Arkaroola - 24 & 25 July 2009

We left Beltana heading for Arkaroola, one of the best known locations in the Northern Flinders Ranges.

On the way we called in at Iga Warta an information centre owned by the Adnyamathanha people.Their display enables you to learn some of their history in the area.

Arkaroola [http://www.arkaroola.com.au] was established and built by Reg Sprigg in the 1970’s when he took over the lease of Arkaroola Station. Arkaroola comes from the Adnyamathanha word Arkaroo meaning a mythical monster. The owners refer to it as an ark for the flora, fauna and rocks of the area, and they have done a lot of work to eradicate feral goats, rabbits and camels. This private sanctuary was one of the first true ecotourism ventures in Australia.

Dr. Reg Sprigg was a rock star [geologist] who first came to the area as part of the wartime Manhattan Project, to reactivate the Radium Hill Uranium Mining field and to regionally map the Mt Painter Uranium field.

He made many important discoveries, the most significant being the world’s first multi celled organisms which left an imprint on the sedimentary rock in the Ediacara Hills. These organisms have been dated at 620 million years old. Their discovery has led to the naming of a new era the Ediacaran era.

Arkaroola is now a period piece from the 1970’s. It is attractive and comfortable. We enjoyed the Native Pine restaurant and did the Ridgetop Tour which is a fantastic way to see the unique geology of the area from the comfort of a 4wd. Their tyres last about 4,000kms on the very steep rocky roads so we were glad it was not our Landcruiser doing the tour.

This road was built by the uranium prospectors and Exoil. The views are fantastic and it is obvious why Reg Sprigg wanted to preserve it.

The mining companies have left behind a lot of good tracks. Nowadays prospecting is done by helicopter [a dangerous job as they fly within 3 or 4 meters of the slope amongst strong updrafts] and also by analyzing the leaves of deep rooted plants. The plants roots bring minerals to the surface and what is below can be inferred by the trace elements in their leaves. Although it seems unlikely that the Government would allow mining on Arkaroola mining companies are still prospecting.

Confirming our ability to tow rain clouds behind the caravan, it rained overnight. Not a lot, but enough to settle the dust for our drive to Maree.