Heysen Trail and the Flinders Ranges

We pick you up from your accommodation in Adelaide between 7-7:30am and drive north though South Australia’s agricultural districts to the small township of Wilmington on the footsteps of Mount Remarkable National Park. Our walk today is the Alligator Gorge Ring Route, one of the Flinders’ regions best kept secrets and part of the Heysen Trail. This walk takes us along the highlight sections of Alligator Gorge and through The Narrows – a peaceful gorge only a few metres wide that stretches for a couple of hundred metres. We can see ancient ripple fossils in the rocks of The Terraces. This unique walk is a magnificent beginning to our 6 days of Flinders Ranges walking. In the afternoon we transfer to our accommodation and enjoy a scrumptious dinner prepared by our guides. Tonight we will hear a briefing about the exciting adventures on the itinerary for tomorrow. We will stay at the historic Willow Springs Station or similar accommodation. Walking Distance: 3km | Walking Time: 1 hour | Driving Time: 6-7 hours

Meals:  L,D

Today we walk section 57 of the famous, 1200km Heysen Trail. Beginning at scenic Black Gap Lookout, the trail takes us north-east to Bridle Gap. From here we have views across the expansive Wilpena Pound, and back towards the Elder Range. We descend into the Pound itself and follow the trail straight through the middle – an unforgettable walking experience. A variety of mallee, native pine and heath habitats within the Pound provide excellent opportunities to observe interesting local birds including wrens, robins, parrots and raptors. We meet our bus at the Wilpena Visitors Centre and transfer to our accommodation. Walking Distance: 14km | Walking Time: 5-6 hours

Meals:  B,L,D

Mount Ohlseen Bagge is considered one of the best short walks in the Flinders Ranges offering arguably the best view over the entirety of Wilpena Pound and the surrounding mountain ranges. You start the walk through some of the surrounding bushland teaming with animal life. You might get lucky and spot an emu, echidna or even a perentie lizard in the scrub. Quickly you start your steep rocky ascent to the summit. On the way up you will be provided with sweeping spectacular views over the land. It’s the kind of view you only get in these vast Australian landscapes, being able to see as far at the eye possibly can. We return following the same path. In the afternoon we have our own private cultural tour with local business Wadna to talk and learn about indigenous culture. During this tour we visit Sacred Canyon an area of great cultural significance to the Adnyamthanha people, where access is only allowed when accompanied by an Aboriginal guide. Walking Distance: 7km | Walking Time: 3-4 hours

Meals:  B,L,D

The Tanderra Saddle Walk begins on the outer edges of Wilpena Pound through Sheoaks and Grass Trees. Starting from Wilpena, we trek along the 'Outside Trail' which skirts around the foothills of Wilpena Pound's northern edge. As we ascend to the top of the saddle, our reward awaits us: utterly unbeatable views in all directions of the Central Flinders Ranges, Aroona Valley, and the salt plains to the west. The Tanderra Saddle Walk is a shorter but equally rewarding section of the St Mary's Peak walk. The Adnyamathanha people of the Flinders Ranges would prefer visitors not to climb to the summi, as it is important to the Adnyamathanha creation story. A picnic lunch on the Saddle gives us time to kick back and take it all in before we begin the descent, retracing our steps to Wilpena. We return to our accommodation and celebrate our walk with another scrumptious evening meal together. Walking Distance: 12km | Walking Time: 5 hours

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we walk the official final leg of the Heysen Trail – section 61. After breakfast we leave Willow Springs and transfer north through Brachina Gorge to the Aroona Valley. The bus drops us off in the middle of the wilderness at Aroona Hut and we set off for a full day on the trail, walking along the valley between ABC Range and Heysen Range. The day's walk is gently undulating, taking us through bird life filled vegetation and past numerous abandoned mine sites. Reaching the trail head at Parachilna Gorge, we board the bus for a transfer back to our accommodation. Tonight we enjoy our final meal together as a group. Walking Distance: 17km | Walking Time: 6-7 hours | Driving Time: 2 hours

Meals:  B,L,D

After indulging in an early breakfast, we embark on a southbound journey, pausing for our final hike. Our destination is the captivating Arkaroo Rock, where we'll traverse a brief circuit to immerse ourselves in the mesmerising Indigenous rock art sites. This distinctive walk serves as a splendid conclusion to our enriching six-day Flinders walking experience. It provides a poignant moment to express our silent gratitude to the land and the enduring Indigenous culture that has nurtured it for millennia. Our journey concludes when we drop you at your Adelaide accommodation in the late afternoon between 4-5pm. Walking Distance: 3km | Walking Time: 1.5 hours | Driving Time: 6-7 hours

Meals:  B,L