Breakaways Conservation Park

Breakaways Conservation Park
South Australia
Breakaways Conservation Park
Nearest town or city Coober Pedy
Coordinates 28°50′55″S 134°43′40″E / 28.84861°S 134.72778°E / -28.84861; 134.72778Coordinates: 28°50′55″S 134°43′40″E / 28.84861°S 134.72778°E / -28.84861; 134.72778
Established 4 July 2013 (2013-07-04)[1]
Area 14,323 hectares (35,390 acres)[1]
Managing authorities Department of Environment, Water, and Natural Resources
Antakirinja Matu-Yankunytjatjara Aboriginal Corporation
District Council of Coober Pedy
See also Protected areas of South Australia

The Breakaways Conservation Park (prior to July 2013 called The Breakaways Reserve or just simply The Breakaways) is a protected area in northern South Australia, just off the Stuart Highway 33 km (21 mi) north of Coober Pedy.[2] The Breakaways CP is managed under a co-management agreement by the Department of Environment, Water, and Natural Resources in conjunction with the Antakirinja Matu-Yankunytjatjara Aboriginal Corporation and the District Council of Coober Pedy.[3][4]

Name

The park got the name "The Breakaways" because the mesas and low hills appear from a distance as if "broken away" from the higher ground of the escarpment. The site is significant for the Antakirinja Matuntjara Yankunytjatjara People,[5] whose name for the area is Umoona, meaning "long life", referring to a particular species of tree found in the area.[6]

Climate

The semi-arid desert climatic conditions of the park are similar to those of Coober Pedy, with cool nights and very hot days, and summer temperatures can sometimes exceed 45 °C (113 °F).[7]

Access and tours

Access to the main lookout over the site is provided by a 5 km (3.1 mi) dirt road from the sealed Stuart Highway, or alternatively, via the Dog Fence Scenic Tourist Drive Road.[6] A 65.8 km (40.9 mi) circuit can be made by mountain bike from Coober Pedy along the Stuart Highway to the Breakaways, along the dog fence track and returning to Coober Pedy by the Oodnadatta Track.[8]

Tours from Coober Pedy are conducted by several tour operators. Permits for self-guided visits to the area cost A$2.20 for adults and are available from the Tourist Information Centre in the District Council Office on Hutchinson Street, Coober Pedy.[9][10]

Mesas at the Breakaways Conservation Park
Mesas at the Breakaways Conservation Park

References

  1. 1 2 "Protected Areas Information System - Reserve List" (PDF). Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
  2. ↑ District Council of Coober Pedy > Things to See & Do > Breakaways Accessed 13 June 2014.
  3. ↑ SA native title claim near Coober Pedy finally recognised The Advertiser, 11 May 2011. Accessed 1 September 2014.
  4. ↑ DEWNR > Breakaways Conservation Park to be co-managed with Aboriginal community Press release, 7 August 2013. Accessed 13 June 2014.
  5. ↑ Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association > The Breakaways Reserve Archived July 14, 2014, at the Wayback Machine. Accessed 13 June 2014.
  6. 1 2 Umoona Community > The Breakaways Reserve Accessed 13 June 2014.
  7. ↑ Bureau of meteorology > Climate statistics for Coober Pedy Accessed 13 June 2014.
  8. ↑ mapmyride.com > The Breakaways lap by mountain bike route 79705701 Accessed 13 June 2014.
  9. ↑ The South Australian Tourism Commission > Breakaways Archived April 26, 2013, at the Wayback Machine. Accessed 13 June 2014.
  10. ↑ Fodor's Travel > Coober Pedy > Sights > Breakaways Accessed 13 June 2014.
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