Due to its links with the Northern Territory and proximity to the border, the APY Lands do not observe daylight savings unlike the rest of South Australia.

Pipalyatjara is situated approximately 550 kilometres (340 mi) south-west of Alice Springs on the Gunbarrel Highway, an unsealed road.

[3] The community of Kalka is situated some 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) away (by road, on the north side of the mountain ridge to which Pipalyatjara lies to the south).

As of 2014[update], based upon the climate records of the nearest weather station, the Giles Weather Station, just across the border and slightly to the northwest in Western Australia, Kalka experiences summer maximum temperatures of an average of 37.2 degrees Celsius in January and a winter maximum average temperature of 19.9 degrees Celsius in July.

It will accommodate officers with specialist response capabilities, as well provide a base for a mobile unit which will be deployed in Fregon/Kaltjiti, Indulkana and Pipalyatjara.

[7][8] The 2019–2020 Government of South Australia agency budget estimates the completion date as June 2021, with a total spend of A$4.28 million.

[10][4] The swimming pool reopened around 2024 after a period of closure, after much needed upgrades, including new rescue and safety equipment as well as new staff.