Ngarutjaranya
Mountain Highest peak in South Australia, sacred Anangu mountain
Ngarutjaranya (Mount Woodroffe) is South Australia’s highest peak in the APY Lands, remote and spiritually significant to local Anangu people; mountaineers and cultural visitors require permits and long approaches.
Ngarutjaranya is the Anangu name for the highest peak in South Australia, located in the Musgrave Ranges. It reaches 1,435 metres and is the state’s highest point.
The mountain offers a remote, rugged summit rather than developed visitor facilities; the main draw is the peak itself and the surrounding Musgrave Range landscape. Routes across the range are long and remote, so visits are typically undertaken by experienced walkers or guided groups with local permission.
The area is of longstanding cultural significance to Anangu Pitjantjatjara people and retains Indigenous place names and associations. European mapping and mountaineering visits have occurred, but the peak remains primarily important in local Indigenous tradition.
Ngarutjaranya sits in the far northwest of South Australia within the Musgrave Ranges, on lands administered as part of the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) region, near the borders with Western Australia and the Northern Territory.
- Elevation: Rises to 1,435 metres above sea level, making it the highest point in South Australia.
- Access: Located within Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands, access requires permission from local landowners and authorities.
Tips for Visiting Ngarutjaranya #
- Ngarutjaranya (Mount Woodroffe) lies within APY Lands and access is controlled - obtain the required permits and permissions from the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara authorities well in advance rather than assuming free access.
- Treat any visit as remote-country travel: arrange a local guide or community-hosted trip, allow extra time for travel on unsealed tracks, and avoid the summer months when temperatures and remoteness make travel unsafe.
Best Time to Visit Ngarutjaranya #
Best visited in the cooler months (April-September) when conditions are milder and the mountain and access tracks are more comfortable and safer.
Weather & Climate near Ngarutjaranya #
Ngarutjaranya's climate is classified as Cold Semi-Arid - Cold Semi-Arid climate with warm summers (peaking in January) and cold winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 2°C to 32°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall.
January
January is the warmest month with highs of 32°C and lows of 17°C. Moderate rainfall (46 mm).
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February
February is mild with highs of 31°C and lows of 17°C. The wettest month with 47 mm of rain.
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March
March is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (38 mm).
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April
April is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (33 mm).
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May
May is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 6°C. Light rainfall.
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June
June is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 3°C. Light rainfall.
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July
July is the coolest month with highs of 14°C and lows of 2°C. The driest month with just 14 mm.
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August
August is cold with highs of 16°C and lows of 4°C. Light rainfall.
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September
September is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 7°C. Light rainfall.
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October
October is cool with highs of 25°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (37 mm).
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November
November is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (38 mm).
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December
December is mild with highs of 30°C and lows of 16°C. Moderate rainfall (40 mm).
