Arkaroola Voyage Tips and guide

Contents

Arkaroola is a 610 square kilometre Wilderness Sanctuary operated by the descendants of Reg Sprigg. Mr Sprigg purchased the pastoral lease in 1968 and took steps to establish it as a wilderness sanctuary. In 2012 the South Australian government passed legislation providing some statutory protection. Arkaroola is something of a treasure trove for geologists. It is rich in radioactive ores. Early in the twentieth century radium was mined there and shipped to Europe however that venture was not profitable. There has been considerable exploration for uranium at Arkaroola and although no commercial mines have ever been established in Arkaroola itself one of the world's largest uranium deposits was discovered on the plains to the east. Paralana hot springs has the distinction of being a radioactively heated spring and radon gas escapes to the atmosphere in places around the sanctuary. Arkaroola has rugged mountains, towering granite peaks, magnificent gorges and mysterious waterholes. It is home to over 160 species of birds and the shy and endangered Yellow-footed Rock-wallaby. Arkaroola is a sought after destination for bushwalkers and four wheel drivers. The four wheel drive Ridgetop Tour is world famous; it crosses ancient sea beds, razor-back ridges and the peaks of the Flinders Ranges most rugged mountains to the magnificent climax at Siller's Lookout. Arkaroola has been recognized as a Dark Sky Santuary and has two stellar observatories.

30°18′40″S 139°20′10″E

Map of Arkaroola

Access is usually by car, while there is a helipad and an airstrip near by they are not usually used. Most visitors travel to Arkaroola by private vehicle via Leigh Creek and Copley, a distance of about 130 kilometres. The road from Copley is unsealed. It is usually in good condition however it takes very little rain to make the road unpassable. It is wise to check road conditions before you leave Adelaide. The average driving time from Leigh Creek is approximately two hours. A 4WD vehicle is highly recommended although it is possible to get there using a 2WD. Whatever type of vehicle you take you should ensure you have two spare tyres! The road into Arkaroola is littered with blown tyres. The road can be impassable after rain as there are many floodways that cross the road. Please note it is illegal to drive on roads that have been closed, fines apply. You can travel from Adelaide to Arkaroola in one day. It should take around 7-9 hours and is approximately 700 km.

Arkaroola is very small and as such everything is within a few hundred metres walking distance.

If you've brought your own 4WD you should have no problems getting around, although some tracks are classed as "Extreme 4WD Conditions" so you must have a sturdy and rugged 4WD, i.e. a RAV4 or a Kluger is not suitable!

Some tracks are classed as 2WD. However there are VERY few 2WD tracks to drive on and strictly speaking you would be much better off in a 4WD, mainly because 2WD vehicles do not have enough clearance between the wheels. While it is possible to take your 2WD along these tracks it is not advisable at all.

• Springs
• Waterholes
• Outback

• Geology
• There are 3 different astronomy tours conducted at the observatories
• Outback
• Guided 4 WD. Arkaroola offers a number of 6 or 7 guided 4 WD tours of which the most famous is the Ridgetop Tour. (updated Jun 2024)
• self drive 4WD tracks. Arkaroola has about 100km of 4WD tracks and a number of suggested itineraries for 4WD most are free but there is a charge for the Echo camp track (updated Jun 2024)
• Walking Tracks. Arkaroola permits people to walk throughout the Sanctuary but they suggest itineraries for 4 or 5 half day walks and one full day. Which one to choose? If you intend going on the 4WD Ridgetop tour it might be better to undertake some of the walks which traverse creeks and gorges rather than the high country as you certainly see plenty of ridgetops on the ridgetop tour! One of the half day walks; Barraranna Circuit walk takes you through Arkaroola creek which has a great picnic area where Bararranna gorge meets Arkaroola creek and you may well have yellow footed wallabies chaperoning you. A detour from the circuit takes you to Bararrannna waterhole. Some scrambling and rock hopping is needed to get to the waterhole but the effort is well rewarded, the waterhole has an eerie waterhole at the end of the world feel. (updated Jun 2024)
• Scenic Flights. Scenic Flights are available both over the Sanctuary and beyond to the surrounding salt lakes and deserts. (updated Jun 2024)

• Souvenirs
• Fuel
• There is a workshop where tyre repairs and other basic mechanical repairs are undertaken
• there is a very limited selection of food for camping

One restaurant: serves great food for dinner and continental or cooked breakfasts

One pub

• Arkaroola Caravan Park, ☏ +61 8 8648 4848. (updated Jul 2021)
• Camping. Arkaroola Resort permits camping on the creek for about $20 per night (updated Jun 2024)
• Arkaroola Resort Motel. There is a range of accommodation from neat and functional motel style rooms for $90 per night (as at 2024) up to several hundred dollars per night for fancier rooms. (updated Jun 2024)

• Arkaroola Village, South Australia 5732, ☏ +61 8 8648 4848, toll-free: 1800 676 042, fax: +61 8 8648 4846.