Mound springs are true oases in the desert, providing a lifeline for people and animals alike.

Dalhousie Springs, in South Australia’s far north-east, is made up of 148 separate springs, all fed by theGreat Artesian Basin, a massive underground water source that flows under nearly a fifth of the country.

The springs have been flowing here for between one and two million years and are home to a huge diversity of faunafound nowhere else on the planet.

Of great cultural significance to local Aboriginal people, these springs have been the only reliable permanent watersources in the arid outback since humans first arrived in the region.

Mound springs take their name from the distinctive mounds that build up around some springs. With water flowing fromthe top of the mound and out onto the surrounding plains, they form a truly surreal landscape.

Springs can be fresh or salty, and can be warm or even hot, as the water comes from deep underground where it isheated by the earth’s mantle and high pressures.

To experience them for yourself, check out these two parks:

1. Witjira National Park

Located 887 kilometres north-west of Port Augusta is Witjira National Park.

It’s here that you’ll find Dalhousie Springs’ Main Pool, which ismore than 160 metres long, 60m wide, and reaches a depth of nearly 12m.

The water is 42 degrees where it wells from underground, cooling to a pleasant 36-38 degrees at the surface and making it a wonderful place to revive and wash off the desert grit – so long as you don’t use soap or shampoo, as this can harm the ecosystem.

Planning a trip to Witjira National Park?

Make your trip easy and contribute to the management and conservation of this special area by paying vehicle entry fees before you go.

You can buy a single vehicle entry pass for this park, or consider a desert parks pass if you’re planning to visit other desert parks.

2. Wabma Kadarbu Conservation Park

The most iconic mound springs are found in Wabma Kadarbu Conservation Park, 450km down the Oodnadatta Track.

Here you’ll find Thirrka (or Blanche Cup) and Pirdali-nha (or The Bubbler).

Pirdali-nha takes its European name from the regular bubbles that pop to the surface as the water wells up. The main pools and overflows at both springs are ringed by lush, green sedges.

Nearby is Wabma Kadarbu (or Mt Hamilton), which translates as ‘snake’s head’ and is actually an extinct mound spring that is central to the Arabana creation story for this site.

Unlike the Main Pool at Witjira National Park, swimming is not allowed at these hot spots.

Planning a trip to Wabma Kadarbu Mound Springs Conservation Park?

Make your trip easy and contribute to the management and conservation of this special area by paying vehicle entry fees before you go.

You can buy a single vehicle entry pass for this park, or consider a desert parks pass if you’re planning to visit other desert parks.

Species of the springs

Due to the stable nature of the spring ecosystems and the isolation caused by the drying of inland Australia, moundsprings are home to many species that live nowhere else.

Across the Great Artesian Basin, there are more than 90 species that are endemic to springs, with more than half ofthose found in SA’s mound springs.

Dalhousie alone has 16 endemic species, including five fish, snails, a yabbie and other crustaceans.

Visiting the springs

Check out the latest information on Wabma Kadarbu Mound Springs Conservation Park and Witjira National Park before you head off, including details about fees, safety, fire information and facilities.

Planning to explore other parks in the area? Learn more about desert parksand buy a desert parks pass.

Main image: Main Pool at Dalhousie Springs

This story was originally posted in July 2017.