Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary
About Arkaroola
Located 600km north of Adelaide in the northern Flinders Ranges, this 610sq km Wilderness Sanctuary was founded by the Sprigg family in 1968 and continues to operate to this day with a strong emphasis on science, education and conservation.
With a Geological History reaching back almost 2 billion years, this ancient landscape also has an extraordinary human history. Frequented and featuring in creation stories by Indigenous Peoples for tens of thousands of years the area was later brought to the attention of the modern world by the late Professor Sir Douglas Mawson.
Things to See & Do
Arkaroola is an incredible destination for artists, astronomers, birdwatchers, bushwalkers , four wheel drive adventurers, geologists and anybody with a sense of adventure and a quest for knowledge.
Arkaroola features many unique geological monuments, rugged mountains, towering granite peaks, magnificent gorges and mysterious waterholes, the home to a huge range of species of birds, reptiles and mammals including the shy and endangered Yellow-Footed Rock-Wallaby.
Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary
Ridgetop and Back Guided Tour
The Ridgetop Tour is an unforgettable experience. Priced at $195 per Adult it is definitely worth the price. I recommend the Morning tour as the light on the hills is spectacular.
Travelling in a specially constructed open-top 4WD, you are taken on a 4.5 hour, 22km guided tour of some of the most rugged country on earth.
The tour guides share their knowledge of Arkaroola's 1600-million-year geological history as they navigate the steep slopes of the famous Ridgetop Track.
Bolla Bollana Spring Self 4WD & Hike
The Bolla Bollana waterhole and springs are located to the west of The Arkaroola Lodge. It is a permanent creek bed spring.
The local aboriginal story about the meaning of Bolla Bollana involves a serpent that had drunk the waters of Lake Frome and retired himself into the area of Arkaroola. Occasionally, he encountered warriors and other mythical creatures who tried to hold him back. The Bolla Bollana Spring is where they "got up and ran".
Yellow Footed Rock Wallaby
The Yellow-footed Rock-wallaby is the largest rock-wallaby species in Australia, growing to a height of 80 cm tall.
Arkaroola is perhaps the best place to see these shy and endangered wallabies in their natural habitat.
Each night at 6pm you can see the Yellow Footed Rock wallabies come in to feed at the platform opposite the restaurant and bar.
International Dark Sky Sanctuary
Being located in the far-northern Flinders Ranges, Arkaroola has a world class atmospheric transparency index and seeing quality due to its arid environment and elevation. Arkaroola's skies are exceptionally dark due to its distance from any towns, with the Wilderness Sanctuary employing a “low light” policy in the evenings. Arkaroola runs three fully equipped astronomical observatories, with all three designed and operated to ensure an unforgettable stargazing experience.
