arkaroo rock

Medium level of difficulty, 2-3 hrs return, loads of birds if you watch carefully. Be aware of fire ants at certain times of year

My wife and I have talked about doing this walk for a while, but every time we go to the Flinders, we seem to have given it a miss. After having done, I can honestly say, "why did we wait so long?" It's a fantastic walk, with lots of beautiful bushland, rock formations and the odd critter along the way. But it's the cave paintings at Arkaroo Rock itself that make this walk (hike) a memorable. The Aboriginal art is some of the best preserved in the Ranges. They are kept well protected behind thick fencing wire, but the gaps are large enouh to take unimpeded photographs.This walk is medium difficulty, but anyone can go on it if they take their time. We took hats and a bottle of water. Sandles or thongs (flip flops) are definitely not recommended. Gym shoes or hiking boots are necessary as some parts are rocky and a little steep. We only took half an hour each way, even thouh the sign says allow 3 hours and we are not terribly fit. I recommend going the back way around as you cross more bridges and it isn't a lot further. There are seats along the way for rest spots and the tracks are well worn and maintained.A very enjoyable hike with a magnificent collection of indigenous art make this walk one to remember.

Walk was interesting but could do with better signage on the track . Also Aboriginal painting was rather disapointing .

This was on the list to do, however, access was closed and i assume it may have been from the weather a couple of days before. There was no real reason given.

Don't go past the sign but turn in and to this walk. OK its a little rough going in places but the views are magnificent and the country gives you a real sense of the magic of this place. Make sure you do the loop as the walk takes on some different aspects. The rock art is quite spiritual and moving.

A superb easy short walk to a stunning rock with paintings. Lots of great close-up wildlife. Two hour round trip with lots of photo time.

Its a nice warm up or warm down for better hikes around Wilpena Pound, with the reward of a rock art site at the end.

This is a nice hike, medium in length. You may find yourself alone here. There are 'roos around - look for them resting in the shade. The drawings are special. The trail is easy. Recommended.

A medium bushwalk of about one km brings you to a site of ancient ochre and charcoal drawings depicting the story of Wilpena Pound's creation. The area is preserved by enclosing it in steel mesh to keep out vandals. You can still get a good view of the drawings

If you happen to be in the Southern Flinders ranges near Wilpena Pound, make an effort to get to the caves, it is certainly worthwhile. The 2 hour walk is worth the visit of this small cave with vivid paintings made by aboriginal people about 5000 years ago. Let your imagination run wild as not all the sketches are decipherable. Ma

Weather was very hot (40), however, I Loved the climb (not too difficult) path was easy to follow, great historical value, pity about the vandalism

The circuit track to Arkaroo rock is easy to navigate though a little rocky and covered in jumping jack ants and the occasional goat. Paintings in the curved wave rock are well preserved.

It's not often we get the chance to see this ancient art like this,it's worth the walk-which is lovely but definitely wear good walking shoes.The story board at the start of the path was very helpful in our understanding of some of the paintings.

Walking up to see the Aboriginal rock carvings in the Arkaroo Rock is one of our favourite things to do in the Flinders Ranges. The Rock is set into the eastern and exterior side of the Wilpena Pound range. The dirt road in is signposted and is just off the main road between Rawnsley Park and Wilpena Pound. There is a well laid out carpark to park in. It has picnic tables and an information board but no toilet facilities or water. The walk up to the Aboriginal rock carvings is a fairly easy grade, suitable for families with children. The views across to the plains are exceptional. The rock carvings, depicting the Aboriginal Dreamtime are inside big wave shaped rock formations. You can get right up close to them although they are enclosed in a wire netting cage to prevent vandalism. There is no problem in taking photos as even the widest camera lenses can fit through the mesh. There are two sites with the paintings, the southern site is the most comprehensive. These rock carvings are well worth seeing. The track is a loop track although when we were there in April it was partly closed so we went back the way we came. Allow 2 hours up and back. Carrying water and a sunhat are essential at all times of the year. Closed in shoes should be worn as the track is rough and rocky in places.

I walked the Arkaroo Rock hike with the drawings of the Adnyamathanha people as the prize, covered beneath a rock half way up the side of Wilpena Pound. It’s a 3km trail with a loop at the end giving fine vistas across the plains beyond to Chace Range, another misspelt place name from a stockman of yesteryear.It's a rocky walk but not hard and the paintings are in one location only. Personally I enjoyed the different aspect of Wilpena Pound and the views back over the valley as much as the paintings.Worth a stroll if you like bushwalking.