Welcome to South Australia! Your adventure begins in Adelaide (Tarntanya in the language of The Kaurna people, who are the traditional owners of the land on which Adelaide is now located). Adelaide is your gateway to Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park. You’ll be picked up by your local leader and meet your fellow travellers at 8am this morning, then it’s time to head towards the peaks of the Flinders Ranges. Make a stop in the town of Crystal Brook for some morning tea, then continue to Melrose and Mt Remarkable National Park. Surrounded by diverse wildlife and unique landscapes, this is the perfect place to enjoy a picnic lunch. Then, head to Alligator Gorge, which impresses with its red quartzite formations. Get to know the landscape on a short hike around the gorge as your leader shares facts about the geological wonders found here. Finally, continue to Quorn, a charming old railway town and your base for the evening. Enjoy a group dinner and chat with your new travel companions about the day’s discoveries.
After breakfast this morning, head north towards the Dutchman’s Stern, a bluff in the southern foothills of the Flinders Ranges, from where you’ll embark on a scenic hike. Follow a steep path through sugar gum forest and be rewarded with incredible panoramic views of the surrounding plains, Quorn, and Lake Torrens, then weave back down through shady she-oak woodlands. Your leader will point out examples of the region’s interesting plant life as you walk, and you’ll also cross paths with the famous 1200km Heysen Trail. After your walk, return to Quorn to gather any supplies you may need over the next few days, then venture into the heart of the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park. Here you’ll find Ikara (Wilpena Pound), a truly remarkable 800-million-year-old natural amphitheatre. Your home for the next five nights is a resort on the outskirts of this miraculous formation, so settle in and enjoy the view!
This morning after breakfast, we’ll drive to Black Gap to start our walk towards Bridle Gap and the natural amphitheatre of Wilpena Pound. Today’s walk is approximately 12km and you’ll follow a part of the Heysen Trail. The walk up to Bridle Gap can be steep and rocky in sections, but the views at the top are oh-so-worth-it. The good news – from Bridle Gap, it’s a gentle walk down into the valley floor of Wilpena Pound through a variety of mallee, native pine and heath. These habitats provide excellent opportunities for the keen naturalists among the group to observe interesting local birds, including wrens, robins, parrots and emus.
After breakfast, we’re in the car to enjoy the views along the Aroona Valley Scenic Drive as we make our way toward today’s walks. First up, the 8km Yuluna Hike begins with a bit of a climb, offering fabulous views of the Heysen Range and the outer edge of Wilpena Pound. In the afternoon, set out to explore the ancient Brachina Gorge. Unearth millions of years of geological history as you explore the gorge and its surrounds, and be sure to keep an eye out for the stripy tailed yellow footed rock wallabies as you go.
Fuel up on breakfast before the scenic 15km walk ahead of you. Today, we’ll forget all transport and walk straight from our accommodation to commence one of the most challenging (and rewarding) walks of the week. St. Mary’s Peak stands proudly above the Pound below and is central to the Adnyamathanha creation story. First Nations people of the Flinders Ranges ask visitors not to climb to the summit of the peak, so we will climb as far as Tanderra Saddle with stunning views of the surrounding ranges and plains. You will have two local guides on today’s walk to ensure the enjoyment and safety of everyone. In the afternoon you may choose to take a scenic flight over the majestic ranges that we’ve been discovering on foot these last few days. Or you might like to simply kick back and enjoy a quiet afternoon before dinner this evening.
Today will be spent tackling Mt Ohlssen Bagge, one of the most raved about walks in the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park. This 6km return hike has some steep and challenging sections, so prepare for rocky terrain and a continuous uphill climb. You’ll soon see that your efforts were worth it, as while the whole walk offers up unforgettable views, the view from the top simply can’t be beat. From here you can clearly see Ikara (Wilpena Pound) and the landscapes you’ve been exploring over the past few days. In the afternoon, enjoy a private tour at Sacred Canyon like no other, where you’ll immerse yourself in aboriginal culture as you listen to the stories and insights provided by your Adnyamathanha guide. Learn about the cultural significance of the site, the ancient rock engravings found in the smooth sandstone walls and discover bush medicines and bush tucker from the perspective of the Adnyamathanha people. This evening, enjoy your final dinner with your group; share stories and toast to the last week that you’ve spent walking the Flinders Ranges together.
Leave the magnificent scenes of Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park behind and begin your journey back to Adelaide. Aside from its fantastic walking trails, South Australia is also renowned for its wine. Stop off in the famous wine production region of Clare Valley and take some time out for lunch, then pay a visit to a local winery. Here you’ll have the chance to taste some of the wonderful wine, explore the vineyard on foot, or just sit back and enjoy the peaceful setting. Your leader will fill you in on the fascinating history of producing wine in this part of the country. Continue to Adelaide at which point your adventure will come to an end. Expect to arrive back in Adelaide at around 4.30pm.
