Gawler Ranges National Park
An ancient volcanic wilderness of ochre rhyolite domes, organ-pipe rock formations and arid-zone wildlife on the northern edge of the peninsula.
Gawler Ranges National Park protects a 1,500-million-year-old volcanic landscape unlike anywhere else in South Australia — weathered rhyolite domes the colour of rust, deep gorges, and the extraordinary organ-pipe rock columns at Kolay Mirica Falls.
The park is home to yellow-footed rock-wallabies, emus, red kangaroos and a rich birdlife, with old pastoral ruins and waterholes adding human history to the wild scenery. Roads are unsealed and conditions remote, so high-clearance vehicles, supplies and self-sufficiency are essential — but the reward is one of the most striking and least-crowded landscapes in the state.
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Gawler Ranges National Park — frequently asked questions
What is Gawler Ranges National Park known for?
The park protects a roughly 1,500-million-year-old volcanic landscape of rust-red rhyolite domes, ochre gorges and the spectacular Organ Pipes — towering columns of cracked volcanic rock. It is also rich in arid-zone wildlife.
Do you need a four-wheel drive for the Gawler Ranges?
A four-wheel drive is recommended for most of Gawler Ranges National Park, as the roads are unsealed and conditions can be rough, particularly after rain. Carry plenty of water, fuel and supplies, as the area is remote.
What wildlife lives in the Gawler Ranges?
The Gawler Ranges support emus, kangaroos, wedge-tailed eagles and the rare yellow-footed rock-wallaby, along with a variety of reptiles and arid-zone birds. Wildlife is most active around dawn and dusk.
Image credits
- Gawler Rangest National Park.jpg by Ghoongta , CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons