Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park

Park alert: closed 31 October to 12 November 2026

National Parks and Wildlife Service SA says the park will be closed from 9 pm on 31 October until 9 pm on 12 November 2026. The closure is for public safety during a pest animal control and monitoring program. If you're planning a visit around those dates, check the park alerts page first.

About the park

The park was proclaimed in 1970. It forms part of the traditional Country of the Adnyamathanha people and is rich with cultural significance.

• Getting around. You can explore the terrain on hiking trails and on 4WD tracks into the heart of the ranges.
• Wildlife. The park is a haven for many rare and endangered plants and animals.
• Lake Frome. The ephemeral salt lake is 100 km long and 40 km wide, and it plays an important role in the lives of the Adnyamathanha people. The "Plains Block" leading out to its edge is still a traditional hunting ground.
• Park headquarters. HQ is at Balcanoona, where there are public toilets and showers.

Adnyamathanha Country and co-management

Since 2010 the park has been co-managed by the Adnyamathanha people and the state environment department.

In words published by National Parks SA, the co-management board explains that Muda stories and song-lines weave through the area. Numerous culturally significant sites are within the park. Many animals and plants once found here are Mukunha, a form of totem connected with a piece of land, including:

• the bilby
• the rock-wallaby
• the stick-nest rat
• the carpet python.

Cultural use zone. The management plan includes a cultural use zone at the Plains Block, where Adnyamathanha people may hunt and gather using firearms. The zone by Lake Frome is closed to the public from 3 pm to 5 am daily.

Nantawarrina Indigenous Protected Area. The Adnyamathanha community manages this protected area, which adjoins the park's southern boundary. Access is by permit from the community, on (08) 8648 3764.

Hiking

National Parks SA says the rugged hills here can often only be reached along the stony beds of creeks that cut through the ranges. All the trails expose 800-million-year-old rocks.

Weetootla Hike Network trailheads:

• Weetootla Campground Trailhead. 7.1 km from Balcanoona (2WD).
• McTaggart Track. 18.2 km from Balcanoona, about 10 km of it on a 4WD track.
• Grindell's Hut Trailhead. 26.5 km from Balcanoona, including 17 km of signposted 4WD track.

Five kilometres past Grindell's Hut, Lochness Well (4WD only) is a day parking area. It's a popular start for walks into the gorges and chasms of Mount John Roberts and Blue Range.

Park volunteers produce the free Flinders Ranges Walks app, with notes on 16 walks. Download it before you leave home, because there's no mobile coverage in the park.

4WD touring

Most tracks are accessible by 2WD. The Wortupa Loop Track and the track to Lake Frome need a 4WD. Rangers recommend the Wortupa Loop for views of Mount McKinlay, The Wall and the chasms of Blue Range.

Camping

Fees apply and you must book in advance, up to 12 months ahead.

• Weetootla Gorge (Wiriti Urdla). 2WD and small-caravan accessible. About 20 minutes from Balcanoona, with sites along Balcanoona Creek among mallee, native pines and bullock bush. Pit toilets.
• Italowie Gap (Ithala Awi). 2WD and small-caravan accessible. About 20 minutes from Balcanoona on the Copley–Balcanoona road. Two camping areas, one shaded by river red gums below a small cliff and one near the start of the Italowie Gorge Hike.
• Grindell's Hut. 4WD only. About an hour west of Balcanoona via the Wortupa Loop Track. Fire pit, barbecue and pit toilets.
• Mainwater Well. 4WD only. About two hours north-west of Balcanoona, beside tea-tree-lined Mainwater Creek.
• Arcoona. 4WD or high-clearance 2WD recommended. About 1.5 hours from Balcanoona on the western side of the ranges, and a base for Arcoona Bluff and the Gammon Plateau.

Other campgrounds have no facilities.

Huts and shearers' quarters

You can stay overnight in classic Australian huts and shearers' quarters in the park, bookable up to 12 months ahead:

• Grindell's Hut (4WD only) sits on a hillside overlooking the valleys and foothills of the Illinawortina Pound and Blue Range.
• Nudlamutana Hut is 2WD accessible.

Wildlife

Look for yellow-footed rock-wallabies, called andu in the Adnyamathanha language, among the creeks, springs and gorges.

Dogs aren't permitted in the park, and collecting firewood is prohibited.

Getting there

The park is 660 km north of Adelaide and 100 km east of Leigh Creek.

• Roads. All main access roads are gravel and suitable for 2WD vehicles, but closures can happen during and after wet weather. Check the Outback Road Report on 1300 361 033.
• Contacts. Park headquarters at Balcanoona is on (08) 8648 4829. National Parks SA's Port Augusta office is on (08) 8648 5300.

Nearby:

• Arkaroola, the neighbouring sanctuary
• Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park
• Hawker
• our Flinders Ranges itinerary.