Arkaroola

Arkaroola or Arkaroola Station is a very small town located in the Northern Flinders Ranges about 130 km from Leigh Creek, in South Australia.

Understand
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.

Get in
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.

Get around
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.

See

 * Springs
 * Waterholes
 * Outback

Do

 * Geology
 * There are 3 different astronomy tours conducted at the observatories
 * Outback

Buy

 * 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

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

Drink
One pub