The Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park covers 95, 000 hectares of the Central Flinders Ranges region. It’s one of the oldest landscapes in the entire country, having formed over millions of years. The Ikara-Flinders Ranges have been the traditional home to the Adnyamathanha people for tens of thousands of years. The pound area was known as Ikara or ‘meeting place’ to the Traditional Owners and the park has many culturally significant sites, including rock art. The national park is co-managed by the SA Government and Adnyamathanha Traditional Owners. The Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park is South Australia’s premier hiking destination, with countless trails from the long-distance Heysen Trail to shorter bush walks. It’s also a popular camping and 4WD destination. There is really something for everyone to discover in this park.
When To Visit
The best time to visit the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park is between April and September. The Flinders region has the same climate as outback Australia, with extremely hot summers and mild, dry winters. This makes the cooler months the best time to visit the Flinders Ranges. While winter from June until August is definitely the most popular time to visit, you should still find clear, warm days and cool nights in late autumn and early spring as well. We visited at the beginning of October and the weather was very mild and also a good time to go. Just check the weather before heading to the Flinders Ranges.
Camping
There are many camping and accommodation options around the Park. We travel in a caravan so opted for the unpowered caravan park sites and one free camp. If you only have a week in the park it is best to base yourself on and not move around to different camping areas. As we had 3 weeks we moved to 4 different campgrounds and we explored each of the areas. The best base campground to see everything is Wilpena Pound Resort or Rawnsley Campground, this camp allows dog’s. Unpowered campsites are $29 per night and Powered sites from $41 per night. Cabins from $120 per night. Click Here to make a booking.
Wilpena Pound Resort
Wilpena Pound Resort is the only accommodation within the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park. The resort includes 15 glamping tents, 60 resort-style rooms and a large campground with 40 powered and 300 unpowered sites.
Facilities include: Camp kitchen, WIFI in Communal areas, Mountain Bike hire $65 per day, Amenities block, pool, a dump point and drinking water. There is also laundry Unpowered campsites are $30 per night and Powered sites from $35 per night. The resort also have hotel rooms from $270 and they also have Safari tents from $292 per night. Click Here to make a booking.
Rawnsley Park Station
The caravan park is pet-friendly and offers a range of accommodation options to suit everyone. The caravan park has a under-cover camp kitchen, modern amenities block and a swimming pool. Powered sites from $41 and unpowered sites from $29 per night for 2 people. Click Here to make a booking.
Trezona Campground
A basic bush camp with long-drop toilet and picnic area. There is 15 allocated campgrounds and you book before you arrive it cost $24 per night. Click Here for bookings.
Parachilna Gorge Campground
This is a free campground located near Blinman at the end of the National Park. The camp has no facilities at either of the campgrounds. There is 5 campgrounds to choose from.
Top Hiking Trail’s
Rawnsley Bluff and Wilpena Pound Lookout
11.3km 5 hour return. The hike climbs the Wilpena Pound escarpment, providing views into the Pound from the Wilpena Pound Lookout. From the carpark inside Rawnsley Park Station the walking trail begins by following the creek bed, then climbing the foothills of the main range. The trail then gradually gets steeper until you reach Lone Pine Lookout which provides views along the escarpment and to Elder Range. After this lookout the trail becomes less steep as you approach the summit. The turn off to Wilpena Pound lookout isn’t well signposted but there is an arrow where the turn off is and then yellow and white painted arrows. It is about 600 meters one way to the lookout.
Arkaroo Rock Hike
3.1km 2 hour return. Arkaroo Rock is a significant cultural site for the Adnyamathanha people of the Flinders Ranges. This hike goes to a rock shelter with their rock paintings featuring ochre and charcoal images. It is quite a steady up hill and along rocks to the rock but is quite a short walk and has beautiful scenery of the surrounding mountains including Rawnsley Bluff.
Mt Olhessen Bagge
5.6km 4 hour return. The hike begins at Wilpena Visitor Center follow the main trail a short distance along Wilpena Creek into the Pound Gap, before branching off to begin the climb up Mount Ohlssen Bagge. The hike is a steep rocky climb to the summit of Mount Ohlssen Bagge, with rewarding views both inside and outside the Pound. The peak is 941 meters above sea level.
Drought Busters Loop
2 km circuit 1.5 hour return Grade 3 hike. The start of the Drought Busters Hike follows main trail through the Pound Gap then turns off onto the Mount Ohlssen Bagge Hike before looping back to the Pound Gap.
Wangara Lookout
7km 3-3.5 hour return hike from Hills Homestead. The walk begins from the trailhead at the Wilpena Visitor Centre. The start of the walk is through the Pound Gap, following Wilpena Creek through tall river red gums and pines. After crossing Wilpena Creek and passing the water hole, the trail road ends next to an info shelter. At this point you can choose to continue along the walking trail, which is easier, or along the dirt road which climbs above Sliding Rock. The walk continues past Hills Homestead. From the homestead, the trail continues past an Adnyamathanha sculpture, climbing up the pound edge. The first lookout is 150 meters up the trail, with the second upper lookout a further climb and another 450 meters up the trail. Both lookouts have viewing platforms.
Wilena Gap Track
The Track is a flat track for the first two kilometers then there is a few stairs and rocks along the trail. It is a easy trail to the Hill’s homestead and Wangarra lookout. There is also a shuttle bus to which takes you about 2km along the track. it costs $3 return.
Heysen Trail
From Wilpena you can take the Heysen/Mawson trail to Bunyeroo Gorge. It’s about 15km one way. It is shared trail for cyclists and walkers. The trail to Willocola Campground is a beautiful single trail with great mountain views. The trail then turns quite rocky and turns into a old 4wd track. I would recommend taking a Mountain bike or walking along the trail. You can hire mountain bikes from the information center for $65 per day. If your lucky you may spot a yellow footed rock wallaby.,a
Bunyeroo Gorge walk
7.5km 3.5 hours return hike. Wander through Bunyeroo Gorge, a wide, peaceful gum-lined gorge framed by rugged rock formations. The trail is mostly in the broad creek bed, and is less of a walking trail and more of a wander down the creek. The hike begins from the Bunyeroo car park.
Red Hill Lookout Hike
8.4km 4 hour return hike. Hike up to the top of Red Hill for views of the Aroona Valley and and south to the peaks of Wilpena Pound. The hike includes some steep fire track sections. Begin the hike from the carpark at Aroona Campground, the trail follows the Heysen Trail out from the northern end of the campground.
Barachina Gorge Drive
Along the way stop at Aroona Lookout, ABC lookout and Barachina Lookout and in the evening head to Barachina Gorge and if your lucky you may spot a yellow footed rock Wallaby.
To Explore More Road Trips Click Here.