Dalhousie Springs
Encyclopedia
Dalhousie Springs are collection of over 60 natural artesian springs located in Witjira National Park
on the western fringe of the Simpson Desert
, 180 kilometres northeast of Oodnadatta
in northern South Australia
. Spring water temperatures range from 38 to 43 degrees C. The water is highly mineralised but drinkable (barely). Dalhousie Springs are a popular starting point for crossing the Simpson Desert eastwards to Birdsville
in Queensland
(around 600 kilometres).
In 1915, the total flow rate of the Dalhousie Springs complex was over 23,000 litres/second, but drilling had reduced this to 17,360 litres/second by 2000.
There are a number of unique species of fish that live in the waters around Dalhousie Springs, such as the Dalhousie catfish, the Dalhousie hardyhead and some species of Chlamydogobius
.
Witjira-Dalhousie Springs was added to the Australian National Heritage List
in August 2009.
Witjira National Park
Witjira is a national park in South Australia , 987 km north of Adelaide. It is in the Simpson Desert, and one of the major features of the park is the Dalhousie Springs.-External links:*...
on the western fringe of the Simpson Desert
Simpson Desert
The Simpson Desert is a large area of dry, red sandy plain and dunes in Northern Territory, South Australia and Queensland in central Australia. It is the fourth largest Australian desert, with an area of 176,500 km² ....
, 180 kilometres northeast of Oodnadatta
Oodnadatta, South Australia
Oodnadatta, South Australia, is a small town surrounded by an area of with cattle stations in arid pastoral rangelands close to the Simpson Desert, north of Adelaide and 112 m above sea level. It can be reached by an unsealed road from Coober Pedy or via the unsealed Oodnadatta Track from...
in northern South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
. Spring water temperatures range from 38 to 43 degrees C. The water is highly mineralised but drinkable (barely). Dalhousie Springs are a popular starting point for crossing the Simpson Desert eastwards to Birdsville
Birdsville, Queensland
-External links:*...
in Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
(around 600 kilometres).
In 1915, the total flow rate of the Dalhousie Springs complex was over 23,000 litres/second, but drilling had reduced this to 17,360 litres/second by 2000.
There are a number of unique species of fish that live in the waters around Dalhousie Springs, such as the Dalhousie catfish, the Dalhousie hardyhead and some species of Chlamydogobius
Chlamydogobius
Chlamydogobius is a genus of freshwater fish in the family Gobiidae .They live in extreme environments; for example, several species of Chlamydogobius are found in the water that emerges from geothermal springs in Australia, such as the Dalhousie goby, found in the waters around Dalhousie Springs,...
.
Witjira-Dalhousie Springs was added to the Australian National Heritage List
Australian National Heritage List
The Australian National Heritage List is a list of places deemed to be of outstanding heritage significance to Australia. The list includes natural, historic and indigenous places...
in August 2009.