Flinders Ranges 4WD Circuit

The road

The Flinders Ranges are ancient - 800 million years old - and the 4WD circuit through the central ranges connects the gorge systems, the pastoral history and the high country in a single loop that no sealed road can reach. Brachina Gorge is the anchor of the circuit: a geological trail through 650 million years of Earth history, with interpreted stops at each rock unit. The gorge is wide enough to drive and the creek crossings are shallow. Bunyeroo Valley and Aroona Valley are broader pastoral valleys accessible from the main road. The high country tracks above Parachilna Gorge climb to ridge lines with views across the salt lakes to the north. Arkaba Station, south of Hawker, offers premium conservation experiences on a former sheep station converted to wildlife sanctuary. The Adnyamathanha people have lived in the Flinders Ranges for over 49,000 years - the landscape is embedded in their culture.

The region

Flinders Ranges National Park and the surrounding pastoral leases make up the accessible northern Flinders. The main sealed access is through Quorn and Hawker from Port Augusta. Parachilna has the Prairie Hotel - one of Australia's most unusual outback pubs, with a menu built around feral animals. The sealed road to Blinman passes through the ranges and is an excellent drive in its own right.

Before you go

Fuel in Hawker and Parachilna (Prairie Hotel). The gorge tracks are passable in most weather but can flood briefly after storms. Mobile coverage is partial - Telstra has reasonable coverage at Wilpena and Hawker but drops in the gorges. A two-day loop with camping inside the national park requires advance booking.

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