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Flinders Ranges

Flinders Ranges is an Outback mountain range in South Australia and one of Australia's great national landscapes.

This is a rich environment for you to experience. The Flinders Ranges provide an emotionally uplifting and tranquil travel destination. It's home to Wilpena Pound, a giant natural amphitheatre. It's the ideal destination for Outback drives, camping, trekking and just drinking in the fresh air and starry skies. There's plenty of accommodation, including campsites and luxury eco villas.

Regions

Towns

  • Port Pirie
  • Melrose
  • Wilmington
  • Port Augusta
  • Blinman
  • Leigh Creek
  • Arkaroola
  • Craddock
  • Copley
  • Parachilna
  • Quorn
  • Pimba
  • Gladstone

Other destinations

  • Arkaroola
  • Flinders Ranges National Park
  • Mt Remarkable National Park
  • Gammon Ranges National Park
  • Dutchman Stern National Park

Understand

Talk

Get in

The Flinders Ranges region covers most of the north-east of South Australia, and includes some sparse and isolated parts of the state. For most tourists, the areas most often visited are Wilpena Pound and the towns in the mid- and far north of the state, though more adventurous travellers may choose to venture beyond onto the Birdsville and Strzlecki Tracks towards Queensland and the Northern Territory.

By road

The main town at the bottom of the Flinders Ranges is Port Augusta, which is a 3.5 hour drive from Adelaide along Port Wakefield Road (Route A1) via Snowtown and Port Pirie (both of which are bypassed). Wilpena Pound is a 4.5-5 hour drive from Adelaide, either via Port Wakefield Road, Quorn and Hawker or via the more scenic route through the Clare Valley. To venture into the Northern Flinders ranges will be a further drive, often along dirt roads. Sealed roads only run as far north as Lyndhurst (on the road to Marree) and Blinman (on the Wilpena Pound Road).

By coach

There are plenty of services currently operating to Port Augusta. Greyhound (on the Adelaide-Alice Springs route) and Premier Stateliner (on its Adelaide-Eyre Peninsula routes) currently operate frequent coach services through Port Augusta.

There are currently no scheduled public transport services into the central and northern Flinders Ranges, including to Wilpena Pound. The Yorke Peninsula Coaches "Mid-North Passenger" and "Upper North Intertown" services operate in the Mid and Upper North towns, including one service weekly (currently on Fridays) as far as Quorn, but this is still a significant distance from Wilpena Pound. Travellers wishing to travel here may have to hire a car in Adelaide or Port Augusta, or find a scheduled arranged tour.

By train

Great Southern Railways currently operate the Indian Pacific and Ghan trains once or twice weekly to and from Adelaide, passing through Port Augusta. There are no scheduled train services further than Port Augusta, apart from the tourist Pichi Richi Railway which runs infrequent services as far as Quorn, but is more of a tourist attraction than a means of transport.

By air

Sharp Airlines currently run 2 services on weekdays between Adelaide and Port Augusta (there is one service on Sundays and none on Saturdays). Port Augusta Airport is located 10 minutes' drive from the City Centre. No scheduled passenger airline flies into other areas of the Flinders Ranges.

Get around

Because of the lack of public transport, unless you are on a scheduled tour, it will more than likely be necessary to hire a car. Hitchhiking is not recommended due to the isolated areas and the extreme temperatures, especially in summer.

See

  • Wilpena Pound, a giant natural amphitheatre.
  • Have lunch at the famous Prairie Hotel, Parachilna, which serves emu, kangaroo and camel, as well as native Australian plants.
  • Fresh air and starry skies.

Do

  • Take a ride back in time on the Pichi Richi Railway. An historic train (sometimes steam, sometimes diesel train) that runs on a section of the original line that ran between Port Augusta and Alice Springs (between Port Augusta and Quorn), the railway is one of Australia's most famous tourist railways, heading through the picturesque Pichi Richi Pass. If you are visiting this region, it is worth timing your visit around the day that it operates. Services usually operate on Sundays during school holidays and usually once a month on a Sunday in the winter months outside of that time. Check the website for a timetable. Some services depart from Port Augusta railway station (the same as the Indian Pacific/Ghan station), others depart from Quorn's historic railway station. While you are in Quorn, take a walk around the historic rail yard.
  • Climb St Mary Peak, the highest point in the Flinders Ranges with spectacular views all round.

Stay

There is a range of accommodation available in Flinders Ranges including camping, farm stays

Camping

The cheapest place for camping is at the National Park Camp Grounds. Some are accessible only via 4WD or walking trails. Camping sites

If you want the luxury of full facilities Wilpena Pound Camping Ground. Both powered and bush camping sites are available and there are showers, laundry, petrol and a general store.

Rawnsley Park Caravan Park Set in a bushland setting this caravan park has powered sites and bush camping. Facilities include a licensed shop, camp kitchen, modern amenities block and swimming pool.

Cabins

Rawnsley Park Caravan Park Set in a bushland setting this caravan park has cabins and a bunkhouse which sleeps 50. Facilities include a licensed shop, camp kitchen, modern amenities block and swimming pool.

Resorts/Luxury

Wilpena Pound Resort has 60 rooms all with air conditioning and children stay free. The resort is in a natural setting and wildlife roam around the grounds. Facilities include a pool, restaurant and bar.

Arkaba Station is a member of Luxury Lodges of Australia and the homestead dates back to 1851. There are 4 bedrooms in the homestead and a 5th in a Coachman's Cottage. They offer all inclusive rates which include full access to the entire property. The Homestead provides great food, premium wines and supremely comfortable bedrooms.

Arkapena Homestead secluded, luxurious and self-contained the homestead is ideal for two couples or a small family. The homestead is nestled on a 9,000-hectare station owned by Rawnsley Park. Facilities include a private swimming pool and outdoor shower. Access to Rawnsley Park Station's facilities and tours is available to guests.

Rawnsley Park Eco Villas Two bedroom villas whicha re said to be the ultimate in eco-friendly accommodation. Guests can enjoy uninterrupted views of Wilpena Pound and the surrounding ranges from their private verandah or watch the stars from their bed via the over-bed skylight

Eat

  • An important consideration when travelling to Flinders Ranges (especially when camping and/or cooking your own meals) is that fruit and vegetables cannot be brought from interstate. Doing so can attract large fines.
  • Wild Lime Cafe & Gallery (Old School House, Mine Rd, Blinman. (08) 8648 4679) serves a range of pies, focaccia and desserts with a bush inspired flavour. Even the focaccia bread itself had a unique flavour. Focaccias were $14 and desserts such as Quandong Pie (with cream or ice-cream) $7. Overall this place felt quite unique.
  • Blinman General Store (Mine Rd, Blinman. (08) 8648 4370) is also worth a visit. If you're on a lower budget it's cheaper and more traditional as a one stop shop than the cafe. The Quandong pies were around $5 and bigger than the ones served at the cafe but without cream or ice-cream.
  • Bush Bakery & Quandong Cafe (Railway Tce, Copley. (08) 8675 2683) is a classic outback eatery with lots of outside tables in the shade on a warm day and a few tables inside for the colder winter days. You can get a meat pie, Quandong pie and a drink for $15 total.

Drink

Sleep

Stay safe

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