4WD Self-drive Tracks in the Flinders Ranges
Submitted: Monday, Jul 11, 2011 at 20:20
ThreadID:
87508
Views:
20301
Replies:
14
FollowUps:
21
This Thread has been Archived
Member - John R (cQld)
Hi all,
We are hoping to visit the
Flinders Ranges next month, and we're aware that there are some self-drive, pay-to-drive tracks around on private properties. My question is are any really worth doing for the scenery, rather than the 4WD challenge (or perhaps for both reasons), or can you get just as good viewing on public roads through the Flinders?
We'd appreciate some suggestions along either line, please. We hope to visit from Arkaroola down to Mt Remarkable.
Thanks,
John
Reply By: RobAck - Monday, Jul 11, 2011 at 21:01
Monday, Jul 11, 2011 at 21:01
The
Flinders Ranges offers some of the best 4WD tracks around. The majority are on private property and give you access to some great off-road driving and scenery to boot. You get nothing like the
views by driving through the already wonderful
Flinders Ranges National Park which is also worth the drive.
So I suggest you get hold of an RAA of SA map of the
Flinders Ranges as it shows you all the private and public tracks and contact details
You don't say how long you are staying but allow two weeks to drive some of them. If you are only staying for a short time then I suggest you base yourself at
Rawnsley Park Station which offers plenty of choice for accommodation and a great restaurant as
well.
Warraweena has been mentioned and it takes at least three to four days just to drive their tracks.
Regards
RobA
AnswerID:
459689
Follow Up By: Crackles - Monday, Jul 11, 2011 at 21:21
Monday, Jul 11, 2011 at 21:21
"The
Flinders Ranges offers some of the best 4WD tracks around."
I'll disagree there Rob. In comparison to the difficulty of the
Vic High Country or Tasmania, we found almost all the tracks including the PARs & private properties are of an easy to intermediate standard which is great for novices, those driving un-modified vehicles or in many areas even soft roaders.
Cheers Craig........
FollowupID:
733298
Follow Up By: Member - John R (cQld) - Monday, Jul 11, 2011 at 21:53
Monday, Jul 11, 2011 at 21:53
Hi Rob
Yes we've got a couple of weeks, but we also want to do some walking (and a bit of taking it easy) so we'll just have to go with a couple of drives. We have the Hema map, so we've got contacts, but no real details of what drives are like.
Phil's brochure link (below) also looks very useful.
Cheers,
John
FollowupID:
733301
Follow Up By: olcoolone - Monday, Jul 11, 2011 at 21:58
Monday, Jul 11, 2011 at 21:58
Craig,
John who asked the questions said
"any really worth doing for the scenery, rather than the 4WD challenge"
For scenery the Flinders is hard to beat and yes the
Vic High Country and Tassie is a fantastic place and offers extreme 4x4ing but I think
John was talking about going to the Flinders and he wanted easier tracks.
If you know the private tracks in the Flinders you would know they don't allow softraders.
So I think what Rod said about the Flinders is spot on and answered what
John wanted.
Not everyone wants to go extreme 4x4ing.
FollowupID:
733303
Follow Up By: Crackles - Monday, Jul 11, 2011 at 22:30
Monday, Jul 11, 2011 at 22:30
"....he wanted easier tracks...Not everyone wants to go extreme 4x4ing."
My point exactly cool one. If you look at the private property web sites many play up the difficulty of the tracks but in comparison to many other areas they are often quite tame. People should not be put off thinking they are really hard as most can be handled in stock cars by average drivers.
As for soft roaders I'd estimate
well over half the dirt roads & tracks in the Flinders &
Gammon Ranges would be suitable hence my carefully worded
"... in many areas even soft roaders." Many of the 20+ properties have a selection of different grade tracks too suitable for less capable cars & beginners.
Cheers Craig.............
FollowupID:
733309
Follow Up By: olcoolone - Tuesday, Jul 12, 2011 at 00:16
Tuesday, Jul 12, 2011 at 00:16
20+ properties?
FollowupID:
733315
Reply By: Crackles - Monday, Jul 11, 2011 at 21:52
Monday, Jul 11, 2011 at 21:52
In general
John the free tracks follow the valleys & gorges while many of the private properties own the high ground & the spectacular
views. There are plenty of great
places to see from the public roads that will fill a couple of weeks but likewise the private tracks have plenty to offer with some great secluded
camp sites, accomodation, lookouts and interesting 4x4 tracks.
We spent our first three visits to the area on mostly public roads then last time looked at 5 of the private properties. It's all good no matter where you go.
Recommend Ron Moons Flinders Guide book for excellent detail.
Cheers Craig................
AnswerID:
459695
Follow Up By: Member - John R (cQld) - Monday, Jul 11, 2011 at 22:24
Monday, Jul 11, 2011 at 22:24
Thanks Craig,
Yes we're getting the impression that most of the 4WD range drives are worth a go if you have the time. This trip we want to do a mixture of things, so it will be a case of taking both the "high road" and the "low road", by the looks. We found pics like those back in post 77188 look worth checking out for the "low road".
Cheers,
John
FollowupID:
733307
Reply By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Monday, Jul 11, 2011 at 22:45
Monday, Jul 11, 2011 at 22:45
Hi
John
Firstly I hope that you have given yourself lots of time to visit one of South Australia's best
places to visit. We have been to the Flinders countless times and it is one destination that you never tire of visiting. I am ashamed to admit that it has been a couple of years since we were there, and when we did we intended to stay only 4 nights and 10 days later we headed for
home.
For me it is not the 4x4 challenges but the scenery first and foremost. I have said enough, so here are some images of what you can expect to see and you will see why everyone is spell bound by the sheer beauty of the place.........
Image Could Not Be FoundImage Could Not Be FoundImage Could Not Be FoundImage Could Not Be FoundImage Could Not Be FoundImage Could Not Be FoundImage Could Not Be FoundImage Could Not Be FoundImage Could Not Be FoundImage Could Not Be FoundImage Could Not Be FoundImage Could Not Be FoundImage Could Not Be FoundImage Could Not Be FoundImage Could Not Be FoundImage Could Not Be FoundImage Could Not Be FoundImage Could Not Be FoundImage Could Not Be Found
When we head up to the Cooper, we are taking a detour via
Blinman just to top up my Flinders images.
Enjoy our great Flinder and one thing is for sure, you will return.
Cheers
Stephen
AnswerID:
459704
Follow Up By: Member - Bruce C (NSW) - Tuesday, Jul 12, 2011 at 06:03
Tuesday, Jul 12, 2011 at 06:03
Thanks for the images Stephen, brilliant.
Bruce.
| At home and at ease on a track that I know not and
restless and lost on a track that I know. HL.Lifetime Member My Profile Send Message |
FollowupID:
733317
Follow Up By: Fab72 - Tuesday, Jul 12, 2011 at 12:51
Tuesday, Jul 12, 2011 at 12:51
4th to last photo. I reckon that would have to be the most photographed view of the Flinders.
I love the place too Stephen. Thanks for the photos.
Fab.
FollowupID:
733333
Follow Up By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Tuesday, Jul 12, 2011 at 14:24
Tuesday, Jul 12, 2011 at 14:24
Gday Stephen,
We too stopped in via the Flinders on our way back last week. I'd forgotted how nice
Parachilna Gorge was......great spot to
camp and just look at those huge gums. Bitumen all the way between Wilpena and
Blinman now too!
Cheers
Phil
FollowupID:
733340
Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Tuesday, Jul 12, 2011 at 14:36
Tuesday, Jul 12, 2011 at 14:36
Hi Fab
Yes the
Bunyeroo Gorge Scenic Drive is always one drive that is a must for any visit to the Flinders and would be one of the best.
John mentioned that he would like to do some walks, and the Old Wilpena
Homestead is an interesting easy walk and full of the local history. Another very long and rewarding hike is the
St Mary Peak Hike, so here are a couple more images from some of the walks.
Image Could Not Be FoundImage Could Not Be FoundImage Could Not Be FoundImage Could Not Be FoundImage Could Not Be FoundImage Could Not Be Found
Hi Phil
The Bitumen has been in place now for a couple of years. I can remember when there was no bitumen just past
Hawker...those were the days before it became a National Park and we had many
great camps out along the creeks, which is now not possible.
Cheers
Stephen
FollowupID:
733341
Follow Up By: mikehzz - Tuesday, Jul 12, 2011 at 17:33
Tuesday, Jul 12, 2011 at 17:33
You take a great photo Stephen. It's hard to believe that the
views and colours are actually better in real life. :-)
FollowupID:
733364
Follow Up By: Member - John R (cQld) - Tuesday, Jul 12, 2011 at 20:21
Tuesday, Jul 12, 2011 at 20:21
Thanks for all the great photos, Stephen. Don't put up too many though or we won't have any excuse to go! LOL.
No doubt we won't have enough time to see all we'd like, but we hope to see a good cross-section at least. And yes we'd like to try several walks, including to St Marys Peak, if the legs and weather are on our side.
We also plan a detour to take the Cooper ferry if it's still running when we travel down, so please keep up the updates on that.
Thanks again,
John
FollowupID:
733390
Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Tuesday, Jul 12, 2011 at 20:52
Tuesday, Jul 12, 2011 at 20:52
Hi
John
Where ever you do go, you will have a great time with breath taking scenery. The walks may be long, but very rewarding. Makes sure you take plenty of water and something to eat if doing the St Mary Walk.
As for the ferry, you have my word that I will not let the team down with all the happenings on the ferry. In a week or so time, I should have my first lot of figures for the running this time round.
Cheers
Stephen
FollowupID:
733397
Reply By: Member - Graham Watson (SA) - Tuesday, Jul 12, 2011 at 00:59
Tuesday, Jul 12, 2011 at 00:59
We have done skytrek at Willow Springs twice. It takes you to the highest vehicle accessible place in the
Flinders Ranges. For photos see
here from photo 119 to 164 and
here from Photo 139 to 178. The track is fun without being difficult and the
views are great from the top of the range.
We have also done The Touch of salt track at Nilpena Station which takes you out to
lake torrens. Photos are
here frrom photo 085 to 111 and
here photo 105 to 116. This was a bit different to our trip to Lake Eyre South when there was water in the lake.
I would also recommend
Bendleby Ranges, although the
views are not as spectacular as Willow Springs.
AnswerID:
459706
Follow Up By: Member - John R (cQld) - Tuesday, Jul 12, 2011 at 20:34
Tuesday, Jul 12, 2011 at 20:34
Hi Graham, thanks for the info and photos. I suspect Bendelby will be a bit too far out of our way for this time.
Cheers,
John
FollowupID:
733392