Visitor safety

Travelling in remote regions

When planning to travel into the remote regions of the Alinytjara Wilurara the most important thing to ensuring your safety is careful preparation. Driving through Australia’s remote and rugged areas requires careful planning and preparation before heading into remote areas.

It is important that you ensure you have:

  • a roadworthy vehicle fitted with GPS and two spare tyres
  • good maps
  • extra food, water and fuel
  • an emergency plan.

Plan your route carefully and notify a third party of your expected arrival. Check road conditions before beginning your journey, stay with your vehicle if it breaks down and avoid travelling in extreme heat conditions. If driving a conventional vehicle through remote areas, drive slowly on unsealed, dusty or narrow roads and always check road conditions before turning off major roads.

Remember that mobile phones have limited coverage in remote areas, so check your phone provider for coverage. The safest option is to have a satellite phone.

Walking in remote regions

When walking in remote regions, remember to:

  • avoid snake and spider bites by wearing protective footwear and taking care not to provoke a situation
  • if bitten, seek immediate medical attention
  • wear protective footwear, a hat, sunscreen and insect repellent 
  • if possible take a topographic map and plenty of water 
  • don’t feed or play with native animals, you might get scratched or bitten.

Medical assistance

For all emergencies phone 000

Flying doctor

Central Operations SA and NT (24 Hour Medical and Emergency calls)
Port Augusta Base: 8648 9555 (covering all South Australia and in NT, and everything south of Tennant Creek)

Health services and clinics 

  • Oodnadatta Health Service
    Telephone: 8670 7803
    Address: Ikaturka Terrace Oodnadatta, South Australia
    Opening hours: 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday
  • Coober Pedy Hotel
    Telephone: 8672 5009
    Address: Lot 89 Hospital Road Coober Pedy, South Australia
  • Ceduna District Health Services
    Telephone: 8626 2110
    Address: 3 Eyre Highway Ceduna South Australia
  • Tullawon Health Service (Yalata)
    Telephone: Clinic: 8625 6237 Admin: 8625 6255
    Address: Eyre Hwy, Yalata, South Australia
    Opening hours: 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday
  • Yulara Health Centre
    Telephone: 8956 2286
    Address: Yulara Drive, Yulara
  • Ernabella Health Clinic
    Telephone: 8956 2946
    Address: Ernabella Community Pukatja Homeland
  • Amata Clinic
    Telephone: 8956 2910
  • Fregon Clinic
    Telephone: 8956 2918
  • Iwantja Clinic
    Telephone: 8670 7986
  • Mimili Clinic
    Telephone: 8956 2974/7251
  • Mimili-blue phone
    Telephone: 89562816
  • Nyapari Clinic
    Telephone: 8956 7441
  • Pipalyatjara Clinic
    Telephone: 8956 7503
  • Pukatja Clinic
    Telephone: 8956 2946
  • Watarru Clinic
    Telephone: 8956 2852 or 8956 7721
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