Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park

Kanku-Breakaway Conservation Park, situated near the town of Coober Pedy in South Australia, is a veritable gem of natural beauty and cultural depth, enticing visitors with its striking landscapes: vibrant claypans and rugged ridges that shimmer with a kaleidoscope of colours all shaped by the ancient forces of erosion on sedimentary rocks.

Keep your eyes peeled for nearly 60 native plant species, including the lovely acacias, mallee, and the captivating eremophilia. You might also encounter red kangaroos, euros, echidnas, a variety of bird species, and the delightful fat-tailed dunnart, a mouse-like marsupial.

However, the charm of Kanku-Breakaway goes beyond its stunning scenery; it carries deep historical significance for the local Aboriginal communities, particularly the Antakirinja Matu-Yankunytjatjara people. The word ‘Kanku’ means ‘shelter’ in their traditional language, and indeed, this sanctuary has offered refuge from the harsh elements for animals, plants, and humans for countless generations. The entire park is recognised as an Aboriginal Heritage site, protected under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 and the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1988.