Flinders Ranges & Outback Loop
Self-drive deep into South Australia's red peaks to see Wilpena Pound, canyon geological trails, and Outback towns.
A well-established self-drive loop heading north from Adelaide: stay at Rawnsley Park to hike short trails, drive through Bunyeroo and Brachina Gorges to Parachilna and Blinman, and return via Quorn and the Clare Valley. Although the distances are long, there are plenty of stops along the way, making it perfect for road-trippers who love wilderness and geology. This itinerary does not include the Nilpena fossil tours, which require advance booking.
Summers are extremely hot, and some hiking trails are closed from late November to early March; unsealed roads are frequently closed after rain.
Day by day
Day 1 · North to the Southern Gateway of the Ranges
Flinders Ranges（Kanyaka Station Ruins、Yourambulla Caves、Hawker）
Drive north via Port Augusta or Clare (approx. 430 km, 5 hours); the entire route is sealed.
Fuel and supply points are scarce past Hawker; fill up your tank and stock up on water before setting off.
Stay: Rawnsley Park
Day 2 · Wilpena Pound Trail Day
Flinders Ranges（Arkaroo Rock、Hills Homestead & Old Wilpena Station、Wangarra Lookout、Stokes Hill Lookout）
Based at Rawnsley, drive 15–30 minutes to various trailheads (approx. 80 km total for the day).
Hiking Arkaroo Rock is cooler in the morning; Stokes Hill Lookout road is steep and not suitable for caravans.
Stay: Rawnsley Park
Day 3 · Through the Gorges to Blinman
Flinders Ranges（Razorback Lookout、Bunyeroo Valley & Gorge、Brachina Gorge Geological Trail、Prairie Hotel Parachilna、Parachilna Gorge）
Drive unsealed roads through Bunyeroo and Brachina Gorges, continuing via Parachilna to Blinman (approx. 170 km, 4 hours).
Check road conditions after rain; a high-clearance or 4WD vehicle is safer; the Parachilna Gorge section is unsealed.
Stay: Blinman
Day 4 · Copper Town South to Quorn
Flinders Ranges（Blinman & Heritage Mine、Cazneaux Tree）
Explore Blinman in the morning, then drive south on sealed roads via Hawker to Quorn (approx. 240 km, 3 hours).
Stay: Quorn
Day 5 · Heritage Railway & Clare Valley Return
Flinders Ranges（Pichi Richi Railway, Quorn） → Clare Valley → Adelaide
Drive from Quorn via Clare back to Adelaide (approx. 330 km, 4 hours); Clare is a great spot for lunch.
The Pichi Richi Railway operates on select dates from March to November; the 10:00 AM service takes about 2.5 hours, so check timetables first.