Fabulous Flinders

About five hours drive north of Adelaide is the Flinders Ranges. An ancient range of rugged mountains, gorges and scenic vistas. Formed about 540 million years ago during the Cambrian period the area underwent the Delamerian orogeny when this sequence of rocks was faulted and folded into a mountain range.

Flinders Ranges national park is where most people begin. With Wilpena pound being the main drawcard. This massive natural amphitheatre can be accessed by a short walk to the entrance where you can then explore inside the pound with a variety of trails.

St Marys Peak is the highest point in the Flinders Ranges and can be accessed from either within or outside the pound with easy to follow trails. Although a certain level of fitness will be required as there are some very steep and rocky sections if you come up from the outer edge.

There is a big choice of camping sites in the Flinders. The largest is at Wilpena Pound where you can pitch a tent or take a caravan or motorhome. There is also a three star resort style hotel, if you want some real comfort.

A standard car is all you need to explore as most roads are suitable for conventional vehicles, but there are also some interesting and challenging 4WD tracks to explore that take the occupants to out of the way places.

Aboriginal art can be found throughout the Flinders which tells stories of their history and the Dream time, a time when creative spirits formed the world. The aboriginal people are the oldest living culture in the world, and their dreamtime stories are fascinating.

There is also European history with abandoned gold mines and ruins of homesteads and long gone dreams of people who came to farm and make their fortune, only to be beaten by the harsh environment.

There are many walks throughout the Flinders Ranges, some only a few hours, and some many days. The most famous is the Heysen Trail that actually stretches from the bottom of the Fleurieu Peninsular south of Adelaide to its end at Parachilna gorge in the Flinders ranges. A total of 1200 klms covering a diverse variety of land scapes along the way.

Wildlife abounds with Kangaroos, Wallabies, Emus, Lizards and many different types of birds throughout the ranges. With the scenic environment as well, it is a photographer’s paradise.

After spending the day exploring, there is nothing better than sitting around a campfire with billions of stars overhead, a hot cuppa in your hand, and the silent bush around you. What a great way to end the day while in the Flinders Ranges.

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