Arkaroola

The area's first people are the Adnyamathanha. One of their dreamtime or creation stories says that Arkaroo, a mythical monster, drank Lake Frome dry. He then crawled up into the mountains. When he urinated he created the waterholes that are a feature of the area. His movement over the land created Arkaroola Creek.

The first Anglo-Europeans to visit the area was explorer Edward Eyre in 1840 and the surveyor

George Goyder in 1857. There was a small failed settlement nearby, at the Yudnamutana copper mine, from 1860 to 1863. The drought of 1863 drove the miners away. Settlement didn't occur again until 1903, when rubies and sapphires were discovered. By 1910 a copper smelter was built at Yudnamutana and uranium was also discovered nearby by Douglas Mawson, famous Antarctic explorer.

The land was always marginal for white pastoralism or agriculture and projects failed quickly. Uranium exploration persisted sporadically and led to the development of good roads by optimistic companies. The Arkaroola property was fenced by 1935 and a process of eradication of pests started. The land was covered with donkeys and camels. There was a failed health project in 1948.

The Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary was established by geologist Reg Sprigg in 1968 after he purchased the pastoral lease. He had been involved in surveys in the area before that. He purchased the {{convert|610|km2|abbr=off}} pastoral lease (part of which is now held as freehold) and began the conversion to a wildlife sanctuary.traveller.com. [http://www.traveller.com.au/arkaroola-5zcu Arkaroola]. Accessed 6 February 2018. In 1979 he was a trustee of the World Wildlife Fund due to his work in the protection of the yellow-footed rock-wallaby.

In July 2011 South Australian Premier Mike Rann announced a ban on mining in Arkaroola. This was followed in October 2011 by special purpose legislation prohibiting mining, mining exploration and grazing in the ranges. The South Australian government has moved to nominate the Arkaroola area for listing on the National Heritage list, and to secure its nomination for World Heritage listing.Daily Telegraph, 22 July 2011Arkaroola's savior Premier Mike Rann to visit area, Sunday Mail, 15 October 2011

Arkaroola was listed on the South Australian Heritage Register on 27 July 2012.{{cite web|url=http://apps.planning.sa.gov.au/HeritageSearch/HeritageItem.aspx?p_heritageno=26317 |title=Arkaroola |publisher=Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources |work=South Australian Heritage Register |access-date=13 February 2016 }}{{dead link|date=July 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

Until mid-2011, Arkaroola was under threat from uranium mining; the Adelaide-based mining company Marathon Resources had been prospecting the area around Mount Gee.{{cite web|url=http://www.independentweekly.com.au/news/local/news/general/arkaroola-uranium-hunter-on-bribery-charges/1651482.aspx |title=Arkaroola uranium hunter on bribery charges|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091020043602/http://www.independentweekly.com.au/news/local/news/general/arkaroola-uranium-hunter-on-bribery-charges/1651482.aspx |url-status=live |archive-date=20 October 2009 |publisher=Independentweekly.com.au |access-date=1 May 2013}} In 2008, Marathon was found guilty of illegally dumping radioactive waste in a variety of locations throughout the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary, and were ordered to suspend drilling operations. In late 2010, the government renewed the company's mineral exploration license, allowing it to resume exploratory drilling within the protected area,{{cite web | title = Green group attacks renewed mining exploration | url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/2010-12-21/green-group-attacks-renewed-mining-exploration/2381594 | publisher = Australian Broadcasting Company | date = 21 December 2010 | access-date = 15 July 2015}} a decision which resulted in public outcry. A poll taken in February 2011 showed that 72 per cent of South Australians, and 79 per cent of Labor voters, were opposed to mining in Arkaroola. Following unprecedented public pressure, the South Australian government announced on 22 July 2011 that mining would be banned forever in Arkaroola, with the aim of national and World Heritage listing. Mining companies have since threatened legal action against the government.{{cite web |url=http://bigpondnews.com/articles/National-Regional/2011/07/23/SA_govt_to_ban_Arkaroola_mining_641628.html|title=SA govt to ban Arkaroola mining |publisher=Bigpond News|date=23 July 2011 |access-date=23 July 2011}}{{cite web |url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/premier-rann-flies-to-arkaroola-for-mining-announcement/story-e6frea6u-1226099365170|title=Premier Mike Rann announces permanent protection for Arkaroola |work=The Advertiser|location=Adelaide|date=23 July 2011 |access-date=23 July 2011}}

Protection of Arkaroola from mining, including Mount Gee and the Mount Painter inlier, is provided by the Arkaroola Protection Act 2012,{{cite web|url=http://www.legislation.sa.gov.au/LZ/C/A/ARKAROOLA%20PROTECTION%20ACT%202012/CURRENT/2012.1.UN.PDF|publisher=Government of South Australia|title=Arkaroola Protection Act 2012|date=26 April 2012|access-date=25 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120502154324/http://legislation.sa.gov.au/LZ/C/A/ARKAROOLA%20PROTECTION%20ACT%202012/CURRENT/2012.1.UN.PDF|archive-date=2 May 2012|url-status=dead}} which created the Arkaroola Protection Area.

Arkaroola is part of the {{convert|1890|km2|abbr=off}} Gammon Ranges and Arkaroola Important Bird Area (IBA), identified as such by BirdLife International because it supports a population of the restricted-range short-tailed grasswren as well as populations of the pied honeyeater, chirruping wedgebill and cinnamon quail-thrush.{{cite web|url=http://www.birdata.com.au/iba.vm |title=IBA: Gammon Ranges and Arkaroola |access-date=23 June 2011 |work=Birdata |publisher=Birds Australia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706102341/http://www.birdata.com.au/iba.vm |archive-date=6 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}

File:Arkaroola.jpg

File:Hut in arkaroola.jpg

There are self-drive and organised tour tracks for 2-wheel drives and 4-wheel drives, ranging from beginner to advanced in difficulty.

The Echo Camp Backtrack self-drive track leads through some wonderful country and then over the hills (rough) and down onto the plains east of the Flinders Ranges. This joins another track back to Arkaroola via Claude's Pass, Stubb's Waterhole, Bararranna Gorge (an area where yellow-footed rock wallabies are commonly found), Welcome Pound and back to the main road to the Arkaroola Village.

Organised tours provide trips along the ridge top track with three lookouts that end at Siller's Lookout, providing a view across the plains towards Lake Frome and the Beverley Uranium Mine. Siller's Lookout is named after Bill Siller MBE, whose uranium exploration companies constructed the Ridge Top Tour track in the late 1960s. Beverley Uranium Mine, also discovered by Bill Siller's companies, is named after his wife, Beverley. The track was put in by Mr Jim Hodgekinson, an expatriate Canadian.

There are a number of walking trails available, guided and self-guided, some are marked and described by the Royal Geographical Society of Australia (SA).{{cite web | title = Arkaroola – Activities | url = http://arkaroola.com.au/activities.php#Bush | publisher = Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary | date=August 2018 | access-date=5 September 2018}}

• Spriggina Trail (1 to 1.5 hrs){{cite web | title = Mawson – Spriggina Bush Walk | url =http://arkaroola.com.au/documents/mawson_spriggina.pdf | publisher = Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary | date=August 2018 | access-date=5 September 2018}}
• Bararranna Gorge Walk (6.8 km – 3.5 hrs){{cite web | title = Bararranna Bush Walk | url =http://arkaroola.com.au/documents/bararranna_walk_guide.pdf | publisher = Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary | date=August 2018 | access-date=5 September 2018}}
• Acacia Ridge (4 to 5 hrs){{cite web | title = Acacia Ridge Bush Walk | url = http://arkaroola.com.au/documents/acacia_ridge_map_and_notes.pdf | publisher = Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary | date = August 2018 | access-date = 5 September 2018 | archive-date = 26 February 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190226054516/http://arkaroola.com.au/documents/acacia_ridge_map_and_notes.pdf | url-status = dead }}
• Surveyor's Cairn (40 mins)
• Griselda Hill (1.5 hrs)
• Mawson Valley Trail (2.5 to 3 hrs)
• Arkaroola Waterhole (4 hrs)
• Oppaminda Trail (length depends on starting point)

Coloured leaflets about some of these trails at Arkaroola and throughout the Flinders Ranges are available for download from the Walking Trails Support Group.{{cite web | title = Walking Trails Support Group – Flinders Ranges Walks | url = http://www.walkingtrailssupportgroup.org.au/flindersindex.htm | publisher = Walking Trails Support Group | date=August 2018 | access-date=5 September 2018}}

Arkaroola has two 14-inch telescopes. Weather in the area is usually fine providing clear skies. There is little light pollution, due to the remote location and active control of the local lighting.

Paralana geothermal springs are located on Wooltana, north of Arkaroola.

Local granite rocks contain elevated levels of uranium that gives off heat during radioactive decay. Water percolating through fractures in the rock is heated and bubbles out at the surface as a hot spring, with gases such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen, radon and helium. Due to the presence of radon gas, which is heavier than air, staying near the springs for a prolonged period may constitute a health hazard. Living on the floor of the springs is an extremophile algal mat that survives the warm temperatures of 62 °C and high radioactivity.{{cite episode| title =Extreme Slime| url =http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/s692473.htm| series = Catalyst| network =ABC | airdate =3 October 2002 | access-date = 8 December 2012}}

The mountain summit in the area under this name is of volcanic origin (basalt) and is popular for rock climbing.

Accommodation ranges from motel rooms to caravan and camp sites.

Facilities include a licensed restaurant and bar, swimming pool, small shop, service station (petrol and diesel), and a vehicle workshop.

The Arkaroola area is classified as having a subtropical desert climate (BWh) according to the Köppen, Trewartha, and Australian Bureau of Meteorology climate classification systems.{{cite journal |last1=Beck |first1=Hylke E. |last2=Zimmermann |first2=Niklaus E. |last3=McVicar |first3=Tim R. |last4=Vergopolan |first4=Noemi |last5=Berg |first5=Alexis |last6=Wood |first6=Eric F. |author-link6=Eric Franklin Wood |title=Present and future Köppen-Geiger climate classification maps at 1-km resolution |journal=Scientific Data |date=30 October 2018 |volume=5 |pages=180214 |doi=10.1038/sdata.2018.214 |pmid=30375988 |pmc=6207062 |language=En |issn=2052-4463|bibcode=2018NatSD...580214B}}{{cite journal |last1=Belda |first1=M |last2=Holtanová |first2=E |last3=Halenka |first3=T |last4=Kalvová |first4=J |title=Climate classification revisited: from Köppen to Trewartha |journal=Climate Research |date=4 February 2014 |volume=59 |issue=1 |pages=1–13 |doi=10.3354/cr01204 |url=https://www.int-res.com/articles/cr_oa/c059p001.pdf}}{{cite journal |last1= Stern|first1= Harvey|last2= Hoedt|first2= Graham|last3= Ernst|first3= Jeneanne|date= June 2000|title= Objective classification of Australian climates|url= https://www.researchgate.net/publication/279766565_Objective_classification_of_Australian_climates|journal= Australian Meteorological Magazine|volume= 49|issue= 2|pages= 87–96|access-date= 31 May 2022}} Summers are hot with occasional storms, while winters are cold and comparatively dry.

Arkaroola's record high minimum temperature is {{convert|35.5|C|F}}, which was the hottest overnight low ever recorded in Australia (as well as Oceania and the Southern Hemisphere) from when it was recorded on 24 January 1982 until it was beaten by a {{convert|35.9|C|F}} reading in Noona, New South Wales on 18 January 2019 followed by {{convert|36.6|C|F}} at Borrona Downs Station near Wanaaring, New South Wales on 26 January 2019, which retains the titles as of present.{{cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/extremes/annual_extremes.cgi?climtab=tmin_high&area=aus&year=2022|title=Official records (Highest daily minimum temperatures) for Australia|date=31 May 2022|work=Daily Extremes|publisher=Bureau of Meteorology|access-date=31 May 2022}}

{{Weather box

|location = Arkaroola (1991–2020 normals, 1977–present temperature extremes)

|metric first = Yes

|single line = Yes

|Jan record high C = 45.3

|Feb record high C = 44.5

|Mar record high C = 41.2

|Apr record high C = 37.9

|May record high C = 30.0

|Jun record high C = 27.7

|Jul record high C = 27.0

|Aug record high C = 32.6

|Sep record high C = 37.5

|Oct record high C = 40.1

|Nov record high C = 44.5

|Dec record high C = 45.5

|year record high C =

|Jan high C = 35.0

|Feb high C = 33.4

|Mar high C = 30.2

|Apr high C = 25.6

|May high C = 20.5

|Jun high C = 17.1

|Jul high C = 17.1

|Aug high C = 19.3

|Sep high C = 23.8

|Oct high C = 27.3

|Nov high C = 30.5

|Dec high C = 32.9

|year high C =

|Jan low C = 20.7

|Feb low C = 19.6

|Mar low C = 16.0

|Apr low C = 11.3

|May low C = 7.0

|Jun low C = 4.5

|Jul low C = 3.2

|Aug low C = 4.7

|Sep low C = 8.2

|Oct low C = 11.6

|Nov low C = 15.7

|Dec low C = 18.1

|year low C =

|Jan record low C = 10.4

|Feb record low C = 9.4

|Mar record low C = 0.0

|Apr record low C = 1.0

|May record low C = -2.0

|Jun record low C = -5.4

|Jul record low C = -6.0

|Aug record low C = -4.3

|Sep record low C = -1.6

|Oct record low C = 1.0

|Nov record low C = 4.6

|Dec record low C = 7.3

|year record low C =

|Jan rain mm = 29.4

|Feb rain mm = 38.4

|Mar rain mm = 17.4

|Apr rain mm = 10.4

|May rain mm = 13.9

|Jun rain mm = 15.8

|Jul rain mm = 14.5

|Aug rain mm = 11.6

|Sep rain mm = 14.4

|Oct rain mm = 21.7

|Nov rain mm = 21.2

|Dec rain mm = 28.2

|Jan rain days = 3.2

|Feb rain days = 2.9

|Mar rain days = 2.4

|Apr rain days = 2.4

|May rain days = 2.9

|Jun rain days = 3.3

|Jul rain days = 3.5

|Aug rain days = 3.3

|Sep rain days = 2.9

|Oct rain days = 3.2

|Nov rain days = 3.0

|Dec rain days = 3.0

|unit rain days = 0.2mm

|source 1 = Bureau of Meteorology{{BoM Aust stats|site_ref=cw_017099_All|site_name=Arkaroola|access-date=31 May 2022|date=May 2022}}

|date=May 2022}}

{{reflist}}

• Reg C. Sprigg (1984). Arkaroola-Mount Painter in the Northern Flinders Ranges, S.A.: The last Billion Years. The Lutheran Publishing House, Adelaide. {{ISBN|978-0-959096-60-6}}
• Griselda Sprigg; Rod MacLean (2001). DUNE is a four-letter word. Wakefield Press, Mile End. {{ISBN|978-1459643680}}
• Kristin Weidenbach (2008). Rock Star: The story of Reg Sprigg – an outback legend. East Street Publications, Adelaide. {{ISBN|978-1921037290}}

{{Wikivoyage|Arkaroola}}

• [http://www.arkaroola.com.au/ Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary Website]

{{Stations of South Australia}}

{{authority control}}

Category:Pastoral leases in South Australia

Category:Towns in South Australia

Category:Flinders Ranges

Category:Wildlife sanctuaries of Australia

Category:Far North (South Australia)

Category:South Australian Heritage Register