South Australia » Flinders Ranges

The Flinders Ranges link the Gulf St Vincent to the Outback of South Australia. The scenery is out of this world, particularly during spring when the wildflowers are blossoming. Bush walking is one of the most popular activities in this area, including walks around the Arkaroola Mt Painter Wildlife Sanctuary, the Heysen Trail (which starts in Prachilna Gorge near Blinman), Mt Remarkable National Park and Wilpena Pound. There are also some fabulous rock carvings in the area which are well worth visiting.

Quorn is to the south of the Flinders Ranges and can be reached from many of the routes leading north from the Yorke Peninsula. Heading north from Quorn you will come across Kanyaka, which was home to 50,000 sheep and the families which tended upon them. It is well worth visiting the old homestead as well as the old woolshed. Whilst here you can also head down to Death Rock and the beautiful Kanyaka Waterhole.

Heading further north again, there is a great lookout just before you reach Hawker, called the Jervis Hill Lookout. The views are amazing from here allowing you to see right over to Wilpena Pound. Near Hawker you can also visit the Aboriginal rock paintings in the Youambulla Rock Shelter, as well as take the scenic drive along the Moralana Scenic Route. There are several places to stay in Hawker if you want to break up your journey to the Wilpena Pound.

North of Wilpena is the old mining town of Blinman, now a quiet hamlet. You can visit the Blinman Copper mine which is very interesting. On your way to Blinman you should also stop at Brachina Gorge where you can visit the wonderful Aroona Valley and see the spectacular landscape it offers. Just north of Blinman is the spectacular Mt. Chambers offering views far across the Flinders Ranges, as well as the pretty Chambers Gorge.

Heading north from Blinman you can either take the north-western route via the mining town of Leigh Creek before heading east towards the fabulous Arkaroola or just head straight over to Arkaroola. On your way to Arkaroola you will pass through the Gammon Ranges National Park, before hitting the Arkaroola-Mt Painter Wildlife Sanctuary. Heading out towards Lake Frome is a wonderful lookout called Siller’s lookout, as well as from Freeling heights at Yudanamutana Gorge. You can also visit the pretty rock pools and water holes at Barraranna Gorge, Bolla Bollana Springs, Echo Camp and Nooldoonooldoona.

There are plenty of different routes you can take around the Flinders ranges, all offering wonderful scenery. You really need at least a few days in the area so that you explore several of the set routes which you can follow. If you don’t have your own transport then there are various tours going out of the Flinders Ranges, with the majority leaving from Adelaide. Other than that Premier Stateliner offers a bus service to Wilpena Pound twice a week.

Events
18th International Panorama Conference (EVENT)
DATE / TIME: 26 March 2009 - 29 March 2009 (Thursday: 8am to 7pm Friday: 8am to 7pm Saturday: 8am to 7pm Sunday: 8am to 7pm ......)
LOCATION: Hawker, Hawker, South Australia - Australia
DESCRIPTION: The 18th International Panorama Conference will be held in Hawker, the hub of the beautiful Flinders Ranges in South Australia from 26 March to 29 March 2009. This will be the first time an event of this nature will be held in Australia


Wilpena Pound
Wilpena Pound is a rather remarkable rock basin within the Flinders National Park, which covers a huge 80sq. km and reaches a height of about 500m. The area has wonderful scenery and is home to a whole host of animals, including plenty of birds, kangaroos and wallabies. Brachina Gorge is the place to go if you want to see some of these beautiful creatures. There is also a great driving trail that takes you around some amazing landscape scenes, along the Brachina Gorge Geological Trail.

There is just one entrance into the basin, which is at the creeks entrance and exit from the basin. Once inside you can explore the precious area where there is plenty to do. You should also make sure you visit the Aroona Valley, Brachina Gorge and Bunyeroo Gorge as well as the Aboriginal rock carvings at Sacred Canyon. There are also some magnificent walks in the area, which really allow you to see the beauty of the Wilpena Pound. The majority of the walks leave from the Visitor Centre, with some taking a few hours and others taking about a day. If you will be walking for more than three hours then it is important that you sign in at the logbook in the Visitors Centre, as well as making sure you sign out when you return.

One walk includes the beautiful climb to St. Mary’s Peak, which offers spectacular views of the surrounding area made up of glistening lakes and lush valleys. This walk takes about a day, and as with all of the other walks you need to go prepared. Make sure that you have plenty of water with you, as well as sun cream and a hat, as well as other essential supplies like a small first aid kit. It is possible to camp in the bush or in the resort within the pound. If you are camping you don’t need an entry permit unlike day visitors, which you can get from Wilpena just outside the pounds entrance. However, all camping fees are paid at the Visitor centre. Within the resort there is a small grocery store, as well as a counter lunches and meals in the restaurant. You can also stay just outside the Wilpena Pound.

Blinman
Blinman sits at the northern edge of the Flinders Ranges National Park and is a good base for exploring this rugged region of Australia. Discover Aboriginal carvings, old homestead ruins, walking trails and rock pools. The rusting ruins of the Blinman mine now form an historic reserve, complete with interpretive information for self-guided tours.