The Vulkathunha - Gammon Ranges National Park lies approximately 750 km to the north of Adelaide and 110 km from Leigh Creek. The park has around 128 000 hectares of chasms, deep gorges, towering mountains, tree-lined creeks and freshwater springs. The park, which is part of the rugged North Flinders Ranges, features some unique geological land formations and offers the sightseer many rare and endangered plant and animal species. Conventional cars can be taken into the general area of the park; however, a four wheel drive is recommended if you want to leave the main road. A major highlight of the park is Italowie Gorge but the Bunyip Chasm is said to be the best walk in the entire area, although it is lesser known and publicised. The drive to Bunyip Chasm will reward you with spectacular views of the rugged terrain of the Gammon Range and is easily reached from Arkaroola Village. There are many opportunities for self-reliant bush camping (permits apply) or you can rent a hut such as Grindell Hut complete with facilities.

The park offers the traveller remnants of early European settlements that had failed due to the harsh conditions. There is also a wealth of Aboriginal culture with the Adnyamathanha people who have lived in the Northern Flinders Ranges and beyond for many tens of thousands of years. Some offer guided interpretive tours of cave paintings, stone arrangements, graves, rock engraving sites and ochre quarries. The ranges exert a strong personal and traditional influence on the people and you can learn about the Adnyamathanha culture and the rules for living from the Yura Muda (Aboriginal Dreaming).

 Interactive Route Map

Park entry permit from the SA Department for Environment and Heritage and also available at Balcanoona. For information on camping fees and permits please click: Camping in Vulkathunha - Gammon Ranges National Park.

There are basically only two vehicle tracks through the Gammon Ranges National Park - the main road cutting across the south of the park and the 4WD Yankaninna-Yadnina-Balcanoona track, which winds its way through the centre of the park. This track will take you through some of the most spectacular scenery and along the way there are plenty of places which make great bush camping spots.

If you plan on going hiking, then appropriate rubber soled walk boots or shoes are highly recommended. A handheld GPS unit is not essential but it has its advantages. You should take sufficient water, around two litres per person and more in hot weather. Drinking water is available at Arkaroola or Grindell Hut and Creek water should be treated before drinking.

Bunyip Chasm

No permits are needed to walk to Bunyip Chasm. Directions to Bunyip Chasm are given in many walking books on the region, but none are detailed & some are confusing. Park Staff are now refusing to give directions as they state that the climbs involved are dangerous.

If climbing is a problem for you, then do the walk as far as the first climb only (eg. elderly and young children may have problems). The walk is an easy 2 hours each way, being mostly level, with a fairly well defined track. There are 4 climbs up waterfalls in the last half kilometre. They would certainly be dangerous in wet weather. The tallest is about 15 metres high. The climbs should be done slowly & with care without any problems, though probably not without some trepidation! Ropes are suggested, but an experienced climber would have to be along to use them correctly & safely.

Fuel Supplies & Usage

	Arkaroola Village	Diesel	4cyl 29 litres	ULP	4cyl 34 litres	LPG	4cyl 42 litres
			6cyl 32 litres		6cyl 37 litres		6cyl 37 litres
			8cyl 34 litres		8cyl 34 litres

Petrol & Diesel are the fuel types available at Arkaroola Village.

Best Time To Visit

Services & Supplies

The following locations have various services and supplies: Arkaroola Village
Limited supplies available at Arkaroola. Full supplies available at Angorichina & Blinman to the south.

The Bunyip Chasm area is a spectacular red rock gorge. It contains some relatively rare plants, reptiles, birds, euros, emus & the yellow footed rock wallaby. The creek has pools, River Red gums, fossil ripple marks on old sandstones & many other interesting things to appreciate & photograph.

Local aboriginals generally shunned the interior of the Gammon ranges, for fear of waking the fearful dreamtime serpent Akurra. Few places inside the Ranges therefore have aboriginal place names. Bunyip gorge (Winmiindanha) is one exception.