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Pimba is the first settlement on the Stuart Highway on the route north from Port Augusta and is 480 km from Adelaide. "Spud's Roadhouse" at Pimba is an iconic wayside inn which has been there for many years.
Pimba is the gateway to Woomera, Roxby Downs and Andamooka. You can go all the way through to the Oodnadatta Track from Roxby Downs on the Borefield Road (well maintained sealed road) or travel the Torrens Track (4WD) from Andamooka across station country to the Upper Flinders Ranges.
Woomera is just 7 kms further east.
Although Pimba's population is small, the trains, Indian Pacific (running between Sydney and Perth) and the Ghan (running between Adelaide via Alice Springs to Darwin, call at Pimba Siding with both trains servicing the town twice a week in each direction.
Nurrungar at Island Lagoon
Fifteen kms south of Pimba is the scenic salt lake Island Lagoon. There is a rest stop there overlooking the lake.
During late 1950s to early 1970s the Island Lagoon Tracking Station (Deep Space Station 41) was established there. It was the first deep space station outside the United States.
Its purpose was space-based surveillance and early detection of missile launches and nuclear detonations using US Defense Support Program satellites in geostationary orbits. The name Nurrungar derives from an aboriginal term meaning "listen".
The station was operated by the Australian Department of Supply and provided support for deep space missions until 22 December 1972 when it closed. Crt Wikipedia
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