Take a journey into the real essence of Australia and discover the adventure of South Australia's Flinders Ranges and Outback.
You can delve into a rich Aboriginal culture, as told by today's custodians of the land
You can walk on a lake the size of Holland and drink beer in some of the world's most isolated pubs.
You can watch eagles circle in cloudless skies while kangaroos doze in golden grass.
You can noodle for gemstones in the opal capital of the world.
You can hike the Heysen, make tracks on the Mawson and stroll to the bakery for a quandong pie.
The Flinders Ranges is nature on a grand scale. Magnificent and uncompromising landscapes; truly a destination to get away from it all.
Though the Ranges seem a million miles from the city life, on the map the southern areas of the Flinders Ranges begin only 220kms out of Adelaide.
If you are travelling via the Southern Flinders and Port Augusta, stop in at the Wadlata Outback Centre for a taste of what's to come, or board the Pichi Richi steam train and discover what our forefathers saw, as the steam train puffs its way through the Pichi Richi Pass from Quorn through to Woolshed Flat and on to Port Augusta
Although driving here in a 4WD is legendary, much of the Flinders is easy for two- wheel vehicles. In any case, you don't have to do it all by yourself. There are half and full day tours widely available right across the region. For many it's safer option - it's essential to check with the locals before you head out onto any of the Outback tracks. There are a variety of tours to see the Indigenous artwork recorded at many cave sites. The best known of these is Yourambulla Caves, south of the historic town of Hawker.
Australia's camel population has its origins here too, one of the few ways of getting supplies through in the early days. Their expert Afghan handlers gave The Ghan railway its name. Make sure you set foot on the Birdsville Track - just one of those essential ingredients in any Outback holiday, although it's much more comfortable getting there these days than in years gone by. Between Marree and Marla is the Oodnadatta Track and the vastness of Lake Eyre. When the lake floods, it's big news. That's the time to catch a flight over its 8,430 square kilometre surface and wonder at the birds that flock there. Following its partial flooding in 2000, more rain has ensured, and in 2001 the northern reaches of Lake Eyre will also carry water.
The Outback is the place to relax under a coolibah tree or take a tour spotting stars in clear night skies. The largest privately owned observatory in Australia is located at Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary. Join the Heysen Trail for a while and walk through a land that has been changing and yet remained unchanged for 600 million years.
Coober Pedy, opal capital of the world, was built on the riches of its mines. No cave-dwelling native animal could ever have dreamed up luxury accommodations to match the ingenuity of the locals who live and play underground to avoid the searing summer heat. You can still go opal 'noodling' here or maybe even rub shoulders with the film crews who made Breakaways Reserve, 34kms north, a favourite location.
Make the Flinders Ranges and Outback South Australia a must in your holiday plans soon. The back-of-beyond is waiting for you.
With planning and care, you can explore on foot, by car, coach, four-wheel drive vehicle, bike train or aircraft. There are many 4WD tracks, walking trails, cycling options,national parks and sanctuaries to choose from. Explore them at your own pace, meet the locals - as colourful as the land itself - and discover your next adventure.
Ah, life can’t always be this good, so savour your time and bring lots of film... these will be memories you’ll want to relive.
CLIMATE
Outback - Between April and October most days are warm and beautifully clear, but at sunset the temperature can fall sharply. Daily temperatures are usually in the average of 16-20C, while during the hotter months of November through March the days often go above 40C and, on extreme days in Outback areas, above 50C.
Flinders Ranges - It's seldom humid so the dry heat can still be bearable. Rainfall may be low but when it comes it can be torrential and flooding occurs quickly. The winter and early spring rains are the source of the wildflower season across the Flinders Ranges and Desert Parks.