Arkaroola - SA

Arkaroola Resort and Wilderness Sanctuary, in the northern Flinders Ranges, was founded in 1968 by Reg Sprigg and his family. 40 years down the track, the 250km sq property is still owned by the Sprigg family, and run by Reg's daughter, Margaret, and son, Douglas. This somewhat remote location, is rugged, arid and scenically spectacular, worth every minute of the journey to get there. From the peaks of the ancient mountains, to the quiet, secluded waterholes along Wywyana Creek and Arkaroola Creek, to the hot water bubbling from the ground at Paralana Hot Springs, mix in the ancient geology, the stunning colours of the rocks, dappled with the hardy desert flora with its splendid wildflowers, the miriad of marsupials, birds and lizards and you have a desert mountain oasis to occupy You for a considerable stay.

Dry, rugged and arid may be words to describe Arkaroola, but there are innumerable other adjectives that also come to mind. Words like stunning, impressive, exilerating, and breathtaking would be a few. A trip to the Flinders Ranges should include a detour to the geologically oldest part of this wonderful region.

Accommodation

The resort offers accommodation at many levels, from camping and caravan sites, to bunkhouses, cabins, self contained options and through to excellent hotel suites. The restaurant is renowned for great food, and friendly atmosphere. Arkaroola has most services available for the traveller, and a host of wonderful possibilities to keep You entertained.

Whatever your style, you'll find a great place to stay Arkaroola.

Tours at and to Arkaroola

There are many Tours to Arkaroola, from Adelaide, Port Augusta, Hawker and Quorn.

Once Your at Arkaroola there are several tour options including:

• The Arkaroola Ridge Top Tour, which was one of the first of its kind in the world and is still a major highlight. Other than walking, this is the only way to get a ground level glimpse at the stunning scenery and impressive geology that make the area around Mount Painter and Mount Gee some of the most geologically and visually exciting places in the world.
• The Echo Camp Backtrack Tour, which takes You along the path of Arkaroola Creek, and includes the wonderful Barraranna Gorge.
• The northern Flinders Ranges are renowned for stargazers, with regular clear skies, and no light eboliation, and for 30 years Arkaroola has hosted one of Australia's best privately owned Astronomical Observatories.
• Arkaroola local Sharpie Coultard runs an aboriginal cultural tour, focussing on the country and the uses of local plants.
• Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary also offers scenic flights over the amazingly rugged scenery.

Arkaroola's Tour Drivers have a great knowledge of their wonderful locality, So why not experience it with people who know all the best spots.

Whatever your style, you'll find a great Tour at Arkaroola.

• Try a tour that includes Arkaroola with Wallaby Tracks Tours.

Things To See and Do

There are so many Things To See and Do around Arkaroola and it is a great place to base Yourself for Your stay.

Things to do.
#Start with a visit to the Ningana Visitor Information Centre opposite the Arkaroola Reception or talk with the helpful staff in the shop and reception.
#Take a drive to the west of the village to the historic Bolla Bollana Smelter site, Bolla Bollana Springs, the Pinnicles and Nooldoonooldoona Waterhole. Further west on this track are the historic Wheal Turner mine and much further on, and 4wd only, the historical Yudnamutna Mine.
#North from the village is Arkaroola Waterhole, a lovely place for a picnic and also a popular location for spotting yellow-footed rock-wallabys. Also in the same direction is the historic miners signpost at the junction of Radium Creek and Arkaroola Creek and the gate for the Echo Camp Backtrack.
#To the east of the village is the track to Paralana Hotsprings. Along this track are many interesting sites including, Welcome Pound, Barraranna Gorge., Stubbs Waterhole and Arkaroola Springs. Paralana Hotsprings although small in area are both geologically and historically interesting. They are heated by radioactive decay of minerals below the ground. In the 1920's a health spa was built here!
# Around Arkaroola there are several excellent walking tracks including Barrarranna Gorge Walk, the Welcome Pound Loop, Acacia Ridge Walk, Grizelda Hill Walk,and the Mawson Valley Walk.
#To the south of Arkaroola is the Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park. This interesting area has many great walks and scenic places as well.

Get a Mud Map of Arkaroola's best spots!

For more information about the flinders Ranges contact:

Flinders Ranges & Outback S.A. Tourism

WADLATA OUTBACK CENTRE
41 Flinders Tce,
Port Augusta
South Australia, 5700
Phone - 1800 633 060
Fax (08) 85630616
Email wadlata@portaugusta.sa.gov.au www.flindersoutback.com

Quorn Visitor Information Centre

3 Seventh Street,
Quorn
South Australia, 5433
Phone (08) 8648 6419
Fax (08) 8648 6419
Email vic@flindersranges.com www.flindersranges.com/

Hawker Visitor Information Centre

Located in Hawker Motors
Corner Cradock & Wilpena Roads
Hawker
South Australia, 5434
Phone (08) 8648 4022 Freecall:1800 777 880
Fax (08)8648 4283
Email info@hawkermotors.com.au www.hawkermotors.com.au

Dining options at Arkaroola are fairly easy, with two options available:

• The Restaurant serves lunch and dinner.
• Or You can Cook Your own food

Arkaroola Events Calendar