Camping in the Flinders Ranges in April

"Is a week too long". A week is probably just long enough to drive the tracks and relax just at Warraweena, and thats just one property with a few tracks and awesome scenery. Way too many things and places to list, possibly base camp somewhere and do day trips from there. I am sure others will have many more ideas.
Cheers

Hi Jane, If you click on the blue Flinders Ranges link in your post it will unfold just about everything you need to know. It is a great place and I miss having it in my 'backyard'. A week is not too long. Several weeks would not be too long. Have a great time.

Surely you jest Jane ! If the weather is good, a week might just be enough to have you realise "what was I thinking ?".......after the breathtaking landscape, you have impressive geology, fossils, flora and fauna..... one camp fire under the stars and you might be in danger of moving there! Hawker is not a bad start for newcomers - the sealed road now runs all the way up to Blinman - if you want to stay at caravan parks, Hawker, Rawnsley and Wilpena Pound are all good - there are numerous caravan/camping parks on pastoral stations in the area too - if you want to stay in the National Park's gorges, there are designated camp grounds (Brachina / Trezona is probably my favourite area) - then there is Parachilna Gorge up near Blinman. Going north from Blinman up to the Gammons and Arkaroola is another story, but it only gets better. There is plenty of published info available - Parks SA is a good start.

Hi Jane

For me the Flinders would rate up there with one of the best locations to visit around Australia. You must have lived a very sheltered life not to hear how great they are. Trust me a week there will go very quick and you will have wished you could have spent more time there.

If you enjoy the great outdoors, unreal scenery, some fantastic drives, seeing lots of wildlife, then you will be back again in the future, that time staying longer.

Without being cynical, if you do not like the Flinders you would very very hard to please.

Here are a few trek notes that I have completed for EO:

http://www.exploroz.com/TrekNotes/Flinders/Moralana_Scenic_Drive.aspx

http://www.exploroz.com/TrekNotes/Flinders/St_Mary_Peak_and_Wilpena_Pound_Walk.aspx

http://www.exploroz.com/TrekNotes/Flinders/Bunyeroo_Gorge_Scenic_Drive.aspx

http://www.exploroz.com/TrekNotes/Flinders/Glass_Gorge_Scenic_Drive.aspx



Here are a few pictures of what you can expect.

Enjoy the Flinders and you will be back for more.



Cheers


Stephen

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Hi Jane,

A great place to base yourself in the Flinders Ranges is Warren Gorge (free camping) 22 kms North of Quorn (the capital of the Flinders Ranges). From there you can do numerous day trips in the Flinders. Warren Gorge usually has a creek with running water, long drop toilets, a walking trail about 2 hours around and a 4wd track. From there you could visit Kanyacka ruins and Probey's grave, Wipena Pound, Buckaringa Gorge, the old main North road through Hooikna and Hookina creek returning via Hawker, Yarra Vale Gorge and various other tourist attractions. You also would be in close procimintry to the town of Quorn 22 ks and the city of Port Augusta 62 ks. Various small towns most with a quaint hotel in the district are Craddock 60 ks, Willmington 62 ks, Hawker 65 ks and Carrieton about 70ks. South of Warren Gorge you will find Alligatore Gorge, Port Germain Gorge, Mount Remarkable and Melrose (two pubs). Some great walking trails are in close proximity to Warren Gorge they are the Dutchmans Stern approx. 3 hrs up and back or 5 hrs ring walk, Devils peak 1. 1/2 hrs return and Mount Brown approx 4 hrs return. I'm bias I live here and love it.

It seems pointless if you have to drive an extra 200 kilometres a day to get into the main area ...... even if Warren Gorge is FREE.

The money you save is a fraction in extra fuel you use.

Quorn is a very nice place and plenty to see, Hawker is good but we always stay in the bush camping section at Rawnsley, Wilpena Pound is over rated and expensive.

I'm a bit against FREE (free loading) camping here in SA as the local operators who put all the work in loose out.... bit like borrowing your neighbours tools all the time when you want to do a DIY job at home.... hell why should I use my money to buy tools when I can use my neighbours for FREE.

Support local tourism and there operators.

Hullo Jane
Suggest you buy a copy of Ron and Viv Moon's book "The Flinders Ranges - An Adventurer's Guide". It is a good resource, relatively up to date and full of practical info re tracks, camping spots, places to visit, history, etc
Cheers
Andrew

Hi Jane, at the risk of sounding like Michael Caton, your dreamin, was there for 21/2 weeks (including the Gammon Rgs) and felt we were at least a week short.
Willow springs also a good spot to stay while in the area, good chance to drive Skytrek (need around 6 hours though) They have a web site

Have a great time,

jealous as

rgds
Ian

Thanks everyone for all your fantastic suggestions/tips. Can't wait to go. So much to do, so little time!!!