- Distance
- 800 metres return
- Duration
- 30 mins
- Suitable for
- Walking
- Grade 1, Easy Walk
- Terrain
- Flat
- Park
- Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park
- Region
- Flinders Ranges & Outback
- Download maps & GPS files
- 2 GPS files
- 1 website link
- Photos
- 8 photosJump to Photos section
- Travel options
- Car
About the Walking Trail
Access is only by Adnyamathanha guided tours
1 April 2020: public access to the canyon is restricted.
Visitor access to Sacred Canyon is only allowed through commercial tour operators that are approved to provide Adnyamathanha guided tours. Adnyamathanha guides are also running tours to Sacred Canyon which can be booked through Wilpena Pound Resort online or by calling 1800 805 802.
The site is a culturally significant with petroglyphs or rock engravings, and required greater protection. The tours allow for a greater visitor experience, hearing about the site from Adnyamathanha people.
A short walk along a gum-lined creek leads to the site where ancient Aboriginal rock engravings are found in smooth sandstone walls. Wander through the gorge to view the images representing animal tracks, people and waterholes, have been pecked into the sheer rock faces with stone tools. Some images are very weathered and are best seen in the soft light of morning or afternoon.
Above the waterfall near the end of the gorge are some more engravings.
Keep a watch out for echidnas foraging in the creek bed at the other end of the gorge.
The walk is accessible by 2WD along a 15km gravel road, located 19 kilometres south-east of Wilpena off the Hawker to Blinman Road. There are toilets in the carpark.
Out of respect for the Adnyamathanha culture please do not touch the engravings.
Photos
Stand and look closely to see more of the engravings
Follow the creek into the gorge
Some of the Adnyamathanha People rock engravings
The start of the Sacred Canyon Walk before the gorge is walking trail
Walking into Sacred Canyon is easy, although you are following a rocky creek and not a formed walking trail
Interpretive signage in the carpark
Keep a watch out for echidnas foraging in the creek bed at the other end of the gorge.
