Ngarkat Conservation Park

• Introduction
• Fact file


Introduction

This group of conservation parks was declared in 1979 to protect a remnant of the original Ninety Mile Desert mallee, and linked Mount Rescue, Scorpion Springs, Mount Shaugh and Ngarkat conservation parks. The Ngargad people were the original inhabitants of the area and artefacts have been located around the freshwater soaks. Pastoralists attempted sheep grazing in the 1870s, but leases were abandoned after a decade. The area is fl at and waterless, with the highest point being the 132-metre Mount Shaugh. Vegetation is a complex patchwork of different mallee (12 species) and heath. Beautiful spring flowering flame heath, guinea-flower, fringe-myrtle and prickly geebung grow in the dune swales. Other vegetation includes black oak, belah, brown stringybark and desert banksia. Western grey kangaroos and short-beaked echidnas are common, and there are two species of pygmypossums. Mitchell’s hopping mice, common dunnarts, and silky mice are busy at night. The 120 bird species include thornbills, honeyeaters, malleefowl, western whipbirds, red-lored whistlers and mallee emu-wrens. The reptiles include dragons, geckos, skinks and snakes.

All tracks in the park are 4WD only and there is a 40-kilometre per hour speed limit. Two-wheel-drive vehicles can access Pertendi Hut and Snozwells Road near Tintinara, and Pine Hut Soak if the weather is dry. This is remote country, very hot in summer and prone to lightning strikes. Carry plenty of drinking water and fuel. Most walks take less than an hour. For great views head up Mount Rescue, Gosse Hill or Mount Shaugh, or for easy strolls through mallee habitats take the Pertendi or Tyms Lookout trails.

Fact file

Camping

Pertendi Hut, Pine Hut Soak

Location

250 km east of Adelaide via Pinnaroo–Bordertown Rd or via Dukes Hwy to Tintinara; 60 km north of Bordertown; 40 km south of Pinnaroo; 26 km east of Tintinara

Park Information

DEH (08) 8204 1910 NPWSA Lameroo (08) 8576 3690 Tintinara visitor centre (08) 8757 2220

Size

270 000 ha (4 parks)

Where to Stay

Keith (08) 8755 1700 Pinnaroo (08) 8577 8644 Tintinara Motel (08) 8757 2095


This content is from the publication:
Explore Australia’s National Parks
RRP $49.95
Buy now

• Campsites

Campsites

Border Track camping areas

There are 5 camping areas for well-prepared self-sufficient campers along the remote Border Track, on the SA–Victorian border. Only experienced drivers in high-clearance 4WD vehicles should attempt this one-way... Find out more

---

Box Flat camping area

This natural soak and seasonal wetland offers shaded campsites. Nearby ruins tell the tale of thwarted attempts to farm this area. Access is off Baan Hill Track, 38 km south of Lameroo.... Find out more

---

Bucks Camp Soakage camping area

Camping is permitted at the ruins of an old pastoral site on Bucks Camp Track. Access is signposted off the Dukes Hwy, 16 km north-west of Keith; drive for a further 9 km to this birdwatchers’ site.... Find out more

---

Comet Bore camping area

A birdwatchers’ favourite, Comet Bore camping area is 75 km north of Bordertown and 60 km south of Pinnaroo, on the Bordertown–Pinnaroo road.... Find out more

---

Pertendi Hut camping area

All-vehicle access is possible to this popular site, a restored historic hut. Walking trails explore the mallee vegetation. Signposted access is off Pinnaroo–Bordertown Rd, 48 km south of Pinnaroo.... Find out more

---

Pine Hut Soak camping area

As this is a soak, check with the NPWSA Lameroo about road conditions if there has been rain. Follow the sign 5 km south of Pinnaroo via Rosy Pine Rd.... Find out more

---

Rabbit Island Soak camping area

On the Mt Rescue Loop, 30 km north of Keith, this site is also popular with birdwatchers.... Find out more

---

comments powered by Disqus