Port Augusta
At the head of Spencer Gulf, Port Augusta is a unique blend of modern-day industry and historical diversity. A major Australian trabsport hub, Port Augusta is the starting point of the Pichi Richi Railway, one of Australia's best heritage train journeys which runs every weekend on the oldest remaining section of the original narrow-gauge Ghan railway.
Innamincka
One of the most isolated communities in the world, it sits around 100 km north of Cameron Corner where the borders of South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland meet. Proclaimed a township in 1890, Innamincka is a few kilometres to the west of a monument marking the site of the death of Burke, the leader of their ill-fated expedition.
Farina
A ghost town on the edge of the desert in the far north of South Australia, Farina is situated on the aligmnent of the original Ghan railway, 26 km north of Lyndhurst and 55 km south of Marree where the Oodnadatta and Birdsville Tracks commence.
|
Beltana
One of the truly remarkable outback settlements in South Australia, its refusal to lie down and die is a source of amazement to anyone who visits this town.
Manna Hill
A former goldmining town in the Olary goldfields, Manna Hill is one of the easternmost localities in South Australia. Manna Hill is on the Barrier Highway, Australia situated about 310km north-northeast of Adelaide.
Copley
The town was originally built to support Leigh's Creek coal mine, however the coal was not mined in a significant commercial manner until 1943.
Marree
A small community at the junction of the infamous Oodnadatta Track and the Birdsville Track. It is the centre for an area which, though arid saltbush country, has produced good wool.
Major Outback Tracks - Unsealed
Birdsville Track
Established during the 1880s, the unsealed Birdsville Track was the main stock route between Marree in South Australia and Birdsville in Queensland. The track is passable to conventional vehicles for most of the year.
Anne Beadell Highway
Anne Beadell Highway
This sandy, corrugated, single lane desert track stretches for 1025km and is the major track from Coober Pedy in South Australia to Laverton in Western Australia. The name 'highway' is a little misleading as the trip traverses little used tracks that are often very narrow, twisty and sandy.
|
Minor Outback Tracks - Unsealed
Skytrek
Of all tracks that comprise the great 4WD Journeys of the Flinders Ranges, the Skytrek on Willow Springs Station is arguably the most popular.
Warraweena - Copper Track
This track connects three historic copper mines, Sliding Rock, Nuccaleena and Blinman mine. This is a, not too difficult, one-way drive, along the foothills and creeks of the Flinders Ranges.
Old Angepena Goldfield Track
This unique loop track was established in partnership with four neighbouring landholders: Maynards Well Station, Angepena Station, Pinda Spring Reserve and Narrina Station.
Warraweena Private Conservation Park
Warraweena - Old Coach Road
This track does a 39km loop and takes in Warraweena Private Conservation Park, Maynard's Well Station and Angepena Station. The track follows the route of the Old Coach Road and in and along creek beds where magnificent River Red Gums flourish.
Bore Track
The Bore Track is an access road for oil company vehicles and for property owners. This track is a great alternative to the wide gravel road of the Strzelecki Track which is more a highway than a track.
Simpson Desert
Simpson Desert French Line
The French Line is the most direct route across the desert and traverses directly across the tops of over 1200 red sand dunes, with Big Red being the major challenge.
Simpson Desert Rig Road
The Rig Road is the most southern access across the Simpson Desert. It is a longer route because it winds along the edge of dunes and crosses at the lowest points. Old clay-topped track is now eroding, but was once used for moving heavy equipment.
Stzrelecki Track
Strzelecki Track
The Stzrelecki Track is strictly the route form Lyndhurst to Innamincka, however the trek notes are for travellers coming up out of the Flinders Ranges wishing to pick up the Stzrelecki in the last 264km near Mt. Hopeless.
Googs Track
A most adventurous short-cut for those travelling from the west to Coober Pedy & the Alice. Excellent views & plenty of wildlife, featuring Googs Lake & Mt. Finke along this unsealed road.
|
| Visiting The Region: The Facts |
|
|
How to Get There: Port Augusta, known as the gateway to the Outback, is located at the head of Spencer Gulf just a three hour drive north of Adelaide. A regional airline and numerous charter operators provide scheduled and charter flights to Coober Pedy and Olympic Dam (near Roxby Downs) with scenic flights are available. Daily coach services operate from Adelaide to selected towns in the outback.
Travelling through the region by train is also very popular. The Ghan from Adelaide passes through Port Augusta on its way through outback South Australia to Alice Springs and then Katherine and Darwin. Many tour operators also run short and extended tours into the Outback from Adelaide including trips all the way to Alice Springs. Visitors self-driving the Australian Outback need to plan their trip carefully as the distances between towns can be long and road conditions can change quickly.
|
Best Time To Go: The Outback is desert country and, therefore, has mostly a dry heat. The days are usually sunny and warm, but the nights can be cold, so dress accordingly. It's a good idea to wear layers of clothing and add/subtract for your own comfort. During summer, daily temperatures range from 30 to 35 degrees Celsius, dropping to 17 to 20 degrees Celsius in the evening. During winter the average daily temperature is 20 degrees Celsius.
The best time to visit the Outback is in Autumn, Winter and Spring, when the days are warm without being too hot. It is still possible to visit the region during Summer, however visitors need to be prepared for the possibility of extremely high temperatures
|
|
| Regions of South Australia |
|
