Field Trips, Tours and Other Events

Organised Tours

Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary Tour, July 2012.
Located 600km north of Adelaide, the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary features rugged mountains, towering granite peaks, magnificent gorges and mysterious waterholes.  Home to over 160 species of birds and the shy and endangered Yellow-footed Rock Wallaby.  The tour activities include scenic flights, learning the geology of the area, exploring the walking trails, astronomy and photography. 

It will be a 5 day tour with return bus fares from Adelaide, 4 nights accommodation with breakfast each morning, the Ridgetop tour, the Observatory tour and a drop-off for the Acacia Ridge walk.  Lunch and dinner will have to be either self catered or bought.

The costs at this stage are approximate, either $700 for accommodation in the Greenwood Lodge or $850 for the Calitris Lodge.  Please register your interest with the RGS office (08 8207 7265) or email admin@rgssa.org.au .

Walking Trail Maintenance

Walking Trail Support Group

The Walking Trails Support Group is a small group of volunteers devoted to the development and maintenance of walking tracks in the Flinders and Mount Lofty Ranges in SA. The group makes various trips throughout the year to ensure that the tracks previously installed are in good condition, that erosion is kept in check and the track marking is clear.  The aim is that each track should have minimum impact on the environment and be safe to use. The Barossa walks are day trips whereas the Flinders Ranges walks are managed through three separate trips, each about two weeks long, generally staying at the Dutchman's Stern ranger quarters, The Oraparinna shearers quarters and Grindell or Nudlamutana Huts.  Much of the work is done under the auspices of the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources as most of the trails are on Crown Land.  Three trails are on the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary and are maintained with its support.

One of the aims is to improve the experience and provide the walkers with information about the flora, fauna, Aboriginal knowledge, geology and European history of the environment through which they travel.  To this end, information leaflets with maps, track and  geological notes have been prepared, together with photographs of the country through which each trail passes.  These are generally available at the trailheads or can be downloaded from the website. (see below)

The trips to the Flinders Ranges are a great opportunity to see some of the remote parts of the state.  The work is not particularly arduous and can be tailored to suit the capacities of each person.  The membership is small with others who "float" in and out of the trips so the company is always varied and interesting.  Membership is only $5.00! (For insurance purposes.)

For more information about the maintenance programs follow this link Walking Trails Support Group and see the Section on Field Arrangements