Rawnsley Park was the first station to open its doors to tourists in 1968.
Back then, visitors paid to stay in basic cabins and watch sheep shearing demonstrations, but for the station, the income was crucial to see it through drought periods.
Station stays in the Flinders have evolved over the years to offer various accommodation types and activities inaccessible to the general public.
Drought remains a constant threat, however, and Rawnsley Park is now one of around 20 Flinders Ranges station stays using tourism to supplement their incomes.
Here are 9 of the best rated and why you should seriously consider a station stay for your next trip to the Flinders.
Southern Flinders Ranges
Willangi Bush Escapes
Willangi Bush Escapes is located in the picturesque Southern Flinders Ranges about 15 kilometres north of Peterborough – a former railway town that could be considered the eastern extremity of the region.
Known for its serene bushland setting and breathtaking views, Willangi is a superb destination for those looking to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of daily life and reconnect with nature (and indeed themselves). And there’s plenty of space to do so on what is a 9,500-acre property.
The name “Willangi” means “the wind” in the local Aboriginal language, which perfectly captures the essence of the peaceful, natural environment.
Willangi has numerous bush campsites set amongst the mallee and native understorey, with each site having its own long drop loo, mirror, fire pit and private access road. Most sites can also accommodate up to 10-12 people and have access to the camp shower block.
If you want slightly more luxury, consider the very secluded “Bath Suite”. This bush camp comes with its own outdoor bath where water in a 44-gallon drum is heated by a fire you make yourself. Firewood is included!
Willangi is an amazing spot with abundant wildlife and superb views of the Milky Way at night. Despite only being 15 kilometres from a major centre, you feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere.
Prices and how to book
Standard bush campsite – from $35 per night twin share.
Bath Suite – from $50 per night twin share.
For both options, a minimum 2-night stay applies all year round with the exception of the Easter long weekend which requires a minimum 3-night stay.
Read the various terms here and then book with the details on this page.
Horseshoe Top-End
East of Quorn and run by the Connell family, Horseshoe Top-End is a sheep station that sits in the Horseshoe Range – a similar rock formation to that of Wilpena Pound.
This station stay in the Flinders Ranges is one that I can get behind. When owners Jim and Teresa diversified into tourism in 2005, they also committed to the conversation of remnant native vegetation by reducing sheep numbers.
In terms of accommodation, you can opt to stay in the station’s historic homestead that can sleep up to 10 people with all the mod cons.
Alternatively, camp in the bush with all campsites at least 1 kilometre apart with access to an ablution block with piping hot showers and good water pressure.
You can spot kangaroos and emus during the day (or drive one of the 4WD routes) and then relax under a sky filled with stars at night. Dogs are allowed, but the owners ask that you notify them at the time of booking.
The best!
Prices and how to book
Homestead – $250 per night for 1-2 people (2-night minimum stay, 3 night-minimum on long weekends and 4-night minimum over Easter).
Campsite – $15 per adult per night (minimum rate of $100 per night on long weekends, so grab a few friends to come with).
Top of the world campsite – $30 per adult per night (minimum rate of $60 per night or $150 per night on long weekends).
Check more prices and policies or book your stay.
Almerta Station
The 32,000-acre Almerta Station offers an unforgettable retreat into the heart of the Southern Flinders.
Located around 20 kilometres north of Carrieton, the family-owned property features a variety of landscapes, from the peaks of the Mount James Ranges to the occasionally-flowing Boolcunda Creek.
Almerta Station offers diverse accommodation options. Guests can choose from the renovated Shearers’ Quarters – which can house up to 30 people – or the more intimate Henders House with 2 queen rooms that sleep up to four.
Additionally, there are 13 private bush campsites with each offering a unique blend of seclusion and natural beauty. Visitors have praised the accommodations for their comfort and the superb condition of the facilities. “My only regret is that I didn’t stay longer” is a common remark.
There’s also an on-site shop that sells ice, firewood, stubby holders, mugs and beanies for those cold cold winter nights. You can even place an order at the shop for fresh meat, fruit and veggies from local producers.
What also sets Almerta Station apart is its deep connection to the land and its history. The property has been in the Rowe family since 1930 and the current owners Paddy and Shane (and their children) are extremely hospitable and go the extra mile for guests.
Book a stay here, I promise you’ll love it.
Prices and how to book
Campsites – adults $15 per night, children $5 per night.
Shearers’ Quarters – minimum $250 per night for 4 persons.
Henders House – minimum $400 per night (1-4 persons).
Phone (08) 8658 9076 to book campsites.
Click here to book the Shearers’ Quarters or Henders House.
Central Flinders Ranges
Mount Little Station
Mount Little Station offers a diverse and immersive experience in the Flinders Ranges. Just 15 minutes from Hawker, Mount Little is a working sheep and cattle station that offers various accommodation options.
These include:
- Mount Little Homestead.
- Off-grid Donga rooms (perfect for overnight hikers and bikers)
- Sunset Apartments.
- An authentic farm stay experience.
- Mount Little Town House (located in Hawker next door to Flinders Food Co).
- Mount Little Range Retreat – a private romantic getaway for couples, and
- Numerous campsites along Hookina Creek.
Guests can explore historical sites such as the ruins of Hookina Township and the Old Ghan railway bridge. Take note of the enormous logs washed downstream in previous floods and marvel at the power of the current required to move them.
Nature enthusiasts will appreciate the numerous gorges, creeks and trails. Chief among these is Mayo Gorge and its permanent waterhole rich with bird life. Harvey’s Rock is also a beautiful spot where you may see yellow-footed rock wallabies on the rocks above.
Mount Little Station is kid and pet-friendly, with activities like daily animal feeding, self-guided drives and 4WD tracks like Hidden Valley that afford panoramic views of the Elder Range.
Mount Little Tavern’s woodfire pizza nights are celebrated by guests and make for memorable evenings around the campfire where one can stargaze or mingle with like-minded travellers.
Mern Merna Station
Just up the road from Mount Little is Mern Merna, a family-owned sheep and cattle station with similarly impressive views of the Elder Range and the western end of Wilpena Pound.
The station spans over 32,000 acres and is rich in history, featuring the original Mern Merna township, school ruins and the old Ghan railway. Owned by the Gill family since 2012, it offers a few different types of accommodation
- Mt Aleck Homestead – the beautiful Mount Aleck Homestead with its maroon roof and classic fly-proof enclosed verandah sleeps up to 10 people. Ducted heating and cooling, a spacious kitchen, a BBQ and a wine cellar converted into a kid’s bedroom are among the notable features.
- Johnson Cottage – a former ruin rebuilt stone by stone with love, Johnson Cottage overlooks the Elder Range and is a perfect retreat for couples or small families. UHF radio is supplied here because cell coverage is spotty. Just the way I like it!
- Bush campsites – choose from four peaceful and secluded campsites, each with its own portable toilet. Showers can be enjoyed at the nearby shearers’ quarters for $5 per person per shower. I like the site called “Valley” because it’s the shadiest of the lot.
For those who enjoy a spot of 4WDing, there is also the spectacular (and rough) Burnette track which runs along the top of the ridge. $40 per car but this rate is discounted for those staying on the property overnight.
Prices and how to book
Mt Aleck Homestead – $400 per night on weekdays, $450 per night on weekends (minimum 2-night stay or 3-night stay over long weekends).
Johnson Cottage – $200 per night on weekdays, $220 per night on weekends (minimum 2-night stay).
Campsites – a very reasonable $30 per car per night. A half ute load of firewood can also be had for $50.
Contact Mern Merna here for enquiries and bookings.
Skytrek Willow Springs Station
Skytrek Willow Springs Station is a 70,000-acre working sheep property in the Central Flinders between Wilpena and Blinman.
Managed by the Reynolds family for four generations, the station is best known for the eponymous 4WD adventure called Skytrek – an 80-kilometre self-drive route that traverses rugged terrain and offers river red gum-lined creeks, native pines, old shepherd’s huts, ochre cliffs and Aboriginal etchings.
Accommodation here is too diverse and numerous to explain in detail. There are seven self-contained options that include the Jillaroo’s Hut (pet-friendly), Overseer’s Cottage (for couples and young families) and Moxan’s Hut – 15 kilometres east of the main homestead and only accessible with 4WD through a rugged gorge.
There is, of course, camping on the property also. But do note that there are only a limited number of peaceful, private and secure campsites.
Some are suited to 2WDs and some to AWD or 4WD. Other sites may be suitable for larger setups but enquire before you book to get something suitable. Each comes with a fire ring and BBQ plate, picnic table and long drop toilet.
If you’d prefer to be closer to the amenities block and camp kitchen (and by extension, to other campers), you can also elect to camp in another, more communal area.
Northern Flinders Ranges
Alpana Station
Alpana Station has been owned and operated by the Henery family for six generations since its establishment in 1878.
Covering 60,000 acres, the station supports around 3000 merino sheep and offers a few different camping options:
- “Trees” – comprised of 4 powered sites with private ensuite bathrooms that are 2WD accessible. The ensuite powered sites are near the homestead while there are also powered sites on the banks of nearby Alpana Creek.
- “Horse-yards” – a private bush camp option with each campsite having a long drop, fire pit and shade (high clearance vans and vehicles only).
- “Bill’s Paddock” – another bush campground with a shared long drop on the banks of Butler’s Creek. Note that Bill’s Paddock is a large open area with bookings restricted to 6 at any one time to give campers space.
- Best of Both Worlds – Alpana also allows guests to combine bush camping at Bill’s Paddock with a bathroom back at the powered site near the homestead (dependent on availability).
- For those who desire more substantial accommodation, there is the pug-and-pine Nungawurtina Hut (4WD or high clearance AWD only) and the Shearers’ Quarters – a 7-bedroom perfect for larger groups.
One feature of Alpana that comes up repeatedly is its Mount Samuel 4WD track. The track passes not one but two Mount Samuels and then descends into the aptly named Mount Buggery Gorge. Further down the road, there are commanding views of the ABC and Heysen Ranges from Green Well Valley.
There is also the option to partake in one of the station’s many guided tours. 4WD tours of the entire property are available, with specific packages available for visits to Blinman Pools, Mount Chambers Gorge and Nuccaleena.
If you’d like to learn more about Alpana Station, check out this interview with owner Sally Henery here.
Prices and how to book
- Ensuite powered sites – from $50 per night twin share.
- “Trees” area powered sites – from $35 per night twin share.
- “Horse-yards” unpowered sites – $25 per vehicle per night.
- “Bill’s Paddock” unpowered sites – $20 per vehicle per night.
- Best of Both Worlds option – from $40 per night twin share.
- Shearers’ Quarters – minimum $200 per night for 4 persons.
- Nungawurtina Hut – $80 per night twin share.
Use the details here to enquire or book your stay.
Moolooloo Station
Moolooloo Station offers an authentic outback experience with a variety of accommodations and activities. Check out this short interview with owner Tarina Warren here.
As a working sheep station covering 600 square kilometres, it features the well-equipped Shearers’ Quarters for up to 23 people, the remote and rustic Blinman Hut as well as numerous bush camping sites.
Some campsites offer eco-toilets, while others are designed for fully self-contained travellers or groups of various sizes. Have a look at the excellent drone footage of the eco-toilet campsites plus a short description of the basic bush camps.
All accommodations are booked exclusively for one group at a time, ensuring privacy and a unique experience. Kids can also camp free and dogs are more than welcome.
Australian history buffs may also appreciate that Moolooloo Station is where the famous explorer John Stuart passed through on his journey to cross the continent from south to north (and back).
Some other random things to like about Moolooloo Station:
- Friendly and helpful owners who take the time to explain their products and offer personalised advice on where to stay and what to see.
- Clean and tidy campsites and toilets that are well signposted and spread apart from other sites.
- The whole station is available to tour in your own 4WD.
- The stunningly secluded Ferguson Gorge and the ruins of the old Nuccaleena copper mine.
- Friendly station dogs, and
- The general feeling of remoteness.
Angorichina Station
Angorichina Station is a 500-square-kilometre sheep station run that covers some of the most spectacular terrain of the Northern Flinders Ranges.
Located 10 kilometres east of Blinman, it is not to be confused with Angorichina Tourist Village which sells food and fuel to Parachilna Gorge campers.
Angorichina’s ethos is to have guests truly immersed in the life of a working sheep station. Fifth-generation owners Di and Ian Fargher take a genuine interest in their guests and only accept one group at a time in their Main Homestead Lodge.
There are three guest rooms in the lodge of various configurations with each tastefully decorated and air conditioned. Guests dine at a communal table in the evenings where they are served home-cooked dinners with a touch of sophistication from Di herself.
Otherwise, you can opt to stay in the 7-bedroom Shearers’ Quarters (built in the 1850s) or the Little Paddock Homestead. The latter is nestled on a hill just behind Blinman and is suitable for families and small groups.
Unpowered campsites are also available adjacent to a dry creek bed.
The station serves as a hub for various activities. Located within an hour or two drive are Parachilna Gorge, Brachina Gorge, Bunyeroo Gorge, Blinman Pools, Blinman Mine, Glass Gorge, Prairie Hotel and Patawarta Hill (access permission required).
Angorichina is also the site of the oldest native pine woolshed in Australia still in use, which adds to the historic charm of the property. What’s more, BBQ facilities and open campfires provide perfect spots for evening relaxation and stargazing
Ian will even pick you up from Adelaide Airport and fly you to Angorichina in either a 2 or 5-seater Cessna aircraft. Other pickup locations may be negotiable.
Once you arrive at Angorichina, you can also have Ian fly you to locations further afield such as Lake Eyre, Cooper Creek, Birdsville and Innamincka.
Prices and how to book
To enquire about any of the accommodation options above, call (08) 8648 4863 or send an email to info@angorichina.com.au.
Thanks and if your favourite station stay in the Flinders is not on this list, tell me off!
