Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park

 

A great place to lace-up those hiking boots, Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park, extending some 900km in South Australia’s outback, boasts plenty of places to discover afoot. Explore Flinders Ranges multi-day hikes from one of the ‘Great Walks of Australia’ on the 5-day Arkaba walk set against the remarkable backdrop of the Elder Range and Wilpena Pound offering an opportunity to experience the outback in a style that is both exclusive and authentic or tread on one of the world’s great walking trails and longests dedicated walking track in Australia on the 1,200km Heysen track stretching from Cape Jervis to Parachilna Gorge. For those with a little less time on their hands, take to the 4-hour Alligator Gorge walking trail in Mount Remarkable National Park boasting a landscape millions of years old through the Narrows and Terraces or climb the Wilpena Pound escarpment boasting spectacular views into the Pound and the Chase Ranges from the Wilpena Pound Lookout on the Rawnsley Bluff Hike. Find the best hikes in the Flinders Ranges here. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Flinders Ranges Mountain Biking 

 

Taking two-wheels on a mountain biking adventure is a great way to see the Flinders Ranges and some of South Australia’s most remote and unspoilt beauty. The Mawson Trail, which begins just north of Adelaide and ends in the Outback town of Blinman in the Flinders Ranges, is an excellent choice for mountain bikers looking to ride through South Australia's remote rural areas. The trail, which stretches for nearly 900 kilometres, includes little-used country roads, State forest and national park fire trails, farm access paths, and unmade or unused road relics. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A unique way to truly immerse yourself in the nature of the Flinders Ranges, camping can create a sense of utter connection with the landscape and unbelievable beauty of your surroundings as you fall asleep to the vast outback night’s sky. Camp under a thousands stars, highlighting the outback sky in a luxury swag atop a timber elevated platform. For a truly unique outback experience, why not take a heli-camping journey and discover the region from above before resting your head in complete and utter remoteness. Add a touch of luxury to sleeping under the stars in an eco villa at Rawnsley Park Station, boasting a retractable ceiling, offering night-sky viewing from the comforts of bed. 

 

 

 

 

 

(Photo Credit: South Australian Tourism Commission)

 

 

 

In its serene and awe-inspiring scenery of rugged peaks, gum-lined gorges, and breath-taking ever-changing colours, the Flinders Ranges, one of Australia's most scenic and diverse regions, is a must-see and do for any 4WD enthusiast. Arguably the most popular and famous track, experience the most rugged part of the Flinders Ranges with the Arkaroola Ridgetop tour navigating the steep slopes and hair-raising ascents of the famous Ridgetop Track to reveal spectacular 360-degree views 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The ultimate way to experience the Flinders Ranges in a completely new perspective is by scenic flight. Fly over the crater-like Wilpena Pound and appreciate its sheer size and proportions. Glide over  the Elder Range,Lake Torrens, the Heysen Range, St. Mary Peak and more and truly see how the Flinders Ranges appear to be the backbone of the mystifying landscape. Fly further afield and discover the sheer magnitude and beauty of Lake Eyre, and bask in its incredible colours and patterns accentuated by the ultimate birds-eye view. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Many people, when they think of the Flinders Ranges and its semi-arid desert-like landscape, may be surprised by its incredible display of wildflowers. Spring makes for the perfect time to see the Flinders Ranges landscape come to life with the colours of wildflowers in bloom. The park itself is home to over 500 species of native plants as  wattles, native hopbush, mintbush and Sturt desert peas enhance the amazing landscape. Alligator Gorge in Mount Remarkable National Park in the Southern Flinders Ranges proves a wonderful place to view flowers in bloom with plants such as the common fringe lily, fringe myrtle, guinea flower, lavender grevillea, mintbush, the nodding chocolate lily and a variety of orchids bringing about a special piece of life and colour. For animal lovers, red kangaroos, western grey kangaroos and wallabies are the most frequenting animals of the Flinders Ranges area. Birds like parrots, galahs, emus and the wedge-tailed eagle can be seen in the skies whilst goannas, snakes, bearded dragon lizards, skinks and geckos can be found scavenging the grounds. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The climate in the Southern Outback is generally dry and sunny year round. During summer, many of the locals prefer to holiday near the coast due to the sometimes unbearable heat with average highs of between 33-34 degrees celsius and lows of between 17 and 19 degrees celsius.  

 

During Autumn the temperature ranges from highs of 21-31 degrees celsius and lows of 8-16 degrees celsius proving a popular time to travel to the Flinders Ranges. 

 

Winter boasts a much cooler climate and has been noted as an ideal time for trekking and exploration as well as a great time of year for viewing some incredible sunsets and sunrises. With a higher likelihood of rain, the creeks and waterbeds are more likely to be filled, attracting wildlife. Nights and early mornings can be very cold during this time, dropping to around 3 degrees celsius whilst the days see an average temperature of between 17 and 18 degrees celsius.  

 

Spring is a fantastic month for viewing wildflowers in the Flinders Ranges thanks to the rain from the winter season littering the landscape with bursts of colour amid patches of wildflowers and native plants. The average daily temperatures range between highs of 22-30 degrees celsius and lows of 7-14 degrees celsius. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park is roughly a five-hour road trip from the state’s capital of Adelaide. Adelaide airport services a number of domestic and international flights make it easily accessible. You may also like to fly from Adelaide to Port Augusta taking just 55 minutes. From here it is a mere 2 hour drive to the national park.