What are the best private treks in the Flinders Ranges

Submitted: Saturday, Jun 14, 2014 at 18:37
ThreadID: 108247 Views:2432 Replies:9 FollowUps:10
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We are heading to the Flinders Ranges in September. We have been before but are thinking of trying the private property 4wd treks for the first time. Which ones are really worth it or the best minus any hype. Which properties offer good camping spots and treks without ripping you off.
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Reply By: mikehzz - Saturday, Jun 14, 2014 at 19:41

Saturday, Jun 14, 2014 at 19:41
I've done Arkapena, Original Skytrek and Warraweena and quite enjoyed all of them. You can go through a bit of money doing them, though I never felt ripped off in any way. I would be hard pressed to rank them in any order. Original Skytrek was probably the best but has changed to exclude the best part which is a shame.
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Reply By: JATich - Saturday, Jun 14, 2014 at 19:47

Saturday, Jun 14, 2014 at 19:47
We just spent the long weekend there, our first time. We only did the Arkapena Scenic Drive which is the all wheel drive and four wheel drive, great views and w had an enjoyable day. Cost us $50 per vehicle and a $10 key deposit. Very green there at the moment.
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Reply By: Member - Lloyd W1 - Saturday, Jun 14, 2014 at 20:23

Saturday, Jun 14, 2014 at 20:23
Hi Chris and Lindsay,

We spent a few days at Warraweena in Oct last year and it was great. The tracks there were great (Mt Gill Track was the standout) and from memory the cost was approx. $50 to do each track. For the maintenance of these tracks I think it is money well spent. The camping spots there are very quiet/private with drop toilets and close enough to the homestead to make showers still convenient.

Your host at Warraweena is a great character by the name of Stony who has a very infectious personality and anyone who has been there will know what I mean.

Cheers, Lloyd
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Reply By: Member - Chris and Lindsay (VI - Saturday, Jun 14, 2014 at 20:36

Saturday, Jun 14, 2014 at 20:36
Thanks for some good info guys.
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Reply By: Les PK Ranger - Saturday, Jun 14, 2014 at 21:44

Saturday, Jun 14, 2014 at 21:44
Argadells is a good spot in the southern Flinders, great driving and camping.

Another good un right next door is Arden Hills.

Besides Willow Springs (Skytrek) and Arkapena, you can still get into Mt Caernarvon if timing is right.

Others in the region are . . . Merna Morna, and Moolooloo.
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Follow Up By: Member - Chris and Lindsay (VI - Saturday, Jun 14, 2014 at 22:13

Saturday, Jun 14, 2014 at 22:13
Can you explain how and when the timing is right.
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Follow Up By: Les PK Ranger - Saturday, Jun 14, 2014 at 22:18

Saturday, Jun 14, 2014 at 22:18
Clicking on the link above, you'll probably notice the dates showing they open up one weekend a month.
If interested (and it is great driving in from that east side of the Bunkers Ranges) I would email them and see what weekend they are there September.
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Follow Up By: Member - Chris and Lindsay (VI - Saturday, Jun 14, 2014 at 22:37

Saturday, Jun 14, 2014 at 22:37
Thankyou
Chris
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Reply By: olcoolone - Sunday, Jun 15, 2014 at 13:37

Sunday, Jun 15, 2014 at 13:37
I don't think any are ripping anyone off and I find it sad and harsh when some use this word......... Everything has behind the scene's running costs that can be overlooked be many travellers and they may simple have less visitors then the highly populated place down the road who spend more on advertising then turning profits back in to the property by offering better tracks, conditions and facilities.

All the tracks in the Flinders are value for money and offer different aspects to one and other, some are run by private land holders/ farming families who cherish and welcome the extra income, some are owned by conservation groups who use the money wisely on conservation activities locally, interstate and overseas and a few are owned by large organisations who are mainly focused on tourism and profit........

It's your money your spending so it all depends on where and how you would like your money spent and used..... Or you could be like some who don't really care as long as it's cheap and they are not the ones so called getting ripped off...... In their eyes anyway.

So end of the day who is ripping who off!
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Follow Up By: Member - Chris and Lindsay (VI - Sunday, Jun 15, 2014 at 16:14

Sunday, Jun 15, 2014 at 16:14
We are more than happy to pay our way. The ripping off reference was simply asking if anyone had paid for tracks that are just a short drive around areas that do not really warrant spending money.
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Reply By: Member - Terry W4 - Sunday, Jun 15, 2014 at 17:46

Sunday, Jun 15, 2014 at 17:46
We are planning to be there in October - so all this information is very handy. Will spend 6 nights there.
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Reply By: Member - VickiW - Sunday, Jun 15, 2014 at 18:56

Sunday, Jun 15, 2014 at 18:56
Hi Chris, Lindsay and Terry,

There are also some great drives in the northern end of the Flinders you may want to investigate. There are some lovely tracks not that well travelled too. The countryside is quite different to the more southern areas as well.

Cheers,
Vicki (at Arkaroola)
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Follow Up By: Member - Chris and Lindsay (VI - Sunday, Jun 15, 2014 at 21:19

Sunday, Jun 15, 2014 at 21:19
Thanks Vicki
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Reply By: Crusier 91 - Wednesday, Jun 18, 2014 at 07:17

Wednesday, Jun 18, 2014 at 07:17
Rawnsley Park Station has a good track as well. First part is a all wheel drive section with great views, the section section is 4wd only also with great views.

Mt Gill has been the best track we've done at the Flinders. Keep in mind its a relatively short track (approx 50km) but it could take you up to 7hrs to drive depending on your skills.

The Goat Track in the Bendleby Ranges is supposed to be very good as well.

My vote
1 Mt Gill
2 Goat Track
3 Rawnsley Park
4 Willow Springs
5 Arkapenea
6 Mirra Morra
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Follow Up By: mikehzz - Wednesday, Jun 18, 2014 at 07:37

Wednesday, Jun 18, 2014 at 07:37
I think you are mixing up Rawnsley Park and Arkapena. Arkapena Scenic Adventure is virtually over the road from Rawnsley Park and has an AWD section and a 4WD section that finishes on Pugilist Hill. The Rawnsley Park website doesn't mention a self drive tour on the property other than the Arkapena one. If there is a Rawnsley Park one I would like to do it.
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Follow Up By: Les PK Ranger - Wednesday, Jun 18, 2014 at 08:45

Wednesday, Jun 18, 2014 at 08:45
Bendleby might be a bit far east of the main Flinders, but yes it has some great tracks, creek lines, valleys, and ridge driving.

Billy Goat is a cracker of a drive, one way up, about 1/3 way up there's a big hole, takes up most of the track, you must negotiate around (or be locked pretty good and like 45o nose in the air) . . . a few other short sections of loose shale
You should have a very relaxed, non excitable passenger if you do this drive :)
Pretty steep either side of the ridge line.
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Follow Up By: Crusier 91 - Wednesday, Jun 18, 2014 at 09:09

Wednesday, Jun 18, 2014 at 09:09
Oops, your right Mike, I mean Argadells.

Also for the OP, take a full fly mesh hats, the flies were extreme last September.
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Follow Up By: Crusier 91 - Wednesday, Jun 18, 2014 at 09:12

Wednesday, Jun 18, 2014 at 09:12
Try Quandong pie's and even betterquandong chocolates while your in the flinders.
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Follow Up By: Les PK Ranger - Wednesday, Jun 18, 2014 at 09:32

Wednesday, Jun 18, 2014 at 09:32
Ah, no probs, yes I like the drives in Argadells, can't recall Goat Tk specifically, but we did them all !! :)
Nothing too difficult in there, just nice slow driving in some places with the rocky terrain.
Great camping too.

Ah yes, quondong pies etc are very nice, we got these and some great chunky beef pies at Blinman General Store recently, very nice.
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