Hodgekinson, an expatriate Canadian. Bushwalking There are a number of walking trails available, guided and self-guided, some are marked and described by the Royal Geographical Society of Australia (SA). Spriggina Trail (1 to 1.5 hrs) Bararranna Gorge Walk (6.8 km – 3.5 hrs) Acacia Ridge (4 to 5 hrs) Surveyor's Cairn (40 mins) Griselda Hill (1.5 hrs) Mawson Valley Trail (2.5 to 3 hrs) Arkaroola Waterhole (4 hrs) Oppaminda Trail (length depends on starting point) Coloured leaflets about some of these trails at Arkaroola and throughout the Flinders Ranges are available for download from the Walking Trails Support Group. Astronomy Arkaroola has two 14-inch telescopes. Weather in the area is usually fine providing clear skies. There is little light pollution, due to the remote location and active control of the local lighting. Paralana radioactive springs Paralana geothermal springs are located on Wooltana, north of Arkaroola. Local granite rocks contain elevated levels of uranium that gives off heat during radioactive decay. Water percolating through fractures in the rock is heated and bubbles out at the surface as a hot spring, with gases such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen, radon and helium. Due to the presence of radon gas, which is heavier than air, staying near the springs for a prolonged period may constitute a health hazard. Living on the floor of the springs is an extremophile algal mat that survives the warm temperatures of 62 °C and high radioactivity. The Pinnacle The mountain summit in the area under this name is of volcanic origin (basalt) and is popular for rock climbing. The Village Accommodation ranges from motel rooms to caravan and camp sites. Facilities include a licensed restaurant and bar, swimming pool, small shop, service station (petrol and diesel), and a vehicle workshop. Climate The Arkaroola area is classified as having a subtropical desert climate (BWh) according to the Köppen, Trewartha, and Australian Bureau of Meteorology climate classification systems. Summers are hot with occasional storms, while winters are cold and comparatively dry. Arkaroola's record high minimum temperature is , which was the hottest overnight low ever recorded in Australia (as well as Oceania and the Southern Hemisphere) from when it was recorded on 24 January 1982 until it was beaten by a reading in Noona, New South Wales on 18 January 2019 followed by at Borrona Downs Station near Wanaaring, New South Wales on 26 January 2019, which retains the titles as