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This vast region extends from the southern
Flinders Ranges near Melrose to Innamincka in the State's far north
nearly 1100 kilometres from Adelaide.
The Outback borders the Northern Territory, Queensland, Western
Australia and New South Wales. It covers 80% of the State's area but
has less than 1% of its population, Anna Creek cattle station alone
is larger than Great Britain.
It is a land of extreme contrasts from arid cattle grazing lands in
the north to the magnificent wetlands of the Coongie Lakes system
The region contains seven significant National and Conservation
Reserves and visitors should allow several days to explore the
Flinders Ranges and at least a week to go "Outback''.
Discover why this ancient land means so much to the Aboriginal
people who have lived here for thousands of years.
Harsh and beautiful at the same time, it's a land of tree-lined
gorges and desert plains that stretch to the horizon.
There is an outback adventure to suit everyone:
Wilpena
Pound
In the heart of the Flinders Ranges National Park, this
natural arena can only be explored on foot. Accommodation
ranges from campsites to a luxury resort. There are
excellent well-signed bushwalking tracks, abundant wildlife,
and dense native vegetation.
Coober Pedy
The opal capital of the world is still a frontier town. Half
its 3,500 people live underground to escape the summer heat.
It's a good place to start a number of scenic desert tours,
including the famous Mail Run to Oodnadatta and William
Creek.
Aboriginal
Art
Evidence of rock paintings can be found throughout the
Flinders Ranges . There are fine examples at Yourambulla
Caves, 10 km south of Hawker, Arkaroo Rock and Sacred
Canyon, both near Wilpena Pound.
Arkaroola and
Mount Painter
This 61,000 hectare wildlife sanctuary has everything from
fascinating geological formations and hot springs to rare
wildlife, historic mining areas and vast plains. Arkaroola
Observatory provides a window to neighbouring galaxies
Simpson
Desert
This is the real Outback, a remote and harsh area of
spectacular sand dunes, which are smothered in wildflowers
after life-giving rains. This region is recommended for
people with a spirit of adventure, and presents the ultimate
four-wheel drive challenge.
Lake Eyre
Hundreds of kilometres from the ocean, Lake Eyre can harbour
water nine times as salty as the sea. When it fills, as it
has done only three times this century, it becomes the
biggest lake in Australia, teeming with wildlife. It
contains water now but by mid 2001 it will have dried and
become salt encrusted - until the next time.
Coongie
Lake
In the Innamincka Reserve, these semi-permanent wetlands are
the habitat of 20,000 water-fowl, more than 150 species of
birds and many other plants and animals which otherwise
could not survive in the continent's dry heart.
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