Arkaroola Bush Tucker Tour

Visitors to the Flinders Ranges are often impressed by the geological formations and the millions of years that it took to form this part of South Australia. But equally impressive is the 40-thousand years of Aboriginal tradition in the region. Central to Aboriginal life was using plants for food and medicine. If you are interested in learning about this then the place to visit is Arkaroola in the Northern Flinders Ranges. Arkaroola was a 600-square kilometre sheep station that scientists Mark Oliphant, Douglas Mawson and Reg Sprigg used as an educational playground. Reg Sprigg eventually bought it an opened it up for tourists. However it has always belonged to Adnyamathanha. (ADYA-MUCK-NYA) "What I am doing is passing down a tradition to other people as it was passed to me." Brenton Coulthard has worked as a teacher, stockman and now a ranger. He takes bush tucker tours from the Arkaroola Village that change the way you look at the South Australian bush. Generations ago this area of the Flinders used to be a dense forest, and among the plants that have disappeared is the native hibiscus. The food trail leads past native pears and oranges, a kind of sweet potato and a type of wheat. "From this bush here we can make flour." The tour is at an easy pace and takes about three hours. It is less of a lecture and more of an information exchange. Arkaroola is in the Northern Flinders Ranges about two and a half hours North of Wilpena Pound or 6 hours from Adelaide. You don't need a four wheel drive to visit there and for information call 1800 676 042 or email: info@postcards.sa.com.au