When you yearn to get away from the city and have that true bush camping experience, it’s hard to go past the Flinders Ranges for a rugged and stunning campers paradise that is accessible to everyone. Regardless of whether your choice of camping is in a van, camper trailer or tent, a trip into the Flinders Ranges can cater for you.
Welcome to Flinders Ranges National Park.
A 460km trip north of Adelaide will land you at the Flinders Ranges National Park Visitor Centre at Wilpena. You can choose to set up camp here at the well-appointed campground that has all the facilities of a caravan park or move on into the park proper where there are many campgrounds with numbered sites that are well spaced to provide some privacy.
The Visitor Centre will provide you with maps and other information to ensure you find a spot to your liking. Each site has a fireplace provided, but ensure you bring wood with you, or buy some from Wilpena, as picking up wood in the park is strictly prohibited. The park has many attractions and you can easily spend a week relaxing and looking around.
The Views
Wherever you turn you are faced with magnificent rugged mountains or stunning valleys, usually with a dry creek running down the middle. The Brachina, Bunyeroo and Parachilna Gorges will have the camera running hot if you are a photographer. A number of lookouts throughout the park are well worth stopping at to get some of the most picturesque and iconic Flinders views.
The Wildlife
If you don’t see a variety of wildlife whilst in the park, you’re just not looking. When walking or driving through the gorges you will commonly come across emus, wallabies and kangaroos grazing along the side of the track. Many types of birds will make themselves obvious. If you look to the skies you will often be rewarded with views of soaring wedge-tailed eagles.
You’ll spot plenty of local wildlife in the region.
The Night Sky
With no light pollution and clean air, the views at night are spectacular, especially on a moonless night. You can spend a lot of time trying to identify the constellations and planets and working out how to find direction using the stars. For an hour or so after sunset, satellite spotting is a top pastime. You will be amazed at how many you can see, including the International Space Station. Meteors are also a common sight.
Driving
Drivers will have a ball in this area. Most dirt roads are well maintained and easy going for all types of vehicles. The more adventurous can head to some of the 4WD tracks, both within the park or on Station properties. There are tracks for the novice but also several that will get the adrenalin pumping for the most experienced 4WDers.
Other Attractions
Nearby are the tiny towns of Parachilna and Blinman, with both having something to offer the traveller. Parachilna is home to the famous Prairie Hotel. This place has a reputation for providing excellent food using feral animals, particularly roo, camel and goat.
The pub is a top spot. If you’re there at the right time, you might see the massive coal train that goes right past the door every day. Blinman is a very historic town with many old buildings. It also features the remains of the copper mine that was the town’s reason for being.
You can easily spend an hour or two wandering around the town. Following that you can have a lunch at the local pub which boasts the Big Blinman Burger – a challenge worth attempting.
The Prairie Hotel is a must-visit.
Give the Flinders a go if you haven’t been before! I doubt if it will be the last time you visit.
Give us a call at Snowys on 1300 914 007 if you need any gear or advice from people who have been there before your trip to the Flinders Ranges. The Parks SA website is also worth a look before you head off.
What’s your favourite spot to visit in the Flinders?