Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park
More information
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Check the latest Desert Parks Bulletin before visiting this park.
Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park covers almost 15,000 hectares featuring majestic arid scenery.
The area is home to almost 60 native flora species including acacias, mallee and eremophilia. It is also home to a variety of wildlife, including red kangaroos, euro, echidna, numerous bird species and the fat-tailed dunnart (a mouse-like marsupial).
The Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park forms part of the traditional country of the Antakirinja Matuntjara Yankunytjatjara people. It is owned by Antakirinja Matu-Yankunytjatjara Aboriginal Corporation (AMYAC). The park is under a unique co-management agreement between the AMYAC, District Council of Coober Pedy and Department for Environment and Water (DEW).
Open daily.
Entry fees apply unless you are a Coober Pedy resident or an Antakirinja Matuntjara Yankunytjatjara person.
Vehicle entry fees
Vehicle entry: $12.50
Vehicle entry (concession): $10.00
Fees collected are used for conservation and to maintain and improve park facilities.
Entry permits can be purchased from:
Coober Pedy Visitor Information Centre — District Council of Coober Pedy
Hutchison St, Coober Pedy
Phone: (+61 8) 8672 4617
Toll Free: 1800 637 076
Coober Pedy Visitor Information Centre
Underground Books
Post Office Hill Rd, Coober Pedy
Phone: (+61 8) 8672 5558
Closures and safety
This park is closed on days of Catastrophic Fire Danger and may also be closed on days of Extreme Fire Danger.
You can determine the current fire danger rating by checking the Fire Ban District map on the CFS website.
Check the CFS website or call the CFS Bushfire Information Hotline 1800 362 361 for:
- Information on fire bans and current fire conditions
- Current CFS warnings and incidents
- Information on what to do in the event of a fire.
Listen to your local area radio station for the latest updates and information on fire safety.
Visitor information and bookings
District Council of Coober Pedy
Hutchison St, Coober Pedy
Phone: (+61 8) 8672 4600
Coober Pedy Visitor Information Centre
Park management:
Executive Officer
Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park Co-Management Board
Phone: (+61) 499982999
Email: breakaways@cpcouncil.sa.gov.au
Emergency contacts:
Medical, fire (including bushfire) and police emergency situations
Phone: Triple Zero — 000
Police Assistance
Phone: 131 444 for non-urgent police assistance
National Parks and Wildlife Service SA – After-hours duty officer
Phone: 0408 378 284
Injured wildlife:
Within the park
Please contact Port Augusta National Parks Wildlife Service South Australia office on (08) 8648 5300 or the after-hours duty officer on 0408 378 284.
Outside of the park
Please contact a local wildlife rescue group
Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park is located 25km north of Coober Pedy. Access is via the Stuart Highway or Kempe Road (Oodnnadatta Road).
Assistance dogs are permitted in most public places and are therefore welcome in South Australia’s parks and reserves. Assistance dogs must be appropriately restrained on a lead and remain under your effective control at all times while in a park or reserve.
As per the dogs in parks and reserves policy, if the dog is not an accredited assistance dog, they must be trained to assist a person with a disability to alleviate that disability and meet standards of hygiene and behaviour appropriate for a dog in a public place. However, refusal may be given if the person with the disability is unable to produce evidence the dog is an assistance dog with the appropriate training.
Before taking your assistance dog into a park that does not normally allow dogs, it is highly recommended that you contact us so we can provide you with the latest information on any potential hazards within specific parks that may affect your dog. Please contact the park via the contact details provided under the contact tab or contact the visitor service centre via email or on Facebook.
Dogs are welcome in this park.
Please ensure you:
- Keep your dog under control and on a lead no more than two metres in length.
- Stick to designated walking trails.
- Bring disposable bags to clean up your dog’s faeces (please be aware there are no bins in national parks).
Discover other parks you can walk your dog in on our find a park tool or read 12 dog-friendly walks in Adelaide Parks by Good Living for inspiration.
Flora and fauna species lists
To download flora (plants) and fauna (animals) species lists for this park, use the ‘Create Simple Species List’ tab under ‘Flora Tools’ or ‘Fauna Tools’ in NatureMaps.
Outback Road Report
1300 361 033 (24-hour automated service)
Northern and Western South Australian Outback Roads Temporary Closures, Restrictions and Warnings Report
- Important: Collection of firewood within National Parks is prohibited. Dead wood plays a vital role in providing shelter for animals and adding nutrients to the soil.
The Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park is co-managed by the Antakirinja Matu-Yankuntjartjara Aboriginal Corporation (AMYAC), the traditional owners of the area. The entire park is a registered Aboriginal Site under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1988. You can read the stories about this area and learn about its spiritual significance at the main lookout information shelter.
Since 2013, the Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park has been managed by the Kanku-Breakaways Co-management Board, a unique co-management arrangement between the AMYAC, District Council of Coober Pedy and Government of South Australia.
Words from the Antakirinja Matu-Yankuntjartjara Aboriginal Corporation
The Kanku-Breakaways hold great cultural and spiritual significance to our people, interwoven with its striking natural formations, plants and animals. Many features form part of our stories that weave across the landscape, extending thousands of kilometres. Managing the Kanku and undertaking traditional practices on country are vital to maintain our strong connection to country.
Aboriginal peoples have occupied, enjoyed and managed the lands and waters of this State for thousands of generations. For Aboriginal first nations, creation ancestors laid down the laws of the Country and bestowed a range of customary rights and obligations to the many Aboriginal Nations across our state.
There are many places across the State that have great spiritual significance to Aboriginal first nations. At some of these places Aboriginal cultural protocols, such as restricted access, are promoted and visitors are asked to respect the wishes of Traditional Owners.
In places where protocols are not promoted visitors are asked to show respect by not touching or removing anything, and make sure you take all your rubbish with you when you leave.
Aboriginal peoples continue to play an active role in caring for their Country, including in parks across South Australia.
There is currently no bushwalking information available for this park, please contact the park office for more information.
There are no designated mountain biking trails in this park.
Camping is not permitted within this park.
- Use Find a Park to discover which parks you can camp in.
Want to help?
To find out how you can help in this park or nearby, please email breakaways@cpcouncil.sa.gov.au.
Want to join others and become a Park Friend?
To find out more about Friends of Parks groups please visit Friends of Parks South Australia.
You could join others to help look after a park. You can take part in working bees, training and other events.
The international Trail Users Code of Conduct is to show respect and courtesy towards other trail users at all times.
Ensure that you:
- keep to defined walking trails and follow the trail markers
- wear sturdy shoes, a hat and sunscreen
- carry sufficient drinking water
- be aware of weather conditions and avoid walking during the hottest part of the day
- Walk, hike or trek — what’s the difference?
Can I have a fire or barbecue?
- Wood fires and solid fuel fires are prohibited throughout the year.
- Gas fires and liquid fuel fires are permitted, other than on days of total fire ban.
- Ensure you are familiar with the fire restrictions for this park.
Closures and safety
You can determine the current fire danger rating by checking the Fire Ban District map on the CFS website.
Check the CFS website or call the CFS Bushfire Information Hotline 1800 362 361 for:
- Information on fire bans and current fire conditions
- Current CFS warnings and incidents
- Information on what to do in the event of a fire.
Listen to your local area radio station for the latest updates and information on fire safety.
Every national park is different, each has its own unique environment, it is important to be responsible while enjoying all the park has to offer.
Please ensure that you:
- leave your pets at home
- do not feed birds or other animals, it promotes aggressive behaviour and an unbalanced ecology
- do not bring generators (except where permitted), chainsaws or firearms into the park
- leave the park as you found it — there are no bins in national parks, please come prepared to take your rubbish with you.
- abide by the road rules (maintain the speed limit)
- respect geological and heritage sites
- do not remove native plants
- are considerate of other park users.
- Important: Collection of firewood within National Parks is prohibited. Dead wood plays a vital role in providing shelter for animals and adding nutrients to the soil.
Entry fees apply unless you are a Coober Pedy resident or an Antakirinja Matuntjara Yankunytjatjara person.
Vehicle entry fees
Vehicle entry: $11.00
Vehicle entry (concession): $9.00
Fees collected are used for conservation and to maintain and improve park facilities.
Entry permits can be purchased from:
Coober Pedy Visitor Information Centre — District Council of Coober Pedy
Hutchison St, Coober Pedy
Phone: (+61 8) 8672 4617
Toll Free: 1800 637 076
Coober Pedy Visitor Information Centre
Underground Books
Post Office Hill Rd, Coober Pedy
Phone: (+61 8) 8672 5558
This park is not included in the park pass system.
There is no camping or accommodation available within this park.
There are no other fees or permits associated with this park.