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On the Road in Arkaroola, Outback South Australia

Jen Adams | July 5, 2012 | 3:12 pm | Comment

On the Road in Arkaroola, Outback South Australia
Posing for a picture on the road in Arkaroola, South Australia

Most people would think that a driving adventure in the Aussie outback involves heading out into the middle of nowhere. However, the South Australian outback brings the remote, rugged landscapes to all of us – even if we only have a few days to get away.

A Road Trip to Arkaroola, South Australia

Arkaroola is one of the most stunning and important geological sites in our entire country. And as always, the journey to get there is every bit as interesting as the destination!

Located in the northern Flinders Ranges, it’s about 600km from Adelaide. For the most part, it’s a pretty flat drive through sheep country. As you enter the Flinders Ranges, the light hitting the rock formations is quite a spectacle, while the flat roads quickly become undulating hills and incredible rocky escarpments.

We’re soon surrounded by giant rock formations that have been here for literally billions of years. Entering the grounds of the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary, the place feels majestic and untouched by civilisation and time.
Arkaroola is a 610-square-km wilderness sanctuary. Filled with endless rugged mountains, towering granite peaks, magnificent gorges and mysterious waterholes, it’s home to 160 species of birds and even the shy and endangered yellow-footed Rock Wallaby.

A paradise for bushwalkers and four-wheel drivers, we take the Subaru Outback into ancient seabeds and across razorback ridges, discovering new terrain and views around every corner.

The area has a long and rich history with Antarctic explorer Sir Douglas Mawson discovering uranium here. Then, in 1968, Arkaroola was established by his student Reg Sprigg, after he purchased the pastoral lease and turned it into a wildlife sanctuary. In the past, there’s been much debate on mining the uranium that’s present here. Luckily for us travellers, the area has now been protected. His family carry on his dream today.

Scenery in Arkaroola, Flinders Ranges, South Australia
Stunning landscapes in the Flinders Ranges, South Australia

You can stay here in the award-winning eco-lodges or set up camp like us! We set up our caravan in front of a mountain range, and at around 5 o’clock the sun starts to set, lighting up the mountain in the most vibrant of oranges.  We sit around a campfire toasting marshmallows, taking in the silence and the smells of the Australian bush.

When we’ve finished looking at the sun setting over the ranges, it’s time to look up! There are three astronomical observatories here and it’s simply mesmerising to take in the beauty of the Southern Hemisphere. It’s like the heavens are putting on a show.

This place is so stunning. It would be a shame to drive straight past it on the highway and not turn off and be treated to this. The Flinders Ranges and the Outback of South Australia really are a place like no other.

And what’s more, it’s so easily accessible for us all!

Feel free to tell us about your own Australian road trip experience in the comments below!

About Jen Adams

Places We Go is Jen's dream come true. As the founder, she simply wanted to 'share the world with the world'. With the tag line “It’s not just the places we go, but the people we meet that capture our heart” Jen knows that it's always the locals that bring our travels alive.

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I was lucky enough explore regional Victoria earli I was lucky enough explore regional Victoria earlier in the year (between lockdowns!), and tour the Goldfields with @big4holidayparks – Sure, I got my much-needed fix of the outdoors and was able to feed my insatiable curiosity as I explored the regions utterly fascinating history & culture, but it was sitting up at the old bar of family run Munari wines, just outside of Heathcote that got me.
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 Chatting to the chief winemaker Adrian Munari, and his daughter India (over a lovely red, of course) I heard all about the historic sheep station that was established in 1871, and life on the property today. (I wonder how the farmers endured the pandemic in 1919?)  
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Here’s to a happy summer holiday for us all, of enjoying those ‘moments’, wherever we are. 
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 I based myself at the @BIG4BendigoAscotHolidayPark 
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 See link in bio if want to plan your own getaway 😍
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#holidayhearthisyear #ExploreBIG4 #BIG4HolidayParks #VisitVictoria @visitmelbourne
WHO WANTS TO **WIN** A LUXURIOUS 2-NIGHT GETAWAY? WHO WANTS TO **WIN** A LUXURIOUS 2-NIGHT GETAWAY?
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How would you (and a friend!) like to escape to NSW’s New England Tablelands on a 2-night LUXURIOUS getaway, experiencing the best of Armidale’s premium accom, stunning food, wine & beer, an immersion in the local arts AND a World-Heritage Listed backyard to cap it off? 
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Your weekend will include: 
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- 2 night premium suite package at the historic Tattersalls Hotel (including food & drink from their award-winning restaurant & breakfast included) 
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- A special "Private Directors Tour" at the New England Regional Art Museum of HINTON: Treasures of Australian Art, plus some goodies to take home! 
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- Grabbing a beer at Great Hops Brewing Company PLUS some special gifts delivered to your home
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- A special Hema Australian Atlas & Guide plus a NSW State Map 
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Take it from me, this is worth entering, and if you do in fact WIN, set your alarm and get up for sunrise in the New England National Park, followed by a trip to Wollomombi Falls (the second highest falls in the county!) - it was sincerely exceptional.
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Oh and say hello to John at the Tattersalls Hotel, Rachael from the Art Gallery, and Sam from Great Hops Brewery. 
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 **TAG A FRIEND YOU'D  LOVE TO TAKE, and increase your chances of winning by both entering.. I know I would 😉❤
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 **LINK IN BIO **
Good luck, 
Jen xx
WE HAVE LIFT OFF!!! ON TV TODAY 😎🕺 . Would WE HAVE LIFT OFF!!! ON TV TODAY 😎🕺
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Would love you to join me as we celebrate the locals of #armidale on TV today
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Tune in (or set your record buttons) @ 1.30pm, ON TEN **TODAY**
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A special thanks to all those that not only shared their magnificent backyard with us, but who opened their hearts and let our TV cameras in.
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Armidale, you can no longer use the term “hidden treasure” 😉
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Ps did I say “today” enough times? 😆🤪🙏 Jen xx
ARMIDALE IN THE SPOTLIGHT Ready for another cele ARMIDALE IN THE SPOTLIGHT
 
Ready for another celebration of a brilliant person and travel experience for us all?
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Meet James Rainger from @fleetadventures 
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He not only spends his life taking us travellers on scenic chopper tours over his World-Heritage Listed backyard of the #newengland region – he’s one of the many brilliant pilots who you’ll find hovering above the blazing heat helping fight our Australian Bushfires.
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When I shared my nerves about flying, he settled me with in seconds. Super grounded, in safe hands kind-a-feeling, with the biggest sparkle in his eye.
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“To be part of the firefighting team is being in the #armidale  community - we all live here, our kids go to school here, so we love it. Armidale is a community where we all band together, we’re very passionate about our backyard, and we hope it shows.. and we certainly hope people come and see what it’s like. We’ve got a unique view of part of the world that not many people get to see. And there are not hordes of people here, so it’s very personal, we like to bring people into our world and our life – and share it – thank you for taking the time to come and visit us… “
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As for the flight? Put it on your @theaustralianbucketlist
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Jen xx

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