Friends of Simpson Desert are………

A New Chapter for Our Volunteers

After 40 years of dedicated conservation work as the Friends of Simpson Desert Parks, our volunteer group is embarking on an exciting new chapter. We have changed our name to Friends of Western Eyre Peninsula Parks (FWEPP) and shifted our operational focus to the Western Eyre Peninsula.

Honouring 40 Years of Legacy Leaving the Simpson Desert was a tough decision. For four decades, our members have been instrumental in preserving iconic sites—including engineering, building, and installing the access steps at Dalhousie Springs. We are immensely proud of this legacy and the lasting impact our volunteers have made in the outback.

Why We Are Moving Maintaining regular working bees at Dalhousie Springs has become increasingly challenging:

  • Distance & Logistics: The 1,200 km trek required heavy-duty 4WD setups, total self-sufficiency, and up to two weeks of time away from home.
  • Rising Costs: Escalating fuel costs and limited funding made regular trips difficult to sustain.
  • Accessibility: The extreme conditions prevented many skilled, experienced long-term members from participating and made recruiting new volunteers challenging.

Our New Home: Venus Bay Conservation Park & Beyond Our core focus will now be assisting Department for Environment and Water (DEW) Rangers primarily at Venus Bay Conservation Park, with additional projects across the broader Western Eyre Peninsula region.

This move offers significant advantages:

  • Easier Access: Located approximately 650 km from Adelaide with sealed road access, eliminating the need for specialized off-road equipment.
  • Better Amenities: Volunteers have access to kitchen, shower, and toilet facilities, alongside cottage accommodation and vehicle camping options.
  • High-Impact Conservation: Our flagship project involves maintaining and upgrading the vital 2.4 km predator-exclusion fence. This 21 sq km sanctuary protects endangered species like Bettongs and Bilbies from non-native predators.
  • Diverse Projects: Future activities will include native revegetation, track and fire management, coastal clean-ups, and wildlife surveys.

Get Involved! Whether you are a long-standing member or a local resident wanting to care for your local environment, we would love to have you on board.  

Want more information – just phone or email us!