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Arkaroola 4WD Loop
The Arkaroola-Mt Painter Wilderness Sanctuary provides some of the most exciting off-road tracks in SA. The Echo Camp Track & backtracks wind their way through the impossibly steep mountains and deep gorges and will keep the 4WD enthusiast happy.

This trek is located in the Flinders Ranges region.

Start Finish Distance Min Days Rating
Arkaroola Arkaroola 48 1 Trek rating 3 of 5 - Click for detailsTrek rating 3 of 5 - Click for detailsTrek rating 3 of 5 - Click for details
» Description
» Preparation
    Fuel Information, Best Time to Visit
    Supplies/Facilities, General
» Things to See & Do
» Environment
» History
» Driving Notes
» Directions
» Waypoints
» Related Shop Items
  
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Researched By Member - David O   Latest Update 20 Aug 2007

 Description

The Echo Camp Waterhole track and the Echo Camp Backtrack begins at the little township of Arkaroola in the Gammon Ranges area of South Australia and takes in some of the most exciting four wheel driving and spectacular scenery in the whole of South Australia. Visitors coming from the Strzelecki track will be wide eyed at the steep terrain which is an amazing contrast to the wide open spaces of the Strzelecki track.


Echo Camp Backtrack


The steep terrain in the area means that many of the tracks follow creek beds, in steep gorges. Many of these will be impassable in wet weather.

The Echo camp track follows a creek bed for much of the way, before turning up a steep grade to a ridge offering spectacular views of the country to the north. Winding its way down a spectacularly steep descent it joins the gravel road from Arkaroola to Paralana Springs. The springs are an interesting distraction, being radioactive; they are not suitable for swimming in.

Echo Camp Backtrack is very steep, rough and quite loose in places, and should only be undertaken with a high clearance four-wheel drive with low-range capability. Trailers should not be towed on this track, as most sections of it are one-way and very steep in places.

 Preparation

Fuel Supplies

Arkaroola

Best time to visit

May to September

Supplies/Facilities

Food, fuel, gas available at Arkaroola

General

The many tracks in the Arkaroola reserve are travelled by four-wheel drivers everyday, so this is not a truly remote track, even though it is in a remote part of South Australia. The track is only 51 kilometres so does not involve a lot of planning. One should still carry sufficient water for a days travel and sufficient fuel to complete the trip. The track, particularly the Echo camp backtrack is quite rough and very steep, and should only be attempted in a high clearance four-wheel drive with low range fitted. Trailers should not be towed on this track. Much of the track is one way. Contact the resort at Arkaroola for track advice prior to travel.

UHF radio with a repeater function will offer some degree of comfort to travellers, as there are numerous repeaters in the area that will allow contact with the outside world in the event of an emergency where reception is available.

If your vehicle breaks down or you have some other trouble, stay with your vehicle, as many vehicles travel these tracks daily.

Restocking of supplies is possible at Arkaroola. Arkaroola is a small tourism hamlet, providing food supplies as well as fuel, gas, tyre and mechanical repairs. Camping and cabins and motel rooms are available at Arkaroola.

 Things to See & Do

Arkaroola Township and Observatory; Arkaroola Waterhole; Echo Camp Waterhole; Paralana Springs; The Jasper Twins; Gold Mine Ruins

 Environment

The Arkaroola region is defined by towering granite peaks, razor back ridges populated by wallabies and deep sinuous gorges lined with ancient river red gums. The rocky terrain is very hard on tyres and I would recommend carrying two spare tyres or one spare tyre and tyre repair kit. Tyre inflation should be at the lower end of the safe range (depending on load) to allow tyres to flex over the many very sharp rocks.

Echo Camp Waterhole

 History

Aboriginal
The area around Arkaroola is the land of the Andjnamutana people, whose dreaming tells the story of Arkaroo the legendary serpent whose thirst was so great, that he drained Lake Frome in one great gulp. His belly full, he retreated to the Gammon Ranges where winding his way through the hills, he gouged out the sinuous Arkaroola Gorge. The story tells how he lives now in Mainwater pound, where his restless turning causes the many earthquakes in the region to this day.

European
John Eyre was the first European to visit the area when he passed west of Mt Hopeless in 1840. He was soon followed by pastoralists and prospectors and so began Arkaroola’s amazing chequered history.

The area is rich in minerals. The first were discovered in 1856 by B.H. Babbage who discovered copper. The Yudnamutana copper fields were discovered in 1860 but copper mining and smelting had a difficult start in the region. The Yudnamutana smelters were completed in 1860 but were never fired. In 1903 rubies and sapphires were discovered by, W.B. Greenwood. The mineral riches of Arkaroola seemed endless. Radium and uranium were discovered in 1910.

Thirteen years later in 1923 radium prices reached the staggering price of one million pounds sterling per ounce. Perversely, just as a major uranium/radium field was discovered by Greenwood, the price tumbled.

Hydro electricity using hot springs heated by radioactive decay was another venture that began in 1923 and failed within a year.

The Wilderness sanctuary that exists today had as difficult a beginning as every other venture in the area. The area was first fenced off in 1935 in an effort to control vermin, and all were eradicated by 1945. Reg Sprigg purchased the property in 1968 and in 1969 requested it be gazetted as wildlife sanctuary. And in 1970 a further request was made, that the property be designated an historical reserve under the Aboriginal and Historical relics Preservation Act.

In 1972, without explanation, the South Australia Government withdrew the official sanctuary and reserve status. By 1980 the area was once again reserved for wildlife under the Australian Heritage Act.

 Driving Notes

SO=straight on, SP=sign post, TR=turn right, TL=turn left, VR=veer right, VL=veer left, KR=keep right, KL=keep left, T/O=turn off
ForwardInformationReverse
0 kmStart of track in Arkaroola Township 
End of track in Arkaroola Township47.4 km
 Waypoint 41521 
 (3.1 km)
 
3.1 kmSO 
 Mt Oliphant Lookout 
SO44.3 km
 (1.3 km)
 
4.4 kmSO 
 Arkaroola Waterhole Turn - off (3.3 km round trip) 
SO43 km
 (0.1 km)
 
4.5 kmSO - (Ridgetop track on left - no access) 
SO - (Ridgetop track on right - no access)42.9 km
 (0.5 km)
 
5 kmSO 
 Red gums and cliffs 
SO42.4 km
 (0.9 km)
 
5.9 kmSO 
 Cross creek 
SO41.5 km
 (1 km)
 
6.9 kmTR 
TL40.5 km
 (0.1 km)
 
7 kmSO - Gate and steep ascent 
SO - Steep decent and gate40.4 km
 (0.2 km)
 
7.2 kmSO - Lookout on right 
SO - Lookout on left40.2 km
 (0.4 km)
 
7.6 kmSO 
 Crest 
SO39.8 km
 (0.3 km)
 
7.9 kmSO - Steep descent 
SO - Steep ascent39.5 km
 (0.7 km)
 
8.6 kmTL 
TR38.8 km
 (1.3 km)
 
9.9 kmSO 
 Rough Creek - large stones 
SO37.5 km
 (0.6 km)
 
10.5 kmSO 
 Rocky Creek 
SO36.9 km
 (0.5 km)
 
11 kmTL - Spotted Schist or Barraranna Gorge 
TR36.4 km
 (0.6 km)
 
11.6 kmSO 
 Rocky Creek Crossing 
SO35.8 km
 (0.5 km)
 
12.1 kmSO - Climb Low Range 
SO35.3 km
 (1 km)
 
13.1 kmTL - Barraranna Gorge on right 
TR - Barraranna Gorge on left34.3 km
 (0.6 km)
 
13.7 kmSO - Steep descent 
SO - Steep ascent33.7 km
 (0.8 km)
 
14.5 kmSO - lookout on left 
SO - lookout on right32.9 km
 (0.8 km)
 
15.3 kmSO - steep descent 
SO - steep ascent32.1 km
 (0.8 km)
 
16.1 kmSO 
 Gate 
SO31.3 km
 (1.2 km)
 
17.3 kmTL 
 Intersection to Paralana Hot Springs 
TR30.1 km
 (1 km)
 
18.3 kmTR 
TL29.1 km
 (1 km)
 
19.3 kmSO 
 Gate 
SO28.1 km
 (6.1 km)
 
25.4 kmSO 
 Black Springs turn-off 
SO22 km
 (3.3 km)
 
28.7 kmSO 
 Paralana Hot Springs 
SO18.7 km
 (3.3 km)
 
32 kmSO 
 Intersection with one way 4WD track 
SO15.4 km
 (0.7 km)
 
32.7 kmSO 
 Gate 
SO14.7 km
 (0.8 km)
 
33.5 kmSO 
 Claude's Pass 
SO13.9 km
 (1.8 km)
 
35.3 kmSO 
 Gate 
SO12.1 km
 (2.9 km)
 
38.2 kmSO 
 Stubbs Waterhole 
SO9.2 km
 (0.5 km)
 
38.7 kmSO 
 Barranna Gorge 
SO8.7 km
 (1.2 km)
 
39.9 kmSO 
 Mt Jacobs Backtrack 
SO7.5 km
 (1 km)
 
40.9 kmSO 
 Welcome Mine 
SO6.5 km
 (1 km)
 
41.9 kmSO 
 Jasper Twins - large rocks of Jasper 
SO5.5 km
 (1.4 km)
 
43.3 kmSO 
 Lively Mine 
SO4.1 km
 (1.7 km)
 
45 kmTR onto Arkaroola Road 
TL2.4 km
 (1.1 km)
 
46.1 kmSO 
 Homestead 
SO1.3 km
 (1.3 km)
 
47.4 kmEnd at Arkaroola 
Start at Arkaroola0 km
 Waypoint 41521 
  
 

 Directions

Distance from start Distance between points Description Waypoint
Trip Meter (km)
0 0 Start of Track in Arkaroola Township  
3.1 3.1 Mt Oliphant Lookout  
4.4 1.1 Arkaroola Waterhole Turn - off (3.3 km round trip)  
4.5 0.1 Ridgetop track on left - No Access  
5.0 0.5 Red gums and cliffs  
5.9 0.9 Cross creek  
6.9 1.0 Turn Right  
7.0 0.1 Gate and steep climb  
7.2 0.2 Lookout on right  
7.6 0.4 Crest  
7.9 0.3 Steep descent  
8.6 0.7 Go Left  
9.9 1.3 Rough Creek - large stones  
10.5 0.6 Rocky Creek  
11.0 0.5 Spotted Schist or Barraranna Gorge Turn off - Go Left  
11.6 0.6 Rocky Creek Crossing  
12.1 0.5 Climb Low Range  
13.1 1.0 Barraranna Gorge on Right - Go Left  
13.7 0.6 Steep decline  
14.5 0.8 Lookout on left  
15.3 0.8 Steep descent  
16.1 0.8 Gate  
17.3 1.2 Intersection to Paralana Hot Springs - Turn Left  
18.3 1.0 Keep right  
19.3 1.0 Gate  
25.4 6.1 Black Springs turn-off  
28.7 3.3 Paralana Hot Springs  
32.0 3.3 Intersection with one way 4WD track  
32.7 0.7 Gate  
33.5 0.8 Claude's Pass  
35.3 1.8 Gate  
38.2 2.9 Stubbs Waterhole  
38.7 0.5 Barraranna Gorge  
39.9 1.2 Mt Jacobs Backtrack  
40.9 1.1 Welcome Mine  
41.9 1.1 Jasper Twins - large rocks of Jasper  
43.3 1.4 Lively Mine  
45.0 1.7 Turn right onto Arkaroola Road  
46.1 1.1 Homestead  
47.4 1.3 Arkaroola  

 Waypoints

WaypointDescriptionTypeLongitude
WGS84		Latitude
WGS84
76848 Paralana Hot Springs Place Name, Point of Interest, Water Body,River,Stream,Falls139.441000ºE30.175000ºS

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