The Yellabinna Regional Reserve is 2,522,700 hectares in size. 60 kilometres North of Ceduna, its Southern border adjoins the Yumbarra Conservation Park and the Pureba Conservation Park.

The Yumbarra Conservation Park was created in 1968. It lies 30 kilometres North of Ceduna. In November 1999, the former Minister of Mines and Energy, Wayne Matthew, declared that Yumbarra would be a test case of how mining could be conducted in a national park. Yumbarra was then proclaimed “dual status,” and exploration licences were granted.

The Pureba lands run to the East, towards the Gawler Ranges, and special places through the region are inextricably linked, they are connected with each other.

Some Hot Spots

Googs Lake: The Googs Lake system is in the Yumbarra Conservation Park, roughly 100 kilometres North of Ceduna. Googs Lake is a salt lake that is 15 kilometres in length and 1 kilometre wide in some places. Access is via Googs Track, a road cleared in the ’70s from Ceduna to Tarcoola by John “Goog” Denton and his family. A few kilometres from the lake there is a memorial for Goog & his son “Dinger.” Native sandalwood and pine surround the lake, which also holds ancient quarries and sacred places. Googs Lake is always on the itinery of a Rockhole Recovery trip, appreciated for its beauty, shade and sweet-smelling air.

Inila Rockhole: Inila Rockhole is in the Yumbarra Conservation Park, 50 kilometres from Ceduna, access is via the dog fence road. The Rockhole is over ten feet deep and provides clean water for local animals. With constant rehabilitation, native water plants have begun to sprout in Inila Rockhole.

Yumbarra Rockhole: Yumbarra Rockhole is in the Yumbarra Conservation Park, 60 kilometres from Ceduna via Inila Rockhole. The granite out-crop & multiple depressions hold water for animals to drink.

Crossroads: Crossroads is a point of intersection of roads which lead to Dinah, Yellabinna, Inila, Googs Lake and Nala. Crossroads is not far from the Yumbarra/Yellabinna border and is a significant landmark where the outback letter-box sits.

Paint Lakes: Paint lakes is a very special & peaceful place, producing ochres of rich colour. It is common to see runs of emu prints weaved across the lake.

Dinah Rockhole: Dinah Rockhole in the Yellabinna Regional Reserve is a very special site to all women in the world, of which Kokatha Mula women have continuing traditional responsibilities for its care, maintainence and protection according to traditional laws and customs of Kokatha Mula women (Pictured above are Sue Coleman-Haseldine and Marcina Coleman-Richards).

Yellabinna & Oolabinna: Yellabinna and Oolabinna are massive rock formations that fortunately now sit within the Wilderness Protection Area, and are off limits to mining and exploration. To reach this site you have to travel over razor-back dune systems.

Big Nala: Nala Rocks are within the Pureba Conservation Park. Rising from the mallee this rocky outcrop is breathtaking in size, and allows a 360° panorama including the Gawler Ranges. The Rockholes here are prime tadpole breeding areas — many rockholes hold water plants, frogs and attract birds & a range of other animals.

Lois Rockhole: Lois Rockhole is renown for its stunning views of untouched Mallee Woodlands. Like Big Nala, Lois Rockhole has many rockholes, plants and rock formations. The four kilometre walk from Big Nala to Lois Rockhole shows the diverse meldling of eco-systems and their pristine conditions.