Aboriginal Lands - Northern Areas

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


Please 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, Amata and Papulankutja, then it is strongly suggested that you simply contact the Manager of the particular art gallery concerned. 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.

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. Applications for permits are made to the Ngaanyatjarra Land Council – see Permits for Western Australia.

 Aboriginal Lands - Central Areas

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, or at least a permit to access and camp in the Tallaringa Conservation Reserve and one for the Unnamed Conservation Park. And very importantly, you will need a pass for the Woomera Prohibited Area. As the Desert Parks Pass does not include in its coverage the Unnamed Conservation Park, you will still need a permit for there even if you have a Desert Parks Pass. Contact the Department for Environment and Heritage, Outback Region.

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 also 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.

 Woomera Prohibited Area

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You must also have a permit to traverse and visit locations within the Woomera Prohibited Area. Please Contact the Defence Support Centre.

Defence Support Centre

PO Box 157, Woomera, SA 5270
Phone: (08) 8674 3370 (which is a 24 hour number)
Fax: (08) 8674 3308

When traveling through Mabel Downs Station which is located at the Coober Pedy end of the Anne Beadell Highway, ensure you observe the signs and leave all gates exactly as you find them.

 SA Department for Environment and Heritage

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South Australia is also very similar to WA in that many of their parks require the payment of an entry fee. Camping fees can also apply. The SA Department for Environment and Heritage offers a range of Passes for entry into their parks.

The Department for Environment and Heritage (DEH) Information Line provides a central contact point dedicated to answering general public enquiries on DEH matters.

Phone: (08) 8204 1910
Website: SA Department for Environment and Heritage

Another useful site is the DEH Parks website, with lots of visitor information on all the major National Parks in South Australia.

Much of the northern area of South Australia is protected by the SA Desert Parks. To travel throughout these areas you'll need to obtain a Desert Parks Pass issued by DEH. Annual pass and renewals are also available from ExplorOz and is shown below. Just click on the little yellow shopping cart to purchase the one you need. Contact the Desert Parks Pass Tollfree hotline on 1800 816 078 for further information.

Desert Parks Pass

From a four wheel driver’s perspective the best pass is the Desert Parks Pass. The Desert Parks Pass is more than just a fee and a sticker - you will receive 12 months access to the SA Desert Parks, a complete pack of maps relevant for the region, information on native plants and animals you may encounter, as well as first aid and outback survival tips. One pass per vehicle.

Desert Parks Pass $105 (per vehicle)
Desert Parks Pass Renewal $65 (per vehicle)

Money generated from the sales of the DPP and permits assists in the funding of park management.

It is an offence under the NPW Act to be in a Park without an appropriate permit, penalties apply. Failure to comply may result in a minimum fine of $170 plus the purchase of the required permit. Depending on the nature of the circumstance other fines may apply.

The SA Desert Parks Pass is valid for all vehicles, including motorcycles, and is available here:

This pass covers both entry fees and camping (where permitted) in the following parks: Simpson Desert Conservation Park; Simpson Desert Regional Reserve; Witjira National Park; Innamincka Regional Reserve; Coongie Lakes National Park; Lake Eyre National Park; Tallaringa Conservation Park and Wabma Kadarbu Mound Springs Conservation Park (Camping not permitted). Note that the Desert Parks Pass does not include Mamungari Conservation Park (formally the Unnamed Conservation Park).

Entry and Camping Permits

Entry/Camping Permits are unfortunately not available through ExplorOz. Contact the Desert Parks Tollfree Hotline on 1800 816 078 to find out more.

• Entry Permits are available for Witjira NP (Dalhousie Springs) Innamincka RR (includes Coongie Lakes NP), and Lake Eyre NP for $7.50 per vehicle. These are available in Innamincka, Marree, Oodnadatta, William Creek, Mt Dare Hotel and onsite at Lake Eyre (Self-registration at Halligan Bay).


• Camping Permits are also available for Witjira NP (Dalhousie Springs) Innamincka RR (includes Coongie Lakes NP), and Lake Eyre NP for $15.00 per vehicle/ per night. These are available in Innamincka, Marree, William Creek Store, Mt Dare Hotel and onsite at Lake Eyre (Self-registration at Halligan Bay).


• A permit is required for camping at the Tallaringa Conservation Reserve on the Anne Beadell Track ($6.50 per vehicle/per night). Note - other permits are required for the Anne Beadell - contact details within the trek note.

It is recommended that those who wish to camp longer or wish to visit other areas within the Desert Parks Region purchase a Desert Parks Pass both for ease of use, as well as the comprehensive travel and safety information, hints, tips and maps it contains.

Googs Track

To access Googs Track you will need a Permit issued by the SA Department for Environment and Heritage. Permits (in 2008) cost $5 per night per vehicle. So a 3 night stay will only cost you $15. 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.

SA DEH - Ceduna Office

PO Box 569, Ceduna, SA 5690
Address: 11 McKenzie Street, Ceduna, SA 5690
Phone: (08) 8625 3144
Fax: (08) 8625 3123

 Public Access Routes

South Australia also operates what they refer to as Public Access Routes. These are mainly old stock routes, most of which traverse private property or leasehold land. They have now been upgraded to the status of tracks, and vehicular access is provided. No specific permits are required to traverse these tracks, however where they are 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. Examples of these tracks include both the Level Post Bay and Halligan Bay Track within Lake Eyre National Park. A permit is required to access and camp in the Park. The most recently opened Public Access Route that I am aware of is the Walker Crossing Track which runs from the Birdsville Track some 122kms south of Birdsville through to Innamincka.

To traverse the Bore Track which runs from the Birdsville Track south to Bollards Lagoon near Cameron Corner, a $10 per vehicle fee is payable at Bollards Lagoon Homestead on your arrival.

This article has been extracted from a document supplied by the contributing author and the Toyota Land Cruiser Club Of Australia Sydney.

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Member - Sally H (SA) : 10 Feb 08 10:42

ADM : 5 Oct 07 08:24