Route to Arkaroola

You can either go via Blinman on the dirt road (theres a fuel stop 1/2 way) which comes out on the hwy near Parachilna or go back to Hawker and head up the hwy, next fuel stop after Hawker is Leigh Creek. 2 hr drive to Leigh Creek via Hawker, 3hr driver to Leigh Creek via Blinman

Google maps can give you a rough estimate for times and distance.

In my view, the easiest run is: Straight up the highway through Hawker to Copley / right on the gravel road and east to Balcanoona / left on the Arkaroola road. The gravel roads mentioned are all first class unsealed. IF you happened to be in the eastern sector of the Flinders Ranges, you could: take the sealed road up to Blinman / and then on the gravel east/northeast via Wirrealpa and Mt Chambers to Balcanoona. Last time I was up there (3 years back maybe), this latter route mentioned started off quite stony in the lower section but then quickly improved to first class unsealed. Have a great trip - that region is mightily impressive.

Just be alert for the dips on these roads Stacey, particularly from the Copley Road intersection to Arkaroola. Not so bad for you as you are not towing. A beautiful part of the country.

Slightly off topic, however if you're staying overnight and don't need a powered camp site, I'd avoid the top camp at Arkaroola ..... bit of a sloping gravel pit and not the nicest place to stay. (and can get windy...)

The NP Campsite at Weetootla on the way in is much nicer....

Go via Copley for the bakery, should be still a great pasty and some other nice treats like Quongong pies.

Also, you can take the turn to Ark form just before Nepabunna, and go via properties Owieandana, Yankaninna, and Umberutana, see Wheal Turner mine ruins and come into Ark via the NW.

Slow in places, but a very scenic, interesting, and just a tad adventurous.

Dear StacyA,
I did the Arkaroola trip via Blinman. Stayed Overnight at theBlinman Hotel- Friday nights were Pizza nights. Damned good they were. Left at 7am next morning. Great trip to Arkaroola although the creek beds were a bit rocky. Impressive scenery along the way. Mt Chambers Gorge for one; (Look for the goats!) Took us about four hours, just rambling along.
Stayed in a Gillii Cabin. Very basic, clean, but you will need some insect repellent device/spray for night time. Used the shower block which was kept very clean by the managers.
Food at the Native Pine restaurant was excellent and not that costly considering the distance that it is carted.
Had a great time on the self drive tours and also the Ridgetop Tour was spectacular- makes one appreciate how big the country is.
Ensure that you have a good spare tyre (two if possible) we did one with a rock as big as one's thumb straight through the almost new tyre. Luckily for us we could get the same replacement at Hawker (cheaper than I could get them in Melbourne!!)
Also ensure that your jack is complete. The one that came with our 4WD was missing its handle, but I had bought a 6 tonne bottle jack as a reserve that got me out of the difficulty.
I would say that fly veils are an absolute necessity. The ones from the ExploreOz shop are great. We have them in the car all the time. Didn't have much trouble with the flies until we had to change the wheel- thankfully the veils helped to keep our sanity.
There is something magic about Arkaroola that makes me want to go back for a longer stay. I hope it attracts you that way as well. Have a great time,
Regards, Stanley

Definitely take the road North from Wilpena and around the back way. Turn off into Chambers Gorge for a look. This is one of my favourite places for an overnight camp.
Can also recommend a night in one of Terrys corrugated iron cabins at Iga Warta, just out of Nepabunna. Plenty of laughs and stories to be had.