Sacred Canyon

Sacred Canyon is an Aboriginal rock engraving site located in Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park in South Australia, northeast of Hawker and near Wilpena Pound. Set within a small gorge lined with ancient river red gums, the canyon walls feature extensive petroglyphs created by Adnyamathanha people over thousands of years. The site is culturally significant and accessible only on guided tours, offering visitors insight into Indigenous heritage and Flinders Ranges geology.

Visitors can expect a narrow sandstone gorge with smooth canyon walls covered in ancient Aboriginal petroglyphs (rock engravings) depicting tracks, circles and animal motifs. The setting is arid and natural, with river red gums, rocky creek bed and ochre-coloured walls. Access is only with an accredited Adnyamathanha guide on a 4WD tour from Wilpena Pound. The experience is a short guided walk within the gorge with interpretation of the engravings, geology and cultural stories.