The Flinders Ranges has long been on my bucket list of places to visit in Australia. So it was exciting to finally be on the road and heading towards one of the most accessible and spectacular outback spots in our great country.
It took us two days of solid driving, in convoy with friends, long hours at the wheel. But it was spectacularly satisfying as we neared our destination, a breath-takingly beautiful landscape of rugged mountain ranges. It’s a place where you can’t help but feel at one with nature. The Flinders invokes a sense of freedom amidst wide open spaces, rugged peaks and ancient surroundings.
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Here we are at Rawnsley Park Station, a great base in the heart of the Flinders Ranges and about twenty minutes from Wilpena Pound. We were here for three nights soaking up the splendour of the ranges, enjoying camp fires under the stars, invigorating walks and bike rides amongst the towering peaks and just breathing in the beauty of the open spaces.
It’s the perfect place to settle in for a night of star gazing in the ultimate outdoor restaurant with million dollar views
One of the highlights of our stay was the circuit drive through the Brachina Geological Trail, and the Bunyeroo Gorge Scenic Drive. The Bunyeroo and Brachina Gorges are an absolutely stunning part of the National Park.
Deep in the heart of the gorge we enjoyed a peaceful picnic lunch surrounded by rock walls that glowed orange in the bright sunlight. This landscape is food for the soul as well as the body.
And it was here we spotted a couple of unique yellow-footed rock wallabies.
Following twists and turns into the Bunyeroo Valley, the road leads to Razorback Lookout, where the vista is classic Flinders Ranges: a winding, descending road with the ranges in the distance. Rising up above all else, are the imposing walls of the Flinders Ranges’ most iconic feature, the natural amphitheatre of Wilpena Pound covering some 80 square kilometres.
There are plenty of other spectacular viewing spots and look outs in the Flinders like this one at Brachina Lookout.
At Razorback Lookout, purple and yellow flowers and stunning Red Sturt Desert Peas amongst the purple peaks of the Heyson Range made us feel as though we’d slipped into a painter’s watercolour canvas.
It seems that where ever you look in the Flinders Ranges there is a spectacular view. Driving through ancient gorges with million years of history etched within its cliffs, tackling four wheel drive tracks that lead to unique wildlife and waterholes is adventure in itself.
The Flinders Ranges is a special place in the South Australian outback, one with millions of years of history and one of great beauty. It’s a place that well and truly got under my skin.
Out an' About 