Guided Walking for the Travel Trade

Flinders Ranges Walking Tours

About This Walk

South Australia’s Signature Walking Experience

  • Seven days of walking valleys, gorges, and summits across Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park
  • Five nights at a resort on the fringes of the ancient Ikara (Wilpena Pound)
  • Two local leaders who share geological history and stories of the land
  • All-inclusive – meals, transport, national park passes, guides, and accommodation
  • Ideal for active FIT travellers, couples, and small private groups seeking the outback
A stunning panoramic view of the Flinders Ranges in South Australia, featuring distinctive

FLINDERS RANGES WALK

Walk the Flinders Ranges – Day by Day

Adelaide to Mt Remarkable National Park and Melrose. An 8 am pick-up from the Adelaide Central Bus Station starts the journey north, with morning tea at Crystal Brook, a picnic lunch in Mt Remarkable National Park, and a short Alligator Gorge walk among red quartzite formations before overnighting in Melrose.
The Dutchmans Stern and into the national park. A 10.6 km hike over five hours climbs through sugar gum forest with panoramic views over Quorn and Lake Torrens, then weaves through she-oak woodlands and crosses the Heysen Trail before the group settles into its resort base near Ikara (Wilpena Pound).
Black Gap to Bridle Gap and Wilpena Pound. A steep, rocky climb gives way to a gentle descent into the valley floor through mallee, native pine, and heath – prime birdwatching country – across around 12 km over five hours on a Grade 3 (moderate) trail.
Yuluna Hike and Brachina Gorge. The Aroona Valley Scenic Drive leads to the Yuluna Hike, opening with a climb and views of the Heysen Range. The afternoon explores ancient Brachina Gorge, with millions of years of geological history and chances to spot yellow-footed rock wallabies across roughly 8 km over four hours.
St Mary’s Peak to Tanderra Saddle. A long 15 km hike over six hours on a Grade 4 (challenging) trail with steep rocky climbs, walking straight from the accommodation. Out of respect for the Adnyamathanha creation story, the group climbs to Tanderra Saddle rather than the summit, with sweeping views of the ranges and plains. Two local guides accompany the day, and an optional scenic flight is available in the afternoon.
Mt Ohlssen Bagge to Sacred Canyon. A steep, rocky climb of around 6 km over four hours rewards travellers with an unforgettable view across Ikara (Wilpena Pound). In the afternoon, a private Sacred Canyon tour immerses the group in Adnyamathanha culture, with rock engravings, bush medicine, and bush tucker shared by a First Nations guide, followed by a farewell dinner.
Ikara-Flinders Ranges to Adelaide. Leave the national park behind and travel south, stopping in the celebrated Clare Valley wine region for lunch and a winery visit. Travellers can taste local wines and explore the vineyard before continuing on to Adelaide, with arrival expected around 4.30 pm to close the adventure.

SUMMIT WALKS

Outback Walks – Day by Day

The journey starts in Adelaide with an 8 am pick-up, then heads north into the Flinders Ranges with stops at Crystal Brook and Mt Remarkable National Park.
Adelaide to Mt Remarkable National Park and Melrose. The adventure begins with a pick-up from the Adelaide Central Bus Station at 8 am sharp. The group heads towards the peaks of the Flinders Ranges, pausing in Crystal Brook for morning tea before reaching Mt Remarkable National Park for a picnic lunch. A short hike around Alligator Gorge reveals its red quartzite formations, with the leader sharing the geological story of the landscape. The day covers around 2 km over 1.5 hours, finishing in Melrose for the night.
Quorn to Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park. After breakfast, head north to the Dutchmans Stern, a bluff in the southern foothills, for a scenic hike of roughly 10.6 km over five hours on a Grade 3 (moderate) trail. A steep path climbs through sugar gum forest with panoramic views over the plains, Quorn, and Lake Torrens, then weaves back through shady she-oak woodlands, crossing the famous Heysen Trail. After gathering supplies in Quorn, the group settles into a resort on the fringes of the 800-million-year-old Ikara (Wilpena Pound), home for the next five nights.
Mt Ohlssen Bagge summit and a private Sacred Canyon tour with an Adnyamathanha guide close out the walking week before a final group dinner.

CULTURAL EXPERIENCES

Ikara-Flinders Ranges – Day by Day

Black Gap to Bridle Gap and Wilpena Pound. A drive to Black Gap begins the walk towards Bridle Gap and the natural amphitheatre of Wilpena Pound. The climb to Bridle Gap can be steep and rocky, but the views at the top make it worthwhile. From there it is a gentle descent into the valley floor through mallee, native pine, and heath – excellent habitat for spotting wrens, robins, parrots, and emus. The walk covers around 12 km over five hours on a Grade 3 (moderate) trail.
Yuluna Hike and Brachina Gorge. Travel the Aroona Valley Scenic Drive in the private vehicle to reach the day’s walks. The Yuluna Hike opens with a climb offering views of the Heysen Range and the outer edge of Wilpena Pound. In the afternoon, explore the ancient Brachina Gorge, unearthing millions of years of geological history and keeping watch for the striped yellow-footed rock wallabies. The day covers roughly 8 km over four hours on a Grade 4 (challenging) trail with steep terrain.
St Mary’s Peak to Tanderra Saddle. A long, scenic hike of around 15 km over six hours on a Grade 4 (challenging) trail with steep rocky climbs. Walking straight from the accommodation, travellers ascend towards St Mary’s Peak, central to the Adnyamathanha creation story. Out of respect, the group climbs only as far as Tanderra Saddle, where views stretch across the ranges and plains. Two local guides accompany the walk. In the afternoon, there is the option of a scenic flight or a quiet rest before dinner.
Mt Ohlssen Bagge and Sacred Canyon. One of the most talked-about walks in the park, Mt Ohlssen Bagge involves steep, rocky terrain and a continuous uphill climb of roughly 6 km over four hours. The reward is an unbeatable view across Ikara (Wilpena Pound). In the afternoon, a private tour at Sacred Canyon brings travellers into Adnyamathanha culture, with stories, ancient rock engravings, bush medicine, and bush tucker shared by a First Nations guide. The day closes with a final group dinner.
Ikara-Flinders Ranges to Adelaide. Leave the national park behind and journey south towards the city. South Australia is celebrated for its wine, so the day includes a stop in the renowned Clare Valley region for lunch and a visit to a local winery. Travellers can taste the local drops, wander the vineyard, or simply relax in the setting before continuing on. Expect to arrive back in Adelaide at around 4.30 pm, where the adventure comes to an end.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

Inclusions & Activities

Flinders Ranges Inclusions

  • Return transfers between Adelaide and the Flinders Ranges
  • Picnic lunch in Mt Remarkable National Park on day one
  • Guided summit climb of Mt Ohlssen Bagge with unbeatable views
  • Optional scenic flight over the ranges on day five
  • All national park entry and included activity fees
  • Private vehicle transport throughout, including scenic drives
  • One night in rooms with shared facilities in Melrose
  • Five nights in a resort on the fringes of Ikara (Wilpena Pound)
  • Two local leaders sharing stories of the ancient landscapes

Activities Included

Travellers do not need outback survival expertise to take on this walk. With two local leaders guiding the group through hundreds of millions of years of geological history, all the planning, logistics, and cultural insight are taken care of – which makes it an easy trip to recommend to international clients seeking an active South Australian experience. Meals, accommodation, transport, and included activities are handled, leaving clients free to focus on the scenery and the climb.

  • Six breakfasts, six lunches, and six dinners across the seven days
  • Visit to a Clare Valley winery with the chance to taste local wines
  • Ancient rock engravings and the cultural significance of Sacred Canyon
  • Insights into bush medicine and bush tucker from the Adnyamathanha people
  • Private Sacred Canyon tour with a First Nations Adnyamathanha guide

Add This Destination to Your Australia or New Zealand Itinerary

Contact our team for trade rates, availability, and help packaging this tour into your clients’ tailor-made itineraries. As a leading inbound travel specialist for Australia and New Zealand, we’ll build the complete journey, including flights, accommodation, connecting tours, and onward travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Flinders Ranges walking season runs through the cooler months, when conditions in the outback are most comfortable for hiking. Departures are scheduled across this period, with the lowest priced date currently 4 July 2026. As inventory and dates can vary by season, we recommend confirming availability with our team when booking. Contact enquiries@aabh.com.au for current departure dates and to secure space for your clients.

This is a hiking trip with a physical rating of four out of five, so a good level of fitness and mobility is needed. Daily walks range from a gentle 2 km on day one up to 15 km of steep rocky climbs on the St Mary’s Peak day. Several walks sit at Grade 3 (moderate) and Grade 4 (challenging) over unpaved terrain. Clients should be able to comfortably walk 15 km on uneven ground by the start of the trip, and training beforehand is strongly recommended. Good footwear and walking poles are advised.

This trip suits travellers who enjoy walking and want an active, immersive way to experience the South Australian outback. Across seven days they will tackle valleys, gorges, and summits within Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park, with a physical rating of four out of five. It works well for solo travellers, couples, and small private groups who appreciate cultural depth, with a private First Nations tour of Sacred Canyon and an Adnyamathanha guide forming a highlight of the week. It is best recommended to clients with a good level of fitness and a love of the outdoors.

Yes. With a maximum group size of twelve, this walk suits small incentive groups well – the shared challenge of hiking the ranges together and the remote setting create genuine connection. Private departures can be arranged for closed groups, and we can layer in additional touring, gala dinners, or bespoke experiences as part of a wider Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) programme. Reach out to our MICE team to scope a tailored proposal.

The Flinders Ranges pairs naturally with the rest of South Australia and beyond. Many travel agents combine this seven-day walk with time in Adelaide, the Barossa Valley, Kangaroo Island, or the Eyre Peninsula. Because the trip starts and ends in Adelaide, it slots neatly into a wider Australian programme – clients can fly on to Sydney, Uluru, or the Great Barrier Reef afterwards. Our team can build a fully tailor-made itinerary around the walk, adding wine regions, coastal touring, or city stays to suit each traveller. Contact us at enquiries@aabh.com.au to discuss the options.