Purnie Bore - Witjira National Park SA
Conservationists determined that salty water from an ever increasing water body has the potential to change the native habitat. Since then, most of the old bores have been closed off and the overall flow has been reduced to a trickle.
Heading on past this point, the first 40 kms from Purnie Bore to Wonga Junction is clay capped.
Purnie Bore is not a natural watering hole, however a borehead here allows some water to be released from the artesian basin to sustain the wildlife that have come to rely on this area being an "unnatural watercourse" for many years whilst the borehead was allowed to overflow, creating a large lake. Friends of the Simpson Desert have created a bird hide from which to observe wildlife here and it's a popular camp site with good facilities.
Comments
07 Dec 2007 19:07 Garbutt
If its busy it takes awhile to get cool water! Good camp in any case.
07 Dec 2007 14:16 prood
A good camping area toilet & shower, takes a while to get hot water. Witjira National Park, established in 1985 on land comprising the former Mount Dare pastoral lease, covers 7,770 km2 of gibber, sand dunes, stony tablelands and floodplain country on the western edge of the Simpson Desert in the far north of South Australia. It is truly spectacular country with vast landscapes including many areas of considerable archaeological, biological and geological interest.
The attraction of the Dalhousie mound springs, combined with some delightful camping spots and upgraded visitor facilities, make Witjira one of the most popular Desert Parks, particularly with family groups.
The need to protect and rehabilitate the 70 or so thermal springs in the Dalhousie complex was one of the main reasons for the establishment of Witjira National Park. The springs are home to unique species of fish such as the Lake Eyre hardy-head and other rare aquatic life. They are also a haven for arid-land birdlife.
The park is part of the lands associated with the Lower Southern Arrernte, Wangkangurru, and Arabunna people who in 1989 formed the Irrwanyere Aboriginal Corporation, which manages the park jointly with us. The joint management agreement, the first of its kind in Australia, provides the advantages of a shared approach to the land which accommodates traditional Aboriginal uses together with environmental management, tourism and recreational activities
Details of the Park Management agreement.
To camp in the park you must be in possession of a current Desert Parks Pass.
REGION: > SA > Witjira National Park
Track W off Rig Rd
Witjira National Park SA 0
GPS:-26.28582,136.09842
GPS:S26 17 08,E136 05 54
GPS:S26 17.1492,E136 05.9052
