AU · South Australia · 30.92°S 138.62°E

flinders ranges

Red ridgelines, ancient rock layers and walks into the natural bowl of Wilpena Pound.

Best time
April–October has warm days and cold, starry nights. December–February is too hot for most walks, and some trails close.
How long
3–4 days
Getting there
Fly direct to Adelaide in about 7 hours, then drive about 5 hours north to Wilpena Pound. South Australia is 1.5 hours ahead of KL, 2.5 during daylight saving (October to early April).
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AU · South Australiaflinders ranges30.92°S 138.62°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Red ridgelines, ancient rock layers and walks into the natural bowl of Wilpena Pound.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingFlinders RangesAU, South Australia
KLflinders ranges
≈ 5,444 km from KL, as the crow flies
Flinders Ranges SA 5434, Australia

Photo: Matthew Summerton · CC BY-SA 3.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

The Flinders Ranges are folded red ridges and dry creek beds about five hours north of Adelaide, some of the oldest landscape on Earth; a whole geological period, the Ediacaran, is named after fossils found here. Around Wilpena Pound, short walks and Adnyamathanha-guided tours help you read it.

Makan

  1. Quandong pieMade with the tart red native peach, a country bakery classic in the towns on the way up.Map ↗
  2. Road-trip picnicTowns are far apart, so pack a cool box in Adelaide or Port Augusta.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Wilpena Pound / IkaraA creekside walk through the gap into a huge natural bowl ringed by ridges, past an old settlers' homestead.Map ↗
  2. Brachina GorgeA gravel drive through rock layers spanning hundreds of millions of years, with yellow-footed rock-wallabies on the cliffs.Map ↗
  3. Razorback LookoutThe classic view along the ridges into Bunyeroo Valley, best in late-afternoon light.Map ↗
  4. Adnyamathanha-guided walkLocal guides share the stories of the ranges and their rock art.Map ↗

Good to know

  • The road to Wilpena is sealed, but gorge roads like Brachina are gravel, so check your hire car is allowed on them.
  • Ikara–Flinders Ranges National Park needs a vehicle entry pass, which you can buy online.
  • Halal food is hard to find north of Adelaide, so bring supplies and a cool box.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.