Mountains, wilderness, and outback meet head-on in the Flinders Ranges.
South Australia’s largest mountain range starts in the verdant hinterlands north of Adelaide and sweeps up into the dusty red desert plains of the outback. Outdoor adventures are easily found among the weathered peaks, whether you’re bushwalking or mountain biking through red gum woodlands and native pine forests, taking a scenic flight through the mountains, or trekking to sacred canyons to learn about the land’s traditional owners, the Adnyamathanha people. Winter provides the best weather for hiking and camping, and June through August is also wildflower season—just wrap up in the evening hours, as temperatures plummet in the outback after dark.
The copper mining town of Blinman is the gateway to the North Flinders Ranges, from where you can go hiking in the Parachilna Gorge or venture north into the outback. Escape the crowds at Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park, where you’ll be rewarded with secluded hiking trails and tranquil bush campgrounds, many of which can only be reached by 4WD. Further north, Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary is home to rare wildlife such as yellow-footed rock wallabies.
The Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park is the most iconic destination of the mountain region. Once you’ve explored famous walking trails such as the Heysen Trail and Trezona Track, and admired the views at Bunyeroo Gorge and Brachina Gorge, take your pick of bush camping areas or check into one of the caravan parks or campgrounds around Wilpena Pound.
The southern slopes of the Flinders Ranges can be reached from towns like Port Augusta, Quorn, and Hawker, all of which have various options for campers. Take a ride on the Pichi Richi historic railway, admire the views from Devil’s Peak, or enjoy bushwalking in the Mount Brown Conservation Park. Further south, there’s a choice of campgrounds and cabins at Mount Remarkable National Park, with unpowered sites suitable for campervans and camper trailers.