How do I get to the Flinders Ranges?

Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park is the largest mountain range in South Australia. It's also a culturally significant site to the traditional custodians of the land, the Adnyamathanha people. The best way to get there is via Adelaide — which is where our Flinders Ranges trips depart from.

By air

If you're travelling from overseas or interstate, the easiest way to get to Flinders Ranges is to fly to Adelaide (ADL). From here, it's a five(ish) hour drive to the park. Jetstar, Virgin Australia and Qantas fly direct to Adelaide from most major cities in Australia including Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.

Prices vary depending on the season and how far in advance you book.

Below are the average fight times to Adelaide:

  • Melbourne to Adelaide - 1.5 hours

  • Hobart to Adelaide - 2 hours

  • Brisbane to Adelaide - 2.5 hours

  • Perth to Adelaide - 3 hours

  • Sydney to Adelaide - 2 hours

  • Darwin to Adelaide - 3.5 hours

There are several car rental companies at Adelaide Airport, including Europcar, Avis, Budget Car Rental and Hertz. The cost of car rental depends on the type of car and how long you'll be renting it for, but you can expect to pay upwards of AUD$100 per day.

By road

From Adelaide, driving is the only way to get to the Finders Ranges as it's remote and there's no public transport. The drive is roughly 500 km and takes 5 hours.

You can drive to the national park from other states, but prepare for an epic road trip as most major cities are at least 10 hours away.

There are a couple of routes from Adelaide Airport, with one route taking you up Augusta Highway and the other taking you on Horrocks Highway. The highways in South Australia are regularly maintained and easy to navigate. Be sure to look out for wildlife, especially when driving between dusk and dawn.

A four-wheel drive is recommended for the Flinders Ranges, as some roads are unsealed and steep. Having said that, you can definitely still get to and explore the park with a two-wheel drive, but be aware of potential hazards and avoid uneven and steep roads.

Join a Flinders Ranges tour

Don't fancy driving? Or would you prefer to have an expert local leader by your side? Join us on a small group adventure in Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park.

Read more about South Australia