Ngarkat Conservation Park, Conservation park in southeastern South Australia.
Ngarkat Conservation Park is a conservation area in South Australia that stretches across vast mallee heath vegetation. The park is marked by sand dunes and native plants that thrive across what was once a desert landscape.
Ngarkat Conservation Park was proclaimed in 1979 to conserve the mallee heath habitat of the 90 Mile Desert. On 27 May 2004, the adjoining Mount Rescue, Mount Shaugh and Scorpion Springs conservation parks were incorporated into it and abolished. It is classified as an IUCN Category Ia protected area.
The park lies in the Ninety Mile Desert, a name given by European settlers to the mallee heath between the Murray and the coast. The name Ngarkat is also used for the surrounding locality and for the Ngarkat Highway that crosses the area. The park is an IUCN Category Ia protected area, managed mainly for conservation rather than recreation.
Visitors need to obtain a vehicle entry pass and should bring supplies such as food, water, and maps. Limited services and weak phone coverage across the park mean careful planning before arrival is essential.
The Border Track closes annually for four months and is only accessible by four-wheel drive vehicles. This remote route delivers an immersive experience for travelers seeking true isolation.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 94,794 contributors worldwide.