Destinations > South Australia > Flinders Ranges

Flinders Ranges

This remote mountain range, which encompasses Wilpena Pound and the Flinders Ranges National Park, is one of South Australia's best attractions. The Flinders Ranges start south of Port Augusta, although the big attraction is Wilpena Pound and the Flinders Ranges National Park in the north-central Flinders Ranges. Some of the towns between Port Augusta and Wilpena Pound are worth visiting on the way to the national park.

Coming & Going & Local Transport

Although most express buses bypass the Flinders Ranges, backpacker buses such as Adventure Tours, Groovy Grape, Oz Experience, and the Wayward Bus go via this region on their routes connecting Adelaide with Alice Springs. Even if you are travelling on an express bus pass, it's possible to pick up a connecting Premier Stateliner bus from Adelaide or Port Augusta as far as Wilpena Pound.

Quorn

Quorn is a quaint town with some interesting old buildings.

The unique heritage streetscapes have been a backdrop for many Australian films during the 1970s and 1980s including Gallipoli, the Shiralee and the Sundowners.

It was once an important railway town to service the Old Ghan Railway before the route was discontinued in 1980 in favour of the less flood-prone route that more closely follows the Stuart Highway.

This is the first town after the turn-off for Wilpena Pound and is worth a stop.

Practical Information

Flinders Rangers Visitor Information Centre

3 Seventh Street, Quorn

Tel (08) 8648 6419

Open 9am-5pm daily

Accommodation

Andu Lodge Backpackers

12 First Street, Quorn

Tel (08) 8648 6655 or 1800 639 933

Eating & Drinking

There are four pubs in Quorn, although the Transcontinental, aka the Tranny, is by far the most popular with excellent meals at bargain prices.

Sights

Warren Gorge

This small scenic reserve makes a nice daytrip from Quorn or a detour en route between Quorn and Flinders Ranges National Park.

The gorge itself is around 300 metres long and 100 metres deep and is one of several small gorges in the area.

The main reason to visit is to spot the endangered Yellow Footed Rock Wallaby. You can spot the wallaby from your car as you drive around the reserve, but you'll have better luck if you walk around, as they're easier to find if you are quiet.

Warren Gorge is around a 20-minute drive north of Quorn and there are no entry fees to the reserve. Free camping is available in the reserve.

The Dutchmans Stern

This hill, northwest of Quorn, has a popular hiking trail (10.5km, five hours) that goes up to the ridge offering views to Port Augusta and Wilpena Pound. It is accessible by bicycle from Quorn, making it a popular excursion for travellers staying at the Andu Lodge.

Pichi Richi Railway

Enthusiasts have restored part of the Old Ghan railway and now operate a number of steam trains between Quorn and Port Augusta.

Tel (08) 8658 1109

Website www.prr.org.au

Fares one way $34, return $29-65

Trains run most days Apr-Oct Sat-Mon

Hawker

Heading north, Hawker is the last real town before the national park so you'll need to stop here to buy groceries, fuel, get money from the ATM and buy some snacks for the trip north. There's not much else to do in town, although some people use the town as a base and there are several places where you can organise trips to the national park including scenic flights and camel trekking.

Practical Information

Hawker Visitor Information Centre

Hawker Motors, Corner Cradock & Wilpena Roads, Hawker

Tel (08) 8648 4022

Open 8.30am-5.30pm daily

National Parks & Wildlife Service

60 Elder Street, Hawker

Tel (08) 8648 4244

Wilpena Pound & Flinders Ranges National Park

The Flinders Ranges National Park is home to some of the most spectacular scenery in the outback and it is one of South Australia's most visited national parks. The national park has an extensive network of walking tracks which range from short ten-minute walks to more challenging hikes lasting for several days.

Wilpena Pound is the main centre within the national park and is home to the information centre, camping grounds, motel and general store. Many of the walking tracks within the park originate here. Wilpena Pound is a spectacular natural basin ringed by steep cliffs with some rewarding hiking trails. Perhaps the most popular short hike is the two-hour walk to Wangara Lookout that offers dramatic views. Popular longer walks include Edowie Gorge and St Mary's Peak, each of these is a very long day hike although the two walks can be combined into a longer two or three day trek.

The region is also home to fascinating Aboriginal rock paintings. Ask at the information centre about hiking trails that include rock art. If you're travelling on Adventure Tours or Oz Experience you'll stop at the Yourambulla Caves that contain some of the area's best rock paintings.

If you're going on any walks in the park, remember to take plenty of water, particularly in summer. A litre for every couple of hours is essential.

Admission to the national park costs $6.50 per day for a car or $4 if you're arriving by bus. Alternatively you can buy a four week parks pass for $21 that allows you to visit all South Australian national parks except desert parks and parks on Kangaroo Island.

Practical Information

Wilpena Pound Visitor Information Centre

National Park entrance, Wilpena Pound

Tel (08) 8648 0048

Website www.wilpenapound.com.au

Open 8am-6pm daily

Coming & Going

If you're not driving or travelling on one of the backpackers' buses, then your only transport option is the Premier Stateliner (tel (08) 8415 5555; website www.premierstateliner.com.au) bus from Adelaide via Port Augusta. This service departs Adelaide on Wednesday and Friday mornings with an additional service from Port Augusta on Sundays. The return service departs Wilpena Pound on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays.

Accommodation

Unless you want to stay at the overpriced motel, camping is the only accommodation within the national park. If you don't have one already, your best bet is to buy a tent at one of the camping stores in Adelaide, or possibly in Port Augusta.

Camping in the park costs $11 per car or $4 per person per night.

Parachilna

With a permanent population of only six, this tiny town just north of Flinders Ranges National Park can be a surprisingly lively place. You'll stop here for the night if you're travelling on the Oz Experience bus on their route between Adelaide and Alice Springs.

Parachilna revolves around the bar at the Prairie Hotel, which is renowned for its native cuisine which features plenty of emu and kangaroo served up with bush tomatoes. There are several unique excursions that can be arranged from the hotel.

Accommodation

Parachilna Overflow

Corner High Street and West Terrace, Parachilna

Tel (08) 8648 4814