Barraranna Gorge, Arkaroola - SA

Barraranaa Gorge is a geologicanly and scenically impressive locality on Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary in the northern Flinders Ranges, in South Australia. Arkaroola Creek has cut its way through the 800 million year old seafloor rocks that have been folded into the mountain range that is the Flinders Ranges today. Because these rocks are very hard as well as having been folded up on end, the river has been choked between high, steep walls forming a string of deep and narrow waterholes. The gorge is only accessible on foot to about half of its length, but there is a loop walking trail that continues up a side gorge to Spotted Schist Pass, back along the track to Welcome Pound, through to Stubbs Waterhole and then back to Barraranna Gorge. This loop is about .

Arkaroola Resort and Wilderness Sanctuary, 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.

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