Hiking Flinders Ranges: Unveil the Story of Australia

What you get on this adventure:

• • Experienced, local hiking guides with extensive knowledge of the area
  • 5 days of hiking in the Ikara-Flinders Ranges region (highlights including Mount Remarkable, Wilpena Pound, Alligator and Brachina Gorges)
  • Accommodation at Rawnsley Park Station in fully-equipped cabins based on twin occupancy (4 nights)
  • All transportation during the adventure in a comfortable 12-seater mini-coach with luggage trailer
  • 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 3 two-course dinners, along with trail mix, fresh fruit, snacks, tea and coffee, biscuits / cake, and non-alcoholic drinks
  • All National Park entry fees
  • Carbon offset program

What’s not included:

• • Transportation to the meeting point in Adelaide
  • Any accommodation before and after the tour (if applicable)
  • Breakfast on Day 1, Lunch on Day 5 and dinner on Day 4
  • Alcoholic beverages and other personal expenses
  • Guide gratuities — optional

To fully enjoy the guided Ikara and Flinders Ranges hiking trip, a reasonable level of fitness and some prior hiking experience are necessary. The difficulty of the hikes varies throughout the adventure, with Days 1 and 5 suitable for participants with no hiking experience, featuring gentle terrain and occasional steps. Days 2-4 present more challenging terrains, including steep hills and rough surfaces. The distances range from an easy 2 miles (approximately 1.5 hours) to more demanding days covering 7.5 miles (6 hours) on steep and rugged paths, all while carrying a daypack.

Preparation is key, involving engaging in cardiovascular and strength training in the weeks leading up to the tour. Regular participation in full-day hikes, particularly in hilly terrain on weekends, is highly recommended. Rest assured, our experienced guides will be by your side throughout, offering support, assessing your fitness level, and adapting the pace as necessary. Regular breaks during the hikes for meals, photos, or taking in the scenery will ensure you can properly enjoy them. In exceptional cases where hiking may pose too big of a challenge on a particular day, the option to remain in your accommodation is available.

Here’s what you need to bring to carry in a 20L daypack with a load bearing harness:

• • Rain jacket
  • Fleece jacket
  • Wide-brimmed hat for sunny days
  • Beanie or wool hat for cold days
  • Water bottle or drinking bladder (minimum 2 liters)
  • High factor sunscreen
  • Lip balm
  • Blister pads and/or tape for rubbing and blisters
  • Antiseptic hand gel
  • Sun glasses
  • Walking poles and gaiters — optional (but recommended)
  • Camera — optional (but recommended)
  • Binoculars — optional (but recommended)
  • Spare batteries for all devices/charger
  • Tupperware/container for packing your lunch

You’ll also need a main bag (stays at accommodation) to carry items listed below:

• • 2 pairs of long and/or short pants (preferably loose-fitting, lightweight, and quick-drying)
  • 2 long-sleeved shirts
  • 4 T-shirts
  • Fleece jacket or wool sweater
  • Rain jacket or spray jacket
  • Swimming suit and towel (optional)
  • Hiking socks
  • Waterproof hiking shoes or boots
  • Thermal undergarments (if rain is expected)
  • Wool or fleece hat for cooler weather
  • Lightweight, quick-drying towel
  • Waterproof, reusable bag for worn clothing
  • Comfortable shoes and casual clothing for evenings
  • Underwear
  • Toiletries (shampoo/conditioner, body wash, deodorant, sanitary products, travel hairdryer, toothpaste, insect repellent, etc.)

Please ensure your gear is in a soft bag, not a hard suitcase, to assist your Flinders hiking guides in packing the trailer. Bring comfortable hiking clothing appropriate for the weather. Your packing list may change depending on the season, but it is necessary to be prepared for different conditions. There’s no bad weather, only bad clothing (and equipment)!

Your accommodation, located just outside Wilpena Pound, serves as an ideal hub for exploring the captivating Ikara-Flinders Ranges. You’ll be able to fully Immerse yourself in the rugged beauty of the region from the comfort of your comfortable lodging.

Throughout the tour, your group will stay in cozy self-contained cabins thoughtfully designed to harmonize with the natural environment. Apart from bedrooms, the cabins come complete with a kitchenette, shared living spaces, and communal bathroom facilities.

You’ll stay in twin rooms, but for those seeking added privacy, a single supplement option is available. This option grants you a private bedroom within a shared cabin, with shared bathroom facilities. Please note that single supplements are subject to availability at the time of booking.

During the guided Ikara and Flinders Ranges hiking adventure, you’ll savor hearty, home-style meals that showcase the region’s fresh produce, including local cheese, yogurt, fruits, vegetables, fish, and meats. These meals not only support local farmers but also minimize food miles. Your dietary preferences will be accommodated if specified when booking. Breakfast offers a continental spread with cereals, yogurt, fruit, and more.

Lunches are diverse, usually featuring meat, salad, and bread. Dinners are casual two-course meals prepared by your guides, featuring dishes like classic roast lamb or curry, along with delightful desserts like apple crumble or seasonal fruit salad. In addition to the main meals, you’ll have snacks and antipasto during the trip, with fresh fruit for the trail, biscuits, and fruit cake for tea breaks. Pre-dinner nibbles include dips, cheese, and crackers. You’ll also find a self-serve trail mix selection at the start of each day.

While the tour doesn’t include alcoholic beverages, you’re welcome to bring your wine or beer along, just be sure to pack bottled wine carefully to prevent breakages.

If you have any dietary restrictions or preferences, please leave a note for your guide when booking, they can accommodate most dietary requirements.

Group sizes and prices:

• • For this group adventure, the maximum number of participants is 10 and the tour operates with two guides for a maximum 5:1 client-to-guide ratio.
  • The cost does not decrease as the group grows.

Hiking in the Ikara and Flinders Ranges area can be arranged for larger and for private groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

Min. age requirements:

• • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
  • Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the hike on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

To get to Adelaide, the starting point of the tour, most people fly into Adelaide Airport. From there, we recommend taking a shuttle service to get to the city. If traveling from a distant location, we advise arriving one day prior to allow ample time for rest before the tour commences early on Day 1.

On the first day, gather with your guide and fellow hikers at the Terrace Hotel, located at 208 South Tec, Adelaide SA 5000. The meeting time is set for 7:20 am, for a departure at 7:30 am.

We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both emergency medical and travel insurance. With medical insurance, if you have an accident or medical emergency on or off the trail, you’ll avoid paying out of pocket for costly expenses. This covers everything from hospital treatments to emergency air transportation and more.

Travel insurance covers canceled flights, natural disasters and other scenarios that may interrupt your travel plans.

We also expect you to respect local regulations and take measures to protect yourselves, your guides, and the communities you’re traveling to.

If you need assistance selecting the right insurance for your group, let us know and we will be happy to help!