Walk South Australia'S Flinders Ranges

Welcome to South Australia! Your adventure begins in Adelaide (Tandanya in the language of The Kaurna people, who are the traditional owners of the land on which Adelaide is now located). Adelaide is your gateway to Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park. You’ll be picked up by your local leader and meet your fellow travellers at 8am this morning, then it’s time to head towards the peaks of the Flinders Ranges. Make a stop in the town of Crystal Brook for some morning tea, then continue to Melrose. Surrounded by diverse wildlife and unique landscapes, this is the perfect place to enjoy a picnic lunch. Then, head to Alligator Gorge, which impresses with its red quartzite formations. Get to know the landscape on a short hike around the gorge as your leader shares facts about the geological wonders found here. Finally, continue to Quorn, a charming old railway town and your base for the evening. Enjoy a group dinner and chat with your new travel companions about the day’s discoveries.Accommodation: Hotel

After breakfast this morning, head north towards the Dutchman’s Stern, a bluff in the southern foothills of the Flinders Ranges, from where you’ll embark on a scenic hike. Follow a steep path through sugar gum forest and be rewarded with incredible panoramic views of the surrounding plains, Quorn, and Lake Torrens, then weave back down through shady she-oak woodlands. Your leader will point out examples of the region’s interesting plant life as you walk, and you’ll also cross paths with the famous 1200km Heysen Trail. After your walk, return to Quorn to gather any supplies you may need over the next few days, then venture into the heart of the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park. Here you’ll find Ikara (Wilpena Pound), a truly remarkable 800-million-year-old natural amphitheatre. Your home for the next five nights is a resort on the outskirts of this miraculous formation, so settle in and enjoy the view!Accommodation: Resort

This morning after breakfast, we’ll drive to Black Gap to start our walk towards Bridle Gap and the natural amphitheatre of Wilpena Pound. Today’s walk is approximately 12km and you’ll follow a part of the Heysen Trail. The walk up to Bridle Gap can be steep and rocky in sections, but the views at the top are oh-so-worth-it. The good news – from Bridle Gap, it’s a gentle walk down into the valley floor of Wilpena Pound through a variety of mallee, native pine and heath. These habitats provide excellent opportunities for the keen naturalists among the group to observe interesting local birds, including wrens, robins, parrots and emus.Accommodation: Resort