The Outback

The Flinders Ranges (250km north of Adelaide – allow 3 hours driving) are simply spectacular for their sheer, rugged beauty, amazing colours, wildflowers, wildlife, historic ruins and Aboriginal rock paintings. Birdlife includes the magnificent wedge-tailed eagle and, on the ground, the elusive yellow-footed rock wallaby.

Guided tours operate into the area and charter flights are available (Airlines of South Australia fly to Port Augusta and Leigh Creek). There’s not much in the way of 5-star restaurants in the area, but most hotels serve country-style meals in a friendly atmosphere.

There are a number of man-made attractions of interest including the Pichi Pichi Railway at Quorn and the School of the Air at Port Augusta, but the main attractions are the gorges and ranges themselves.

The Wadlata Outback Centre, in Port Augusta, has excellent hands-on displays on geology, Aboriginal Dreaming, explorers, European settlement, transportation, telecommunications, mining, School of the Air and the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Time your visit for a meal in the ‘Outback Tuckerbox’. The Australian Arid Lands Botanic Gardens has 12km of walking tracks to explore the unique Australian arid flora.

The areas of natural beauty to explore on your own, or with a guide, include Wilpenna Pound in the Flinders Ranges National Park, Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary and Lake Frome Regional Reserve. The Ridgetop Tour at Arkaroola is highly recommended for spectacular views from the back of a 4WD vehicle.

Naturally, it can get stinking hot in summer and nights are cold in winter so autumn and Spring are probably the best times to visit. In spring wildflowers can carpet the landscape.

The Flinders flows into the outback and red desert plains. For those with a pioneering spirit, a visit to the opal-mining town of Coober Pedy is a must.

Coober Pedy is the largest producer of opals in the world and is famous for its underground homes (dugouts), churches and even accommodation. Visit the Old Timer’s Mine and the Umoona Opal Mine and Museum. It’s a town full of characters, like the old timer who rented out his digs for the filming of Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome and added Tina Turner’s bra to his already extensive collection of women’s undergarments.

On rare occasions visitors will get to see Lake Eyre in flood and you can travel through the outback by rail on the legendary Ghan from Adelaide to Alice Springs. The Ghan has a Motorail service so you can even take your car with you.

When travelling into the outback, take safety precautions and check weather and road conditions ahead.

More Information

For more information about South Australia:

• Events And Festivals
• Accommodation
• To See And Do
• Adelaide
• Barossa Valley
• Clare and beyond
• Fleurieu
• Kangaroo Island
• From Andamooka to Woomera

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