Accommodation Flinders Ranges

Submitted: Tuesday, Aug 31, 2010 at 11:02

ThreadID: 81071 Views:6536 Replies:9 FollowUps:6

This Thread has been Archived

Flinders Ranges

Always just like a painting, the purple and green colours of the Flinders entices visitors back for more. The Flinders is huge and stretches through outskirts of Broken Hill, Yunta,

Tony @ Naomi

Hi we are going to the flinders ranges in Oct taking the caravan the 2 places to stay seem to be Wilpenna Pound Station or Rawerly park station has any on stayed at these places, and which is the best.

Thanks, Tony

Back Expand Un-Read 0 Moderator Share

Reply By: Member - Warwick D (SA) - Tuesday, Aug 31, 2010 at 11:20

Tuesday, Aug 31, 2010 at 11:20

Greetings, both are good but different. Rawnsley is quieter, some powered sites, more unpowered, so if you can power yourself this is my choice. Wilpena has powered sites and may more faciliities , with easier access to Wilpena Pound, if that is your main aim. It can be quite crowded. My choice, especially if you are "self powered" is Rawnsley, and a 15min drive to Wilpena for when you want to go there. Powered sites in Rawnsley are my next choice. If you like many more facilities, go to powered or unpowered sites at Wilpena, but check for bookings first, especially this year with a very good wildflower season expected.
See you up there. WD

AnswerID: 429008

Follow Up By: aggie - Tuesday, Aug 31, 2010 at 21:47

Tuesday, Aug 31, 2010 at 21:47

THE STAY AT RAWNSLEY STATION IS AWESOME. ASK AT THE KIOSK ABOUT A THE SKY DRIVE AT NEARBY STAION. YOU MUST BOOK AT KIOSK, SELF DRIVE TAKES A DAY. BUT YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE DRIVING ON TOP OF THE WORLD,4X4 ONLY A FAMLY TRIP HAVE DONE IT IN 1998 PAJERO. DRIVE IS INTENSE ,NOT DAMAGING TO YOU OR VECHICLE AND SOMETHING YOU WILL NOT FORGET. THE ROCK CARVINGS ARE FROM PAST INDIGENOUS PEOPLES IN THE AREA.

FollowupID: 699774

Reply By: Member - Ian A (NSW) - Tuesday, Aug 31, 2010 at 11:40

Tuesday, Aug 31, 2010 at 11:40

Hi,

We stayed here for a night, just bush camped but they have other options.
Close to Wilpena for access, plus they have a number of drives if you wish to take them

http://www.mernamora.com.au/

We payed just $10 for the Rangie and CT and had a great view of the ranges.

Ian & Naomi

Lifetime Member
My Profile Send Message

AnswerID: 429011

Reply By: CraigFox - Tuesday, Aug 31, 2010 at 14:17

Tuesday, Aug 31, 2010 at 14:17

We stayed at Rawnsley Park on the June long weekend and found it to be great. Less expensive than Wilpena, more room, and more of a bush camp feel. Also a Top Tourist park if you are a member. Arkapena drive is straight over road, day trip to Brachina, Skytrek, etc

AnswerID: 429017

Reply By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Tuesday, Aug 31, 2010 at 14:34

Tuesday, Aug 31, 2010 at 14:34

Hi Tony
You will get many varied reports, but I prefer Wilpena. You can either get powered sites, or park away from the others in amongst the Cyprus Pines. I hope you have planned a long stay, as if it is your first visit, you will be blown away with the scenery. Take in wood with you for a campfire. The wild flowers will be unreal and if you do side trips out on the Martins Well road, there should be lots of Sturt Desert Pea out.

Have a ball and it will not be your last visit to the Flinders, for me one of the best places in our state.

Check out a few trek notes that I have done on the area and check out Nuccalena, well worth the drive in.

Here are a few pictures of what you can expect.

Cheers

Stephen
Image Could Not Be FoundImage Could Not Be FoundImage Could Not Be FoundImage Could Not Be FoundImage Could Not Be FoundImage Could Not Be FoundImage Could Not Be FoundImage Could Not Be FoundImage Could Not Be FoundImage Could Not Be Found

Smile like a Crocodile

Lifetime Member
My Profile My Blog My Position Send Message

AnswerID: 429019

Follow Up By: Member - Redbakk (WA) - Tuesday, Aug 31, 2010 at 17:18

Tuesday, Aug 31, 2010 at 17:18

Luv the photos, Stephen, but what's the story with the circle on the rock?
And the story behind the old chimney?

Planning a trip there for 2012 and we hope to see all the above.

.

FollowupID: 699747

Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Tuesday, Aug 31, 2010 at 20:10

Tuesday, Aug 31, 2010 at 20:10

Hi Redbakk
We have been to the Flinders since 1973 when they are all still dirt roads to Wilpena and beyond. It is one location that we never get sick of going back to, it is just so beautiful. The circle on the rocks are some if the many Aboriginal Petroglyph found throughout the Flinders, site of more is Sacred Canyon. There are many such locations in many places in the Flinders and there is a very large wall that you drive past on Skytrek. The Old Chimney is part of the Nuccaleena Mine site ruins that are claimed to be the best preserved in the Flinders, off of the Glass Gorge drive, which I have also done as a Trek here on EO.

Any first time visit I would allow 2 weeks there, as like I have said above, it just has so much on offer. Even last years when we made another visit, we intended to stay 4 nights and ended up staying 10, and this is from someone that has been there 40 times. Every time we get back, we always say why has it taken so long to return.

Here are a few more pictures, including what it is like in the Wilpena Camp ground.

Cheers

Stephen

Image Could Not Be FoundImage Could Not Be FoundImage Could Not Be FoundImage Could Not Be FoundImage Could Not Be FoundImage Could Not Be FoundImage Could Not Be FoundImage Could Not Be Found

Smile like a Crocodile

Lifetime Member
My Profile My Blog My Position Send Message

FollowupID: 699766

Follow Up By: Dave B ( BHQ NSW) - Tuesday, Aug 31, 2010 at 20:30

Tuesday, Aug 31, 2010 at 20:30

Stephen, the lookout about 100 metres before that grid is a beauty.

Dave

'Wouldn't be dead for quids'

Lifetime Member
My Profile My Blog Send Message

FollowupID: 699767

Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Tuesday, Aug 31, 2010 at 20:57

Tuesday, Aug 31, 2010 at 20:57

Hi Dave
The good thing about the Flinders, is that I do not have one special spot, they are all fantastic.

Cheers

Stephen

Smile like a Crocodile

Lifetime Member
My Profile My Blog My Position Send Message

FollowupID: 699770

Follow Up By: Tony @ Naomi - Wednesday, Sep 01, 2010 at 10:34

Wednesday, Sep 01, 2010 at 10:34

Thanks Stephen and all the others that replied certainly looks like we are in for a great trip,

Cheers, Tony

FollowupID: 699806

Reply By: Crackles - Tuesday, Aug 31, 2010 at 17:23

Tuesday, Aug 31, 2010 at 17:23

Additionally you can stay at one of the 25+ private propertys spread throughout the Flinders & Gammon Ranges. They are generally quieter and offer from basic bush camping to full ensuite services/cabins as well as having a range of offroad tracks you can access. Details of the properties can be found in Ron Moons Flinders Guide.
Cheers Craig............

AnswerID: 429034

Reply By: gonebush SA - Tuesday, Aug 31, 2010 at 20:11

Tuesday, Aug 31, 2010 at 20:11

hi we stayed at Rawnsley 2 weeks ago, we too had the decision of where to stay until i spoke to friend who said they stayed at Rawnsley because as the nights and sometimes the days are a bit cool this time of year at Wilpena they have a large amount of trees so sometimes your site might not even see the sun, so good in summer but not in the cooler month, there are quite a lot of powered sites at Rawnsley. they also have fire pit areas near the powered sites. the circle in that photo above are Aboriginal rock etchings, there are some near Wilpena at Sacred Canon and we also saw some near Hawker (a long walk up a big hill) and we went to Chambers Gorge, a fair drive but worth it if you like that sort of thing, there are so many etchings there- amazing. enjoy it's a lovely place chris.

AnswerID: 429051

Reply By: Member - jlAU (SA) - Tuesday, Aug 31, 2010 at 21:18

Tuesday, Aug 31, 2010 at 21:18

Stayed in both and prefer Rawnsley Park, quieter and better views. Recommend Rawnsley Bluff trek but it is steep in places until you get to the top. I've been to Wilpena a few times, good facilities but very dark with trees restricting vistas. If you stay at Rawnsley its a quick drive to Wilpena for some great walks also. Just my view. The whole Flinders is breath taking. Also try Brachina George great unpowered (large) camp sites and stunning views from your camp. jl

Member
My Profile My Blog My Position Send Message

AnswerID: 429060

Reply By: Member - jlAU (SA) - Tuesday, Aug 31, 2010 at 21:27

Tuesday, Aug 31, 2010 at 21:27

Image Could Not Be Found

Member
My Profile My Blog My Position Send Message

AnswerID: 429064

Reply By: anglepole - Wednesday, Sep 01, 2010 at 09:31

Wednesday, Sep 01, 2010 at 09:31

Hi Tony,

We have stayed at Merna Mora and Rawnsley Park. Merna Mora must be the quietest place on earth. Slept like a log. Rawnsley Park is also a great place to stay.

Been to Wilpenna many times but have not stayed over.

Lately we have stayed in the Big 4 at Hawker. Hawker has amenities and is a good central place to explore the Flinders. The Restaurant in the Old Railway Station has the best food ever and reasonably priced.

Enjoy your trip. The Flinders is a great place to visit. Chris

AnswerID: 429092