Flinders Ranges

Submitted: Wednesday, Jul 27, 2011 at 20:54

ThreadID: 87824 Views:3335 Replies:6 FollowUps:19

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Member - iijmartin

Hi All,
Planning trip to the Flinders Ranges in Sept towing 21' semi off road van . Never been there. Van set up for free camping and this is our first preference. Allowing for average road conditions, where are the best sites between Wilpena and Arkaroola that we can get the van into. I have the Camps 6 book but difficult to determine access for some of the free camp sites.
Furthermore, are the bush camp sites at Arkaroola Village actually that (I realise that there is a daily charge there)?
All info/camping experiences will be greatly appreciated.
Regards,
Ian

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Reply By: Member - Kevin S (QLD) - Wednesday, Jul 27, 2011 at 21:10

Wednesday, Jul 27, 2011 at 21:10

Hi Ian. Chambers Gorge is a good camp spot. A bit rough getting in as some of the road runs up the bed of the creek but should be OK with care. There are two camp areas at Arkaroola village. One has facilities but the other is more of a bush camp. I don't think there are powered sites where the facilities are but I may be wrong. We were there last year but in the motel area and only drove past the camping grounds.
Kevin

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Follow Up By: Member - iijmartin - Wednesday, Jul 27, 2011 at 21:36

Wednesday, Jul 27, 2011 at 21:36

Thanks Kevin

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Follow Up By: youngharry52 - Thursday, Jul 28, 2011 at 10:50

Thursday, Jul 28, 2011 at 10:50

Hi Ian,
We drove in to Chambers last Sept as a day trip from Wilpena Pound. You might have a bit of a problem around the creek bed with small trees etc. with a van that long as there were some tight turns.

Regards

Chris

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Follow Up By: youngharry52 - Thursday, Jul 28, 2011 at 10:55

Thursday, Jul 28, 2011 at 10:55

Hi again,

Sorry, forgot to add, there are some powered sites in the main caravan area, some even have water if you are lucky; there are no marked sites, they just tell you to take your pick. The area is kind of terraced and the terraces are a bit short in places. Having said all that, absolutely loved the place. Echo Camp Back Track was a great drive also.

Regards

Chris

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Follow Up By: Member - Kevin S (QLD) - Thursday, Jul 28, 2011 at 11:40

Thursday, Jul 28, 2011 at 11:40

And do the Ridge Top Tour if you have the money and or time. A real experience.
Kevin

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Follow Up By: Member - iijmartin - Thursday, Jul 28, 2011 at 12:49

Thursday, Jul 28, 2011 at 12:49

Am booked on the Ridge Top Tour Kevin . Looking forward to it.

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Follow Up By: Member - iijmartin - Thursday, Jul 28, 2011 at 12:52

Thursday, Jul 28, 2011 at 12:52

Hi Chris,
Chambers Gorge sounds a bit tight for the van. Probably do as a day trip.
In regards to Arkaroola CP are the bush camping sites right away from the main camping area? Or do they call all the non powered sites bush camp sites?
Cheers Ian

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Follow Up By: Member - Kevin S (QLD) - Thursday, Jul 28, 2011 at 13:37

Thursday, Jul 28, 2011 at 13:37

Ian, from memory the formal caravan/camping park is on elevated ground across a stream from the main reception/accommodation area with the bush camp area along a stream just past the formal area.
Kevin

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Follow Up By: youngharry52 - Friday, Jul 29, 2011 at 08:36

Friday, Jul 29, 2011 at 08:36

Hi Ian,

It's as Kevin said, though there was no stream there last September, but I imagine that is different now. I recall that the bush sites that I saw were not overly large.
Regards

Chris

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Follow Up By: Member - Kevin S (QLD) - Friday, Jul 29, 2011 at 08:40

Friday, Jul 29, 2011 at 08:40

Poor choice of words on my part Chris. Dry watercourse would have been much more accurate.
Kevin

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Reply By: Mick O - Wednesday, Jul 27, 2011 at 21:28

Wednesday, Jul 27, 2011 at 21:28

There are some great sites within the Flinders Ranges National Park. My two favourites are Acraman and Cambrian in the Bunyeroo Valley. Acraman might be a bit tight for a van but you should fit into Cambrian. There are also great, van suitable sites along Brachina gorge such as Teamsters and Brachina East. Also Koolamon in the Aroona Valley and Trezona Campsite. These are National Park sites so attract a minimal camping fee. BYO firewood from outside the park though.

Enjoy. Mick

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Follow Up By: Member - iijmartin - Wednesday, Jul 27, 2011 at 21:46

Wednesday, Jul 27, 2011 at 21:46

Mick, thanks for the info. The camp site fees - can they be pre paid or are there 'honesty boxes'. Also will there be fire bans in force late Sept/early Oct - we use a gas bottle wood fire stove. I really appreciate your experiences.

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Follow Up By: Mick O - Wednesday, Jul 27, 2011 at 22:26

Wednesday, Jul 27, 2011 at 22:26

Honesty box situation at each campground. Rangers do the rounds though. Not sure on the commencement dates of firebans though. That info would be on the Parks SA website I'm sure.

Cheers Mick

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trip would doubtless be attended with much hardship.''
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Follow Up By: Gronk - Wednesday, Jul 27, 2011 at 23:57

Wednesday, Jul 27, 2011 at 23:57

We were there a couple of yrs ago and we weren't very honest....and the honesty boxes were welded up, so I'd say the rangers only collect out of them every 6 months or so.....when they bring their angle grinders and a welder to seal it back up ..

Normally, I'd say they would have no way of checking if you had payed or not !!

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Follow Up By: Member Al (Sunshine Coast) - Thursday, Jul 28, 2011 at 08:58

Thursday, Jul 28, 2011 at 08:58

Gronk, I would say that you are about observant as you are honest. The boxes may look very solid and sealed but in fact the bottoms are openable and incorporate a lock. You were simply lucky that the rangers did not catch up with you.

Cheers
Allan

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Reply By: Hairs & Fysh - Thursday, Jul 28, 2011 at 06:12

Thursday, Jul 28, 2011 at 06:12

Hi Ian,
We'll be in the area from the 23 Sep till about the 28th, just after the National gathering at Silverton, so we are researching places as well. We've only just started our search. It was timely that you started this thread.
Yell out if our paths cross, we'll be in an 80 Series cruiser pulling an old Jayco Swan
Fysh has taken a month off work, so after the Gathering we plan to check out the Flinders, Adelaide, Great ocean rd, then head to Dubbo, to take the kids to the zoo and then home.
And if we don't bump into each other, enjoy your travels.
Cheers

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Follow Up By: Member - iijmartin - Thursday, Jul 28, 2011 at 11:35

Thursday, Jul 28, 2011 at 11:35

Hi Hairs and Fysh, sounds like a great trip with the kids. We should be around Wilpena on the 25th Sept and at Arkaroola the long weekend as we have a Lake Eyre flight booked. Would be great to catch up with a fellow Explor oz traveller. we are driving Silver Navara D40 towing white and black Crusader Inspiration.
Safe travels,
Ian

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Follow Up By: Hairs & Fysh - Thursday, Jul 28, 2011 at 11:50

Thursday, Jul 28, 2011 at 11:50

Ya say a Silver Navara, we'll keep an eye out for you guys.
I'm jealous now, A flight over lake Eyre, nice one :)

Safe & happy Travels.
Jon

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Follow Up By: Member - iijmartin - Thursday, Jul 28, 2011 at 12:58

Thursday, Jul 28, 2011 at 12:58

Jon, a fair bit of dough for a few hrs flight...but the way I look at it, once in a lifetime opportunity, and I've always regretted not doing these sorts of tours in the past (in other parts of Oz). Really looking forward to some great sights and photos.
Cheers, Ian

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Follow Up By: Member - Kevin S (QLD) - Thursday, Jul 28, 2011 at 13:49

Thursday, Jul 28, 2011 at 13:49

Ian, wife and I have just returned from a three day air tour of Lake Eyre and environs. To do it we had to drive Brisbane to Horsham then $2,000 each for tour and home again. We tried to come home via Birdsville Track but that did not work out. But we have no regrets at the effort or cost. We rank the experience with overnight at the Horizontal Waterfalls and an air/ground tour of the Bungle Bungles.
Kevin

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