Welcome to South Australia! Your adventure begins in Adelaide, 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 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 an included dinner at a local hotel and chat with your new travel companions about the day’s discoveries.
After breakfast this morning, head north towards the Dutchmans Stern, a bluff in the southern foothills of the Flinders Ranges, from where you 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 four nights is a resort on the outskirts of this miraculous formation, so settle in and enjoy the view!
What better way to start the day than with a hike through the stunning landscapes of the ancient Flinders Ranges. Kicking off from the historic Aroona Homestead, follow your leader on a trail through the landscapes that inspired the iconic paintings of South Australian artist Hans Heysen. Pass by dry creek beds and walk through a dramatic valley in the ABC mountain range. In the afternoon, set out in your vehicle 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 tails yellow footed rock wallabies as you go.
Jump in your vehicle this morning and drive to the northern end of the Flinders Ranges, the starting point of today’s walk. Follow a dry creek bed up through a gorge and take in views of wild scenery with every step. Today’s path has few steep parts over rocky and loose pebble terrain, and while challenging at times, the views from within the gorge are worth it. With just 12km to cover today, you can take your time on the loose pebbles and during the climbs, and be sure to make plenty of stops to take in the beauty of your surroundings. Your walk leads to the gorgeous Blinman Pools, which after a good wet season is the perfect place to cool off with a refreshing dip. If you’re lucky, you may spot white cockatoos, parrots and galahs and wedge-tailed eagles on your journey.
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. When you’re not staring at the epic scenery, keep an eye out for the reptiles you may be sharing the track with.
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 on to Adelaide at which point your adventure will come to an end.
