The Flinders Ranges in South Australia quickly became one of my new favorite places. This is a superb destination for hiking and outdoor adventures – although if you’re not into hiking, I’m sure you’ll find plenty to keep you busy! There are so many good walks to do, it was tough choosing which ones to do! Here’s a hiking itinerary for your next trip to the Flinders Ranges – including the best hikes you can’t miss.
Day 1: Dutchman’s Stern
Start off your visit to the Flinders Ranges in the southern part of the region, with the incredible hike to Dutchman’s Stern. This was one of my favorite hikes in the Flinders Ranges, located in Dutchman Stern Conservation Park. The road to the car park is unsealed, but suitable for 2WD cars (although a 4WD will make it easier in wet weather). The route is well-signposted, with markers noting the distance to the summit; hike the route in a counter-clockwise direction.
The views from the summit are simply spectacular. I spent ages here taking photos, in awe of the mountain ranges and hills all around me. The route is a loop, so you can descend a different way – the forest felt very peaceful. I only saw one other couple during the entire hike, although I did see several kangaroos and wallabies! This is one of the best hikes in the Flinders Ranges – don’t miss it.
Time: 3-4 hours (I did it in 3 hours and 10 minutes)
Distance: 11.2km (6.95 miles) – officially 10.6km but this is what my Strava read
Elevation: 419 meters (1376ft) – officially 431m, but this is what my Strava read
Day 2: Devil’s Peak and Arkaroo Rock
Combine two short walks in different sections of the Flinders Range, and use the middle part of this day to drive between them. Devil’s Peak is a short but very steep hike near Quorn. The trail is on private property – there is a gate you will need to open and shut to get to the car park. The road in is unsealed, but suitable for 2WD vehicles (although in wet weather you will want a 4WD). It’s a simple out-and-back route, with some scrambling required when you reach the summit. The views are well worth the hard hike up!
Time: 1.5-2 hours (I did it in 1 hour and 20 minutes, at a fast pace)
Distance: 2.8km (1.72 miles)
Elevation: 236 meters (775ft)
After driving into Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park, set off for the short walk to see Arkaroo Rock. This loop isn’t flat, but the elevation gain is pretty minimal compared to the other big hikes in the area! You’ll get to see the unique Aboriginal artwork on Arkaroo Rock, which is the real highlight of this walk.
Time: 50 minutes – 1.5 hours (I did it in 50 minutes at a pretty fast pace)
Distance: 3.2km (2 miles)
Elevation: 123 meters (403ft)
Day 3: Rawnsley Bluff and Wilpena Pound Lookout
This isn’t an easy hike, but it’s worth the effort. The car park is located at the end of an unsealed road in Rawnsley Park Station, but accessible with 2WD and easy to find. The trail meanders through the hillside before the steep climb up the ridge. After the tough ascent up the rocky path, it evens out a bit as you hike up to the summit of Rawnsley Bluff, which is marked with a large cairn.
After soaking up the views here, return back to the junction (about 25 minutes from the summit). Take the path noted at the junction marker, and head into the bush before coming out to Wilpena Pound Lookout. I almost didn’t do this detour, but I crossed paths with a couple at the junction who told me to do it – I’m so glad I did! The views were just stunning – you can see all of Wilpena Pound, including St. Mary’s Peak and the full mountain range. Return back the same way you came, and then continue back down the same trail to the car park.
Time: 4-6 hours (I did it in 4 hours)
Distance: 11.3km (7 miles)
Elevation: 518 meters (1700ft)
Day 4: Mount Ohlssen Bagge
Unfortunately, this is one hike I couldn’t do as it is closed seasonally! It’s meant to be a tough, uphill hike, but one of the best in the Flinders Ranges. If you’re visiting in the right season and have time to do this hike, definitely put it on your list – it starts from Wilpena Pound Resort so it’s easy to access. This is a shorter hike, which is great for a more relaxed hiking day in-between two challenging hikes. It’s closed from 30 November to 1 March each year; plan in advance.
Time: 3-4 hours
Distance: 5.6 to 7km (3.5 to 4.3 miles)
Elevation: 400 to 435 meters (1312 to 1427ft)
Day 5: St. Mary Peak
This was another hike I missed out on due to seasonal closures! This route is also closed from 30 November to 1 March each year – but I probably wouldn’t have had enough time on my short trip for this hike anyway. You can hike up and down the direct route, which is 14.6km and will take about 6 hours. Or, you can hike the loop, which is 21.5km and will take about 9 hours. Either way, it’s a full-day hike, and a challenging climb. Note that hikers are requested not to hike to the actual summit, and to turn around at the saddle, as the summit is a special place to the Adnyamathanha people of the Flinders Ranges. I wish I’d had time to do this hike!
Time: 6-9 hours
Distance: 14.6 to 21.5km (9.1 to 13.4 miles)
Elevation: 522 meters (1713ft)
Day 6: Mount Remarkable and Alligator Gorge
Drive back down south for two hikes in Mount Remarkable National Park. Start off with the climb up Mount Remarkable itself – there are two trails here, a northern and a southern route, so you can do the hike as a loop. Head up the northern route and down on the southern route. While there are no views at the top (there is a summit marker, though), you get some very impressive views on the way up and down. On the northern trail, keep an eye out for debris from a plane crash on the scree slopes (it’s around the 4km mark). Start the hike at the Monument, after following the road through the caravan park – there is parking available here, and it’s much better than starting from the main street in Melrose and having that extra climb up!
Time: 4 hours (I did it in 3 hours and 50 minutes, at a pretty fast pace)
Distance: 15km (9.35 miles)
Elevation: 539 meters (1767ft)
Alligator Gorge is a short but fun hike in a different area of the national park. It might be too much to do this after hiking Mount Remarkable, so you could push it to the following morning if needed. Descend into the gorge, and walk through the rocky canyon – it was completely dry when I went, but from other hike reports online I understand that there’s usually water and you’ll probably be getting your feet wet! It’s an easier ascent from Blue Gum picnic area back to the car park, so I recommend doing the hike in an counter-clockwise direction. Be sure to visit both the lookouts – there are great views here!
Time: 1-1.5 hours (I did it in exactly 1 hour)
Distance: 3.86km (2.4 miles)
Elevation: 147 meters (481ft)
Have even more time to explore the Flinders Ranges? Two other hikes I’d have loved to do were the walk to Blinman Pools, and the Bunyeroo and Wilcolo Creeks hike. These would have required a bit more time for driving, and I would have been too tired to do them both within a day – I’d hiked enough already! But if I’d had even more time in the Flinders Ranges, I would have loved to do those two.
Planning Your Trip to the Flinders Ranges
Most of these hikes are difficult and remote. You should be prepared with plenty of water and snacks, a hat, and sunscreen – most of the routes have little shade and are very exposed. Hiking poles will be a lifesaver for these walks! I recommend sturdy hiking boots with ankle support – I love my Scarpa Mistral boots! Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.
The Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park and Mount Remarkable National Park both charge a vehicle entry fee of $13 AUD per day. Most of the hikes listed here are within these two parks. It might make sense to buy a multi-entry parks pass: a two-month South Australia parks pass costs $52 AUD, and a 12-month one costs $117 AUD. Port Augusta is the nearest city and most convenient airport for the Flinders Ranges, although Adelaide is a much larger city and only a few more hours away. I always use Skyscanner to search for flight deals. You will definitely need a car to get around the Flinders Ranges – there’s no public transport here. If you’re after a tour of the Flinders Ranges, check out the options below!
Where to Stay in the Flinders Ranges
There are a lot of options for places to stay in the Flinders Ranges, but it depends on what section of the area you want to stay in and what type of accommodation you’re after. Two of the most central and popular are Wilpena Pound Resort and Rawnsley Park Station.
Wilpena Pound Resort – everything from resort rooms to glamping tents and campsites, plus a pool, in a fantastic location for exploring the area
Rawnsley Park Station – choose from eco-villas, private holiday units, or the caravan park, with great access to walks
I stayed at an unpowered site at Wilpena Pound Resort. The facilities were great, with a well-equipped camp kitchen, clean bathrooms, and hot water in the showers. I spotted an emu family next to my car, too! I paid $19 for one person for one night, and it was well worth it.
Free Camps in the Flinders Ranges: I stayed at Woolshed Flat Rest Area (near Quorn) and Doughboy Reserve (near Melrose). The first was fine for an overnight, but did feel rather exposed as it’s next to the road. Doughboy Reserve was a fantastic find, close to the road but tucked back in the bush so it was quiet and secluded. There are two free camps (rest areas) listed on Wikicamps at Nooltana Creek near Hawker. There is no free camping permitted within the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park boundary.
I had the best time in the Flinders Ranges. This is such a wonderful destination for hikers, and I loved every sweaty step of these hikes! If you’re planning a hiking trip here, I hope this guide helps.
Have you visited the Flinders Ranges before? What were your favorite hikes?
You might also like my posts:
The Best Hikes in the Blue Mountains, New South Wales
Exploring the Gold Coast Hinterland: Springbrook and Lamington National Parks
The Best Hikes in the Glass House Mountains National Park
A Travel Guide for Blackdown Tableland National Park, Queensland
Epic Things to See and Do in Karijini National Park, Western Australia
What to See in Exmouth and Cape Range National Park, Western Australia
The Best Stops to Make on a Road Trip From Perth to Esperance
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All of my Australia posts!
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