Gawler Ranges

The Gawler Ranges National Park is situated north of Wudinna and has some of the most beautiful and unspoiled areas in South Australia. The native wildlife, historic sites, unique outcrops, sprawling ranges and history held by the Gawler Ranges are making it an increasingly popular tourist destination.

Permits are required to visit the National Park and these can be obtained at the Motel Reception desk.

4WD tours for the Gawler Ranges and other areas can be booked at the Motel Reception desk.

As you travel along the winding gravel road through the Gawler Ranges, it is difficult to comprehend that these gentle and peaceful hills were the result of powerful volcanic activity millions of years ago. The ranges themselves have much to offer the visitor, whether it be for an extended camping trip or a pleasant one-day excursion to enjoy and picnic and observe the geological formations. The ranges are a spectacular wilderness area of unspoiled beauty. Vast domes of volcanic rock display a vivid array of colour against the pure white of the many salt lakes in the area, including Lake Gairdner. The ranges are renowned for their display of wildflowers in the spring. The first recorded sighting of South Australia's floral emblem - Sturt's Desert Pea was made here in 1839 by Edward John Eyre during an early exploration of the region.

There are some 140 species of birds recorded in the Gawler Ranges, including the Emu, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Major Mitchell Cockatoo, Flycatchers, White Winged Choughs, Fairy Wrens, Rainbow Bee Eater, Singing Honey Eater, Blue Bonnets, Scarlet Breasted and Ringneck Parrots, Cockatiels and Budgerigars. Also found in the ranges are the Red and Western Grey kangaroo, Euro, Southern Hairy-Nosed Wombat, Pygmy Possums, Hopping Mice and Yellow Footed Rock Wallaby.

This is just a small taste of what you can see. More information via brochures plus Lyle and Sandy's personal experiences are available from Reception.