A great holiday is the right combination of the things you planned to do and the things you come across. The Flinders Ranges and Outback is an enchanting mix of inspiring landscapes, natural wonders and welcoming people. Add to that, things to do and see that you won’t find anywhere else, and you’ve got the ingredients for a memorable journey.
Stretch your legs and get some fresh air! Choose one of the many walking trails in the National Parks and Forests of the Flinders Ranges and Outback. There is sure to be something to suit, from one hour walks to the challenging Heysen Trail. Get on a bike and go for an easy cruise or try our heart–starting adventure trails. Join a local for a guided walk or ride, travelling in safety and learning more about the region. Take on the Mawson Trail and experience the awesome landscapes.
Swap the car for four legged transport. See the Flinders Ranges and Outback from a different perspective and slower pace. Whether you want to ride a horse or a camel, take a short ride or a safari, the Flinders Ranges and Outback offers great opportunities to take in the brilliant atmosphere from the saddle. Don’t miss the biannual Great Australian Cattle Drive where you help drive cattle down the famous Oodnadatta track on horseback.Visit www.cattledrive.com.au for more information.
Climb aboard the Pichi Richi railway for an enchanting journey through the beautiful Flinders Ranges. This is one of Australia’s great heritage train journeys. The Pichi Richi runs on the only remaining section of the old narrow gauge Ghan.
Children love to see the engine up close. Adults are captivated by the wonderful scenery and the relaxing journey. Heritage trains depart from Port Augusta and Quorn. .
Don’t miss Steamtown in Peterborough. See the magnificently restored carriages, the club car with its leather lounges and bar, the sleeping carriages with early 1900s luxury, and beautifully carved wood trims and ceilings. See the large collection of rolling-stock and the only remaining triple gauge turntable and roundhouse in Australia.
The Flinders Ranges and Outback holds treasures underground and you can gain insights into our mining industry. Join a tour of the world’s largest lead smelter in Port Pirie, tour the open cut mine in Leigh Creek, experience Olympic Dam’s surface tour, or go underground to see opal mining in Andamooka and Coober Pedy.
The Flinders Ranges and Outback has long been an inspiration to photographers and artists and it’s not hard to find reasons why. Many small towns have art galleries and the regional cities of Port Pirie and Port Augusta offer two of the finest galleries in South Australia. The region hosts many exhibitions and arts events.
Cruise alongside dolphins at Port Augusta or go boating with the pelicans at Innamincka. Exploring the waterways gives you insights into the flora and fauna of the region. A boat trip adds a great dimension to your holiday experience.
From the ocean to the Outback, food and wine lovers will not have to look very hard to find regional fare in the Flinders Ranges and Outback. Food and wine production is primarily concentrated in the Southern Flinders Ranges, with wine and grape growing, honey production, bush food plantations, gourmet meats and some South Australian food icons thrown in for good measure. Try quandong pies and saltbush lamb at bush bakeries. Enjoy great regional dishes at our welcoming country pubs, cafes and restaurants.
Drive or walk over the mountains and plains one day, then fly over them the next! There is no better way to put the magnificent Ranges and the vast Outback into glorious perspective than by taking to the air. Scenic flights operate in both the Flinders Ranges and Outback.