Factsheet 27 – Why is there a national park in a desert?

Quirky fact : Canegrass thrives in arid environments Australian Curriculum Links because it is almost Year Subject Curriculum Links leafless, so water 5 Geography ACHGK027, ACHGK028 is not lost through evaporation. Science ACSSU043 When it rains, the 6 Science ACSSU094 green stems direct 7 Geography ACHGK037, ACHGK039, ACHGK041 moisture straight to Science ACSSU112 8 Geography ACHGK048, ACHGK049, ACHGK050, the roots through ACHGK052 photosynthesis. Science ACSHE136 Background Information At one million hectares, Munga-Thirri () the occasionally sweep across the plains National Park is ’s largest protected area. At quenching the dry rivers and creek beds that feed . it meets South ’s Simpson Desert Bare, windswept crests stand atop slopes secured by spinifex Conservation Park and the ’s Simpson and canegrass. Flat plains between dunes can be wind- Desert Regional Reserve. The entire Simpson Desert covers polished gibber pebbles or mineral-encrusted claypans but more than 17 million hectares of Central Australia. many, surprisingly, support open shrublands of acacias, Across the Simpson, parallel dunes run south-east to north- hakeas and grevilleas. Georgina gidgee, a rounded wattle tree, west, the dominant wind direction when they formed during is found extensively in dune swales and is well known for its the Pleistocene epoch about 80,000 years ago. Spaced about pungent odour after rain. 1 km apart, dunes can extend 200 kms. Far from deserted, Munga-Thirri (Simpson Desert) National Park is home to hardy mammals, many reptiles and over 180 The range in temperature can be extreme. In the summer bird species. months temperatures average at 39 degrees but can reach up to 50 degrees, while in the winter morning temperatures can Sandhill canegrass shelters small birds. Lizards hide from drop to zero. There is no surface water in the Simpson Desert predators in spiky, rounded clumps of lobed spinifex. and dust storms are common. The average annual rainfall Mulgaras, small and venerable carnivorous marsupials with a is less than 150 mm. While it usually rains in short bursts distinctive crest of short black hairs on their tails, burrow into from December to March, heavy falls and overflows from dunes to escape the heat.

Munga-Thirri (Simpson Desert),

104 Queensland Education Handbook | Australian Curriculum Factsheets Inquiry Questions Subject Years Questions ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Geography 5 How do people and environment Department of National Parks, Recreation, interact in the Simpson Desert? Sport and Racing www.derm.qld.gov.au/parks/munga-thirri/ 7/8 What are the key features of this landscape index.html and what processes have shaped it? The Encyclopedia of Earth www.eoearth.org/article/Simpson_desert What strategies have Aboriginal peoples developed for survival in this region, especially World Wildlife Organisation www.worldwildlife.org/science/wildfinder in managing water resources? Diamantina Shire Council Science 5/6 What are the significant features of the www.diamantina.qld.gov.au/ environment in the Simpson Desert, and how REFERENCES have plants and animals adapted to live there? Department of National Parks, Recreation, 7/8 How can understanding the interactions between Sport and Racing organisms help to manage natural resources? www.nprsr.qld.gov.au FURTHER INFORMATION Points of Interest Wirrarri Visitor Information Centre Big Red, Munga-Thirri (Simpson Desert) National Park Burt St, Birdsville QLD 4482 The Munga-Thirri (Simpson Desert) National Park is Queensland’s largest Phone: (07) 4656 3300 Email: [email protected] national park, and 80 kilometres west of Birdsville www.diamantina.qld.gov.au Cost: Entry to the park is free, however fees apply for camping Hours: Open 24 hours Contact: Information, access and maps available at www.derm.qld.gov.au/ parks/simpson-desert/index.html Diamantina National Park, via Bedourie Burke and Wills Dig Tree – Cameron Corner, via Thargomindah

Important Information The Munga-Thirri (Simpson Desert) National Park is vast and remote and should be accessed by 4WD only All visitors must check their travel plans with local authorities i.e. EPA, Police and Wirrarri Information Centre From Birdsville take the to Big Red (35 kms).

113 58 131 LONGREACH 27 ILFRACOMBE BARCALDINE SAPPHIRE r JERICHO 168 e v i 80 R 87 191 48 DIAMANTINA 53 61 n ALPHA NATIONAL LOCHERN s o 168 LAKE m 89 101 MARAB PARK NATIONAL o PARK h 151 T 44 106 120 121 101 46 ISISFORD NORTHERN TERRITORY 104 112 BLACKALL 204 BEDOURIE 99 STONEHENGE 102 47 22 r 12 SALVATOR e 114 ROSA 67 v 52 42 i 101 NATIONAL R IDALIA EMMET PARK NA JUNDAH o o NATIONAL 253 c YARAKA LAKE 92 r 120 SIMPSON DESERT a PARK TAMBO NATIONAL PARK MACHATTIE B 50 94 r e MT 164 r v 209 e NATIONAL P i 109 WELFORD v R i

119 52 NATIONAL R d o PARK r e g

a r

51 r r W 109 a BETOOTA e W k v e i AUGATHELLA 168 40 e R ADAVALE r 158 C o 187 BIRDSVILLE 12 Haddon r o e l

p l o 84 91 Corner o u Poeppel C 85 Corner B 85 87 MORVEN Townsville CHARLEVILLE 44 MITCHELL Mt Isa QUEENSLAND QUILPIE 74 CHEEPIE 88 TREGOLE 69 NATIONAL MUNGALLALA 45 Rockhampton 37 PARK EROMANGA 48 Longreach 99 74 167 161 209 e r Charleville v SOUTH i R WYANDRA 210 TOOMPINE AUSTRALIA n 36 180 o s l DIG TREE 5 i

Outback Queensland Education Handbook | Australian Curriculum Factsheets 105