Far North (South Australia)

The Far North is a region that covers about 70 per cent of the Australian state of South Australia. It extends across the entire width of the state – about 1200 kilometres (750 miles) – for approximately the northernmost 750 kilometres (470 miles).^[7] The state government defines the Far North region similarly, although it separately delineates the Maralinga Tjarutja Lands, the Yalata Aboriginal community and other unincorporated crown lands in the state's far west, which are officially considered part of the Eyre and Western region.^[6] Colloquially, South Australians regard anywhere north of Port Augusta as the Far North.^[8][9]

Far North South Australia
South Australia's Far North region (north of the blue east–west border lines), with main settlements and their populations in 2016
Far North
Coordinates	29°S 136°E / 29°S 136°E / -29; 136
Population	27,727 (2016 census^[note 1])
• Density	0.0397813/km^2 (0.1030331/sq mi)
Area	696,986^[citation needed]
LGA(s)	Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) lands Maralinga Tjarutja lands Port Augusta Flinders Ranges Coober Pedy Roxby Downs Outback Communities Authority
State electorate(s)	Giles^[3] Stuart^[4]
Federal division(s)	Grey^[5]
Localities around Far North: Western Australia Northern Territory Queensland Eyre and Western Western Australia Far North New South Wales Eyre and Western Eyre and Western Yorke and Mid North Murray Mallee New South Wales
Footnotes	Map of adjoining regions^[6]

The Far North is by far the least populated region of South Australia.

Wilderness and deserts

 

The arid but bewitching terrain of the Oodnadatta Track is typical of much of the Far North region

The landscape comprises mainly rugged outback wilderness and desert, including some of the most arid parts of the continent, with a Köppen climate classification of BWh hot desert. In the north-east are the Simpson Desert, Tirari Desert, Painted Desert and Pedirka Desert. To the north and north-west is the Great Victoria Desert.

The Far North is also known as the Arid Lands as a more descriptive term than "desert".^[10]

Governance

The Far North includes the following local government areas: Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY), City of Port Augusta, District Council of Coober Pedy, Flinders Ranges Council and Municipal Council of Roxby Downs. Since most of it lies within what is known as the unincorporated area, municipal services to communities outside of the foregoing local government areas are provided directly by the South Australian Government via the Outback Communities Authority.^[11][2] It is within the extent of the state electoral districts of Giles and Stuart, and at a national level the Division of Grey.^[5][3][4]

Tourism

The region has abundant national parks and reserves and widely scattered tourist attractions and facilities.^[12][13] Experiences and attractions include farmstays on sheep stations, unique native flora and fauna, a museum and underground accommodation where opal is mined, natural springs, and vast landscapes of salt lakes, sandstone tablelands, and vividly coloured hills.^[14]

Permits

Permits are required to enter Aboriginal-owned land.^[15] As of 2023^[update], a National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia Desert Parks Pass was also needed to visit the Simpson Desert Conservation Park and Regional Reserve and east of Dalhousie Springs in Witjira National Park.^{[note 2][16]} A tourist pass was also required to enter the Woomera Prohibited Area.^[17]

Some significant roads in the area include the Stuart Highway from Port Augusta to Alice Springs, the Oodnadatta Track, and both the Birdsville Track and the Strzelecki Track to Queensland.^[18]

Travelling in outback South Australia can be very exciting.
The scenery is breathtaking, the wildlife unique and the flora exquisite.
It can also be deadly if you don't plan adequately.
 – Information provided by the Outback Communities Authority^[19]

See also

•  South Australia portal

• Regions of South Australia
• List of regions of Australia

Notes

1. Comprises populations of places shown within Far North region on map (total 24,203) plus 3524 in Unincorporated South Australia, to whom the state government provides municipal services through the Outback Communities Authority.^[1][2]
2. The Desert Parks Pass includes unlimited vehicle entry and camping in another 5 areas.

References

1. "2016 Census QuickStats: Unincorporated SA". Australian Bureau of Statistics. October 2020. Retrieved 6 March 2021. For other localities, use the QuickStats Search facility.
2. "Welcome to the Outback Communities Authority". Outback Communities Authority. 2021. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
3. "District of Giles Background Profile". Electoral Commission of South Australia. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
4. "District of Stuart Background Profile". Electoral Commission of South Australia. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
5. "Federal electoral division of Grey, boundary gazetted 16 December 2011" (PDF). Australian Electoral Commission. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
6. "Far North: South Australian Government Regions" (PDF). Government of South Australia, Department of Planning and Local Government. 2010. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
7. Google (20 April 2024). "South Australia" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
8. "The Far North". The Advertiser. Vol. LXX, no. 21, 449. Original, Adelaide. Digital reproduction, Canberra: National Library of Australia – Trove digital newspaper archive. 9 July 1927. p. 15. Retrieved 4 April 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
9. "Rains in the Far North". The Advertiser. Vol. XXXVIII, no. 11, 713. Original, Adelaide. Digital reproduction, Canberra: National Library of Australia – Trove digital newspaper archive. 2 May 1896. p. 5. Retrieved 4 April 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
10. . Enviro Data SA. Government of South Australia. Archived from the original on 1 September 2007.
11. (PDF). South Australian Centre for Economic Studies. 2012. pp. 1–3. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 January 2022. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
12. (1975) Far North of South Australia : tourist development survey / Tourist Development Branch, Dept. of Tourism, Recreation & Sport (Tourist Bureau Division) South Australia. Dept. of Tourism, Recreation and Sport. Tourist Development Branch [Adelaide, S.A.] : Tourist Development Branch, Dept. of Tourism, Recreation & Sport (Tourist Bureau Division), 1975.
13. (1993) Witjira National Park draft management plan, Far North, South Australia / Department of Environment and Natural Resources South Australia. Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources. Prepared by the South Australian Department of Environment and Natural Resources and Irrwanyere Aboriginal Corporation.
14. "Best outback experiences and tours". South Australian Tourism Commission. Government of South Australia. 2020. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
15. "Passes and permits". Landscape South Australia – Alinytjara Wilurara. Alinytjara Wilurara Landscape Board. March 2023. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
16. "Desert Parks Pass". National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia. March 2023. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
17. "Woomera Prohibited Area Visits & Tourism". Australian Government Department of Defence. March 2023. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
18. Google (20 April 2024). "South Australia" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
19. "Travelling in the Outback" (PDF). Outback Communities Authority. 2021. Retrieved 6 March 2021.

External links

• Regional Development Australia Far North