The best time to visit the Flinders Ranges is a very subjective (albeit popular) topic.
Some like it hot, while others like it cold. Some like to find their own slice of paradise at a less busy time of year, while some aren’t fussed or have inflexible travel dates.
Provided there has been ample winter rain, this period will maximise your chances of seeing wildflowers.
Temperatures are also mild to warm and the days are long enough that you won’t be sitting around the campfire at 4 pm each day.
Please read on if you’d like a more detailed, month-by-month look at what to expect in terms of weather, comfort, and whatnot.
Note that as a general rule, temperatures and rainfall decrease the further one travels north. In other words, Arkaroola is hotter and drier than Georgetown in the Southern Flinders Ranges.
Summer rainfall, on the other hand, tends to increase as one travels north.
The Flinders Ranges in January is hot.
Most of us living in Australia can appreciate that this period is the height of summer, but one has to be prepared for temperatures well into the 40s as well as warm nights and armies of flies.
On the flip side, crowds will be at their lowest in the new year. And if you’re flexible with dates, you could time a short getaway to coincide with a cool change or milder period.
Note that in Flinders Ranges National Park, the strenuous St. Mary Peak and Mount Ohlssen Bagge hikes are closed over the summer.
Various other Wilpena Pound walks , however, remain open all year round.
January climate data
Arkaroola (northern)
Average maximum – 34.4°C Average minimum – 20.2°C Average rainfall – 35.1mm
Hawker (central)
Average maximum – 34.3°C Average minimum – 18.1°C Average rainfall – 20.3mm
Georgetown (southern)
Average maximum – 31.1°C Average minimum – 15.0°C Average rainfall – 20.2mm
February
In terms of average maximum temperature, February is the hottest month of the year in the Flinders Ranges.
In the northern areas around Arkaroola, Blinman, and Wilpena, there may be occasional incursions of tropical moisture that result in rain.
You’re unlikely to see many other travellers, and for good reason. It tends to be very hot to the point of being uncomfortable – particularly for campers and those without an adequate way to cool themselves.
The good news is that you may be able to score a last minute or off-peak accommodation deal to make the stay more pleasant. Avoid excessive activity during the middle of the day and instead make best use of those warm sunrises and sunsets.
February climate data
Arkaroola (northern)
Average maximum – 33.3°C Average minimum – 19.5°C Average rainfall – 36.8mm
Hawker (central)
Average maximum – 33.4°C Average minimum – 18.0°C Average rainfall – 20.6mm
Georgetown (southern)
Average maximum – 30.7°C Average minimum – 15.2°C Average rainfall – 20.7mm
March
March also tends to be hot to very hot. But in the Southern Flinders Ranges, temperatures start to drop as summer transitions to autumn.
In any case, March can be a mixed bag. In some years with an Indian summer, the heat continues well into April.
In other years there may be rain or somewhat milder temperatures depending on the prevailing climatic conditions.
March climate data
Arkaroola (northern)
Average maximum – 30.0°C Average minimum – 16.0°C Average rainfall – 28.8mm
Hawker (central)
Average maximum – 30.2°C Average minimum – 15.0°C Average rainfall – 16.1mm
Georgetown (southern)
Average maximum – 28.1°C Average minimum – 13.1°C Average rainfall – 20.1mm
The April of 2019 was particularly dry, but not without its desolate beauty April
April is typically the month that the “break in the season” rains occur in South Australia. Farmers say it tends to happen around Anzac Day, but it rarely works out that way.
April is a nice time to visit the Flinders Ranges. The days will still be warm to hot in the north but milder (and with colder nights) in the south.
Most of the region will be brown and dry if there hasn’t been summer rain, so keep that in mind if you’d prefer rolling green hills and wildflowers.
Nonetheless, April tends to be one of the busier months because of the South Australian school holidays, Anzac Day, and in some years, the Easter long weekend.
April climate data
Arkaroola (northern)
Average maximum – 25.3°C Average minimum – 11.2°C Average rainfall – 15.1mm
Hawker (central)
Average maximum – 25.4°C Average minimum – 11.1°C Average rainfall – 19.9mm
Georgetown (southern)
Average maximum – 22.9°C Average minimum – 9.8°C Average rainfall – 35.3mm
May
May is also a superb time to visit the Flinders.
If you’re lucky, the first substantial rains have fallen and the green shoots will be appearing in the south around Melrose, Laura, and the like.
The days are noticeably shorter, but in the Central and Northern Flinders in particular there is still plenty of warmth to be enjoyed.
In most areas, May is also when the fire ban season ends and you can enjoy a campfire to warm your bones on cold to very cold nights.
Always check fire ban dates in advance as they can change from year to year.
May climate data
Arkaroola (northern)
Average maximum – 20.3°C Average minimum – 7.2°C Average rainfall – 17.2mm
Hawker (central)
Average maximum – 19.9°C Average minimum – 7.2°C Average rainfall – 29.9mm
Georgetown (southern)
Average maximum – 18.2°C Average minimum – 7.1°C Average rainfall – 50.8mm
June
June is the wettest month of the year in most of the agricultural areas of South Australia.
Be prepared for cold and wet weather in the Southern Flinders Ranges interspersed with cool and sunny days.
The Central Flinders (between Quorn and Blinman) can also be wet in June, but from personal experience, winter rainfall over this area has decreased in the past few decades.
It may rain for a day or two, but in most cases, it is not too much of an inconvenience.
The nights are cold and the days short. In Wilpena, for example, the shortness of the day is amplified by the surrounding topography with the sun disappearing behind the Pound shortly after 4 pm.
June is also busy despite the chance of bad weather. Try to avoid the King’s Birthday long weekend – one of the busiest of the year.
June climate data
Arkaroola (northern)
Average maximum – 16.8°C Average minimum – 4.4°C Average rainfall – 15.0mm
Hawker (central)
Average maximum – 16.3°C Average minimum – 4.6°C Average rainfall – 37.6mm
Georgetown (southern)
Average maximum – 15.0°C Average minimum – 5.1°C Average rainfall – 58.8mm
July
With any luck, July sees the green tinge start to work its way north as fronts deliver rain to the semi-arid areas.
July is a wet month like June, but there are enough sunny breaks to keep most people interested (particularly north of about Wilmington).
The nights are cold to very cold and, like June, can drop to a few degrees below zero. Campers should come well prepared with ground insulation and a quality down sleeping bag to maximise comfort.
July crowds peak during the winter school holiday period, but in truth, the entire month tends to be quite busy.
July climate data
Arkaroola (northern)
Average maximum – 16.6°C Average minimum – 3.3°C Average rainfall – 13.9mm
Hawker (central)
Average maximum – 16.0°C Average minimum – 3.7°C Average rainfall – 32.5mm
Georgetown (southern)
Average maximum – 14.2°C Average minimum – 4.2°C Average rainfall – 56.4mm
A rainy day in early August that really brings out the colour in the eucalypts August
August heralds the onset of spring in the Northern and Central Flinders Ranges.
Wildflowers start to bloom and the days become longer and warmer, but the nights remain cold.
It may still be wet enough to dampen your enthusiasm in the Southern Flinders Ranges. Certainly toward the end of August, however, the temperatures start to increase and there are longer periods of sunny weather.
Look out for the beautiful yellow fields of canola around Melrose and Laura.
August climate data
Arkaroola (northern)
Average maximum – 19.2°C Average minimum – 4.7°C Average rainfall – 14.2mm
Hawker (central)
Average maximum – 17.8°C Average minimum – 4.3°C Average rainfall – 31.1mm
Georgetown (southern)
Average maximum – 15.5°C Average minimum – 4.5°C Average rainfall – 57.2mm
September
September is a great month to tackle some of the longer hikes in the Flinders Ranges such as St. Mary Peak and Edeowie Gorge/Malloga Falls.
The days are warm and sunny (but not hot) and the days are long enough that you won’t have to risk returning in the dark.
September is a busy time in the Flinders. This is particularly true toward the end of the month with the start of school holidays and the imminent early October long weekend.
You’re also likely to run into school camps, tour groups, and other special events across September. All of which have the potential to impact the availability of accommodation.
September climate data
Arkaroola (northern)
Average maximum – 23.4°C Average minimum – 8.0°C Average rainfall – 15.0mm
Hawker (central)
Average maximum – 21.8°C Average minimum – 6.9°C Average rainfall – 27.1mm
Georgetown (southern)
Average maximum – 18.7°C Average minimum – 5.7°C Average rainfall – 52.6mm
October
October is pleasant and warm across the Flinders Ranges. In the northern areas, there may be a few hot days scattered across the month in El Nino years. Regardless, however, the nights remain pleasantly cool to mild.
With any luck, you’ll get to experience a spring storm or two and see the creeks run and animals rejoice.
The aforementioned October long weekend is very busy and you may need to plan ahead if you want to travel then. Wilpena Pound Resort may be booked out and even its large campground with hundreds of sites may be close to capacity.
Do note that the fire ban season starts sometime in October in the Flinders Ranges. In 2023, for example, it began on the 15th – so aim to visit before then if you’d still like to enjoy a campfire.
October climate data
Arkaroola (northern)
Average maximum – 26.7°C Average minimum – 11.6°C Average rainfall – 18.8mm
Hawker (central)
Average maximum – 25.8°C Average minimum – 10.0°C Average rainfall – 24.8mm
Georgetown (southern)
Average maximum – 22.4°C Average minimum – 7.8°C Average rainfall – 44.7mm
November
November is my second favourite time to visit the Flinders Ranges after August. The days are long and sometimes hot, the nights are relatively warm, and the beer is cold.
According to data released by the South Australian Tourism Commission, November is the fifth least popular month for visitors.
If you’re prepared to deal with some hot weather and flies in exchange for some peace and maybe even solitude, it can be a great time of year to visit.
A typical sunset view in November after a day of storms
November climate data
Arkaroola (northern)
Average maximum – 30.3°C Average minimum – 15.5°C Average rainfall – 18.1mm
Hawker (central)
Average maximum – 29.4°C Average minimum – 13.6°C Average rainfall – 22.7mm
Georgetown (southern)
Average maximum – 26.2°C Average minimum – 10.6°C Average rainfall – 32.6mm
December
December is hot to very hot north of about Quorn, but visitors to the Southern Flinders Ranges can still experience mild weather and cool evenings. Case in point, the extremely pleasant weather of December 2023.
December, like January and February, can still be pleasant in the northern areas if you are flexible with dates and keep an eye on the weather forecast.
Though it goes without saying, remember to slip, slop, slap in the summer heat and know your limits in terms of physical exertion.
The St. Mary Peak and Mount Ohlssen Bagge hike close on December 1 each year.
December climate data
Arkaroola (northern)
Average maximum – 32.7°C Average minimum – 17.8°C Average rainfall – 25.3mm
Hawker (central)
Average maximum – 32.0°C Average minimum – 16.0C Average rainfall – 22.1mm
Georgetown (southern)
Average maximum – 29.2°C Average minimum – 13.1°C Average rainfall – 25.9mm
Final thoughts
The best time to visit the Flinders Ranges is very much dependent on your tolerance for heat, cold, crowds, and flies.
It will also depend on where you stay and what attractions you want to see. In the Southern Flinders, temperatures are much milder and any time of year is a good time to visit.
The Northern Flinders, on the other hand, are better enjoyed in winter and spring.
April to November is ideal for the Central Flinders Ranges (from Quorn to Blinman) and, provided you stay hydrated and exercise common sense, you can still have a rewarding experience in the summer months.
In any case, aside from a couple of strenuous hikes in Flinders Ranges National Park, most other attractions and facilities remain open throughout the year.
Thanks and enjoy!
