Outback Region
The Outback Region covers over 10.6 million ha and 11% of South Australia. The Desert Parks System is the land of contrasts, red desert dunes, gibber, dune fields, wetlands and salt lakes. This is one of the largest desert reserve systems in the world and offers visitors a variety of cultural and scenic environments.
The Desert Parks Pass is a great way to explore South Australia's outback, but travellers must be well prepared as climatic conditions are extreme. Access is by four-wheel drive vehicles. Autumn, winter and spring are the most pleasurable times to enjoy your visit.
The Flinders Ranges Area is vast, beautiful and has a wealth of geological features, including Aboriginal and European heritage sites. The park offers a wide range of outdoor recreational activities including bushwalking trails through the spectacular Wilpena Pound and camping sites in the beautiful gorges of the Flinders Ranges.
The Gammons Ranges Area is an arid wilderness of spectacular rugged ranges and deep gorges. The park is a major heritage area for the Adnymathanha people who are the traditional custodians of the region.
The experience of an outback adventure is a journey to remember, so to better plan your trip phone the Desert Parks Pass Hotline on 1800 816 078 or Ring the Wilpena Pound Visitor Information Centre on (61 8) 8648 0048.
Enjoy your visit!
Desert Parks and Reserves
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Lake Eyre |
- Innamincka Regional Reserve
- Coongie Lakes National Park
- Simpson Desert Conservation Park
- Witjira National Park
- Lake Eyre National Park (map Lake Eyre National Park Map (100Kb PDF).
Desert Parks Bulletin
Latest Outback Travel and Weather Conditions (PDF file)
The Flinders Ranges Area
The Flinders area in South Australia includes striking and ancient landscapes encompassing the southern, central and northern Flinders Ranges and the Olary Ranges. The Flinders area represents both the arid north and the wetter southern regions of South Australia.
Rugged mountain ranges, spectacular gorges, sheltered creeks lined with River Red Gums, dry salt lakes and abundant wildlife are just some of the attractions that make The Flinders Ranges is one of South Australia's most popular destinations. This area is world renowned for it's geological history, Aboriginal rock art sites, impressive fossil assemblage and many ruins of early European settlement.
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Flinders Ranges National Park |
European occupation of the Flinders in the mid-nineteenth century brought widespread environmental changes to the area. Despite these modifications, the Ranges support a variety of habitats and include many plants and animals of conservation significance. Through the Banksia Award winning Operation Bounceback program, we are now controlling feral and pest species in the Flinders Ranges and Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Parks and surrounding properties. This is enabling the recovery of damaged landscapes and habitats and rare and elusive species such as the beautiful Yellow-footed Rock-wallaby, which can now be seen in increasing numbers, in rocky gorges of the southern, central and northern Flinders Ranges.
Flinders Ranges National Park
Wilpena Pound, one of the State's best known landmarks, is set in a timeless semi-arid landscape which legend says was shaped by the ancient serpents of the Aboriginal Dreamtime. The Pound situated in the Flinders Ranges National Park is a natural amphitheatre, shaped like a giant-cupped hand that offers visitors spectacular views and secluded bushwalks.
Marvel at the spectacular landscapes and geological history (A Corridor Through Time) of the Flinders Ranges as you pass through Brachina Gorge in the Flinders Ranges National Park. Drive or walk through Bunyeroo Valley stopping at points for views south to the Pound Range.
Lake Torrens National Park
See information sheet (50Kb PDF)
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Guided walk |
Seasonal Events Program
Experience the essential Flinders Ranges!
Guided tours, kids activities, bushtucker, concerts and slide nights are available during the Flinders Ranges Seasonal Events Program. This Program covers various themes including flora and fauna, mining and pastoral heritage, geology, Adnyamathanha culture and 4WD journeys.
The Program is run during the Spring and Autumn School Holidays each year by the Friends of Flinders Ranges National Park.
The Gammon Ranges Area
Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park
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Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park |
The Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges in the northern Flinders Ranges features rugged ranges, deep gorges and magnificent water holes. The rugged terrain in this area provides a refuge for a variety of plant and animal life. Italowie and Weetootla Gorges are a must see when visiting the Region.
Admire the Aboriginal culture of the region with rock art sites and dreaming stories of the local Adnyamathanha people. Rock art can be viewed at various sites throughout the Region with the best known being Yourambulla Caves south of Hawker, Arkaroo Rock and Sacred Canyon in Flinders Ranges National Park.
The Aroona and Appealinna ruins serve as reminders of the difficult early years of European settlement. The risk of failure through adverse seasons was an ever-present factor in the pastoralists' survival. Visit the restored Hill Homestead in the mouth of Wilpena Pound, a reminder that farming once took place right inside the Pound.
Historic townships are a feature of the Flinders Ranges. Towns including Melrose, Quorn, Hawker and Blinman now share their stories of early railway, mining and pastoral heritage with visitors.
Lake Frome National Park
See information sheet (50Kb PDF).
Visitor Services
Many opportunities exist within the parks of the region for vehicle based camping at designated sites. Most of the designated camping grounds in the Flinders have toilets, limited water and fireplaces, although it is recommended that you carry your own water. Bush camping with minimal facilities is available in the Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges. Camping permits are required and can be obtained from self-registration bays, our offices or the Wilpena Pound Visitor Centre.
Within the Flinders Ranges National Park, the Wilpena Pound Resort provides accommodation, camping areas and facilities, a restaurant, supplies including fuel and a shuttle bus service into the spectacular Wilpena Pound.
Self-contained accommodation is available at Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park. Accommodation ranges from cottages to shearers quarters, all set within magnificent surroundings.
Due to the rugged mountain landscapes, wealth of wildlife and peaceful settings, the Flinders Ranges are one of the most popular bushwalking destinations in South Australia. Bushwalking brochures and maps are available from most information centres in the Region.
Guided tours and packages of the Flinders Ranges are available year round with many self-guided 4WD tours proving to be most popular.
Many roads in the Ranges are unsealed and can, after heavy rain be unpassable to both 2WD and 4WD vehicles. Information on road conditions in the central and northern Flinders can be obtained locally through our offices, the Wilpena Pound Visitor Centre, or from the Transport SA website.
There are various Tourist Information Centres spread throughout the Flinders area. Information Centres include:
- The Wadlata Outback Centre in Port Augusta (61 8) 8642 4511
- The Wilpena Pound Visitor Information Centre in the Flinders Ranges National Park (61 8) 8648 0048
Department for Environment and Heritage offices:
- Port Augusta (61 8) 8648 5300
- Wilpena (61 8) 8648 0049
- Balcanoona (61 8) 8648 4829
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