Gammon Ranges

Place is called Iga-Warta Community and is 42 km West of Balcanoona (the National Parks & Wildlife depot, where you turn North to head to Arkaroola). Main man there is a Mr Coulthard (can't rember his first name, but his grandfather was a mate of RM Williams) who runs excellent tiurs of his Community, people, traditional lands, and aboriginal foods, etc. There are caravan facilities there and it is worth the stopover on the way to Arkaroola. The RAA (SA version of RACV, NRMA) ran a feature on Iga Warta in one of there recent magazines & have plenty of info. Google their website or phone them.
IMHO Arkaroola is a bit run down from when Reg Spiers was alive but the self-drive 4WD tracks are good fun and reasonably challenging without being vehicle breaking, in particular Echo Camp Back Track (full day lop aroiund and back), include a short diversion to Paralana Hot Springs on that day trip (but do not swim due radium in the water).
The roads from Copley to Arkaroola will not cause you any problems if not too wet or dusty. Pick the cooler months to go.
The RAA Flinders Ranges map (about $2 for non-members, free for members & associated members) is well worth having, is accurate, and shows lots of touristy features, creeks, tracks etc. Get it or be sorry you didn't.

Spot on Arkay.

One thing that others haven't mentioned and should be, the roads are very stoney, so tyres will need to be in good condition.
They have a service station that repairs & sells tyres, but not cheap to buy.

Echo Camp Back Track is a good drive, but now costs you.

Mt Jacob track is also very good, and is free.

Take a drive down to Lake Frome from Balcanoona, it is worth it.

Geoff.

That is the name of the place, iga-warta. Expensive but worthwhile. Local rock art that you can get a tour to. Aboriginal guides point out little man made things that you wouldn't otherwise notice.

Interesting fact: Nepabunna community was where R.M Williams first set up his tanning business. The local Aborigines taught him how to tan hides. The only reason he moved from there was because the government of the time demanded that they receive the wages of the Aboriginal workers, not the workers themselves. R.M was having none of this and refused to have what were effectively slave workers so moved the business to Adelaide.

Barnesy

That's correct Barnsey, although he first set up camp in Italowie Gorge where he learnt to make his first set of boots.
Him and his indigenous friend were camped there to make and repair saddlery for the locals, and his mate needed a pair of boots. Hence the start of RM boots.

Geoff.

When are you planning on being there? We'll be in Arkaroola aroung the last week of September.

Adrian

Adrian, still planning a six week trip for next year. From Sydney, to Western Queensland, Katherine, The Alice, Cooper Pedy, Marree, The Flinders, Broken Hill and from there possibly down to Victoria and the coast road back to Sydney. L:ove the Flinders, been there four times and still can't keep away.

In the meantime just the usual one or two week trips up, down or out west of Sydney.

Alan