Munga-Thirri National Park (Simpson Desert)

Munga-Thirri National Park, also known as the Simpson Desert, spans 1,012,000 hectares in the arid outback, making it Queensland’s largest protected area. Parallel wind-blown sand dunes dominate the striking landscape. Some dunes extend 200 kilometres and reach 90 metres high. Saltpans and gibber-ironstone flats occupy interdunal areas. More than 180 species of birds, including the Eyrean grasswren, and numerous mammals and reptiles live in the park. Wildflowers are prolific after good rains. Along your way, visit Big Red, the largest sand dune just east of the park boundary. At Poeppels Corner, attempt to stand in two states and a territory at once. Camp and admire the expansive night sky and make sure you take binoculars and a camera! This park is extremely remote and visitors need to be self-reliant, well-prepared and experienced in remote outback travel. The park closed from 1 December to 15 March due to extreme summer temperatures of 40 to 50 degrees celsius.