From the weathered peaks to the rocky gorges, it’s easy to get lost in the magic of the Flinders Ranges.
Taking out the top spot for the largest mountain range in South Australia, the Flinders Ranges were naturally created over 800 million years ago and have been home to the traditional owners, the Adnyamathanha peoples, ever since. Listen to fascinating creation stories of breathtaking landscapes and otherworldly wildlife from those who were here first on our Flinders Ranges tours and holidays and explore a whole heap of geological wonders along the way. Whether you fancy taking in the beauty of Ikara, cooling off in the Blinman Pools, or taking a hike through Dutchmans Stern, adventuring through the Flinders Ranges is a one-of-a-kind experience you’ll never forget.
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Things to do in the Flinders Ranges

Marvel at Brachina Gorge
The Flinders Ranges aren’t short on natural beauty and Brachina Gorge is no exception. Filled with centuries of unearthed history, the gorge provides the most epic day out, from trying to spot the stripey tails of yellow-footed rock wallabies to taking photos of the multi-coloured rock formations. If that doesn’t tickle your nature-loving fancy, why not marvel at the ancient red gums adorning the riverbed or check out the towering gorge walls as they change colours in the setting sun.

Climb up Mt. Ohlssen Bagge
If you’re looking for a challenge and want to hike your way around Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park along one of the most raved-about walks, then Mt. Ohlssen Bagge is the trail for you. Prepare yourself for a rocky and continuously uphill 6km walk and get ready to sweat it out, taking in breathtaking scenery every time you look up. While the Mt. Ohlssen Bagge trail will push you to your limits (and then some), the view from the top is well worth the struggle it took to get up there.

Take a dip in the cool waters of the Blinman Pools
Exploring and adventuring through the range’s rugged wilderness can be tiring work, especially during summer, but nothing says a little pick-me-up like cooling off in one of nature’s very own swimming pools. Filled with cool, green waters you’re definitely going to want to swim in, the Blinman Pools offer the perfect resting spot after a day's hiking on the Walk the Flinders Ranges trip. So, whether you’re stopping at the pools for lunch or on the lookout for some native birds, this scenic swimming spot will be the cherry on top of a great day.

Check out the epic views along Dutchmans Stern
While the Flinders Ranges might be full of remarkable things to look at and hike through, the bluff known as Dutchmans Stern might just be the best of them all. Lace up your comfortable boots, fill up your reusable water bottle and make your way to the summit, passing spectacular native flora and fauna as you go and stopping to admire the naturally beautiful, rugged landscape whenever you need to catch your breath. With jaw-dropping views of surrounding ranges, this is one hike you’ll be glad you went on.

Connect with country by visiting Sacred Canyon
You only need to take a quick look around the ranges to know that this beautiful region is full of cultural significance to the traditional owners, the Adnyamathanha peoples. While there are many sacred spots throughout the national park, Sacred Canyon is perhaps the most memorable thanks to its sandstone walls bearing marks and engravings of the stories of those who’ve lived here for centuries. Only accessible with an Adnyamathanha tour guide, learn about the landscape from those who know it best, and gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the area’s ancient history.

4WD tour of Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary
If you want to get the full Flinders Ranges experience, then dedicating an afternoon to exploring the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary on a Flinders Ranges Explorer trip should be high on your priority list. Offering some of the most extraordinary outback landscapes you’ll ever see, Arkaroola is not only full of breathtaking peaks, valleys, gorges, and creeks, but it’s also home to plenty of native flora and fauna. From Spidery Wattle trees to the Red-Barred Dragon, this wildlife sanctuary is a must-visit.
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Flinders Ranges FAQs
Everyone travelling on an Intrepid trip must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of carriage.
All travellers are required to produce:
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Proof of COVID-19 vaccination
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All children aged 5 to 17 years old must provide proof of vaccination (if eligible), proof of recovery or a negative COVID-19 test.
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If you are unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons, you may apply for an exemption. Exemptions will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. To apply, you must provide a medical certificate from a medical professional.
In all cases, you must be fully inoculated. This means you must receive the full dosage of the COVID-19 vaccine and allow enough time for immunity to take effect. Each COVID-19 vaccine has different dosages and timeframes for inoculation, so please check the relevant medical advice associated with your vaccine.
Learn more about Intrepid's COVID-19 proof of vaccination policy
There are a number of ways to get to the Flinders Ranges but the easiest and most convenient way is to drive as the ranges are remote and hard to access without a vehicle. Depending on where in the country you're travelling from, you can fly into Adelaide Airport, hire a car from one of six car rental companies, and then begin your 5 and a half hour (460km) journey to the ranges.
The weather in the Flinders Ranges is fairly seasonal throughout the year with varying temperatures ranging from 5°C in winter to as high as 38°C in summer. During winter and autumn, there's a high likelihood of rain and if temperatures drop down low enough, it has been known to snow. The hottest months to visit the Flinders Ranges are in December, January, and February.
The best time to visit the Flinders Ranges is between May to October as the weather is still reasonably warm and free of humidity. There is a chance of experiencing some rainfall and even snowfall during these times but, on average, the daily temperatures are around 15°C. It's unsuitable to travel to the region in the summer months as the high temperatures make hiking and spending long periods of time in the ranges unsafe.
What to pack for a trip to the Flinders Ranges largely depends on what time of the year you're travelling in and what kind of holiday you want to have. If you plan on hiking, make sure to bring comfortable hiking/walking shoes, a day bag, a reusable drink bottle, a camera, and sunscreen. During the warmer months, packing shorts, t-shirts, and dresses is acceptable. You'll also want to pack a hat to protect you from the sun's UV rays. During the winter months make sure you're packing appropriate colder weather clothing.
Australia is a big place so tours in the Flinders Ranges can involve a lot of time on the road covering long distances and services can be limited so bring some snacks and a book or some tunes to keep you company. Or you can sit back and enjoy the scenery and keep an eye out for eagles, emus and other local wildlife along the way.
The phone service is fairly good in the Flinders Ranges, especially at your booked accommodation but, as in any national park, phone service will be spotty and may even drop out in places. Visitor centres in the park will have wifi services you can connect to but expect to be off-the-grid if you're camping or going on long hikes.
The traditional custodians of the Flinders Ranges are the Adnyamathanha peoples who have lived on this land for thousands of years. Throughout the national park, you'll see ancient rock paintings, carvings, and engravings that tell the story of the landscape and how Adnyamathanha peoples have lived from generation to generation. The Ikara-Flinders National Park is now co-managed by the Adnyamathanha peoples and representatives from the Department of Environment, Water, and Natural Resources.
Read more about the traditional owners of the Flinders Ranges
Intrepid is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. That’s why we do our best to help as many people see the world as possible, regardless of any physical or mental limitations they might have. However, we’re always happy to talk to travellers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them towards the most suitable itinerary for their needs and where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.
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