Discover South Australia’s Painted Hills

In the heart of South Australia’s outback desert country lies a fragile landscape that is set to become one of Australia’s most awesome natural tourist attractions.

The Anna Creek Painted Hills is a spectacular and recently discovered section of the pristine Breakaways country in the far north of South Australia, with air tours recently developed to offer tourists the opportunity to view this natural attraction.

South Australian Tourism Commission Acting General Manager International Marketing, Sigrid Frede, said the Anna Creek Painted Hills offer an amazing sight by air and is generating interest from media and tourists alike.

“We believe this natural attraction has the potential to become one of the most spectacular tourist destinations in Australia,” she said.

 “It is a rocky outcrop of large and small hills that literally emerge suddenly out of a flat, desert landscape.

“During times of bright sunlight, the Anna Creek Painted Hills is awe-inspiring. Vivid colours of ochre yellow, oxide red, and deep, rich brown, contrast with crisp whites and jet blacks.”

It is believed that the Anna Creek Painted Hills are the leftover effects of 50 million years’ of climate change, with the climate going from glacial to wet and semi-tropical over millions of years.

The changing colours of the Anna Creek Painted Hills are believed to be the result of oxidisation. The deep red is due to the oxidation of iron in the rocks, while the white sections are where iron has leached away. The area is often referred to as a”fragile lunar landscape” because of its unspoilt nature.

The Anna Creek Painted Hills have been protected by the management of Anna Creek Station for more than a hundred years. 

“The South Australian Tourism Commission has worked closely with Anna Creek Station, and local tour operators to ensure we promote this amazing attraction in the most sensitive way,” Ms Frede said.

“Local tourism operators have developed air tours to the region, allowing tourists to see the beauty of the Anna Creek Painted Hills from the sky, while also ensuring its ongoing protection.”

Visitors can experience the Outback from a unique vantage point on a scenic flight. Air access tours to the Anna Creek Painted Hills are currently available through Trevor Wright of Wrightsair, from William Creek, Coober Pedy and Arkaroola.

The Desert Cave Hotel has also created a day tour package incorporating the Anna Creek Painted Hills scenic flights, with departures from Coober Pedy.

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