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Australian Wilderness & Outback Journeys
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Experience South Australia's incredible Flinders Ranges on this 6-day outback trekking tour, a unique Australian experience. For wildlife watching, bush-walking, photography or just soaking up the sights and sounds of outback Australia, this walking tour is hard to beat.
Located just over 350km north of Adelaide, the Flinders Ranges encompasses several well-known national parks and walking trails. Here you'll find both the Heysen Trail and Mawson Trail collectively spanning several hundred kilometres, each providing an overwhelming array of sights and attractions for walkers.
The North Flinders Ranges offers some of the most stunning scenery in Australia as well as some of the most attractive outback properties. This trekking tour includes selected walks on some of the best sections of the Heysen Trail. The North Flinders Ranges offer a rolling range of majestic ...
The North Flinders Ranges offers some of the most stunning scenery in Australia as well as some of the most attractive outback properties. This trekking tour includes selected walks on some of the best sections of the Heysen Trail. The North Flinders Ranges offer a rolling range of majestic peaks and rugged ridges, the trails combining exceptional views with enjoyable strolls and achievable challenges. The forests of cypress pines create an almost alpine ambiance in these semi‑arid ranges with the dry climate creating ideal conditions for walking.
You will walk 3 to 17 km, 1.5 - 7 hours walking each day over rugged terrain with some steep ascents and descents. This tour represents an easy to moderate trekking itinerary but one which rewards with the breadth of experience it offers. From the harsh yet incredibly beautiful landscape of the Flinders Ranges to the remarkable scale of Wilapena Pound to the famous Heysen Trail winding through magnificent landscapes between Parachilna Gorge, this is rewarding journey that will connect you with the very essence of this incredible region.
This trip is operated in our classic style. It's a fully supported trek. You can enjoy walking with just a daypack while the comfortable accommodation offers both stunning scenery and the best of outback hospitality.
This 6-day fully accommodated trip includes all meals, two highly experienced field guides, return transfers from/to Adelaide and all transport on the tour.
Over 6 incredible days of hiking you'll become acquainted with the ancient heartland of Australia. You'll fall in love with the rugged beauty of the Flinders Ranges as you marvel at its rich geological history, unique native wildlife and striking landscapes.
Dates or itinerary don't fit? We are specialising in bespoke "tailor-made" luxury or private journeys. Please contact us for a "tailor-made" itinerary for your perfect adventure.
This tour is eligible to earn ONLYLUXE reward points.
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Approx. 3 km walking (about 1 hour walking); 6-7 hours driving
Your adventure begins bright and early at 7:30am with pick-up from the Majestic Roof Garden Hotel Adelaide. From there, we head north through South Australia's scenic agricultural districts, with a couple of coffee and snack stops along the way. Our destination is the charming township of Wilmington, nestled at the base of Mount Remarkable National Park.
Today’s hike is the Alligator Gorge Ring Route, a hidden gem in the Flinders Ranges and part of the iconic Heysen Trail. This stunning walk takes us through the highlights of Alligator Gorge, including The Narrows – a serene, narrow gorge just a few meters wide that extends for hundreds of meters. Along the way, we’ll spot ancient ripple fossils embedded in the rocks of The Terraces. This unforgettable trail is the perfect way to kick off six days of exploring the Flinders Ranges.
After the walk, we’ll transfer to our accommodation, where a delicious dinner prepared by our guides awaits. In the evening, we’ll gather for a briefing to preview the exciting adventures planned for tomorrow. Tonight, we stay at the historic Willow Springs Station or similar accommodations.
*You will need to arrive in Adelaide the day before your trip, ensuring that you arrive in time to attend the 3:00pm pre-trip briefing.
Approx. 14 km, 5-6 hours walking
Today, we invite you to step into a masterpiece of the Australian wilderness as we traverse section 57 of the legendary Heysen Trail. Our odyssey begins at the breathtaking Black Gap Lookout, where the path beckons us north-east toward the majestic Bridle Gap. From this elevated sanctuary, prepare to be captivated by sweeping vistas of the expansive Wilpena Pound, while the ancient Elder Range looms behind us like a silent sentinel. We shall descend into the heart of the Pound itself, wandering through its center for an experience that transcends a mere walk, becoming a soulful connection to the earth. Within this natural amphitheater, a lush tapestry of mallee, native pine, and delicate heath creates a vibrant sanctuary where colorful wrens, robins, and parrots dance through the air, and noble raptors soar above. Our journey concludes at the Wilpena Visitors Centre, where a private transfer awaits to whisk you away to the opulent comforts of our sanctuary for the evening./p>
Approx. 7 km, 3-4 hours walking
This morning, a private cultural tour awaits, offering an intimate journey into the heart of Indigenous culture with a local business. We are granted the rare privilege of visiting Sacred Canyon, a place of profound cultural significance to the Adnyamthanha people, where entry is permitted only in the company of an Aboriginal guide.
Mount Ohlssen Bagge. From its peak, a vista unfolds that is arguably the most breathtaking in the region, a panoramic masterpiece showcasing Wilpena Pound and the encircling mountain ranges. Your journey begins amidst bushland teeming with life, where you may be graced by the sight of an emu, an echidna, or the elusive perentie lizard moving through the scrub. Soon, the path transforms into a steep, rocky climb toward the summit. As you ascend, the landscape opens up, rewarding your efforts with sweeping, spectacular views that stretch to the horizon—a boundless panorama that captures the vast, soul-stirring majesty of the Australian outback. We will return along the same path, carrying the memory of this extraordinary view with us.
Approx. 12 km, 5 hours walking
Our journey commences at the periphery of Wilpena Pound, where we meander through a serene landscape of Sheoaks and Grass Trees. From Wilpena, our path guides us along the 'Outside Trail,' gracefully tracing the foothills that line the Pound's northern expanse. As we ascend towards the saddle's crest, a breathtaking reward unfolds before us: unparalleled, panoramic vistas stretching across the Central Flinders Ranges, the sweeping Aroona Valley, and the shimmering salt plains to the west.
This Tanderra Saddle Walk offers a shorter, yet equally magnificent, experience as the St Mary's Peak walk. In deep respect for the Adnyamathanha creation story, we honor their preference that visitors do not ascend to the sacred summit. Instead, we shall pause for a delightful picnic lunch upon the Saddle, allowing ample time to recline, immerse ourselves in the scenery, and absorb the profound tranquility of this ancient land.
Following our restful interlude, we begin our gentle descent, retracing our steps back to Wilpena. We will return to our elegant accommodations to celebrate the day's adventure with another exquisitely prepared evening meal, sharing stories and creating memories together.
Approx. 17 km, 6-7 hours walking
Awaken your senses for the grand finale of the Heysen Trail—the storied Section 61. As the morning sun begins to dance across the rugged landscape, we depart Willow Springs, journeying through the majestic limestone walls of Brachina Gorge to enter the ethereal Aroona Valley.
Your adventure commences at the historic Aroona Hut, where you are invited to step into a world of profound solitude. Wander through a sanctuary of gently undulating paths, cradled between the dramatic silhouettes of the ABC and Heysen Ranges. Here, the air is alive with the sweet melodies of native birds, and the path is punctuated by the haunting beauty of abandoned mine sites—echoes of a bygone era.
As the sun dips toward the horizon, we reach the trail’s end at Parachilna Gorge to be whisked back to our sanctuary for the evening. To conclude this odyssey, we gather for an opulent final meal, celebrating the shared triumphs and breathtaking vistas that will linger in your memory forever.
Approx. 3 km, 1.5 hours walking; Driving Time: 6-7 hours
After an early breakfast, we head south for our final hike at the stunning Arkaroo Rock. This short circuit walk offers an opportunity to explore remarkable Indigenous rock art and reflects the deep connection between the land and its ancient custodians. It’s a perfect way to wrap up our six-day Flinders walking adventure, providing a moment to appreciate the rich history and culture of this incredible region. We’ll return you to your Adelaide accommodation in the late afternoon, arriving between 4-5pm.
Note: This itinerary is provided as an example only - prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation.
Please contact us to book if you have a group of more than 10 people.
- The departure point is Adelaide SA- Major commercial flights provide convenient access to Adelaide
The climate in the Southern Outback is generally dry and sunny year round.AUTUMN (Mar - May)This season provides warm days with cooler evenings. Day temperatures will average between 15 – 20°C with the later part of the season being cooler. The evening temperatures will be much cooler and warm clothing will be required. As the days cool, wildlife becomes more active during the middle parts of the day.WINTER (Jun - Aug)Walking in winter is particularly beautiful in the Flinders with cold nights and days that are warm with some spectacular sunrises and sunsets. This season provides ideal walking weather with daily temperatures of around 15°C and occasionally as high as 25°C. The evenings and early mornings will be very cold and winter clothing will be required. During July/August temperatures can drop to below 0°C at night. A roaring camp fire and warming glasses of red wine will be enjoyed each night and after winter rains, with surface water in the creeks, wildlife will be far-reaching with lots of food available and very active throughout the day. Emus will generally begin laying from August onwards.SPRING (Sep - Nov)Spring in the Flinders Ranges is undeniably spectacular! It is a great time to spot emu chicks as they begin hatching and the outback brown and orange colours are bright with red, yellow, white and purple with native plants and wildflowers. Migratory birds will generally begin to appear and wedgetail eagle chicks will hatch between August and September, fledging by November. The abundance of and timing of the wildflowers depends entirely on rainfall throughout the year. Day temperatures can average between 20°C-25°C with the later part of the season getting warmer. The evening temperatures will be cooler in the early part of the season so a warm layer of clothing will be required.SUMMER (Dec - Feb)The walking tour is not operate during the hot, summer months, although you can still book a stay at Arkaba Homestead which is open year round and enjoy shorter walks as part of guided activities that are included in the tariff.(Data sourced from Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, Units = °C)
During the trip we experience a delightful outback property. This simple outback homestead has been chosen for its location, charm, history and character. Our usual accommodation is noted below, but on some departures we will use alternate, similar style accommodation.
We will stay in the Shearer’s Quarters in Willow Springs Station in Hawker. The rooms here are a mix of twin and multi share. There are shared bathroom facilities.
Most groups are made up of a mixture of single participants and couples. If you are travelling alone you will share a room with someone of the same gender, this usually sorts itself out naturally. The guides will prepare all the meals and run the catering, however you will be asked to contribute by assisting around mealtimes. Participation will make for a more enjoyable experience for everybody. When single rooms are available, these will be in a shared cabin or in the shared Shearer’s Quarters.
Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.Payment DetailAll pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel.A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 90 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 90 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price.Single SupplementAll accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.General Cancellation Policies- Outside of 90 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee- Within 90 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited- No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption- We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurancePlease Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.LiabilityThe participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.Child PolicyPlease consult travel consultant on age limit.Changes to ItinerariesLocal conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.Changes in PricesWhile we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age LimitsYou need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.Cancellation by The Tour OperatorThe walks take place in very special wilderness settings. The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a walk with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the walk has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any walk up to 60 days prior to departure if a minimum of 4 walkers are unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the walk or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.Force Majeure'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.EvacuationsIn rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.Travel InsuranceIn view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.