Arkaroola Photography and Self Guided Tours

Drive the tracks, walk the bush and shoot the wild life

Bush walking in Arkaroola

While Arkaroola offers several bush walking trails, the only two you really need to concern yourself with are Griselda Hill and Acacia Ridge. They offer the best views of the Flinders and are within walking distance of the Village.

The track up Griselda Hill is 1km return and takes 20 minutes each way, given a constant speed. Many people take longer than this on their first time going up. Rumor has it one freak actually ran up and back in less than 15 minutes. Ridiculous, yes.

A view from Griselda Hill onto the road coming into Arkaroola Village

Griselda Hill, according to the tour guide, was named after Griselda Sprigg, the wife of Reginald. As the story goes, she asked her husband Reg how to get that hill named after her, to which he replied, "if you climb to the top of that hill I will name it after you." And that's what she did.

The top of Acacia Ridge, over looking the Flinders Ranges

Next you have Acacia Ridge. This 4km track starts near to the old homestead and ends back at the village. It takes you along the ridge top, offering a stunning view of the Flinders Ranges. While the walk takes old folks 2.5 - 3 hours to complete, there's no need to rush. Just take your time and savor the view.

4 Wheel Drive Off Road Tracks

Some folks have the means to drive their off road vehicles to Arkaroola, and that is great. On the property you'll find enough off road tracks to keep you busy for days. The station backtrack, Echo camp backtrack and the journey to Stubbs Waterhole are all easily accessible and great fun to drive.

In a few of the water holes you can even go yabbying, or as we yanks would call it catching crayfish.

One of the crown jewels of the plant world in Arkaroola is the Sturt Desert Pea. Folks from all around search for it. The Sturt Desert Pea is very elusive, for one, because of the climate. Things don't grow much around here, so when this flower blooms, its red pedals stand out and it makes its presence known.

This also attracts tourists who feel the need to clip some of the flowers and take them for their own reasons. A very selfish act indeed. If you find the Sturt Desert Pea in South Australia or Arkaroola, stop and appreciate it for a moment. You'll be glad you did. If you want some more Sturt Pea, you can also Purchase Sturt Desert Pea Print

Photography in Arakroola

While the photography during the daytime is OK, it can make this dynamic landscape look flat. That's why the best time is early in the morning or late afternoon. I woke up at 5:30am to climb Acacia Ridge and take photographs. This set of photographs shows the Flinders in a whole new light. Purchase Arkaroola Sunrise Print.

This is Art. Why? Because another photographer who works in the Flinders Ranges took a very similar photo to this and if his is considered Art, then so is mine. What's the difference between us? He wears a beret.

Why is sunrise the best time for photographic the Flinders Ranges? Because the light is so much more revealing. The sun curves around every hill, offering the landscape to a texture that it can't possess with a direct sunlight. It saturates the hill sides with warmth that turns green and flat after 10am.

Each day in Arkaroola, the sun will rise before it pops over the surrounding hills and to see it come out over Lake Frome is a sight to experience.