The Flinders Ranges

A highlight when you travel the South Australian Outback

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The Flinders Ranges belong to the oldest landscapes in the world. The rugged mountain scenery is beautiful and impressing. Experience nature and grandeur at its best. The Ranges truly are one of the top tourist attractions in Australia.

When you travel Outback South Australia, a trip to this rugged mountain ranges is an unforgettable experience. Wildlife is abundant, wedge-tailed eagles hover majestic in the clear blue sky. Emus and kangaroos, colourful birds and reptiles are indigenous in the area, and yes, you will see them! Take your time and spend a few hours with bird-watching.

This verse from the poem "My Country" by Dorothea McKellar always comes to my mind when I think of the Australian Outback, especially of the Flinders.






The Flinders stretch from Crystal Brook, near the waters of Gulf St. Vincent in the south for some 400 km to Mt. Hopeless in the north.
Mt. Hopeless, was named by explorer John Edward Eyre in 1840 while he was on an expedition to search for an inland sea and a route to central Australia. He only saw huge salt pans. This area is on the edge of the real Outback, thus, the name describes Eyre's feelings when he decided to give up and return. Australia's largest salt lake, Lake Eyre, was named after this outstanding explorer.

The Flinders, considered as "easily accessible" Outback, offers so much to the visitors. Easy accessible means that you reach the main attraction Wilpena Pound on a bitumen road.

Update! On my most recent visit (November 2008) major roadworks were proceeding - in a few weeks the road from Wilpena Pound to Blinman will be sealed as well.

Attractions of the Flinders Ranges

Bushwalking - you will find excellent walking trails in the area, you even can do a part of the famous Heysen Trail which begins or ends in the beautiful Parachilna Gorge.

Explore History - either the geology of a region that began to form about 800 million years ago, or the history of European settlement, and last but not least, the rich heritage of the Aborigines of the Flinders Ranges who have been living here for some 10,000 years. It is fascinating to get to know their culture.

Enjoy the natural beauty - rocky gorges, steep and rugged mountains, abundant wildflowers in spring. Bunyeroo Gorge, Brachina Gorge and Parachilna Gorge are only a few of the scenic gorges in the Flinders Ranges.

Country Hospitality - there are many ways to make your stay convenient and memorable. Motel rooms, lodges, campgrounds, all with good accommodation facilities are waiting for you, but perhaps you choose to put up your tent under the amazing canopy of stars. Check out Rawnsley Park Station where I stayed recently.

Wilpena Pound & the National Park - the central section is the most stunning and fascinating part. Take a scenic flight over Wilpena Pound, it is the best way to appreciate this ancient rock structure.

Friendly country towns offer shopping facilities and the chance to chat with the locals. The list of small towns within the Flinder Ranges include:

       Hawker        Quorn        Leigh Creek        Blinman.

Each of the towns has its own charm and invite you to stay for a while.

The Gammon Ranges National Park and Arkaroola village are the main attraction in the northern Flinders Ranges. The mountain scenery is even more rugged than in the central Flinders. This is an arid wilderness where you can be alone with the majestic nature.

How to get there

It is a leisurely drive from Adelaide to Hawker through South Australia's mid north region. Depending on the route you take it is approximately 390 km. Check out the driving distances in the Flinders region.

Want to explore the region on a guided tour? Check out this small group Flinders Ranges Tour.
Haydyn is an Adnyamathanha man who operates this tour from Adelaide to his homeland in the Flinders Ranges. His tours focus on authenticity, you'll learn a lot about the ancient landscapes of the Flinders, and a culture that is more than 40,000 years old.

Enjoy your trip to the Flinders Ranges. Take your time to explore one of the most rewarding tourist attractions in Australia.

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