SUMMER
The Yellow-footed Rock Wallaby is a beautiful marsupial mammal! Threatened to the point of near extinction but are on the road to recovery after competing with feral herbivores for vegetation, water & habitat. Victims of feral predation by foxes & feral cats, there is an estimated remaining population of approximately 2,000 animals in South Australia. They are still considered a rare sighting as they prefer rocky sloped areas that are usually difficult to access. Don’t be put off though, the chance of spotting any of the Kangaroo & Wallaroo species is high & as easy as sitting on the deck of our pool overlooking the creek which provides shade to many species.

AUTUMN
Short-beaked Echidna's venture out in May and if you are very lucky you may see evidence of a Western Quoll or Brushtail Possum, which were recently reintroduced in the park.

WINTER
As the temperatures continue to cool, the Short-beaked Echidnas form love trains where females lead a line of up to eleven males on a mating performance through the outback. The Western Grey Kangaroo is abundant as is Australia’s third-largest Macropod, the Common Wallaroo.

SPRING
With the removal of sheep, Red Kangaroos have returned to Arkaba's landscape in large numbers.

SUMMER
The warm updrafts through summer make for perfect gliding conditions & we regularly see majestic Wedge-tailed Eagles & other raptors such as Little Eagles, Brown Falcons, Black-shouldered Kites & Nankeen Kestrels. Brown Goshawks frequent Arkaba & Spotted Harriers can be found rapidly responding to large rainfall events or boom periods of prey. Tropical bird species migrate to the Flinders Ranges for a change of scenery, bringing the likes of the Sacred Kingfisher to our backyard.

AUTUMN
Keep an eye out for the explosions of colour that are the Purple-backed Fairywrens flying about sampling food from the garden. Don’t forget to look around to spot the ground forager Apostlebirds and the recovering River Red Gum understory habitat that supports healthy populations of Galahs, Honeyeater species, Parrots & Emus.

WINTER
Winter is the time of courtship for many bird species & Wedge-tailed Eagles start to pair off. This process includes building impressive nest structures that can measure up to 1.8m across & be 3m deep & have been known to weigh up to 400kg! Not forgetting smaller colourful species such as the White-winged Fairy-wrens, Mistletoe Birds and Striated Pardalotes. Special highlights along our Arkaba Creek include Apostlebirds, Yellow-throated Miners and the stunning Elegant Parrot. Standout encounters include Rufous Whistler, Grey-fronted Honeyeater, Spotted Harrier, Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrikes and the Inland Thornbill amongst many others.

SPRING
Ringnecks, Elegant, Red-rumped & Mulga Parrots become more active with the germination of seeds from late winter rainfall & are courting for breeding. Huge areas of pioneer Acacia species provide both food & habitat for incredible numbers of thornbills, babblers, Red-capped Robins & little explosions of colour in the busy Fairy-wren species. Horsfield’s Bronze & Pallid Cuckoos actively seek out the nests of fairywrens & thornbills, honeyeaters & robins to lay their eggs in Brood Parasitism.

SUMMER
The harsh outback environment can sometimes be lush, green & full of life with summer flowers like the Leafless Cherry & vibrant Garland Lilly providing pops of colour to the bush. During a dry hot summer, the River Red Gums will drop their limbs to survive. Sacrificing limbs create hollows & hiding spots for bats & brush-tailed possums & also provides homes for Moths, Butterflies & Grubs.

AUTUMN
Hollowed out Red Gums are the ‘riparian apartment blocks’ for wildlife, with roos resting beneath, & reptiles, marsupials & birds all living & nesting inside these gargantuan trees. Bush Bananas' (which taste like cucumbers!) & Ruby Saltbush start to fruit & flower, adding colour to our semi-arid country & flavour to our salads. Several late bloomer species including Shrubby Rice-flowers, Clammy Daisy Bush’s & some Mallee Eucalypts produce unique flowers that breathe frondescence into the outback landscape.

WINTER
As the outback prepares for rain the last of the late bloomers start to flower to propagate. Senna bushes surround the homestead in a vivid bright yellow & flowering wattles, daisies, Spider & Sun orchids & native apricots grace our outback landscape with their pops of colour. Saltbush thrives & can be spotted (& sampled!) & frequently makes its way into Arkaba’s food scene. Saltbush cured flank cooked over a crackling campfire under the stars anyone?

SPRING
Expect lots of wattles, daisies, peas & all sorts of hidden gems! Silver Mulla Mulla is found in good quantities like the dot paintings of desert art. Not to mention species like Rock Sida & Jockeys Cap in full swing if we have had a good year of rain. Keep alert for the sweet scent of the Vanilla Lily which can be found in rocky nooks & outcrops. As the name suggests it smells divine! Blushing Quandong fruit at the end of spring & are the signature ingredient in our "Dirty Quandong" cocktail. You'll need to get to them fast as they are Emu's favourite food. The native garden also provides us with a variety of beautiful Eremophilas which bring native flourishes to our table.

SUMMER
Shinglebacks are our most frequently sighted lizard species. Though they are a solitary species most of the year they come out in summer for their breeding season where monogamous pairs will birth only one or two offspring.

AUTUMN
Sleepy lizards bask on rocky outcrops enjoying the sun. The open grassland & scattered Acacia supports many reptile species like Shingleback lizards, Bearded Dragons & Masked Rock Skinks endemic to Central Australia. Thick-tailed geckoes are always a joy to see as they are an indicator our feral predator controls are working.

WINTER
The colder months can be a tough time to spot sun-loving reptiles but there are favourite locations, such as on top of fence posts, exposed rocks & in Madge’s Gully that provide plenty of warm spots for Shingleback Lizards, Gidgee Skinks & Tawny Dragons.

SPRING
Spot the male Tawny Dragon colour up their “beards” to try and show off to the females in this courtship period. The beginning of springtime can be interesting to watch male Central Bearded Dragons compete for mating rights of females, with beard flaring & circling. You might even hear the distinctive call of the Barking Gecko!