See the rugged ridges of Bunyeroo Valley and ancient ramparts of Wilpena Pound on a three-day road trip through South Australia’s ancient Flinders Ranges. Driving through the Flinders Ranges is about the closest any human can come to navigating the face of Mars, and this epic landscape rivals any international destination. Embark on an unforgettable journey through jaw-dropping landscapes to historic, outback towns, sprawling national parks and fascinating Aboriginal cultural sites.
DAY ONE
ARRIVE AT YOUR RAWNSLEY PARK STATION ECO VILLA
From Adelaide, drive five hours to the Flinders Ranges’ Rawnsley Park Station. You’ll find your luxurious Eco Villa tucked away in a secluded section of the park with incredible views of Wilpena Pound and the surrounding ranges. Fully self-contained, each villa boasts a spacious living and dining area, bedrooms with over-bed skylights and a well-equipped kitchen. Pop a glass of bubbly and watch the blazing outback sun set from your own private verandah.
DAY TWO
WATCH THE SUN RISE ALONG BUNYEROO VALLEY ROAD
Wake up before the sun rises, fill your thermos and drive for 50 minutes to Bunyeroo Valley Road in Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park. This stunning 600-million-year-old stretch of land was once on the bottom of the ocean. Now it’s arguably the best place in the Flinders Ranges to watch the sun rise above deep red ravines and towering cliffs. Snap some pics, then sit back and take it all in.
STEP BACK IN TIME AT IKARA-FLINDERS RANGES NATIONAL PARK
Rugged mountain ranges, dramatic gorges and abundant wildlife are just the beginning of what awaits in the 95,000-hectare Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park. Spend the morning hiking through one of South Australia’s most spectacular destinations. The main attraction here is Wilpena Pound: a gigantic natural amphitheatre encompassing the Flinders Ranges’ highest point, St. Mary Peak.
SLEEP UNDER A BLANKET OF STARS WITH HELI-CAMPING
Departing from Rawnsley Park Station, the Heli-camping experience will take you on a late-afternoon helicopter flight past Rawnsley Bluff and over Wilpena Pound before landing in the awesome Chace Range. Perch yourself cliff-top and feast your eyes on otherworldly sunset views. A guide will help you set up your swag for the night and prepare your two-course camp oven dinner. Wrap yourself in a blanket of stars, then wake up to a bush breakfast as the sun rises from behind the range. Return by helicopter to Rawnsley Park Station.
DAY THREE
TREAT YOURSELF TO A FERAL FEAST AT THE PRAIRIE HOTEL
Ever eaten emu egg omelette? How about kangaroo tail soup or camel sirloin? After working-up an appetite in Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park, hit the road for an hour before arriving at the Prairie Hotel: a quintessential Outback pub with a few surprises up its sleeve. Listed as one of the top 100 gourmet experiences in Australia, the Praire Hotel’s Feral Menu gives you a slightly bizarre, yet totally exclusive chance to chow into some seriously left-of-centre dishes.
EMBARK ON AN ABORIGINAL CULTURAL TOUR
The Flinders Ranges and Outback are of immense cultural significance for the Adnyamathanha people who have lived in the Flinders Ranges for tens of thousands of years. After freshening-up back at Rawnsley Park Station, drive 20 minutes to Wilpena Pound Resort and take your pick from a wide range of Aboriginal cultural walks.
