Perhaps you’re an international tourist who wants to enjoy the Flinders Ranges or an interstate visitor unsure of the best route.
Or maybe you’re a local who would prefer to visit as part of a tour group and have someone else worry about logistics.
So what are your options?
Look, I’m not going to lie to you. The Flinders Ranges isn’t exactly swimming in transportation options. But there are options, nonetheless.
Here are some varied ways you can get to the Flinders Ranges.
And for the sake of simplicity, this article will assume that you’re departing from Adelaide.
Private cars
The easiest option and perhaps the one with the most choice is to drive yourself.
From Adelaide, you have three options.
The coastal route – 461 km, 5 hours 10 minutes
On the coastal route, follow National Highway A1 for around 3 hours before turning right onto Flinders Ranges Way at Stirling North.
This is an ideal route if you want to stop at Mambray Creek (Mount Remarkable National Park) or the small city of Port Augusta to grab last minute supplies.
The coastal route is the busiest of the three presented here and there isn’t a ton to see until you get north of Port Pirie.
However, it is the only route that incorporates the splendidly scenic drive from Stirling North to Quorn via Pichi Richi Pass.
You’ll also have an unimpeded view of the Flinders Ranges as they rise from a series of small hills near Crystal Book to become the steeper, more angular and jagged peaks near Port Augusta.
The inland route – 462 km, 5 hours 25 minutes
On the inland route, take the M2 (Northern Expressway) to bypass Gawler and then head up the Horrocks Highway (B82) to Wilmington and Quorn.
Beyond Quorn, it’s another 90 minutes or so to Wilpena Pound.
The advantage of the inland route is that you can stop off in both the Clare Valley wine region and the Southern Flinders Ranges on the way. Think scenic towns such as Laura, Melrose, Stone Hut and Wilmington.
After Clare, the road is generally in good condition and is much less frequented than the coastal route which carries a lot of traffic on Highway A1 to the outback and Eyre Peninsula.
The even more inland route – 438 km, 5 hours 5 minutes
The even more inland route follows the same course as the inland route between Adelaide and Clare.
However, instead of following the Horrocks Highway after Clare, turn right onto RM Williams Way (B80) around 15 minutes north of the town.
This route takes you through the glorious scenery of the eastern Mid North and becomes markedly drier as the agricultural areas north of Orroroo transition into the pastoral areas of the Flinders Ranges.
My favourite part is the section between Eurelia (with its spooky old pub) and Cradock (with its well-rated, still open pub).
This route was made more attractive about 20 years ago after the B80 was sealed all the way to the junction just south of Hawker.
Note that the above distances for all routes were calculated from the Adelaide CBD to Wilpena Pound Resort.
Subtract 25 km or so for a route to Rawnsley Park station instead.
Rental cars
Rental cars from all the popular brands are available in several Adelaide locations and Adelaide Airport where Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz and SIXT all have a presence.
Be sure to clarify whether your rental car contract allows you to drive on dirt roads. The last thing you want to do is arrive in the Flinders Ranges and not be able to venture off the bitumen.
Buses
There are no direct bus services between Adelaide and the Flinders Ranges.
However, Stateliner runs daily services between Adelaide and Port Augusta that stop off at several towns on National Highway A1 plus Bute and Port Broughton on the northern Yorke Peninsula.
The journey takes about 4 hours and 30 minutes all up and at the time of writing, a one-way adult fare between Adelaide and Port Augusta was $62.80. Book or check fares here.
To get from Port Augusta to the Southern or Central Flinders Ranges, there are two options.
Angorichina Connections
This service operates between Port Augusta and Angorichina Tourist Village and back every Wednesday via Blinman, Wilpena, Hawker and Quorn. Hikers are also accommodated with a service to the Heysen Trail trailhead in Parachilna Gorge.
You can clarify details or book a service here.
Upper North Passenger Service
The Upper North Passenger Service is a community service that stops at towns in the Southern Flinders Ranges such as Wirrabara, Stone Hut, Laura, Gladstone, Wilmington, Port Pirie and Melrose.
However, it also calls in at Port Augusta some days and may be worth a look if you don’t need to go any further north than Quorn.
Routes are as follows with stopovers in brackets:
- Monday – Peterborough to Port Pirie return via the southern route (Terowie, Whyte Yarcowie, Jamestown, Caltowie, Wirrabara, Stone Hut, Laura, Gladstone and Port Pirie).
- Thursday – Peterborough to Port Pirie return via the northern route (Orroroo, Wilmington, Melrose, Booleroo Centre, Port Germein and Port Pirie).
- Friday – Peterborough to Port Augusta return (Orroroo, Wilmington and Quorn).
You can catch the bus at Peterborough or get off and on at any of the stops along the way.
Fares are subsidised by the SA Government and thus are relatively cheap. An adult return fare can be had for just $14, while students and concession holders can ride for just $7.
Call 1300 132 932 to book your seat!
Private tours
If you desire a truly hands-off experience in the Flinders Ranges, you do have a few options.
Wallaby Tracks Adventure Tours
Established in 1996, Wallaby Tracks Adventure Tours is a small tour operator owned by Paul and Astrid Keen.
On offer are tours of various lengths that visit the various attractions of the Central and Northern Flinders Ranges. There is also the option to visit the broader Outback region on a tour that incorporates Lake Eyre, Coober Pedy and the Simpson Desert, among others.
Some tours depart from Adelaide, while others from Quorn. Check here to find one that suits your interests and itinerary. If you’re ready to book, make contact using the details here.
SA Eco Tours
SA Eco Tours also offers multi-day 4WD tours of the Flinders Ranges that incorporate such attractions as Bunyeroo Gorge, Brachina Gorge, Warren Gorge, Wilpena Pound, Mount Remarkable National Park and the Ediacaran fossil site.
There is also scope to include nearby areas of interest such as the Clare Valley wine region.
Prices for the 3-day tour start at $2,095 twin share and depart Adelaide on the 1st and 3rd Friday of every month (or on demand).
Flights
Want to get to the Flinders via air travel and have the cash to make it happen?
Air Adventure
As part of the 4-day “Ediacaran Expedition” tour, travellers are flown from Adelaide to Arkaroola, Brachina Gorge, Ediacara Hills and then Parachilna.
Guided by Ross Fargher (of Prairie Hotel fame), you’ll have special access to the globally significant Ediacaran fossil site.
There is also an opportunity to chat with Professor Mary Droser – an American palaeontologist who has studied the fossils for over 20 years and was part of a team that prepared a submission to have the Flinders Ranges declared a World Heritage Site.
Unsurprisingly, the 2024 tour is booked out. But places for the 2025 version will be open soon. All meals and accommodation are included.
