Yuluna Hike

Yuluna Hike is an 8 km loop from Aroona Trailhead through the ABC Range and Yuluna Creek, returning on Bulls Gap Track. Allow about four hours. Choose it for creek-cut geology and pastoral history rather than a summit: the circuit links Frederick Hayward’s homestead remains, a restored outstation hut and the ruin of Bendowta Hut with a varied walk through a broad creek valley.

At Y1, the old Aroona homestead sits on the rise: look for its foundations, stone garden borders and a willow. Hayward arrived with sheep in 1851 and occupied this area for 11 years. The restored pine-and-pug hut is closer to the creek. The track crosses Aroona Creek near Koolaman Campground, then enters Yuluna Creek’s valley in the ABC Range. The creek is the route’s best reason to slow down: its exposed rock shows blocky quartzite, sediment layers, ripple marks, joints, folding and a minor fault. Marked crossings take you from bank to bank. When water is present in warmer months, the creek may also hold tiny endemic Flinders Ranges frogs and tadpoles; neither water nor wildlife is guaranteed.

Near Y3, a short 200 m spur reaches Bendowta Hut ruin above the creek. The route then climbs and crosses the valley toward Y4 and Y5. North-facing quartzite slopes carry porcupine grass and scattered coolibah, while cooler south-facing slopes support pine and silver wattle. A detour to Heysen Lookout looks across Aroona Valley. At Y5, turn west on Bulls Gap Track and stay with the Yuluna markers back to Y1.

The official grade is moderate, with moderate inclines and irregular, loose footing. Expect to watch your steps through creek beds, and leave time for the geology and hut spur. The four-hour estimate assumes a relaxed 2 km per hour and allows for rests and sightseeing. Bring food and at least 4 L of drinking water per person for the day; park tanks and creeks are not drinking-water sources. Start and finish at Aroona Trailhead car park, 7 km north of Brachina Gorge Road. Dogs are not permitted in the park.