Walking the Flinders Ranges

The Flinders Ranges have drawn tens of thousands of walkers to their stunning red peaks, gorges and valleys.

Perhaps the best-known walker has been the late C. Warren Bonython, the first person to walk the Flinders from end-to-end. In his 1971 book – Walking the Flinders Ranges – he revealed they had caught his imagination before he ever saw them. He wrote…

 

…they took hold of it well and truly when at one magical dawn I first glimpsed their tilted ramparts through the parted flaps of the tent… 

 

…I was at once intrigued by the skyline profiles, fascinated by the warm reds of rock faces grading into blue and purple distances and excited by the steep and rugged mountains themselves."

Let us show you the Flinders Ranges

Bonython's words still ring true today for walkers who flock to Rawnsley Park Station, the hub of Flinders Ranges bushwalking.

Our five-day and three-day Flinders Ranges Walking Tours introduce walkers to the best the Flinders has to offer.

When walkers step out with our experienced guides they are instantly immersed in the beauty and rich history of the area which is dominated by the mighty saw-tooth ramparts of Wilpena Pound.

We range far and wide as we showcase the flora, fauna and geology of an ancient land which had its beginnings 1.5 billion years ago.

It’s a land of great change, constantly reshaped over hundreds of millions of years.It is also a land that holds many secrets which will be unveiled day by day on our walking adventures.

Our walks are led by experienced guide, Kym Tilbrook – author of three books on bushwalking in South Australia and general nice guy.

Explore the splendour of the mighty Flinders – from the delightful tracks on Rawnsley Park Station to the towering sandstone cliffs of Wilpena Pound. Our walks roam north to Blinman and Parachilna Gorge where we trek to the beautiful Blinman Pools.

We access the Heysen Trail in Flinders Ranges National Park to give walkers a taste of the iconic 1200km trail which runs from Cape Jervis at the bottom of the Fleurieu Peninsula to Parachilna Gorge.

A real treat on the five-day walk is the climb to the top of the 943m high Rawnsley Bluff where sappers erected a cairn in the late 1850s. The cairn is still there today and has been added to by walkers over the years. On our return from the bluff, we take in a side trail to the Wilpena Lookout for fantastic views across the pound floor to Pompey Pillar, the second highest point on the pound wall after St Mary Peak.

After the day’s walking return to your accommodation to relax, before dining each night in the award winning Woolshed Restaurant.

Our 3 day walks provide a good introduction to walking, averaging 8-12km per day.

On the third night of the five day walk and the first night of the three day walks we set off on our Heli-Camping Experience. Jump aboard a helicopter for a mid-afternoon flight to the top of the Chace Range to watch the sunset. Walkers then enjoy a dinner with wine under the glorious night sky as they sit around a blazing campfire. The night is spent in a swag before waking to a spectacular sunrise and a cooked breakfast the next morning. It’s then time to throw on the day pack for the three hour return walk across country to Rawnsley Park Station.

• Download the Walking the Flinders Ranges Fact Sheet here

• Book now, or call us for more information on +61 8 8648 0700