Flinders ranges, camping where?

Willow springs is bush camping with very limited facilities. Recently spent a few days camped at Rawnsley Park and highly recommend it. We based ourselves there and did several day trips around the area, including Skytrek at Willow Springs. This is a MUST DO ;-)))

According to their Skytrek brochure there is no camping at willow springs unless they mean only on the trek route. You can get them on UHF channel 4 when you get near. But you can camp in places like Brachina Gorge and Parachilna Gorge. Be sure to go up to Blinman and do the drive through Glass' Gorge up to Oratunga -its really spectacular through there. I am hoping to get up to the Flinders at that time for a few days.

Ask around in Hawker and Blinman (at the pubs) & Wilpena and drop in to some of the stations - the people are really friendly and they might let you camp on their property.

If you're going up via Quorn have a climb of Devils Peak and a look at the waterfall at the end of Richmans Valley road. And try to get time to go on the Pichi Richi railway, particularly if you have young kids. They will love it. Everywhere you go in the Flinders is beautiful and unique. Enjoy it.

Why, when seeking a campsite, do people consider "facilities" a plus?

Willow Springs is a great spot for camping, ranging from basic bush camping with little but a drop toilet if you choose, to cabin accommodation, should you desire.
If camping "ala natural" so to speak, you can use your own portable shower, or take a short drive to the homestead area where there are shower facilities.

If you enjoy "basic" camping, there are some great Gorges to choose from. One of my favourites is Brachina Gorge. Most campsite areas throughout this area have a "long drop" toilet nearby, but these are designed with a marked difference. The toilets are designed with a down draft, or maybe it's an up draft system which all but eliminates the distinct odour most of these toilets have. The camping areas throughout the NP areas also have fire pits for your campfire.

Brachina is just a short drive north from Wilpena and is a good base to venture to other areas.

Wilpena Pound and Rawnsley Park are "up market" camping areas and during busier times, you will be sharing facilities with hundreds of neighbours, but they do suit some people's camping styles.

You will enjoy Willow Springs and obviously intend doing "Skytrek".
Basing yourself here for a couple of nights is a very good idea as you need a full day to appreciate Skytrek and the optional Skull Rock detour at the end of the drive. Heading back to your camp site without having to drive very far is simply good planning.

You may also like to investigate the 4WD tracks on Rawnsley Park Station, although I have no personal knowledge of them.

A day trip to Blinman offers a good drive though parts of the National Park, past the "Great Wall of China" and a beer in the tiny bar of the pub would be welcome. There is also a mine nearby but again I haven't visited it to give any further recommendations as to it's "tourist potential". Coming back towards Brachina, or Wilpena, you will have a choice of lookout points which give some good views of the Flinders, but there is none better than that from the top of Mt Caernarvon, during the Skytrek drive. Don't miss this trek if possible. You will need a 4WD with low range, but no special driving skills.

Bill.

Steve, its also worth getting hold of a 1:250000 Parachilna map (map # SH 54-13) and 1:50000 Orraparinna which has lots of detail. Available online from www.mapland.sa.gov.au

A couple of years ago we spent an enjoyable few days bush camped at Aroona Valley, near Brachina Gorge. There were well separated treed campsites, good long drop loos and even tank water. there were walks, or just a nice isolated place to relax with a mountain view.

We're intending to go to the Filinders Ranges during school hols (Vic).

We're not intending to book any accomodation prefering to bushcamp near long-drops. How busy does it get?

For those that have done some of the various 4WD tracks, how accurate are the descriptions on the "4WD Tracks & Repeater Towers" brochure? Many cllaim "4WD Experiance required", what does that mean? (you know where to find low ratio?).

regards, Nige

Some other places of interest are Chambers Gorge, limited access these days i beleive and a bit of a drive out towards Lake Frome, but nice.Sacred canyon just off the Blinman road about 5km north of Wilpena, Aboriginal rock carvings and a nice walk, and if you're lucky you can find good examples of Australites and Tektites in the area (if thats your bag). Then there's the famous Cazneaux Tree just nth of Wilpena. Kanyaka ruin between Quorn & Hawker is a good stopover for a cuppa, and then on to Probys Grave.Warren Gorge and the Dutchmans Stern CP near Quorn . As you will see, lots to see and do.

Good bush camping here

The Dept. of Mines and Energy put out a great map of the Brachina area and it's called 'The Geology of the Flinders Ranges National Park'. I think it's about $10.00, but if your into the geology a little bit, it's a good map.
It is a 1:75000 geological map, but has quite a lot of different tracks and walks marked on it.

If you go about 4 K's past Willow Springs towards Blinman, on the left is a turnoff to Appealinna ruins. Well worth a look.

Dave

Recommend Ron Moons book on the area as it covers all the must see places & a whole lot more. The Hema map is a good broad sheet showing camps with more detailed maps in the book for specific sites.
Cheers Craig...........

I agree with Willem. Stony (the bloke who runs it) is a good bloke and will welcome responsible 4wders and campers to his sanctuary.

Hi Steve

We always camp at Brachina East camp up the creek at the end.

longdrop
Fire rings (BYO wood)
Secluded and no passing traffic.

Last time there we had a skippy hop right up to us and the joey in her pouch poped up eyes blinking in the light it was a top spot been there 5 or 6 times now and have not grown tired of the spot or the flinders.

Remember there are so more tracks than just sky trek

enjoy it while we can

Trev