The correspondence between granulite ultrahigh-temperature (UHT) events with the record of supercontinent/supercraton formation defines distinct gaps in the geological record where UHT events are rare. One gap occurs from the late Palaeoproterozoic to the late Mesoproterozoic (1.85–1.1Ga). This time interval is currently represented by only two HT to UHT events and corresponds to the interpreted amalgamation and breakup of the supercontinent Columbia. The proposed tectonic setting of UHT events associated with the younger Gondwana supercontinent is the closure of back-arc basins. However, it is unclear whether older UHT metamorphic belts developed in a similar tectonic setting. In situ LA-ICPMS monazite U–Pb geochronology coupled with metamorphic phase equilibria modelling provide evidence for regional-scale high temperature to UHT early Mesoproterozoic (ca. 1590Ma) metamorphism in the Gawler Craton in southern Australia. Metapelitic granulites intersected from the Coober Pedy Ridge region contain spinel+quartz+cordierite+garnet-bearing assemblages that formed at around 925°C and 6.5kbar on a clockwise-style pressure–temperature (P–T) evolution at approximately 1585Ma. In the adjacent Mabel Creek Ridge region, garnet+sillimanite+biotite+rutile-bearing metapelites record slightly lower temperature conditions of around 850°C and 9kbar at ca. 1600Ma, and underwent near isothermal syn-deformational decompression to ~6kbar by 1580Ma, producing cordierite-bearing assemblages. The minimum duration of granulite facies metamorphism in these two regions is on the order of 20M.y. The age of this high-temperature metamorphism falls within the late Palaeoproterozoic to late Mesoproterozoic ‘UHT gap’ and represents a rare opportunity to investigate the potential role of Mesoproterozoic Australia in the context of the evolution of the Columbia supercontinent.