It’s hard to believe that European explorer Matthew Flinders wasn’t overly inspired when he first laid eyes on the Flinders Ranges in 1802. More concerned with Australia’s shoreline (particularly whether eastern and western Australia were part of the same continent, or two separate islands) Flinders sent one of his crewmen, scientist Robert Brown, to scope out the area. When he finally took a look himself, Flinders wrote only that: "The view from the summit did not furnish any lakes or bays to the westward, but a dead uninteresting flat country everywhere presented itself." With its deep narrow gorges, open plains, well-watered highlands and semi arid-country, the Flinders Ranges is today considered one of Australia's most spectacular natural attractions. The ancient mountain range starts about 400km (248 miles) north of Adelaide and is roughly 400km long, finishing near the northern mining township of Leigh Creek. From admiring its spectacular beauty and wildlife, to four-wheel driving, camping and absorbing Aboriginal culture, the challenge posed by the Flinders is not what to do – but what not to miss out on. Nearly one fifth of the state’s 1500km (932 miles) Heysen Trail winds through the Flinders, as does about 400km of the Mawson Trail (for mountain bikers). It's home to more than 1500 plant species, 280 bird species, 80 different types of reptiles and native animals such as wedge tail eagles, emus, parrots and kangaroos that flourish within its many peaks. It's protected by three national parks (including the Flinders Ranges National Park) and it's biggest attraction, Wilpena Pound, is one of Australia’s most significant Aboriginal heritage areas. Formed some 640 million years ago from undersea sedimentary deposits folded into mountains as high as the Andes, the pound’s chiselled beauty is a result of 160 million years of erosion. There’s no wrong time to explore the Flinders, but many visitors make the pilgrimage in September and October, when the awesome, 83sq km (32 sq mile) rock amphitheatre is brimming with wildlife and vegetation. Maximum temperatures in the central and northern Flinders range between 21°C (70°F) and 27°C (81°F) in spring, but rapidly rise to 33 – 35°C (91 - 95°F) in January. From March to May maximum mean temperatures fall from 30 - 20°C (86 - 68°F), which is ideal weather for exploring. Winter in the Flinders is cool and often wet. |
Visitor
Information
Centres
Coober Pedy
Hutchinson Street, Coober Pedy
Telephone: 1800 637 076
Flinders Ranges - Quorn
Seventh Street, Quorn
Telephone: +61 8 8648 6419
Hawker
Corner Wilpena and Cradock Roads, Hawker
Telephone: 1800 777 880
Leigh Creek
13 Black Oak Drive, Leigh Creek
Telephone: +61 8 8675 2723
Port Pirie
3 Mary Elie Street, Port Pirie
Telephone: 1800 000 424
Roxby Downs
7 Richardson Place, Roxby Downs
Telephone: +61 8 8671 2001
Wadlata Outback Centre - Port Augusta
41 Flinders Terrace, Port Augusta
Telephone: 1800 633 060
Wilpena Pound
Wilpena Pound Resort
Telephone: +61 8 8648 0048
Woomera Heritage Centre
Dewrang Avenue, Woomera
Telephone: +61 8 8673 7042 |
