The Flinders Ranges and Outback is one of South Australia’s
premier travel destinations with contrasting environments,
Aboriginal culture and outdoor adventure for the whole family.
It’s no wonder many people regard the Flinders Ranges & Outback as Australia’s ultimate travel destination. The combination of pioneering history, wide-open spaces, rich Aboriginal heritage and diverse accommodation options — everything from station stays to luxury ecovillas — make this region an unforgettable experience.
The iconic Flinders Ranges and Outback have always attracted people looking for adventure. Biking, hiking, birdwatching, scenic flights, and off-road driving are just some of the many activities available when you visit. Or delve into the rich Aboriginal culture on a tour with traditional owners, take a scenic flight over the vast Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre, drive across a desert landscape, or have a cold beer with the locals at an Outback pub.
With some of the planet’s oldest geological formations and abundant native wildlife, there’s always something new to see.
Be rocked by internationally acclaimed 500 million year old Ediacaran fossils. Marvel at The Prairie’s SA Museum Ediacara Fossil Display or take a guided tour to the National Heritage listed, privately owned Nilpena fossil site.
Check out famous landmarks like the Painted Desert, Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary, Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park and Wilpena Pound. Worth visiting too is the opal town of Coober Pedy, the Heysen Trail, and the breathtaking Brachina Gorge, while the historic Pichi Richi Railway is always a hit with the kids. Learn more about the evolution of this ancient landscape at Wadlata Outback Centre, visit the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden,
go stargazing at Arkaroola, or go off-road on the Ridgetop Tour. Less dusty pursuits include canoeing, sailing, fishing, plus other water sports in Port Augusta, Port Germein, and Port Pirie.
Foodies rejoice because the Flinders Ranges & Outback produces a huge range of bush foods, while its feral game is on point with kangaroo and emu as popular menu items, along with quandong ice cream and Southern Flinders’ wines. The region also offers a vibrant calendar of country races, rodeos and other community events, and you’ll find plenty of galleries and workshops to peruse.
You’ll need at least a week to scratch the surface in the Flinders Ranges and Outback — a place where the roads are mostly traffic free and every day is an incredible adventure.
