March - 23 March, & 19 May - 8 June. During these closures, NO PERMITS will be issued.

Permit applications requests outside these dates can be made to the Woomera Test Range at least 14 days prior to travel via email woomera.enquiries@defence.gov.au or phone (08) 8674 3370. More information on access zones, exclusion periods and permits can be viewed at www.defence.gov.au/woomera.

For travel through any part of the Simpson Desert in South Australia, each vehicle MUST have a Desert Parks Pass. Remember also that the Simpson Desert is now closed to visitation over the period of each summer. The closure period is December 1 to March 15 and covers the Simpson Desert Conservation Park and the Simpson Desert Regional Reserve and the Simpson Desert area in Queensland. Fines of up to $1,000 can apply to transgressors. Note though that Witjira National Park and the camping area at Dalhousie Springs will remain open during the closure period.

To access Googs Track you will need a Camping Permit normally issued by the SA

Department of Environment & Natural Resources

11 McKenzie Street, Ceduna, SA 5690.
PO Box 569, Ceduna, SA 5690.
Telephone (08) 8625 3144
Fax (08) 8625 3123

Camping Permits (as at August, 2010) cost $6 per night per vehicle. So a 3 night stay will only cost you $18. There is no entry fee.

N.B.: Currently, (2010), the Dept. of Environment & Natural resources office in Ceduna appears to be restricted to an administrative office only, with no public counter facilities available. Camping Permits for Googs Track however, are available from the Ceduna Visitor Information Centre which is located at 58 Poynton Street, Ceduna, 5690. Their telephone number is (08) 8625 3343. Like most Visitor Information Centres they are open 7 days a week, except Christmas Day and Good Friday.

Most of Googs Track is now located within the Yumbarra Conservation Park and the Yellabinna Regional Reserve. Best camping areas are at Googs Lake and at Mount Finke. You will get a small information package and mud map with your permit. The Department makes the suggestion that if possible, Googs Track should be traveled from south to north. This is a request in the interests of safety and on the basis that travel from south to north is a little easier over the dunes.

The northern end of Googs Track has recently been realigned, and now exits on to the access road beside the Transcontinental Railway about 10 kilometres west of Malbooma via a properly constructed and marked crossing. When you get to that point you must turn right and head towards Tarcoola. The access track beside the Transcontinental Railway is a public road from the top end of Googs Track to the Stuart Highway. (See Transcontinental Railway info immediately below).

Please note that none of the tracks immediately to the north of Malbooma are public roads; all of them are private station tracks

The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) has confirmed that the only publicly accessible parts of the access road which runs parallel to the transcontinental rail line are those parts between Kalgoorlie and Haig in Western Australia and between Kingoonya and a point a short distance west of where the recently realigned northern end of Googs Track now exits to the transcontinental rail access road in South Australia. Both of those sections remain gazetted as public roads.

It is thus illegal to travel east of Haig or essentially west of the Googs Track northern exit point utilising the rail access road. It is private property and absolutely no permits are being issued. This situation arose consequent to the corporatisation of Australian National Railways some years ago. Regrettably, there had been far too many instances of travellers breaking down, or needing help, and they were, incredibly, flagging down the trains! Management have simply barred access and will have transgressors dealt with as trespassers. The fine can be quite hefty. You have been warned!

Additionally, ARTC advise that the only places where it is legal to actually cross the rail line are at properly constructed and marked rail crossings.

To traverse the Bore Track which runs south from a point about 19 k’s east of Innamincka on the Adventure Highway to Bollards Lagoon near Cameron Corner, a $10 per vehicle fee is payable at Bollards Lagoon Homestead. It’s an “Honesty Box” system which is clearly signposted. But please, give them a call on (08) 8091 3873 before traversing the Track as it is on their private property. A mud map of the Track is usually available at the “Honesty Box”.

The Yalata lands are located in the extreme south west of South Australia. Essentially they straddle the Eyre Highway from a point commencing at about the Nullarbor Motel in the west to a point in the east about 20k’s east of the Nundroo Hotel/Motel. The Yalata Roadhouse (which is now closed) lies at about the mid point of the east/west extent of the lands. In a north/south direction the lands extend from the coast on the Bight to about 30 k’s north of the Eyre Highway. The “Head of the Bight” whale watching tourist attraction is a part of the Yalata Lands.

The Community allow camping (by Permit only) at about 7 locations right on the coast, east of the “Head of The Bight”, giving access to some absolutely fabulous white sand dunes and to some of the best beach fishing to be found anywhere on the Bight. Each location has a limited number of camp sites, and camping fees apply. Access is via the Red Gate Track or the Coombra Track.

Due to the extremely good Mulloway fishing the (summer) period from November to about Easter can see all of the sites booked out. During winter however, (May to about October), sites are generally readily available, but it can be very windy and uncomfortable. Most of the camp sites are nestled in the lee of dunes which does give some protection.

There is a very informative web site at www.yalata.org; the web site also contains a camp site bookings monitor that tells you at a glance which sites are booked on any date/s you care to nominate.

For bookings telephone 0407 832 297, or you can call into Yalata itself which is located about 3 k’s in on a bitumen road just east of the Roadhouse. When you get into Yalata turn right at the big boomerang and then left to access the Administrative Office.

Road Conditions:

For road reports including closures and seasonal closures go to www.transport.sa.gov.au or telephone 1300 361 033 or alternatively go to www.exploroz.com/Roads/Default.aspx for up to date conditions.

Can I get a Concession?:

Don’t forget, if you are dealing with a National Park Service or any Government Agency, and you have a Seniors Card or a Pension Card of some description; always ask whether a Seniors Discount is available. In most cases the answer is, yes!

South Australia also operates what they refer to as Public Access Routes. These are generally station tracks that lead to a place of interest on a station property where no public road otherwise provides access. This allows for public access without seeking permission from the lessee. Generally, PAR’s can be categorized as “non maintained tracks” and should not be compared to the normal road network in terms of surface, maintenance or general condition.

The SA Government Department of Environment & Natural Resources and the Department of Water publish an excellent information brochure and map titled “4WD Tracks & Repeater Towers” which also lists and maps nineteen (19) of the current twenty two (22) PAR’s. (The additional (3) PAR’s have only very recently been added to the list).

Generally, each PAR is signposted at its start point. Information as to whether or not camping is permitted, and if so where, is generally included.

No specific permits are required to traverse these PAR’s, however if they fall within, or give access to, a National Park or Reserve, then a permit may be required to both access and/or camp in the Park or Reserve.

Whilst every care has been taken in the preparation of this information, no responsibility can be accepted for either the accuracy of the contents or for any errors or omissions.

Because ExplorOz will often receive direct communication from permit stakeholders such as Department of Defence, we may make changes that alter the original article supplied by John Greig. This is done to ensure this article remains as accurate as possible.