Buckaringa is part of a folded sedimentary sequence of sandstones, siltstones and shales. While the sandstones are relatively resistant to erosion, both the siltstone and shales are weak and easily eroded. The
sandstone fold structures form the present pattern of ridges and ranges. On Buckaringa the quartzite of the ABC Range forms a hogback ridge, with a steep
cliff along its eastern side. Buckaringa and Middle Gorges are formed where streams have cut through the ridge at right angles to the strata, forming steep-sided gorges with numerous crevices, caves and fallen boulder piles.
The remainder of the Buckaringa Sanctuary consists of ridges and bedrock plains carrying shallow soils and
rock debris, with deeper soils on the flatter alluvial areas away from
the rock outcrops.
Little known of the flora and fauna of the Sanctuary, though 60 bird and four mammal species have been recorded. Management includes ongoing surveys, along with a program to map the vegetation communities. Birds include Wedge-tailed Eagles, Emus, Sulphur-crested Cockatoos, Peregrine Falcons, Sacred Kingfishers and Blue-winged Parrots. As
well as the Yellow-footed
Rock-wallabies, mammals include Western
Grey and Red Kangaroos, and Euros. Buckaringa holds one of the largest colonies of the threatened Yellow-footed
Rock-wallaby. The protection of this species is the main management objective of the Sanctuary and involves fox and goat eradication as
well as the restoration of the natural flows of the water courses.
Buckaringa was a pastoral lease which was taken up in the 1880s, and used for sheep grazing and cereal cropping until 1990. It was acquired by Earth Sanctuaries as a wildlife reserve in the early 1990s, before being purchased by Australian Wildlife Conservancy in 2002.
Access: Drive from
Quorn, through undulating farming country to the Buckaringa Scenic drive and
Lookout, passing Buckaringa Sanctuary and Proby’s Grave. It is 4 km in to the Buckaringa
Lookout car park. Take a short 100 metre walk to the
lookout for panoramic
views of the ranges.