Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary
Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary is a resort and campsite in the northern Flinders Ranges, featuring rugged mountains, gorges, waterholes, and distinctive rock formations. The property includes lodging options from comfortable air-conditioned motel rooms to powered campsites and bush camping areas, along with a restaurant, swimming pool, visitor center, and numerous driving routes and walking tracks.
The site has been inhabited by Indigenous communities since ancient times, their stories shaping the landscape over thousands of years. The area became known through explorer Sir Douglas Mawson's investigations, and since 1968 the grounds have been managed by the Sprigg family with a focus on environmental conservation and visitor education.
The sanctuary is home to the rare Yellow-Footed Rock-Wallaby, which visitors can observe in its natural habitat throughout the site. The place celebrates the relationship between people and untamed landscape, allowing both exploration and protection of the environment simultaneously.
The site is accessible to self-drivers via roads and tracks of varying difficulty, with some routes straightforward and others requiring experienced terrain skills. Visitors should prepare for changing weather conditions, as summers can be hot during the day and winter nights grow cold, bringing adequate water and seeking shade during daytime activities.
The site holds International Dark Sky Sanctuary status, remaining free from light pollution and allowing visitors to observe planets, stars, and distant galaxies with remarkable clarity. The special Sleepout Tour pairs nighttime stargazing with sleeping beneath open sky on the ridge tops, an experience that merges comfort with adventure.
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