The Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary is still under threat

Some places are just too precious to mine...Arkaroola must be preserved forever.

Arkaroola landscape with the 'Armchair' in the background

Arkaroola a part of our heritage

Located 600km north of Adelaide, in the rugged and spectacular northern Flinders Ranges, Arkaroola is a multi award-winning Wilderness Sanctuary. Being the traditional lands of the Adnyamathanha, Arkaroola has a rich cultural history. Featuring rugged mountains, towering granite peaks and magnificent gorges and waterholes.

The area was also recognised by Sir Douglas Mawson for its geological significance who described it as "one great open-air museum of geological history". The Sprigg family now look after the area and have declared it a Wilderness Sanctuary.

Widely recognised as an iconic and unique part of the Flinders Ranges, the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary is:

• on the Register of the National Estate,
• a recognised geological monument,
• a Sanctuary under the National Parks and Wildlife Act,
• an Environmental Class A Zone under the Development Act.

Why is Arkaroola so special?

Part of the iconic Flinders Ranges, Arkaroola features rugged mountains, towering granite peaks and magnificent gorges and water holes. Arkaroola is South Australia’s premier eco-tourism destination, recently admitted into the SA Tourism Hall of Fame. The Advanced Ecotourism accredited 4WD Ridge Top Tour is world famous.

Biodiversity hot-spot

Arkaroola is rich in biodiversity, with scientists still finding new species. The area is home to 160 species of birds and the shy endangered Yellow-footed Rock-wallaby.

The region contains lizards, giant geckos and molluscs found nowhere else on Earth. Recently, scientists have discovered unique groundwater fauna, as well as a new species of desert tree frog.

Geological and archaeological significance

Arkaroola is a wonderland for geologists from all over the world. Mt. Gee, Mt. Painter and The Armchair are all rare geological features, listed on the National Estate. According to the SA Museum, their is no global parallel to the crystalline rock formations found in Arkaroola.

The oldest fossilised reef ever discovered was recently found in the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary.

"Some places are just too precious to mine... Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary is one of them."