flinders ranges 4x4 tours

The Ultimate Flinders Ranges Itinerary

Are you planning a South Australia road trip and looking for ideas for your Flinders Ranges self-drive Itinerary?  Maybe you’re wondering how many days you need in the Flinders Ranges?  Will you need a 4×4 for the Flinders Ranges? What are the best things to see in the Flinders Ranges?

With its ancient, rugged mountain ranges, geological history, hidden gorges, aboriginal rock art and abundant wildlife, the Flinders Ranges is one of the most unique and exciting places to visit in all of Australia.  From scenic drives to stunning hikes and peaceful campsites, this is an outdoor adventurers paradise.

We have been travelling Australia for three years in our self-converted campervan.  After having some van troubles on the Oodnadatta Track , we had to skip the Flinders Ranges and head back to Adelaide.  We actually back-tracked almost 3,000km because we heard the Flinders was just that good.  We were not disappointed!

The most famous and most visited part of the Flinders Ranges is the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park.  In this post you’ll learn all the best things to do and find all you need to plan your perfect Flinders Ranges Road Trip Itinerary.

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Getting to the Flinders Ranges

Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park is located in outback South Australia , around 400km north of Adelaide.  The actual Flinders Ranges are much larger, and begin just north of Port Augusta.  

You can drive from Adelaide to the Wilpena Pound (the central hub of the National Park) in a day and the roads are sealed all the way. An Adelaide to Flinders Ranges Road Trip is a great way to spend a week if you just have a short amount of time in South Australia.

Most people will drive on the main highway via Port Augusta and then turn off along the Flinders Ranges Way via Quorn and Hawker.  A less travelled route takes you through the Barossa and Clare Valley wine regions before heading through the farmland around Jamestown, Orroroo and Cradock. 

If you’re coming from the Northern Territory you’ll travel down the Stuart Highway via Coober Pedy to Port Augusta and then turn up the Flinders Ranges Way.  Alternatively, you can travel down the Oodnadatta Track (unsealed) to Marree, then the Outback Highway.  

There are several routes into Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park from the Outback Highway, although they are all un-sealed.  We drove in or out of the park via Parachilna Gorge, Brachina Gorge and the Moralana Scenic Drive.

Getting around

You will need a car to get around the Flinders Ranges, unless you’re planning to join an organised group tour .  If you’re not travelling with your own vehicle, you can hire a car from Adelaide.  Be sure to check the rental agreement to see if you can drive on unsealed roads.

While the main north-south road through the park is sealed, many of the most spectacular sights are along unsealed roads, with varying conditions.  Road conditions also change throughout the season and many roads may be closed after rain.  At times these roads will only be open for 4×4 vehicles.

Flinders Ranges Itinerary Map

Click on the image below to open in Google Maps.

Where to stay in the Flinders Ranges

If you want to stay within the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park, there is the Wilpena Pound Resort which has a variety of camping options (powered and unpowered) along with cabins and lodge style accommodation.

Parks SA runs several “bush camps” that are basic, most with just long-drop toilets.  These cost $11 per person per night.  Be careful if you are booking a bush camp, as some of them are walk-in only!  We stayed at the Dingley Dell Campsite for one night, which was fine.  You can book the Parks SA campsites online .

We stayed outside the National Park for a couple of nights at the Rawnsley Park Station .  This is a working sheep station which also operates as a caravan park/resort.  We stayed in the unpowered, unallocated area, which was really comfortable.  An unpowered site here costs $30 per night.

There is also camping and cabin style accommodation at the Skytrek Willow Springs Station , and Uppalina Station.

The closest free camping to the Flinders Ranges is the Nooltana Creek Rest Area north of Hawker on the Outback Highway.  There is also free camping all along the river at Parachilna Gorge.  

We stayed in one of the closest camps to Blinman as we were driving out of the Flinders Ranges.  The next morning when we continued on towards Parachilna we saw other, much better places to camp.

Flinders Ranges Itinerary

This 5 day Flinders Ranges Itinerary describes a loop from Adelaide, up and through Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park and then back to Adelaide. If you’re on a longer road trip, you could extend your time in the Flinders Ranges, or just drop days 1 and 5 for a 3 day Flinders Ranges Itinerary.

Day 1 – Adelaide to Rawnsley Park Station

Head north from Adelaide via Port Wakefield.  Stop off at Lochiel to check out the pink Lake Bumbunga and the “Loch Eel”.  Sadly every time we’ve driven past this lake the wind has been howling, so we haven’t been able to put the drone up.  We did see a spectacular pink sunset there once though.  There is a great free camp beside the Lochiel Town Hall.

Stop off in Hawker to refill your fuel tank and grab any last minute food supplies you need.  You may also like to visit the Jeff Morgan Gallery to see his panoramic paintings of the Flinders Ranges (along with his rock collections and car memorabilia).

From Hawker you can drive up the Flinders Ranges Way directly to Rawnsley Park Station (sealed road to the Rawnsley Park Turnoff), or take the Moralana Scenic Drive.

Moralana Scenic Drive

The Moralana Scenic Drive is an alternative route into the Flinders Ranges. From Hawker, continue 38km up the Outback Highway towards Parachilna.  You will see the turn off to the right just after the Mern Merna Station turnoff.

This road is unsealed and when we drove it, it was quite corrugated.  We did not let our tyres down, nor did we need to engage 4wd.  There were a few dry river crossings, so definitely check the road conditions if there has been any rain.

The scenery on this drive is spectacular.  If you time it to do this drive in the afternoon, you’ll have great light on the south side of the ridge of the Wilpena Pound.  The gums along the dry river beds are beautiful river gums.

We saw plenty of wildlife on this drive, several kangaroos, beautiful parrots and many emus.  We wanted to get some video footage of the emus running, and eventually saw a dad with two chicks running up the road in front of us. You can check out all the Emu action on our Flinders Ranges YouTube video

Actually we thought it was mum, but we later learned the mother emu lays the eggs and sits on them till they hatch (not eating!), and then the father emu raises the chicks while mum recovers her strength.

The Moralana Scenic Drive re-joins the Flinders Ranges Way just south of Rawnsley Park Station which is where we spent two nights.

Rawnsley Park Station

Rawnsley Park Station was originally settled as a wheat farm in 1851.  In the 1920s the focus changed to sheep farming.  Tourism was originally a side venture but is now the main focus of the Station.  The total area of the station is currently 29,000 acres.

There is a range of accommodation at Rawnsley Park, from luxury Eco-Villas to the unpowered bush camp, which comprises over 4 acres.  There are also basic cabins and accommodations in the homestead.

We stayed in the bush camping area, which is 4 acres of open land, pick your own spot.  It’s a bit of a walk to the amenities building, but the showers are hot and welcome after a big day out in the park.

TIP :  If you’re towing a caravan, we recommend staying at Rawnsley Park Station for two nights, as you’ll want to leave your caravan behind tomorrow for the scenic drives.  Alternatively, you could spend these two nights at Wilpena Pound Resort and Campsite though it’s a little more expensive ($46 vs $30 at Rawnsley for unpowered when we visited in October 2023)

Day 2 – Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park Scenic Drives

Leave your campsite after breakfast and stop off at the Rawnsley Bluff Lookout.  This lookout is outside the boundary of the National Park so we were able to fly our drone and capture some beautiful shots of Rawnsley Bluff.  Mornings are the best time for photography here.

Enter the national park and if you haven’t booked your Parks SA pass online , make your way into Wilpena Pound where you can purchase one over the counter at the Visitor Centre.  The pass costs $13 per vehicle per day (less for concession card holders), or you can buy two-monthly and annual passes online.

Wilpena Pound Resort and Visitor Centre

This is the central hub for the Flinders, and most of the walking trails leave from here.  There is accommodation here, along with a restaurant and small IGA supermarket.  The Visitor Centre here is a great place to get up to date information on the roads and walking trails.

There are several guided tours which leave from here.  We had hoped to do an indigenous culture tour, but there wasn’t one running when we were here.

Cazneaux Tree

This red river gum was made famous by photographer Harold Cazneaux who photographed it in 1937. It’s actually on the National Trust of SA list of significant trees! The photo entitled “Spirit of Endurance” won him international recognition.  

There is a plaque where you can take your own photo.  Fun fact: Harold Cazneaux was the grandfather of famous Australian entrepreneur Dick Smith.

Bunyeroo Gorge Scenic Drive

The scenic drive through Bunyeroo Gorge was one of the highlights of our visit to Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park.  The Bunyeroo Gorge Road is a 30km unsealed road that leads from the Flinders Ranges Way through Bunyeroo Gorge to the Brachina Gorge Road.

The section through the gorge can be a little rough, and when we drove through it was really only suitable for a high-clearance 4×4 vehicle.  There are a few water crossings along here, however the scenery is STUNNING.

If you are driving a 2wd, you would probably be fine to drive the 16km to Razorback Lookout, which is the highlight of the drive anyway.  Check the road conditions with the visitor centre and other travellers before you set off.

The Gorge itself is spectacular.  It’s not incredibly deep (at least not at the beginning) but the colours of the rocky cliffs, the majestic river gums and the rugged remoteness make this one of our favourite places we’ve visited in the whole country.

The Razorback Lookout is the best place in the Flinders Ranges to view the sunrise.  Sadly we didn’t have a great day, with a lot of cloud along the ridge.  The Bunyeroo Lookout is about 1km before the Razorback Lookout.  There is more space here and you can walk around and get  some great photos here.

Brachina Gorge

At the end of the Bunyeroo Gorge Road, you can turn left to drive into and through Brachina Gorge.  Just when we thought the scenery couldn’t get any better, it did. The rock faces in Brachina Gorge display the 650 million years of geological history of the Flinders Ranges.  There is also fossil evidence here of some of the earliest animals on earth.

Stop off at the Scree Slopes and if you’re lucky you might see the rare Yellow-footed Rock wallaby up on the rocky cliffs.  We would have totally missed them, but another couple of travellers stopped us and pointed them out.  We don’t have a Zoom lens for our camera, but this is what we saw through the iPhone.

At the end of the gorge you’ll come to another park exit – if you continue along this road it will take you out to the Outback Highway.   For today, return the way you came and instead of turning back down Bunyeroo Gorge Road, continue along this road to join up with the Flinders Ranges Way.

Stokes Hill Lookout

This is a popular place to watch the sun set behind the mountain ranges.  The road up to Stokes Hill is steep and rocky.  We engaged 4×4 but we did see a number of 2wd cars and vans at the top.  You can’t tow a caravan up here though.

There is a communications tower at the top of Stokes Hill, and you’ll have 360 degree views of the surrounding landscape.  There are several informative sign boards here, along with a relief map showing the Wilpena Pound.

After sunset make your way back to your accommodation and if the sky is clear, try some Astro photography.

Day 3 – Hiking in the Flinders Ranges

If you’re a hiker you will love the Flinders Ranges as there are so many wonderful hikes here.  From short hikes along the river bed at Wilpena Pound, climbing Mt Ohlssen Bagge to the 1200km Heysen Trail.  There’s something for everyone!

We’ve suggested two hikes to enjoy on this day:

Arkaroo Rock Hike

The Arkaroo Rock walk is a 3km loop trail that takes you up to an Aboriginal rock art shelter.  This is a moderate walk, with uneven steps.  The man at the visitor centre told us this was a 45 minute walk, although the sign at the trailhead says 2 hours.  It took us 1hr 15 minutes, and we were moving quite a bit faster than usual, as we wanted to catch a sunset.

This is a significant area for the Adnyamathanha people. In a shelter under a large rock is a collection of rock art paintings telling more of the creation stories of Ikara – which means “meeting place”.  

TIP :  The best time to do the Arkaroo Rock Walk is in the morning, as you’ll have the sun shining onto the face of the ranges as you walk up to the rock art shelter.

Wangara Lookouts Hike

The Wangara Lookouts walk begins and ends at the Wilpena Pound Visitor Centre.  The trail follows a small creek through the Wilpena Pound Gap where you will see huge river gums and lots of bird life.  We were amazed seeing some of the trees which had obviously survived major fire events.  We passed a small waterhole and crossed the creek a couple of times.

You then arrive at the Hills Homestead, which was first built in 1888 and renovated in 1995 to look like the original.  There are signboards on the approach to the homestead which tell the family history of the Hill family coming to Wilpena Pound to farm the land.  They grew wheat here and initially had some success before drought caused them to abandon wheat farming in favour of sheep.

The story is told from the perspective of Jessie Hill, who came to manage the household for her brother as a 12yo.  Alongside Jessie’s story, are stories from Eileen Coulthard, an Adnyamathanha woman from the same time period.  Her story tells how the arrival of European settlers affected their traditional way of life and changed the environment.  We found these stories really moving.

Just past the homestead you’ll see a sculpture of two Aboriginal men.  Make sure you walk around to the back of this sculpture to read the Adnyamathanha creation story about how Wilpena Pound was created.  

There is a shuttle bus that runs from Wilpena Pound Visitor Centre to nearby the Hills Homestead. However, this Shuttle Bus wasn’t running when we were there. Check with the Visitor Centre.

Lookout Extension

From the Homestead, you can take a 700m extension trail which goes straight up hill to a series of lookouts.  This trail is rough and has uneven steps, trekking poles would be helpful here especially if you have weak knees.

It is definitely worth going all the way to the upper lookout. You can see the entire pound from here. If you continue another 50m or so, you’ll reach an unofficial lookout with views back through the Sliding Rock gorge and pound gap.  Just imagine those early settlers driving their stock through this gap!

NOTE:  Some of the hikes in Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park are closed during the hot summer months from 30 November to 1 March.  Check with the Visitor Centre.

While St Mary’s Peak is a popular challenging hike for many walkers, this peak is culturally significant for the indigenous Adnyamathanha people, and they request that you don’t climb this mountain.

After a big day of hiking, you might like to take a scenic flight to see the Flinders Ranges from above.  There are both fixed wing and helicopter flights available from Wilpena Pound or Rawnsley Park Station.  

Following your flight head back to your accommodation.  We chose to spend our third night at the Dingley Dell Bush Camp – which is a basic campsite with drop toilets. 

Day 4 – Ikara-Flinders Ranges to Parachilna Gorge

An early wake up today as you head back up Bunyeroo Gorge for the sunrise at the Razorback Lookout.  This is widely agreed to be the best sunrise spot in the Flinders Ranges.  The parking space at Razorback Lookout is only small, so try to get there early.

There are several other lookouts from Bunyeroo Lookout down to Welsh’s Lookout so you should be able to find space at one.

After sunrise head back the way you came and turn left on the Flinders Ranges Way and head towards Blinman.  On the way you will pass the Great Walls of China, a rock formation along the top of a ridge.  To be honest, we found this sight quite underwhelming!

Blinman is a historic mining town just north of Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park.  Nowadays the population is just 22, but at its peak in the 1860s there were 1500 people living here.  Blinman is noted as South Australia’s highest town.  Blinman is situated at the end of the sealed section of the Flinders Ranges Way road.  

While it’s only a small town, there are quite a few services here, a post office, general store and a great pub.  There is plenty of accommodation here, both in the town and the surrounding area, and this can be a great place to base yourself to explore the Flinders Ranges.

One of the most popular activities in Blinman is the Heritage Mine Tour .  You can take a guided tour through the historic copper mine.  Tours run hourly from 10-3 during the tourist season (April to October) and reduced hours during the off-season (November to March).  Tours cost $35 for adults, with concession and family prices available.

Parachilna Gorge

From Blinman, head west through Parachilna Gorge.  This is another beautiful scenic drive.  There is a lot of free camping available along this gorge, so pick out a good spot as you are driving through.

Parachilna Prairie Hotel

From the outside the Prairie Hotel in Parachilna looks like any outback pub, but step inside and you’ll be forgiven for thinking you’re in a trendy inner city craft brewery in Melbourne or Sydney.  But you don’t come here for the vibe.  You come here for the Feral Platter!

That’s right, the Prairie Hotel serves up all sorts of feral delicacies.  Choose from the grill platter or the Antipasto platter, which features Emu pate, Goat cheese, Kangaroo pastrami and Camel Salami.  

Nigel took one for the team and ate the Feral Antipasto platter – he reports it was great.  Luckily for me, it comes with several plant-based dips and a very generous serve of Ciabatta bread.

The Prairie Hotel is very popular, when we visited there were tour buses arriving for lunch, and a musician playing outside.  Lunch bookings are highly recommended.

After lunch head back into Parachilna Gorge to relax for the afternoon and evening.

Day 5 – Return to Adelaide

You can drive back to Hawker either along the Outback Highway or back down the Flinders Ranges Way. If you came up via Port Augusta and Quorn, you may like to return via Jamestown and the Clare Valley.

If your visit to the Flinders Ranges is part of a longer South Australia road trip, we highly recommend heading out to Arkaroola.

Essential Information for your Flinders Ranges Itinerary

National park pass.

A valid SA Parks Pass is required for entry into Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park.  The pass costs $13 per vehicle per day, and can be purchased online or from the Visitor Centre in Wilpena Pound.  If you’re visiting more than one park or staying in South Australia for a while, you can buy a 2-month or 12-month pass online.

Driving in the Flinders Ranges

The main road through Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park (the Flinder Ranges Way) is sealed all the way through the park and to Blinman.  Many of the side roads through the gorges are unsealed.  You can check up-to-date outback road conditions on the  SA Govt website .

Fuel is available at Hawker, Wilpena Pound, Rawnsley Station and Angorichina Tourist Village (between Blinman and Parachilna). We use the Petrol Spy app to compare fuel prices.

Food and Water

If you are self-catering you’ll find basic supplies at Rawnsley Park Station and there is a small IGA store at Wilpena Pound.  There is a restaurant at Wilpena Pound and the Woolshed Restaurant at Rawnsley Park is supposed to be very good.

Water is available at both Rawnsley Park and Wilpena Pound – check with reception if this is bore water and the quality before drinking

Phone and Internet

We found the phone and internet reception was reliable at Rawnsley Park and Wilpena Pound.  It was almost non-existent everywhere else in the park except for Stokes Hill Lookout where you’ll be right under a tower. As one recent WikiCamps review said “Came for the sunset, stayed for the 4G”

Watch our Flinders Ranges Travel Guide video

Do you need a 4WD for Flinders Ranges?

The short answer is no.  The main road through the National Park is sealed, and you can see a lot of the beautiful scenery without needing to leave the bitumen.  The roads through the gorges are unsealed, and road conditions vary depending on how much rain there has been recently. 

We found the roads in Bunyeroo and Brachina gorges had a few water crossings and rough sections where we put our van into 4×4 to crawl through.  We also used 4×4 to get up Stokes Hill, although we saw 2wd vehicles up there.

You could probably get to Razorback Lookout in Bunyeroo Gorge in a 2wd vehicle.  Your vehicle’s clearance is probably more important than 4×4 – a low clearance vehicle may struggle on some of the unsealed roads.

If you don’t have a 4×4 and want to get the most out of your visit, consider joining one of the guided 4×4 tours from Rawnsley Park Station.

When is the best time to visit the Flinders Ranges?

Summers in the outback can be very hot, so the best time to visit the Flinders Ranges is in the cooler months from May to October.  We visited in mid-October and the weather was really pleasant with temperatures in the low 20s during the day.  Ideal hiking weather.  The evenings were a little chilly though!

How many days do you need for the Flinders Ranges?

Three full days is an ideal amount of time to explore Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park, and the surrounds, making it a 5 day trip to and from Adelaide.

Can I go Mountain Biking in the Flinders Ranges?

The Mawson Trail runs from Blinman to Adelaide, and passes through the Flinders Ranges. Many riders choose to just ride parts of this trail. There is also a 10km loop trail departing from Rawnsley Bluff Trail Head which we rode. However, this trail wasn’t really well marked and we did get a bit lost at one point.

Need help planning your Flinders Ranges Itinerary?

You can post any questions in the comments box below, or send us an email and we will happily get right back to you.

The Flinders Ranges is a definite highlight of our lap of of Australia. We highly recommend visiting this area and spending a good few days marvelling at the natural beauty of this unique part of the country.

Where to next?

We loved outback South Australia, and highly recommend continuing on to Arkaroola Wilderness Sancturary , or maybe even driving along the Oodnadatta Track .

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Flinders Experience 4WD Tours

6 Railway Terrace Quorn, South Australia, 5433

About Flinders Experience 4WD Tours

Paul and Astrid Keen are the owner operators of Flinders Experience 4WD Tours.

Their tours depart any day on demand from Quorn, Hawker, Rawnsley Park Station and Wilpena Pound Resort/campground – and other locations in the Flinders by arrangement.

The 4WD tours offered throughout the Flinders Ranges can be either half, three quarter or full day tours. Tours include the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park and other dirt tracks through the Flinders Ranges as well as many places of interest.

They offer several different tours and will pick you up from your accommodation.

The Flinders Ranges offer endless photographic opportunities and they have a passion for the area they are proud to call home so they are happy to share this knowledge with you. They take a minimum of two and a maximum of four passengers for your comfort and can tailor a tour to suit your specific needs.

Enjoy the tranquility, flora and fauna and the fabulous views from the various lookout points. Tour through the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park and see yellow-footed rock-wallabies in Brachina Gorge.

The Flinders Ranges offers breathtaking scenery and vibrant colours and a tour will give you a great overall understanding of this area.

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Where to find Flinders Experience 4WD Tours

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Tours from $215 per person

T’s & C’s

For ediacaran nilpena national park tours - see our 3 day tour from adelaide with wallaby tracks - click here, phone: (08) 8648 6655, email:  click here.

Flinders Ranges 4wd Day Tours:

“Gorges & More” extenda tour (6 hours) 

$280 per person (min 2 pax)

“Gorges” half day tour (4 hours) 

$215 per person (min 2 pax)

“Central Flinders Highlights” full day (8 hours).  

$345 per person (min 2 pax)

“Arkaroola” (2 day tour) 

$1,450 per person (min 2 pax)

(Incl Ridgetop Tour, Accom & meals)

Departing on demand, any day 

from your accommodation at:

Hawker,   Rawnsley Park Station,  

Wilpena Pound Resort 

**Quorn and other locations by arrangement

**When departing from Quorn or other locations there is a slightly different itinerary

If you would like to book a private tour for 2 passengers only - 

you can do so by paying a 3 person price

Click on the tour name to see itinerary and further details.

( ⬆︎ Our most popular tour ⬆︎ )

"experience the area we are proud to call our home and allow us to share with you our passion for the amazing flinders ranges" - , flinders experience team, experience the tranquility, the heritage, the flora and fauna, the views, the history and the wildlife., experience the flinders with a unique, unforgettable, exhilarating 4wd tour  , tel 08 8648 6655, flinders experience tours, hawker, , south australia, 5434  , [email protected], *”flinders experience 4wd tours” is a product range of , wallaby tracks adventure tours .

RIDGETOP TOUR

The arkaroola 4wd ridgetop tour.

T he Ridgetop Tour is an unforgettable experience, showcasing timeless terrain and natural beauty of the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary

Travelling in a specially constructed open-top 4WD,  passengers are taken on a guided tour of some of the most spectacular rugged country on earth. Experienced tour guides share their knowledge of Arkaroola's 1600-million-year geological history as they navigate the steep slopes and hair raising ascents of the famous Ridgetop Track. 

Travelling through the oldest parts of the Flinders Ranges, home to plants found nowhere else, you will explore the ancient granite mountains and hillsides covered in native bush. Several lookouts along the way offer breath-taking vistas of the vast and humbling expanse of the ranges. Take a tea break while drinking in the magnificent ring of saw-toothed Freeling Heights fringing the Mawson Plateau. See the jaw-dropping 1000m deep Yudnamutana Gorge, the plains and Lake Frome salt lake. And don't worry- the descent back to the village is just as much of an adventure as the way up!

Looking for a different way to experience the Ridgetop Track? Our Ridgetop Sleepout Tour gives you the opportunity to spend a night under the stars on top of the Ridge. Find out more, here .

• 4.5 hour Ridgetop 4WD Tour
• Morning or afternoon tea
• Expert Guide
• Live commentary  
• Adult $195.00

+61 8 8648 4848

Res @ arkaroola.com.au, 2948 arkaroola rd 5701 arkaroola village.

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Essential Flinders Ranges Travel Guide

The southern and northern Flinders Ranges have to be seen to be believed. This detailed guide is a must for any traveller to this ancient landscape.

We know you love RVing, but how do you feel about geology? More to the point, what does one have to do with the other? Well, in the southern and northern Flinders Ranges, it’s all about geology, otherwise known as really cool, and seriously old, rock formations.

STARTING A FLINDERS RANGES ADVENTURE

Most RVers will access Flinders from Port Augusta. A visit to the Wadlata Outback Centre is a must to pick up the 4WD Tracks & Repeater Towers map, the Flinders Ranges & Outback Visitor Guide , information on entry and camping fees for Ikara-Flinders Ranges NP and   Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges NP , and private stations along the way that offer camping (and sometimes 4WDing).  

Fill water tanks and stock up on fuel and all supplies in town before departing.

We begin with Ikara-Flinders Ranges NP because it comes first driving via Hawker. Rawnsley Park Station is just to the south of the park’s boundary and plenty of RVers enjoy staying there with a larger van. However, basing yourself right in the park at Wilpena provides easy access to all those wonderful walks, day trips and outstanding wildlife viewing.

There is an information centre, a small shop and cafe, and a swimming pool at the resort. The bushwalking is outstanding, especially in Wilpena Pound; you can even walk or mountain bike a section of the Heysen Trail or the Mawson Trail. If you prefer a more secluded camping experience, there are several NP campgrounds along the Brachina Gorge Geological Trail and the drive through Bunyeroo Valley.

One terrific spot is at Brachina East with Brachina Creek probably-not-running beside it and a mob of rare (and shy) yellow-tailed rock wallabies living across the creek.  

For a short drive, head back to the park’s entrance, turning north and then south. Watch for the 300-year-old Cazneaux Tree to the left with an information plaque. The turn-off for Sacred Canyon will be on the right within 1km; this is a 28km unsealed drive to a car park with an information plaque and a walk up a creek bed to see some Adnyamathanha petroglyphs.

EXPLORING BRACHINA GORGE

For a full-day 4WD or AWD tour, pick up a copy of the Brachina Gorge Geological Trail at Wilpena (serious geologists can also download a more academic booklet ). Four kilometres up the main road is a turn-off to Brachina and Bunyeroo; ignore this as it is better to return this way.  

Continue north-west, stopping to take in Hucks Lookout and Stockes Hill Lookout. Oraparinna is 6km on, and there is camping 2km further at Dingley Dell .  

It is another 6km to the start of the actual Brachina Gorge Geological Trail, where you’ll find an information bay. From here on, you are moving forward in geological time with postings at numerous locations explaining the astonishing rock formations: they are all worth a stop.

The trail continues for 25km, crossing Brachina Creek several times, and with a number of places to camp including Youngoona , Trezona , Brachina East and Teamsters . The track is easy, but caution is still required, especially along the creek beds (which will probably be dry). More than anything, be sure to take in that scenery wrapping around you like a panoramic landscape painting. The trail ends at the boundary of the national park.

Backtrack for 1km to the Wilkawillina information sign; on the right of the creek bed are several huge river boulders. If you look closely and pour some water over the rock, you’ll see 520-million-year-old marine life fossils ‘magically’ appear.

Looking at the gorge walls rising above, this has to be one of the scenic wonders of South Australia. At another 8km, still backtracking, turn south towards Bunyeroo Gorge. This drive drops and bends and climbs its way for 30km along the east slopes of the Heysen Range and through the Bunyeroo Valley with a number of abrupt pullouts to spectacular scenic lookouts, and to the start of various walks including a 7.5km return hike to Bunyeroo Gorge.  

Campgrounds include Cambrian and Acramen . This gorgeous drive ends at the main road you started on, with another 5km south to the Wilpena turn-off.  

HEADING NORTH

After taking time to enjoy all that the Flinders Ranges has to offer, especially a must-do walk in the Pound, you can proceed north to Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges and Arkaroola (the Gammon Ranges are also known as the Northern Flinders Ranges).

Your choice is 152km of a gravel road from Wilpena to Balcanoona, or 158km of sealed road from Hawker to Copley, with another 97km of gravel road to Balcanoona.

Let’s take the short way. If you have time for a couple of nights of camping and the six-hour 4WD Skytrek trail at Willow Springs Homestead , then you’ll find the access track 15km north of the Wilpena turn-off (phone first to book). The junction to Arkaroola is 22km from the Wilpena turn-off, turn right and continue for 36km to the northeast; expect numerous dips, jump-ups, creek crossings, corrugation and dust.

At the Arkaroola/Martins Well junction, turn north and drive for 52km. There will be a sign on the right indicating 9km to Chambers Gorge with tent camping and a walk up to a major Adnyamathanha rock art site. The road narrows through Wearing Gorge with plenty of dips and bends, then continues east for another 20km to a junction where you will turn north.

If the wind is blowing across the 32km of road through this open plain, be ready for choking clouds of white powder-dust; things tend to settle down once you reach the Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges NP boundary.

The Balcanoona park headquarters is 6km along on the right; be sure to stop here if you want to do some camping and 4WDing in the park. Basic camping grounds with pit toilets, or no toilets, are available in the park, though you can return to Balcanoona for a shower.

This park demands self-sufficiency, a 4WD and a thorough look at the Bushwalking, Camping and 4WD sections of the NP website.

The scenery is spectacular—and if you yearn to experience the area but prefer a few creature comforts and guided 4WD tours, head up the road to sensational Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary . It is 29km along with access on the way to sites in the national park including the 5km track to Weetootla Gorge campground and hike, and the 17km track to Grindells Hut and campground with two gorge hikes and the Wortupa Loop 4WD track.

And then there you are at Arkaroola. There is accommodation at the village, or you can set up at the campground on the top of a perpetually windy hill (bush camping is also available in designated areas).

The ragged terrain may appear desolate and barren, but look closer and find rocks sparkling with veins of quartz, tourmaline and malachite, not to mention creek beds littered with amethysts, rubies and sapphires.

Everything about Arkaroola is fascinating. The owners, Margaret and Doug, are the daughter and son of Reg and Griselda Sprigg, a couple whose life story would make an impossible-to-believe romance/adventure novel. Margaret is a geologist, like her father, and Doug is an astronomer as well as a pilot and diesel mechanic.

They offer scenic flights over Lake Eyre, guided or self-guided waterhole tours and walks, tagalong or self-guided 4WD tours, the thrilling (guided only) 4WD Ridgetop tour, geology talks and walks, astronomy tours of the sky in one of the three observatories… or you can just camp and drive on your own.

Once you have checked in at the village, caught up with what there is to do, and picked up route notes for all the tracks, a great introductory four-wheel-drive (rated easy by Arkaroola) is out to Nooldoonooldoona Waterhole with a stop afterwards at Bolla Bollana Spring to look for yellow-footed rock wallabies in the late afternoon.

Book in for the guided 4WD Ridgetop Tour: a buckling roller-coaster ride in slow motion with passengers seated at the back of an open Toyota being tossed into the laps of complete strangers (this can be good or bad, depending on the lap).

If the Ridgetop Tour gets you revved up enough to do an extreme track on your own, and if you are totally sure of your skills, you have a high-clearance 4WD with low range, two spares and full recovery gear, then go to reception to find out about the Echo Camp Backtrack.  

The Backtrack is also available as a guided or tagalong tour, which is a good option for those of us happy to admit we aren’t up to doing it on our own.

By now you will have eaten enough dust and ridden enough corrugations to make you want to go home, or simply keep going. Back down the road from Arkaroola, turn west on unsealed Copley Road and drive 99km to access Copley, Leigh Creek and sealed B83.

Better yet, turn north-east on Copley Road for 98km to join the Strzelecki Track leading to sensational Innamincka, Coongie Lakes, the road to Birdsville… these are temptations beyond enduring and the boss may simply have to do without you for a bit longer.

On the other hand, maybe it’s time to retire. Oh, and when passing through Copley, be sure to stock up on rock cakes at the Copley Bush Bakery & Quandong Café.

– Images: Steven David Miller/Natural Wanders

Hawker, Leigh Creek, Wilpena and Arkaroola have fuel and limited supplies.  

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Emprise Posted on October 26 2023

The Flinders Ranges' Best 4WD Tracks

The Flinders Ranges is a scenic spectacle and a veritable four-wheel drive destination — its ancient landscapes are home to some standout 4WD tracks and excellent views.

1. Mount Jacob Backtrack

The Northern Flinders Ranges is replete with rippling ranges and rocky red tracks, particularly around  Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary , outside of Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park. The Mount Jacob Backtrack combines stunning mountain vistas with steep climbs and technical driving, delivering travellers to multiple lookouts and other attractions along an adventurous drive.

Heading off from Arkaroola Road around 12km south of Arkaroola Village, the track intersects with Mount Jacob Mine, which sits at the foot of Mount Jacob. The drive heads north to Tillite Gorge and picturesque Barraranna Gorge, and a detour to Arkaroola Springs is also in the offing. Along the way, travellers are treated to different sections of the range, each one awe-inspiring in its own way. 

2. Brachina Gorge to Bunyeroo Valley

The trip through Brachina Gorge and the Bunyeroo Valley is perhaps the most scenic drive in the entire Flinders Ranges. Coursing through gaps in jagged quartzite mountains — most notably the Heysen Range — the trip unfolds with one stunning vista after another in a steady procession.

The area is geologically significant too, with its majestic ranges and Wilpena Pound showcasing over 500 million years of history through their risen layers of rock. With this in mind, the drive through the gorges and valleys of this area takes on an additional significance; age and beauty coming together in a way that only nature can deliver.

3. Mount Gill Track

Combining classic elements of the Flinders Ranges along a quiet four-wheel drive track, the Mount Gill Track is the jewel of Warraweena Conservation Park. A slow drive along a dry creek bed turns into an undulating ridgetop trail, with rocky hill climbs and various lookouts serving as ideal vantage points to appreciate the topography of the ranges that roll to the horizon. Warraweena presides over some of the highest peaks in the Flinders Ranges, meaning it’s even possible to catch sight of Lake Frome to the east from various lookouts.

The track can be accessed through Warraweena Conservation Park and has a fee attached, with camping available within the park as well. 

4. Nuccaleena Ruins

Beginning west of Angorichina Village (near Parachilna and The Outback Highway) and then striking north through gaps in the North Flinders Ranges, the looped drive to and from Nuccaleena Ruins is an enthralling one. Those heading from Parachilna will first head through Parachilna Gorge, a place of stunning beauty that’s inspired countless landscape artists to take their canvas and palette into outback South Australia.

The final section of the track breaks off towards the Nuccaleena Ruins and Nuccaleena Mine, which was in operation for less than a decade after copper was found in the area in the 1850s. The ruins themselves are set amongst the hills and make for a charming scene, with bush camping available for those who want to spend the night.

The loop can be done as a day trip, with the drive heading from Public Access Route 3 to 4 as it comes back through the ranges heading southeast towards Blinman, giving a new twist to the mountain scenery that looms on either side.

5. Lake Frome

Adjoining the eastern extents of Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park is Lake Frome, a 100km-wide salt pan that bleeds into the Strzelecki Desert. The lake rarely holds water and is said to have been drained by the Rainbow Serpent after he came down Arkaroola Creek to drink. Upon filling his belly with the water from the lake — ‘Mudna’ to the local Adnyamathanha people — Akurra the Rainbow Serpent created deep gullies with his wide and heavy form as he left the area.

The journey to Lake Frome starts in the range country of Balcanoona then barrels east, the landscape changing from folded peaks to semi-arid plains and then red dune country, all within a 38km trip that transitions at heady speed. The track crosses the Dog Fence and a natural gas pipeline on the way, and no access is allowed after 3pm daily. On the trip back, visitors can head deeper into Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park, with excellent camping options at Balcanoona Gorge or the Italowie Gap bush camp.

At Hema Maps, we strive to provide the   most comprehensive and accurate maps and guides for outdoor enthusiasts   looking to explore Australia's natural wonders.

Did you find this information useful? If so, please share it with your fellow explorers. Whether it's by SMS, social media, or email, your friends and fellow adventurers will appreciate the valuable tips and insights we've shared. Let's work together to make the most of every adventure. 

awsome is the only way to decribe

I am an adventure motorcycle rider and would love a detailed map of the area, the book is a bit big for us to strap on. Please inform me if such a map exists.

WOULD LIKE ALL THE INFORMATION ON THESE TRACKS

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Journey to the heart of the Flinders Ranges

A 4x4 tour through the spectacular flinders ranges offers a rich tapestry of modern and ancient history.

We were back in amongst the ranges and I couldn’t be happier.

With permission from a friend, who had given us approval to camp on her property, we poked along the Glass Gorge Road north of the historic town of Blinman.

The town owes its existence to the discovery of copper back in 1859 and while there were many other discoveries of that ore in the surrounding hills and valleys, Blinman managed to survive longer and more substantially than most.

Today there’s a pub offering camping and accommodation, a nearby café, and the Blinman Underground Experience, which is a tour of the old mine workings, and well worth doing.

When we passed through the café and pub were doing a roaring trade with parking near impossible to find in the short main street. It was the busiest I’ve ever seen the town, so with that we drove on, getting our permission to camp before wandering on through the low rugged ramparts of Glass Gorge.

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Just off the road we checked out a small, ‘interesting’ monument which is, by all accounts, a signpost to another universe. While I’m not saying I understood any of what the small marble monument was about (or its website: kcymaerxthaere.com ), it does indicate that there are people out there on a different planet to me and I guess, most of us. In all, there are 12 of these installations in Australia with more than 143 spread around the world.

A short distance further along the road we turned off and followed a creekbed deeper into the hills and stopped at a wide bend in the dry gravel and called it ‘camp’ for the next few days.

Into the Flinders

Our travels through the Flinders Ranges had started a few days earlier when we had turned off the Strzelecki Track and headed across the low undulating rocky plain bordering the very northern fringes of the range.

Mt Hopeless, the most northern point of the Flinders, was barely discernible in amongst the other gibber-strewn low hills and bumps that make up this section of the ranges, and we crossed a succession of braided streams that emanated from these high points, but they only flow with life-giving water on the rare occasions that heavy rains fall over the countryside. And while the country was looking pretty good from recent downpours the creeks, as per normal, were dry.

As we headed south the ranges drew ever closer, and became more rugged and appealing near the Balcanoona Homestead, which is now the headquarters of the Gammon Ranges NP. We turned into the mountains and followed the good dirt road to Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary .

This low-key resort lies tucked in amongst the ranges just north of the national park in some of the most rugged mountain country you can see and experience in Australia.

This trip was an entirely different experience to our last adventure here when the country was gripped in a long-lasting, seemingly never-ending drought. The low-lying scrub which had been withered and dead was now green while the trees that had survived the years of drought looked fresh and vibrant. The nearby creeks were still trickling water while long pools of still water lay in amongst the protected glens of the hills.

Arkaroola to Mount Chambers Gorge

After setting up camp in an out of the way spot, but still close to the main resort area, we opted for a Ridgetop Tour , one of the highlights of a visit to Arkaroola. We’ve been here many times before and have done the tour at least a half-dozen times but it is a journey and a learning experience we never tire of.

After driving through the expansive and craggy country where the Mawson Plateau and the Freeling Heights overlook the separate peaks of The Armchair, Mt Gee, Humanity Seat and Mt Painter, to name just a few, we arrived at Sillers Lookout.

From this eyrie-like spot there were sweeping views to the east that took in the headwaters of Mt Painter Creek and its radioactive source, along with East Painter Gorge and out onto the distant flat plains, where the white expanse of Lake Frome glistened in the evening light.

After a couple of nights at Arkaroola we headed south and turned off the main dirt road and took the lesser track into Mount Chambers Gorge. For the first time in a long time, we splashed through a couple of shallow, trickling creek crossings before pulling up at the track’s end near a low bluff overlooking the wide creek bed.

A short walk from here and up a narrow feeder creek leads to what we consider to be the best Aboriginal rock art site that is open to the public in the whole of the Flinders Ranges . The petroglyphs here predate painted art, the artists long ago having chiselled their markings into the solid canvas of the rockface. There are hundreds of simple designs and motifs to be seen, indicating a once rich and vibrant society. A sign nearby gives an indication of what the markings represent, adding to the experience.

Public access

We bumped back along the track and, once on the more major road, we headed to Blinman and our creek camp. The next day we headed out on the Public Access Route (a unique SA arrangement that allows access through selected pastoral properties to points of interest) to the historic Artimore ruins.

It was a slow, jarring trip and we appreciated the stop at the ruins to soak in the history and ambience of the place

The once prosperous Artimore sheep station lies in a secluded valley dominated by the pyramid shaped, ragged summit of Patawarta Hill. The peak was made famous in Hans Heysen’s famous 1929 painting The Land of the Oratunga ; the original oil on canvas now displayed at the Art Gallery of South Australia.

The track that runs to the valley, the ruins and on through Hannigan Gap is normally in reasonable condition, with no big challenges for a well set-up 4x4 vehicle, but the recent rains the area had been subjected to meant that the track was crossed by numerous small but sharp run-off gullies, while the bigger creeks had steep and eroded banks.

It was a slow, jarring trip and we appreciated the stop at the ruins to soak in the history and ambience of the place, the property once running in excess of 100,000 sheep, and taking in the surrounding views of hills including, of course, Patawarta Hill.

Sadly, as in many places in the Flinders, especially in the Flinders Ranges NP a little further south, native cypress pine is making a comeback, smothering the open glens and valleys in a sea of sticks, and depriving the area of one of its many attractions. Declared an invasive weed in many areas of Australia, there’s no such luck in South Australia, and the bloody pine has run rampant wherever Aboriginal traditional burning or sheep grazing has been stopped.

Once north of the ruins, the track passes through picturesque country before zig zagging through Hannigan Gap and passing to the south of Moolooloo Hill. A short time later the main access road to Moolooloo homestead is reached and then the Glass Gorge Road and our campsite, the trip being a leisurely day jaunt.

After bidding farewell to our travelling companions of the last few weeks, we headed south, passing through the Flinders Ranges NP.

Here we took one of the most spectacular drives in the country through Bunyeroo Gorge and then Brachina Gorge; this is a drive not to be missed and even though we have done it literally dozens of times, it never loses its natural attraction nor its visual appeal.

On the blacktop for a short distance, we went searching for the rather spectacular grave of Douglas Bruce, who is buried just off the main road north of Hawker. Killed when his horse fell on him back in 1873, his friends erected his impressive tomb close to Wonoka Creek in an area that was more crowded then than it is today. Near Bruce’s grave are another couple of grave sites, but when the town of nearby Wonoka was abandoned those graves were re-interred in Adelaide.

Scattered through the nearby hills that make up the Flinders, away from the central spine of the range, are more lonely graves, townsites and the crumbling ruins of farms that once promised so much in good seasons but died when the more normal dry times returned.

Further west along Wonoka Creek is the site of the small town of Hookina, which was established in the late 1850s on the route between the copper mines around Blinman and Port Augusta on the coast. By the time the town was surveyed in 1862 it was already home to a blacksmith shop and a 12-room inn, where sometimes more than a hundred bullock teams would camp thanks to the good nearby water supply.

The pub closed in 1896 when the town was bypassed by the railway, at which point Wonoka came into existence just a few miles away. Not far from the ruins is yet another lonely set of graves.

A harsh history

From the crossroads at Wonoka you can head further west and then skirt the western edge of the range before you finally hit civilisation and the blacktop near Port Augusta. Or you can be like us on this latest trip, and head south on what is Bobby’s Creek Road, passing even more deserted homesteads. Some of these, such as the Wild Dog Glen ruins, are close to the road and cry out for a little more exploration.

The route south crosses Kanyaka Creek and then comes to the scattered ruins of Simmonston, another failed venture of the 1870s when the country was opened up for wheat farming, although Simmonston was established in preparation for the railway, which ended up passing further to the east at the now deserted township of Gordon.

Swinging south-west at Simmonston, we stopped at Hugh Proby’s grave, who died near here while mustering a mob of spooked cattle in a flooded Willochra Creek. Earlier in 1851, Proby had taken up a number of leases totalling over 26,000ha which was the start of the famous Kanyaka run. Today, the expansive ruins of the homestead, which had grown in size to 94,500ha and employed over 70 families, lie just off the main Quorn-Hawker road and are well worth a visit.

After a brief stop to pay our respect to poor old Proby, we pushed on, the dirt road improving as we neared our destination for the night. Warren Gorge has been a favourite of mine since I used to go wandering and rabbit shooting out this way as a kid and today it makes for a favoured campsite.

It’s popular with the touring crowd too, and progress has seen a few fences erected to protect the environment, a small fee introduced for overnight camping, along with the addition of toilets and the odd fireplace.

Despite these amenities, nothing can take away the sheer grandeur of the rugged red bluffs that tower over the small creek, while in the early morning or late evening the occasional yellow-footed rock wallabies come out of their rocky fastness to feed on the grass beside the creek. Such moments are pure magic.

On nearby private properties, there are a number of 4x4 trails that take you through some of the most spectacular country in the region, and to the top of Mount Arden, first named by Matthew Flinders from his ship, when anchored at the head of Spencer Gulf in 1802.

We skipped these exciting adventures this trip, choosing instead to revel in the serenity and solitude of the ranges before heading south to more settled regions, but we know we’ll always return to the heart of the Flinders.

Five essential stops

Camp at arkaroola and take the ridgetop tour.

It’s a rough and jarring ride in the back of a LandCruiser ute, but the view from Sillers Lookout makes it all worth it. See www.arkaroola.com.au for details.

Explore the rock art of Mount Chambers Gorge

The petroglyphs chiselled into the rock walls at Mount Chambers Gorge are several thousands of years old and are some of the best rock art in the Flinders Ranges.

Enjoy a tour underground at the Blinman Mine

The Blinman underground experience offers a journey into the heart of the historic copper mine led by experienced guides and with music and light boxes. See heritageblinmanmine.com.au for details.

Drive the Bunyeroo-Brachina Gorges circuit

To see some of the most spectacular geology, flora and fauna of the Flinders Ranges, a drive through the Bunyeroo and Brachina gorges is not to be missed.

05 Explore the area around Quorn and Warren Gorge

The impressive and imposing Warren Gorge is just 21km from Quorn and has bush camping with pit toilets. Register in Quorn or at the gate (cash only).

Public Access Routes

Public Access Routes (PARs) are unique to South Australia, providing access through selected private pastoral lands to various points of interest in the Flinders Ranges, including Artimore ruins. Take a look at www.4wdsa.asn.au/?page=pars for details.

• Flinders Ranges adventure: Episode 1
• Exploring the Flinders Ranges, SA (Part 1): 4x4 Adventure Series
• Touring the Flinders Ranges and Oodnadatta Track

Flinders Ranges National Park Tours & Vacations

From the weathered peaks to the rocky gorges, getting lost in the magic of the Flinders Ranges is easy.  

The Flinders Ranges were created over 800 million years ago and take out the top spot for the largest mountain range in  South Australia.  They have always been home to the traditional owners, the Adnyamathanha people. Listen to their fascinating creation stories of breathtaking landscapes and amazing wildlife. Explore a whole heap of geological wonders along the way. Take in the beauty of Ikara, cool off in the Blinman Pools, or hike through Dutchmans Stern. Adventuring through the Flinders Ranges  is a one-of-a-kind experience you’ll never forget on our tours and holidays. 

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South Australia Outback Adventure

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• Flinders & North SA

3-day Flinders Ranges and Outback Small Group Tour

Description

Other services, flinders ranges and outback adventure tour.

This is an exciting, small group tour in the famous Flinders Ranges.

You will see the incredible rock formation of Wilpena Pound and the Ranges themselves. This tour includes an abundance of wildlife, wilderness, local aboriginal artworks and culture as well as multiple accommodation options, from sleeping under the stars, camping in a tent to luxury eco villas.

The tour includes: Flinders Ranges National Park, Mambray Creek National Park, the historic outback town of Quorn, Warrens Gorge Conservation Park, the Willochra Plains, Ancient Aboriginal Art Sites, Rawnsley Park Station, Wilpena Pound, Elder Ranges, Bunyeroo and Brachina Gorges, Melrose (the oldest town in the Flinders Ranges) and the Clare Valley for wine tasting.

You’ll search for the rare Yellow Footed Rock Wallaby, see an abundance of Kangaroos, Emus and Wedge Tailed Eagles, visit ancient Aboriginal cave paintings, meet the locals and enjoy camp fires and camp cooking.

Tour highlights:

• Quorn/Old Ghan Railway Station
• Warren Gorge Conservation Park
• Flinders Ranges National Park
• Wilpena Pound (Ikara)
• Brachina Gorge
• Ediacaran fossils
• Bunyeroo Gorge
• Clare Valley
• Bushwalking (optional)

Included in the Small Group Tour:

• Complimentary pick-up and drop off in Adelaide
• Professional, accredited tour guide/driver
• Comfortable air-conditioned vehicle
• 2 x lunches, 2 x breakfasts, dinners and one lunch at own cost
• All site visits as per the itinerary
• 2 x nights' accommodation 
• Prices quoted are for standard motel rooms. (Superior double/ Twin room 2795 p.p AUD or Superior Single room 2895 AUD)

Not included in the tour:

• Travel insurance
• Anything not mentioned in 'included'

Slow Tours offers a number of other Tours in the Australia Pacific Reg ion

Adelaide Pick up to Flinders Ranges

Commence your wilderness journey heading north via the old coastal towns of Port Wakefield and Port Germein, which boasts the longest wooden jetty in the Southern Hemisphere. During the safari your Tour Guide will introduce you to a remarkable and resilient history of both Aboriginal and white settlement in S.A.

Be amazed by the beauty of the Southern Flinders Ranges, 600 million year old mountain peaks and spectacular views over Spencer Gulf. Travel through the picturesque Pichi Richi Pass to the historic township of Quorn. With its typical outback buildings and the original Ghan Railway station, Quorn has been the setting for many iconic Australian films.

Follow in the path of our early explorers driving to Warren Gorge Conservation Park to search for rare and elusive Yellow-Footed Rock Wallabies. Dramatic rock outcrops harbour these endangered wallabies with only an estimated 8,000 living in the wild. Sit back in the comfortable, fully equipped 4WD vehicle as we head along the remote tracks through the deserted Willochra Plains where eagles soar and emus run free. Meals: (L) (D). Accommodation near Wilpena Pound (Picnic lunch included, dinner at own expense)

Flinders Ranges

This morning after a hearty breakfast, our expert guide will drive you on a wonderful journey to the spectacular Bunyeroo Gorge, visiting secluded areas of great natural beauty. Explore the ever changing creek beds of Brachina Gorge. This is an area alive with wildlife and boasts a remarkable geological history including Ediacaran fossils dating back millions of years. World-renowned South Australian painter, Sir Hans Heysen was inspired by this country and painted many of his landscapes here.

After a scrumptious picnic lunch, immerse yourself in the ancient landscape. Take that special photograph from Razor Back Lookout or just enjoy some of the most spectacular outback scenery Australia has to offer. Wildlife including Kangaroos, Emus and Wedge tailed Eagles are prolific in this rugged terrain and are usually spotted in abundance in the late afternoon. Meals: (Breakfast included, lunch included, dinner at own epense) Accommodation near Wilpena Pound

Options: 1) Self-guided early morning bushwalk following the tree-lined creek beds to Wangara Lookout. 2) Wilpena Pound Scenic Flights. (Please contact us for details)

Come along on an early morning bush walk that will take us to a rock art site, extremely significant to the Adnyamathanha. Aboriginal people have been present here for thousands of years and have left artwork in the overhangs of the cliffs.

Spend a relaxing morning travelling back to Adelaide along the Eastern side of the magnificent Flinders Ranges with its mighty Red Gum forests. The land will change into lush expanses of natural rural beauty as we head south. Enjoy a break in the world-famous Clare Valley wine region.

No doubt you will leave with life-long memories to share with family and friends about your journey to the Flinders Ranges & Outback Australia. Meals: (Breakfast included, lunch at own expense)

Tours marked with are special prices.

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In Small Group Tours , you could also check out these tours

3-Day SA Riverland, Murray River & National Parks – Small Group 4WD Eco Safari

Flinders Ranges & Arkaroola 5-day Small Group Tour

North Island's Coasts & Culture Tour 7 Days (Wellington to Auckland)

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4WD Self-drive Tours

Make your own adventure by following the region’s spectacular 4WD tracks.

Arkapena Self-drive Track – 4WD

Explore neighbouring Arkapena Station from the comfort of your own vehicle. You’ll get to explore picturesque station tracks, creek-beds, fences and the pristine Chace and ABC Ranges. Duration: 4.5 hours 4WD.  Please note that both the Yellow and Red tracks are 4WD only.

• 4WD Cost per vehicle: To do both Yellow and Red tracks $65 (plus $10 refundable key deposit). Yellow track only $55 per vehicle
• Download the Self-drive Track Map here

• Travel blog
• The ultimate Flinders Ranges Itinerary

The Ultimate Flinders Ranges Itinerary

17 JUN 2024

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HIT THE ROAD WITH OUR MUST-DO ITINERARY through the best of the Flinders Ranges.

See the rugged ridges of Bunyeroo Valley and the ancient ramparts of Wilpena Pound on a road trip through South Australia’s  Flinders Ranges . Embark on an unforgettable journey through this timeless land and discover rich Aboriginal cultural sites, outback towns that appear frozen in time and sprawling national parks just waiting to be explored. 

Where to stay

Jacka brothers brewery.

Ease into your Flinders Ranges adventure with a night in the region's oldest town, Melrose . Nestled below the stunning   Mount Remarkable , this tranquil town is home to the heritage-listed Jacka Brothers Brewery , an almost 150-year-old site that has been lovingly restored to include accommodation, function spaces and a taphouse. The original bottling shed has been converted into the Brewery Guesthouse - a boutique B&B perfect for small groups of travellers and those looking to soak up the region's rich history.

Rawnsley Park Station

Located a five-hour drive from Adelaide , Rawnsley Park Station is a mainstay of the Flinders Ranges. With a range of accommodation options to suit all budgets, keen road-trippers can set up camp and stretch their legs in the caravan park, while luxe travellers can wash the red dust off in an Eco Villa - complete with bathtub and over-bed skylights. After a day on the road, watch the sun set over the horizon and let the sounds of the bush lull you to sleep.

Wilpena Pound Resort

In the heart of Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park , you'll find Wilpena Pound Resort . Here, craggy mountain ranges appear close enough to touch, and blue expanses of sky stretch overhead, bringing nature right to your doorstep. The star of this outback haven is the Ikara Safari Tents - combining the creature comforts of a hotel room with awe-inspiring views of Wilpena Pound, these weather-proof tents take glamping to the next level.

Where to eat and drink

The woolshed restaurant.

What first began as a camp-oven 'Aussie tea' at Rawnsley Park Station in the 1990s, quickly turned into one of the region's most iconic dining experiences. Today, The Woolshed Restaurant remains a must-do gourmet destination in the Flinders Ranges. With a focus on local produce (including the station's home-grown lamb), this shearing-shed turned restaurant serves up hearty meals alongside magnificent views of Wilpena Pound and surrounds.

THE PRAIRIE HOTEL

Ever eaten emu liver parfait? How about kangaroo tail or a goat steak? After working-up an appetite exploring Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park, hit the road for an hour before arriving at the Prairie Hotel : a quintessential outback pub with a few surprises up its sleeve. Listed as one of the top 100 gourmet experiences in Australia, the Prairie Hotel have artfully married the fine and feral. From a 'feral antipasto' featuring roo pastrami, to a feral feast banquet with a selection of quirky cuts, the Prairie is Australia's most bizarre dining destination. Writers tip:  A must-try is the goat curry and pakoras. Don't let the classic country pub exterior fool you - their food is just as delectable as any inner-city tapas bar.

If you can't get enough of the food at the Prairie, consider booking one of their very comfortable rooms on your next trip to the Flinders. We won't judge you for spending your whole trip at the Prairie's restaurant — it really is that good. 

Flinders Food Co

Fuel up on delicious coffee, brunch and boutique beer and cider at this bustling outback eatery. Flinders Food Co in Hawker is the love child of owners Doogal and Louise. Flinders Food Co wouldn't look out of place if you stumbled across it in Adelaide, but in one of the most remote parts of the state, this modern shopfront is an urban oasis. With a keen interest in showcasing native ingredients, the pair are also the creators of the famous Qandong Soda - a drink made from native Qandong fruit, handpicked on Adnamatna land and served in the Flinders Food Co beer garden.

Mountain biking with Experience Melrose

Cyclists: say goodbye to weekday traffic and hello to red-dirt trails that weave through ancient hills and valleys. Luckily, you don't need to be a professional pedaller to explore the Flinders Ranges by bike - Experience Melrose offers a range of mountain biking tours for even the most uncoordinated rider, encouraging travellers to break the drive and gain a new perspective on Melrose's natural surrounds. Marvel at ancient red gums and catch a glimpse of kangaroos, as you pedal around the base of Mount Remarkable - before grabbing a cuppa at local cafe and bike shop,  Over the Edge .  Writers tip:  This place has some amazing vegan treats for your morning tea needs! 

Watch the sun rise along Bunyeroo Valley Road

Wake up before the sun rises, fill your thermos and drive to Bunyeroo Valley Road in Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park. This stunning 600-million-year-old stretch of land was once on the bottom of the ocean. Now it’s arguably the best place in the Flinders Ranges to watch the sun rise above deep red ravines and towering cliffs. Snap some pics, then sit back and take it all in.

Embark on an Aboriginal cultural tour

The Flinders Ranges and Outback are of immense cultural significance for the Adnyamathanha people who have lived in the Flinders Ranges for tens of thousands of years. Join one of Wilpena Pound Resort's   Aboriginal cultural walks and discover ancient rock art, voyage into timeless gorges, and learn about the landscape and biodiversity from the perspective of the Adnyamathanha people.

Step back in time at Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park

Rugged mountain ranges, dramatic gorges and abundant wildlife are just the beginning of what awaits in the 95,000-hectare Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park. Spend the morning hiking through one of South Australia’s most spectacular destinations. The main attraction here is Wilpena Pound : a gigantic natural amphitheatre encompassing the Flinders Ranges' highest point, St. Mary Peak.

Sleep under a blanket of stars with Heli-Camping

Departing from Rawnsley Park Station, the Heli-camping experience will take you on a late-afternoon helicopter flight past Rawnsley Bluff and over Wilpena Pound, before landing in the awe-inspiring Chace Range. Perch yourself cliff-top and feast your eyes on otherworldly sunset views. A guide will help you set up your swag for the night and prepare your two-course camp oven dinner. Fall asleep with galaxies shining overhead, then wake up to a bush breakfast as the sun rises from behind the range. Return by helicopter to Rawnsley Park Station and continue the journey.

Linger Longer...

Can’t get enough of the Flinders Ranges? Venture further into South Australia’s ancient Outback . Discover the mysterious Painted Desert , take a dip in the Coward Springs natural mineral spa and reach epic heights on the Arkaroola Ridgetop Tour .

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