The Flinders Ranges

Day 1 | Wednesday 22 April
Early South Australia
After assembling at Adelaide Airport, we travel to our heritage accommodation at Bungaree Station – a working sheep farm on 80,000 acres of land, which is exclusively ours for the next two nights. It once resembled a small village, with its own church, station store, blacksmith shop and even the District Council Chambers, alongside its beautiful sandstone homestead. On arrival, we settle in before touring the property’s heritage buildings, and this evening, we enjoy a roast dinner with Clare Valley wines. Overnight Bungaree Station (D)

Day 2 | Thursday 23 April
Clare Valley
This morning we head to Anlaby House for a tour of the historic house and some of the ten acres of heritage listed gardens which feel like part of an English Village. Founded in 1839, Anlaby is one of the oldest stations in SA and remains a working merino sheep property. The current flock is directly descended from sheep that were walked overland from NSW in 1839 by Frederick Dutton in an epic journey that took approximately six months. After lunch at this beautiful property, the return drive to Bungaree will take us through the Clare Valley wine district. We will make a brief stop at Sevenhill Winery where, in 1858, a young Jesuit priest planted vines and named it Sevenhill in honour of the seven hills of Rome. We arrive back at Bungaree with
time to unwind in the beautiful grounds before dinner. Overnight Bungaree Station (B, L, D)

Day 3 | Friday 24 April
Kanyaka Station and Wilpena
Departing the Clare Valley today, we witness the landscape change from verdant bushland and vineyards to the rocky outcrops and red soil of the Flinders Ranges. We’ll take a break along the way to inspect the ruins at Kanyaka Station. Established as a cattle station in 1852, it became one of the largest in the district with 70 families working and living here until massive losses through the effects of drought caused the station to be abandoned, leaving only the stone buildings standing desolate and empty. We stop for lunch at Hawker before heading to Wilpena via several scenic lookouts, including Arkaroo Rock Shelter which provides one of the best examples of Adnyamathanha rock art in the region. On arrival to Wilpena Pound Resort, we head up to Stokes Hill lookout for sunset drinks and nibbles with views of the Ikara Flinders Ranges. A buffet dinner will also be served each evening at the resort. Overnight Wilpena Pound Resort (B, L, D)

Day 4 | Saturday 25 April
Scenic Flights and Brachina Gorge
Our morning begins with a 30-minute scenic flight over Wilpena Pound to truly appreciate this natural wonder. The ancient sedimentary rock that makes up Wilpena Pound forms a natural amphitheatre known to the Adnyamathanha people as Ikara, meaning ‘meeting place’. We then drive through Brachina Gorge and walk through 130 million years of history, providing insights into past climate and the evolution of early life forms in the region. The gorge is home to many species of birds and reptiles and is an important refuge for the Yellow-footed Rock-wallaby, and was used by the early settlers as a pass for bullock teams transporting their loads across the country. Overnight Wilpena Pound (B, L, D)

Day 5 | Sunday 26 April
Wilpena Pound on foot
This morning we explore the Pound on foot, including a walk that follows the course of Wilpena Creek through red-gum woodland into the Pound (to discover the origin of its name) and to inspect this dramatic geological formation. We also discover the original Wilpena Homestead, before having the afternoon at leisure in the resort to enjoy any of the other walks and activities on offer. Overnight Wilpena Pound (B, D)

Day 6 | Monday 27 April
Blinman Mine, Wadna and Chambers Gorge
Leaving Wilpena today, we make a brief stop at Dingley Dell to meet our indigenous guide to see some evidence of early occupation in the region. We also take a tour of Blinman mine, which was named after the shepherd who discovered copper here. The mine was operational from 1862-1907 and is closely related to the development of towns in the Flinders Ranges. We then stop for lunch at the Wadna Art Gallery run by our guide’s family, the Coulthards. Kristian Coulthard, an Adnyamathanha man is fiercely proud of his family’s history and his culture and, now, through Wadna, the Blinman-based business he created with wife Gabrielle, he spends his days sharing that culture and stories with others. Our lunch will include damper, quandong jam and bush billy tea. After lunch we explore nearby Chambers Gorge with our guide, one of the largest galleries of traditional rock art in the Flinders Ranges, before driving on to Arkaroola Wilderness Resort, our destination for the next two nights. Dinner will be in the on-site restaurant. Overnight Arkaroola (B, L, D)

Day 7 | Tuesday 28 April
Arkaroola – Mawson Walk & Ridgetop Track
Known mainly for his exploration work in Antarctica, Douglas Mawson was a lecturer in minerology and petrology at the University of Adelaide. He worked extensively on the geology around the Flinders Ranges, identifying the first major radioactive ore body in Australia. Our walk this morning follows in his footsteps through the Mawson Valley, where one of his students, Reg Spriggs, discovered ancient animal fossils that are over 600 million years old. This afternoon we take the resort’s specially designed open-top 4WD vehicles and navigate the steep slopes and rugged terrain to the Ridgetop Track for a 360-degree panorama over the red granite ranges to Lake Frome and the desert beyond. This evening, weather permitting, we join the resort’s Astronomy Tour. Overnight Arkaroola (B, D)

Day 8 | Wednesday 29 April
Acacia Ridge
Before departing Arkaroola, we enjoy an early morning walk along Acacia Ridge to admire the landscape and geology of Arkaroola country which is so different from the southern Flinders. If it has rained recently, we will see the Mulga tree in flower along the length of the walk. On our way to Parachilna, we stop at Iga Warta cultural camp for lunch and a visit to the local ochre pits. There we will experience a ceremony where the meaning and significance of the different coloured ochres will be explained by one of the Traditional Owners. Later in the afternoon, we arrive at the Prairie Outback Lodge, a private haven within the Prairie Hotel at remote Parachilna, where we enjoy a welcome drink looking back orver the rugged ranges while the sun sets over the red plains. We’ll also taste beer from the onsite brewery and enjoy a regional dining experience featuring the option of indigenous and wild species – emu pate, kangaroo schnitzel with bush tomato or camel sausage rolls, amongst more traditional fare. Overnight Parachilna (B, L, D)   

Day 9 | Thursday 30 April
Ediacara Fossil Site
Today is spent in the hills of Nilpena, on the western fringes of the Flinders Ranges, exploring an ancient seafloor where strange early lifeforms are perfectly preserved in fine grained sandstone, some over half a billion years old. This represents the most important site on the planet for the Ediacaran period from 635 to 541 million years ago and the rise of early animal life. Our host at the Prairie Hotel joins us on the trip to Nilpena Ediacara National Park, on the grounds of the former Nilpena Pastoral Station which he used to own. We hear the story of their discovery from the point of view of a pastoralist, as well as the Ediacara Fossil Experience at the former blacksmith shop, where curated lighting and high-tech audio-visual technology allow us to examine these fossils up close. We take a packed lunch with us today and in the afternoon we’ll explore more remote sites near Nilpena, only accessible by 4WD. Dinner tonight is back at the Prairie Lodge. Overnight Parachilna (B, L, D)

Day 10 | Friday 1 May
Silo Art
We make an early start this morning for the journey back to Adelaide. Our route takes us past the sleepy little town of Wirrabara to view the fabulous Silo Art by Australian artist Sam Bates. The artwork depicts the area’s natural beauty and rich history in the forest industry. We arrive in Adelaide by the early evening, with time to freshen up before a farewell dinner in one of Adelaide’s fine restaurants. Overnight Adelaide (B, D)

Day 11 | Saturday 2 May
Depart Adelaide
The tour concludes after breakfast in the hotel. (B)