How do I get to the Flinders Ranges?
The Flinders Ranges is the largest mountain range in South Australia, and not only is it full of remarkable natural beauty, but it's also culturally significant to the traditional custodians of the land, the Adnyamathanha peoples. Because of this rich history and this region's spectacular landscape, thousands of travellers flock to the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park each year. Depending on where in Australia you're travelling from, this can be an easy, short journey or it could be a long one. The best way to get to the Flinders Ranges is by car but that doesn't mean you have to drive the whole way, especially if you're from a different state. Regardless of where you live, you can fly into Adelaide Airport and continue your journey by car to the ranges.
Flying to the Flinders Ranges
While you can't fly directly to Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park, you can fly into Adelaide Airport (ADL), which is only a short-ish 5-and-a-half-hour drive from the ranges. This is the best way to travel to the park if you're from a different state such as Tasmania, Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia, the Northern Territory, or New South Wales. See below for flight time and prices from each state to Adelaide Airport:
- Flying from Melbourne to Adelaide will take you 1 hour and 20 minutes and cost roughly AUD$96+.
- Flying from Hobart to Adelaide will take you 2 hours and cost roughly AUD$86+.
- Flying from Brisbane to Adelaide will take you 2 hours and 35 minutes and cost roughly AUD$150+.
- Flying from Perth to Adelaide will take you just under 3 hours and cost roughly AUD$140+.
- Flying from Sydney to Adelaide will take you 2 hours and cost roughly AUD$90+.
- Flying from Darwin to Adelaide will take you 3 hours and 35 minutes and cost roughly AUD$130+.
These prices can change depending on what season you're travelling in and how far in advance you want to book.
Once you've arrived at Adelaide Airport, there are six different car rental companies you can choose from to continue your journey to the Flinders Ranges. These car rental companies are Europcar, Avis, Budget Car Rental, Thrifty, Hertz, and Rent-A-Car. The cost of renting a car differs on what type of car you want and how long you'll be renting it for but you can expect to pay roughly AUD$100+ per day.
Driving to the Flinders Ranges
Driving to the Finders Ranges is the best and only way you can get to the national park as it's quite remote and access is limited. If you're driving from Adelaide Airport then your journey will be roughly 5 and a half hours (460km). If you're already travelling from somewhere in South Australia, your journey might be considerably shorter. You can drive to the national park if you live in other states but prepare yourself for one epic road trip if you do as most major cities are at least 10+ hours away.
There are a couple of routes you can take from Adelaide Airport with one route taking you up Augusta Hwy, and the second taking you on Horrocks Hwy. The highways in South Australia are regularly maintained and feature adequate signage with bold lettering for easy navigation. During your drive, make sure to look out for animal crossings or unsafe driving conditions, especially when driving at night.
To make getting to the national park easier, and getting around it once you're there easier, driving a 4WD car is recommended. This will give you access to all areas within the park as some tracks can be quite difficult to drive on in a 2WD. Having said that, you can definitely still get to and explore the park with a 2WD but be aware of potential hazards and be smart while driving extremely uneven/steep roads.
Return to Flinders Ranges FAQs
Read more about Australia
Feb 22, 2018
Mud crab feasts, camels and more:...
A laidback beach resort and pearling town in Australia’s Kimberley region, Broome...
Jul 02, 2022
4 Bruny Island restaurants to eat at...
These Bruny Island restaurants are the best - you butter believe it!
Jun 23, 2021
Family fun for every age in Australia...
Even if your family has already seen a lot of Australia and New Zealand, these kid...
Aug 31, 2021
11 amazing things to do on K’gari ...
This ever-changing sand island promises an amazing outdoor adventure whether it's...
Nov 21, 2021
Ningaloo Reef vs Great Barrier Reef:...
Struggling to decide where to go for your next coastal adventure? Check out this...
May 13, 2020
The top destinations for travel in...
Whether you're based in Tasmania, Queensland or anywhere in between, this...
Jun 29, 2022
“NAIDOC is like a beacon.” We asked...
Held in the first week of July each year, NAIDOC Week celebrates and recognises...
Nov 25, 2020
Connecting with country
I have spent years travelling the length and breadth of the country, gathering...
May 26, 2021
Enrich your Queensland holiday with...
Learn about cultural traditions past and present, including knowledge that has...
Jul 14, 2021
Our Reconciliation Action Plan update...
Travel isn’t about numbers or data sets. It’s about people, cultures, connections...
May 25, 2021
10 incredible First Nations...
This National Reconciliation Week, we want you to get out, take action and...
Dec 18, 2021
The 7 best day walks in Freycinet...
Discover the beauty of Freycinet National Park on these fantastic walking tracks.
Feb 16, 2022
12 things to add to your Eyre...
The Eyre Peninsula ticks all the boxes for an ocean-meets-outback adventure.
Sep 04, 2019
The top 10 destinations to travel in...
We're looking at where to travel in May, a balmy, sunshine-in-a-bowl sort of month...
Mar 03, 2022
9 animals to see in Kings Canyon & Uluru
How many of these local wildlife residents will you see on your Red Centre...
Feb 28, 2022
Northern Territory vs Western...
Coming to a decision was harder than you could ever imagine...
Nov 06, 2021
A foodie’s guide to Margaret River
From surf to cellar door and bush to brewery, Margaret River is one of Australia’s...
Jun 02, 2022
Connecting to Country on Tasmania’s...
Tasmania’s wukalina Walk is an Indigenous-owned, multi-day hike through some of...
May 15, 2022
“At that moment I just burst into...
We sent Rachael Sarra on our Flinders Ranges Explorer trip – a seven-day journey...
May 25, 2022
Exploring Arkaroola, the best kept...
Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary in the South Australian outback offers a...
Mar 16, 2022
5 incredible First Nations...
Perth is home to some amazing First Nations experiences for travellers, from...
Apr 14, 2022
6 First Nations bush foods you need...
Australia has a fascinating culinary history, and if you haven’t tasted First...
Apr 19, 2022
“What happened needs to be...
Set in the heart of South Australia’s Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park,...