Parachilna Gorge is perfect for those who want to enjoy the best the Flinders has to offer without the restrictions of the national park. You can camp here for free and even have your pets accompany you!
Like Brachina Gorge , Parachilna Gorge has its fair share of enormous river red gums and colourful, craggy ramparts. It is also serviced by a road that crosses Parachilna Creek in numerous places with lots of places to pull off and/or camp.
On the subject of roads, the one that cuts through Parachilna Gorge is a good one by dirt road standards.
The aptly named Parachilna Gorge Road is wide and seems to be graded more often than not. It also serves as an important link between Parachilna, Angorichina, and Blinman.
Parachilna Gorge is a great place to visit and stay a few nights. But you can also use it as a base to explore Blinman, Parachilna, Leigh Creek, and even parts of the central Flinders near Wilpena.
There’s a lot of space to spread out here, and facilities in three different towns are less than 30 minutes away.
Camping in Parachilna Gorge Parachilna Gorge is a popular camping place for the reasons already mentioned.
Let’s take a look at where you can camp.
Heysen Trail trailhead Toward the western end of the gorge is the northern terminus for the Heysen Trail – an epic trek that heads more or less south for 1,200 km until its end at Cape Jervis on the Fleurieu Peninsula.
You don’t need to be a hiker to camp here, but availability may be impacted by upgrades in mid-2024 that are expected to take a few months.
Among other improvements, the trailhead will see better parking and access, new seating and stonework, new information boards, and landscaping that augments the natural environment of the Flinders Ranges.
In any case, the camping area itself is rather small and only accommodates 3 or 4 sites.
Parachilna Gorge Campground Parachilna Gorge Campground is a broad area with a dozen or so individual campsites, though where one site ends and another begins is open to interpretation.
Campfires are permitted here and most areas can be accessed by 2WD provided you are careful. There are no facilities, but in the event you need something, Angorichina Tourist Village is just a few minutes away.
This campground is not signposted, so you’ll need to plug it into your GPS or download Google Maps directions before you enter the area without mobile phone reception.
Parachilna Gorge Campground is only a few minutes after Angorichina if headed west, so if you drive on for too much longer than that you’ll know you’ve probably missed it.
Camping here is free and there is no need to book.
But if you come across the red and yellow bins and see the donation box, chuck a few coins in to support the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
Other campsites There are numerous other campsites along the length of Parachilna Gorge which are easily sourced on WikiCamps. There were 12 different sites marked on the app the last time I checked, with most concentrated in the more spectacular western end of the gorge.
Many of these are on the banks of Parachilna Creek, so please exercise caution if you set up near a watercourse and wet weather is expected.
The only facilities here are fire pits. But what these sites lack in facilities, they make up for in diversity. Some easy-access sites cater to larger setups, while others offer more secluded options for 4WDers.
If one camping area seems a bit too crowded, just drive around the next bend and you’ll probably find somewhere just as beautiful.
Camping in Parachilna Gorge is quite popular and any firewood has long since vanished.
Please do not cut down trees and risk a scenario where the property owners ban camping for everyone.
Parachilna Gorge attractions Here are some of things you can do in the immediate area.
Blinman Pools Parachilna Gorge is very near to the popular Blinman Pools walk which starts in Angorichina Tourist Village.
The out-and-back walk takes hikers to one of two spring-fed pools, with the first 10 km (4 hours) return and the second 12 km (5 hours) return.
The route follows Parachilna Creek much of the way and navigation is difficult in places as a result. But the secluded pools set in a small gorge are well worth the effort.
Glass Gorge Scenic Drive The Glass Gorge Scenic Drive is also a must-do. It starts on the western side of Parachilna Gorge and then loops around to the north before ending back in Blinman.
Of course, you can do the loop in either direction.
Glass Gorge itself is nothing to write home about, but the country around it is filled with arid bush, colourful hills and diverse plant species.
Drive it during wildflower season to see what I mean.
Despite reports to the contrary, the scenic drive can easily be navigated by 2WD vehicles. And it’s often overlooked by travellers, so you’re unlikely to encounter many others.
Views from the Glass Gorge Scenic Drive. How do you access Parachilna Gorge? There are a few ways to access Parachilna Gorge depending on which direction you’re coming from and how quickly you want to get there.
If you’re travelling north from Hawker, the quickest route is north toward Parachilna. From there, make a right just past the entrance to the town and follow the dirt for about 10 kilometres.
Alternatively, take the scenic route from Hawker and travel to Parachilna Gorge via Wilpena and then Blinman.
Nearby facilities With no facilities in the campgrounds, where can you go for essentials?
Angorichina Angorichina Village is the closest place to Parachilna Gorge and offers the following goods and services:
• Fuel (premium unleaded, unleaded, diesel and oil)
Blinman Blinman is another option.
There has not been fuel there for 20 years or so, but there is the Blinman Hotel and a couple of café/bakeries if you need sustenance.
Parachilna There is also no fuel at Parachilna anymore.
In fact, the only establishment in the town is the famous Prairie Hotel where you can quench your thirst and try one of the pub’s signature menu items.
Both Blinman and Parachilna *should* have mobile phone coverage. Otherwise, if you’re camping in Parachilna Gorge, climb to the top of the nearest hill and try your luck there.
