Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park
| Location | Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park |
| Start Point | Munyallina Trailhead near Nudlamutana Hut |
| End Point | Arkaroola via Mount Warren Hastings |
| Distance | 15.2 km one way |
| Time | 7 hours |
| Difficulty | Difficult |
| Activity | Walking |
| Region | Flinders Ranges & Outback |
| Accommodation | Bush camping, mid-range and premium options — See accommodation options |
| Key Feature | Remote outback traverse, Mount Warren Hastings, Adnyamathanha country |
A Seven-Hour Traverse Through the Gammon Ranges
The Oppaminda-Nudlamutana Hike is one of the most challenging and rewarding walks in the Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park — a demanding 15.2-kilometre traverse from the Munyallina Trailhead near Nudlamutana Hut to Arkaroola via Mount Warren Hastings. This is a full-day walk through some of the most spectacular and remote terrain in the northern Flinders Ranges, crossing rugged ridgelines and deep gorges in country that has been home to the Adnyamathanha people for thousands of years.
Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park was proclaimed in 1970 and forms part of the traditional country of the Adnyamathanha people, for whom these ranges hold deep cultural significance. The park protects spectacular terrain that is a haven for rare and endangered plants and animals, including the yellow-footed rock wallaby, which finds refuge in the rocky gorges and cliff faces of the ranges. The stark wildness of Lake Frome — an ephemeral salt lake stretching 100 kilometres long and 40 kilometres wide — is a unique feature visible from elevated points along the trail.
The Walk
The trail begins at the Munyallina Trailhead and climbs through the characteristic terrain of the Gammon Ranges — deeply incised gorges, ancient quartzite ridges, and exposed slopes where the geology of the northern Flinders is laid bare. The route passes through varied habitats, from the creek-line vegetation in the valleys to the hardy shrubs and native pines on the ridgelines, before reaching Mount Warren Hastings with its commanding views across the surrounding ranges and plains.
The seven-hour walking time reflects both the distance and the difficulty of the terrain — this is not a trail that can be hurried. Steep ascents and descents, rocky surfaces, and sections requiring careful navigation all contribute to a hiking experience that demands physical fitness, self-reliance, and respect for the environment. The reward is a genuine sense of remote wilderness — few trails in South Australia offer the same level of isolation and landscape drama.
Planning Your Walk
This is a one-way trail requiring transport arrangements at both ends — coordination with Arkaroola Resort or a vehicle shuttle is typically necessary. The park is approximately 600 kilometres north of Adelaide. Carry ample water — there are no reliable water sources along the trail. The difficult rating is genuine — this hike is for experienced bushwalkers with good fitness and navigation skills. April to October provides the best walking conditions. Summer temperatures are dangerous.
The Oppaminda-Nudlamutana Hike is the Gammon Ranges at their most demanding and most magnificent — seven hours of traverse through ancient country, over ridges with views to Lake Frome, through gorges where rock wallabies shelter in the shadows. It is a walk that earns every step and repays every effort with landscapes that belong to a deeper, older Australia.
Where to Stay
Planning an overnight trip? See our Flinders Ranges Accommodation Guide for the best places to stay near this trail.