Camping in the Flinders Ranges

Wilpena has everything you could want, after all the campground is basically the back yard of a 4 star resort! Don't know about Rawnsley.

Within the NP itself there are several nice campgrounds that i prefer going to. It's easy to drive back to Wilpena if you want anything.

Barnesy

Hi Tars,
just come back from that way, we camped at willow springs for 4 nights did skytrek on one of the days (full 6 to 7 hour trip). It;s only 20 K's from the pound they have long drop loos and hot showers at the homestead. also went further north to arkaroola via chambers george. all worth seeing. Unfortunatly our kids are a lot older so can't advise on the best optio for them

Have a great time

Tars there are stacks of places up that way, depends on how self contained you are, as mentioned, Willow Springs is a good place, you also have Warraweena, Bendlebys etc. There are also plenty of conservation area's with camping spots, such as Brachina, Chambers Gorges etc. We will be in Warraweena on 29th and 30th and in Brachina on the 31st, maybe see you around.

Hi Tars
To me, the Flinders would have to rate as one of the Best places to see here in South Oz. There are many fine places to go bush camping in the Flinders. With your young family, you could not go past Wilpena.

Still have the ability to camp in bush like surrounds and have your camp fire (wood is dear to buy), and still have the showers for the young ones.

Make sure you allow at least a week, even then it will go very quick.

Cheers

Stephen

Tars,

Your comment that you prefer to cap in secluded locations with shade, rules out Wilpena IMHO.

The Wilpena Camping ground is OK for what it is but with something like 2000 camping sites may be anything but secluded.

Mate, you could not do much better than camping in somewhere like Brachina Gorge. Plenty of camping spots, including "state-of-the-art" bush toilet facilities, maybe a few little puddles of water still at that time of the year for the kiddies to play in, but also relatively safe as well. (with adult supervision of course).

Brachina is just north of the Wilpena resort and still central to everything if you wish to tour, or stock up on essentials fro either Wilpena, or Blinman. The kids may also see "up close" kangaroos which are used to human occupancy plus other forms of wildlife.

Willow Springs Station (Home of Skytrek) also offers good bush camping and would be another good choice for relatively "secluded" camping away from the main "tourist" areas.

Wherever you stay, I'm sure you and your family will enjoy the Flinders Rangers in all its ancient splendour.

Tars I'd suggest a mix of caravan parks & bush camping with kids. Really they wont care at that age but showers, toilets & a washing machine make it easier for the parents ;-)
Plenty of options depending on which end of the range you are going. There are 19 private properties offering secluded camping sites with facilities from just a drop toilet through to en suite showers, cabins or shearers quarters. There are also 24 caravan parks in the area. Not a huge number of free isolated shady camp sites like one would find in Victoria but both the Hema & Parks maps show the key ones around Brachina Gorge, Grindells hut & Chambers Gorge.
Ron Moons Adventurers Guide book has all the camping options with phone numbers & web links so you can check out those that interest you.
October can get fairly hectic particularly around the school holidays making even the remote camps busy & the shady caravan park sites are often all taken. Get in early.
I'm heading up there Sept/Oct with a convoy of 16 so if you see a herd of good looking 4bys give us a call.
Cheers Craig............
HZJ105 Vic.

Hi Tars

We did Raunsley Park last Easter, fantastic place, rugged but with services. Can also do bush camping and drive in for the facilities.

The Arkapena Station also does some bush camping facilities which come highly recommended.

As stated above there are heaps of spots but if you want running water and facilities somewhere like raunsley is great. For powered sites you will need to get in quick, it can get busy, but you can also head out to the bush camping area for more seclusion.

Cheers

Steve

We camped ar Rawnsley Pk this time last year with our 3yo and 5yo boys. Rawnsley has bush camping down past the main campground. I say bush, but a flushing toilet was 50m away so my wife was happy.

Rawnsley had:

* A laundry
* Small store
* Pool
* Fuel
* Very friendly staff

So we had seclusion with the amenities just close enought to be handy.

Not a lot of shade in the bush camping area, but we found it just fine at that time of year. You are camping on red dirt so the kids can get a bit grubby.

Wilpena seemed more shady but *heaps* more crowded. It is more central to most attractions but at the end of the day, we could relax around a small campfire and not worry about neighbours.

Hi

Last year we bush camped for a couple of days in Aroona Valley, and really enjoyed it. There were well spaced sites amongst the trees, and a couple of long drop dunnies, even drinking water. The scenery was good and there were a few good walks. For camping we thought it better than Brachina.

Wilpena has all types of facility, and off peak you can find an isolated spot if you want.

Bob

Thank you everyone for your responses. It is much appreciated. We are fairly self sufficient and have a camper trailer so not having a lot of facilities is not a major problem. The main reason for the possible benefits of staying at either Rawnsley or Wilpena Pound Resort is for our two year old ie maybe more other kids present for him to play with or a playground on site. A mix of bush camping and caravan parks may sound like a way to go though!!! Thanks again everyone
Cheers
Tars

Hi Brad
We are heading up mid-October. Hope you have a great time. If you have any feedback on things to do with kids or camping spots after you get back that would be great.
Cheers
Tars