Things to do

Camping and accommodation

Camping

Camping is permitted within 100m of the QAA line only. There are no facilities or designated campgrounds.

Camping permits are required and fees apply.

• Find out more about camping in Munga-Thirri National Park.
• Book your camping permit online.
• If you cannot book online, see camping bookings for other options.
• See more general information about camping in national parks.

Other accommodation

A range of accommodation is available in and around Birdsville. See tourism information links for further information.

Vehicle track over rolling sand dunes in Munga-Thirri National Park.

Photo credit: John Augusteyn © Queensland Government

Walking

There are no tracks in the park and walking any distance is not recommended. Stay with your vehicle.

Driving

Please read and follow safe desert driving advice.

Please practise low impact driving in Munga-Thirri National Park.

Enjoy the rich colours of this big sky country with its red sand dunes, grey-green cane grass and clear blue skies. Keep to the QAA line—a track made by surveyors searching for gas and oil during the 1960s and the 1970s. It takes 5-6 hours to drive one way, so allow for an overnight stay.

Viewing wildlife

Species lists are available from the Queensland Government's request a species list page.

Far from deserted, the Simpson Desert is home to hardy mammals, many reptiles and over 180 bird species. Discover the plants and animals which have adapted to this harsh place. Sandhill cane grass shelters small birds. Lizards hide from predators in spiky, rounded clumps of lobed spinifex. Look for tracks of desert animals in the sand and keep an eye out for white-winged fairy-wrens.

To escape the heat, small carnivorous marsupials and reptiles burrow into dunes. Georgina gidgee, a rounded wattle tree, occurs extensively in dune swales and emits a pungent odour after rain.