Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary

ESTABLISHED as a private wildlife reserve in the late 1960s by the Sprigg family, the sanctuary is run by Doug and Vicki. It is the pièce de résistance of the northern Flinders Ranges, offering good accommodation and camping along with a restaurant, bar, swimming pool, store and fuel.

Located 600km north of Adelaide and 130km north-east of Copley, the reserve joins the Gammon Ranges NP which in turn connects with the Nantawarrina IPA, securing more than 610,000 acres of contiguous protected land. Arkaroola covers 61,000ha of rugged mountain country strewn with granite peaks and cut by magnificent gorges sheltering hidden waterholes. Geologically it is a unique masterpiece, so much so that in 2012, under a government-declared special act, it now lies at the heart of the Arkaroola Protection Area where mining and fossicking have been banned.

Bushwalkers will revel in the area’s remoteness while 4x4 drivers will love the tracks, such as the Echo Camp Backtrack and the route to the ruins of the Yudnamutana mines and smelter. The Ridgetop Tour to Sillers Lookout is a trip everybody should do and, while a guided tour, it is well worth it. Three astronomical observatories also make Arkaroola one of Australia’s largest privately owned space observatories, offering some of the best viewing conditions in Australia to tour the universe and to check out the stars.

For more info and bookings visit www.arkaroola.com.au