Gawler Ranges National Park

• Introduction
• Fact file


Organ Pipes Valley, Gawler Ranges, South Australian Tourism Commission / The South Australian Tourism Commission releases materials solely for the purpose of positive promotion of South Australia as a tourism and travel destination. Any breach of this copyright condition could result in legal action.

Introduction

This is one of the most ancient landscapes on the planet – the hills of red volcanic rock are more than 1500 million years old and exposed volcanic rhyolite creates spectacular organ-pipe formations. The plains are dominated by grasslands and bluebush, and stark white salt lakes dot the terrain. Iron oxides create the red colour in the ranges, and dune fields at the southernmost end of the park comprise reddish brown sand. In 1839 explorer Edward Eyre, the first European to visit the area, named the ranges and described his sighting of Sturt’s desert pea. The region is famous for its displays of wildfl owers in spring. With the establishment in the 1850s of Paney Station, one of the first pastoral properties, many of the local Malkaripangala people were relocated.

The national park is a valuable transition zone between eastern and western mallee ecosystems. The spectacular wilderness is home to mammals such as the southern hairy-nosed wombat, lesser and greater long-eared bats and hopping mice, and birds such as rufous treecreepers. It is also a habitat for 158 additional fauna species, not all of them quite so exotically named, and 976 species of flora, including the red mallee, endemic to South Australia.

There are no marked trails so bushwalkers should advise a responsible person at the start and end of any outback treks, and make sure to carry suitable clothing, maps, fi rst aid, food and water. All roads are dry-weather access only. This remote area offers visitors a great outback experience with amazing landscapes and secluded camping opportunities. Campfi res are allowed from May to October but gas or fuel stoves are preferred. Camping fees apply, payable at self-registration stations.

Fact file

Camping

Waganny, Mattera, Old Paney, Chillunie, Kolay Hut, Kododo Hill, Scrubby Peak, Yandinga

Location

550 km north-west of Adelaide; 40 km north of Wudinna via Barns Rd; 35 km north of Minnipa via Yardea Rd; 90 km west of Kimba via Buckleboo

Park Information

DEH (08) 8204 1910 NPWSA Port Augusta (08) 8648 5300

Size

120 000 ha

Where to Stay

Minnipa/Wudinna (08) 8680 2969


This content is from the publication:
Explore Australia’s National Parks
RRP $49.95
Buy now

• Campsites

Campsites

Chillunie camping area

Secluded no-frills camping suitable for off-road trailers is found in the north-east of the park. Follow the sign from the LP Track, 9.8 km north of Paney Homestead. From the turn-off it’s 3.6 km west to the camp.... Find out more

---

Kododo Hill camping area

Camping in the north of the park is signposted 12.8 km north along Minnipa–Yardea Rd from the western end of Old Paney Scenic Dr. The campsite with hot-water donkey shower is 900 m north-west of this turn-off,... Find out more

---

Kolay Hut camping area

Shaded sites in open country are found on the north-east side of the park, with the organ pipe formation of Kolay Falls close by. The hut access is 12.1 km north of Paney Homestead via the LP Track. It’s 700 m... Find out more

---

Mattera camping area

This valley, tucked away in the heart of the park, has an array of sheltered sites. Signposted access is along Mattera Track, 8.4 km north of Old Paney Scenic Dr, followed by a further 2.4 km drive west to the camping... Find out more

---

Scrubby Peak camping area

The signposted turn-off to Scrubby Peak is 8.1 km north of the western end of Old Paney Scenic Dr. It’s another 900 m west to the camping area, which has a hot-water donkey shower and is suitable for off-road... Find out more

---

Waganny camping area

Pleasant woodland camping here is surrounded by dome-like granite hills to explore. Signposted access is 13 km west of Paney Homestead via the Old Paney Scenic Dr, suitable for offroad trailers and caravans; it’s a... Find out more

---

Yandinga camping area

For accessible camping near the western entrance to the park, take the signposted turn-off 3.1 km north of the western end of Old Paney Scenic Dr. It’s another 600 m west to the sites; the road is suitable for... Find out more

---

comments powered by Disqus