The South Australian government has removed a “McDonald’s opening soon” sign put in the Simpson Desert Conservation Park as a prank.

A Melbourne artist last month claimed responsibility for the erecting the sign on top of a 15-metre high sand dune, 200 kilometres into the desert, after 12 months of careful planning.

SA Environment Minister Ian Hunter said it was illegal to put a structure in a reserve without permission and a park ranger had to travel 12 hours from Port Augusta last week to remove it.

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“We do see the funny side of this,” he said.

“It is very humorous but we particularly don’t want people searching for a sign off the tracks, damaging the fragile landscape and putting themselves potentially at risk in a very remote location.”

The sign has found a new home as a tourist attraction out the front of the Mungerannie Pub.

Phil Gregurke from the Mungerrannie Hotel said it had been put there for tourists with a sense of humour.

“At one time, the bar here used to be the number one photographed item up here,” he said.

“Now I reckon the Maccas sign is the number one picture. People just stand under it or stand in the bus stop with the Maccas sign above them and yeah, it’s a good laugh.”