Far North (South Australia)

Far North South Australia
Approximate bounds of the Far North region within South Australia (including the Maralinga Tjarutja Lands, Yalata Aboriginal Reserve)
Far North
Coordinates
Population	28,726
• Density	0.0412146/km2 (0.1067453/sq mi)
Area	696,986 km2 (269,107.8 sq mi)
LGA(s)	APY Port Augusta Flinders Ranges Coober Pedy Roxby Downs OCA
State electorate(s)	Giles Stuart
Federal Division(s)	Grey
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

The Far North is a large region of South Australia close to the Northern Territory border. Colloquial usage of the term in South Australia refers to that part of South Australia north of a line roughly from Ceduna through Port Augusta to Broken Hill. The South Australian Government defines the Far North region similarly with the exception of the Maralinga Tjarutja Lands. the Yalata Aboriginal Reserve and other unincorporated crown lands in the state's far west, which are officially considered part of the Eyre and Western region.

The region is both the largest and also the least populated of the state. The Far North is also known as the Arid Lands of South Australia as much of the region is desert.

Deserts

File:Lake eyre south.JPG

A roadside sign on the Oodnadatta Track pointing to Lake Eyre. The desert terrain is typical of much of the Far North region.

The deserts in the north east are the Simpson Desert, Tirari Desert, Painted Desert and the Pedirka Desert. To the north and north west the Great Victoria Desert predominates the landscape.

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. As most of its extent lies within of what is known as the unincorporated area, municipal services to communities outside of the above listed local government areas are provided directly by the South Australian Government via the Outback Communities Authority. It is within the extent of the state electoral districts of Giles and Stuart, and the Federal Division of Grey.

Tourism

The region has scattered tourist attractions and facilities as well as national parks and reserves.

Permits are required to enter Aboriginal reserves, the Woomera Prohibited Area and several National Parks in the region, including Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre National Park and Witjira National Park.

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

See also

• Regions of South Australia
• List of regions of Australia