Pipalyatjara, South Australia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids PipalyatjaraSouth Australia |
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 Pipalyatjara
Location in South Australia
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| Population | 189 (2016 census) |
| Postcode(s) | 0872 |
| Elevation | 652 m (2,139 ft) |
| Location | 550 km (342 mi) southwest of Alice Springs |
| LGA(s) | Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara |
| State electorate(s) | Giles |
| Federal Division(s) | Grey |
Pipalyatjara (once called Mount Davies) is an Aboriginal community. It is located in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands in South Australia.
Pipalyatjara is one of six main communities in "The Lands." The people living here are mostly Anangu. They speak Pitjantjatjara as their first language. In 2016, about 189 people lived in Pipalyatjara. The community of Kalka is very close by, to the west.
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Time in Pipalyatjara
The APY Lands do not use daylight saving time. This is different from the rest of South Australia. They follow Australian Central Standard Time (UTC+9:30) all year. This is because they are close to the Northern Territory. It helps them stay on the same time as places like Darwin.
Where is Pipalyatjara?
Pipalyatjara is about 550 kilometres (340 mi) southwest of Alice Springs. You can reach it by driving on the Gunbarrel Highway. This road is not sealed, meaning it is a dirt road.
Pipalyatjara is also about 30 kilometres (19 mi) from a special spot. This spot is where the borders of South Australia, Western Australian, and the Northern Territory meet. It is called the Surveyor-General's Corner.
The community of Kalka is only about 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) away by road. Both Pipalyatjara and Kalka are found within the Tomkinson Ranges.
Kunytjanu is a smaller place nearby. It is an outstation and has a waterhole. Pipalyatjara helps support Kunytjanu. It is on the road between Pipalyatjara and Watarru.
Weather in Pipalyatjara
The weather in Pipalyatjara is similar to the nearby Giles Weather Station. This station is just across the border in Western Australia.
In summer, like January, the average high temperature is about 37.2 degrees Celsius. In winter, like July, the average high is about 19.9 degrees Celsius. Nights can get cooler. In January, the average low is 23.5 degrees. In June, it can drop to 6.8 degrees.
On average, Pipalyatjara gets about 284.2 millimetres (11.19 in) of rain each year.
History of the Community
Not much is known about how the traditional owners first settled in the area. Pipalyatjara was once known as Mount Davies. It was named after the tallest mountain nearby.
In the 1980s, the settlement received money to become an outstation. An outstation is a smaller community away from a main center.
A special green gem called Chrysoprase was mined in Pipalyatjara until recently.
Community Facilities
Pipalyatjara has several important services for its residents:
- A general store serves both Pipalyatjara and Kalka communities.
- South Australia Police officers patrol the area. A new police complex is being built nearby. This will help officers support the community.
- Diesel power stations provide electricity to both Pipalyatjara and Kalka. SA Water supplies water for these stations.
- The Pipalyatjara Anangu School teaches children from both Pipalyatjara and Kalka.
- The Ninuku Arts project is run by the community. It helps artists from Pipalyatjara and Kalka share their work.
- Like most communities in the APY Lands, people can watch TV from Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Special Broadcasting Service.
- There is also an unsealed airstrip for planes.
- A mobile polling booth visits Pipalyatjara every four years. This allows people to vote in elections for the Parliament of South Australia.
To visit any community on the APY Lands, you need a special permit. This is because these lands are freehold lands. This means they are owned by the Aboriginal people.
