Flinders Ranges 4WD trip

[sheeny]

Some mates and I are starting to plan a 4WD trip to the Flinders Ranges, probably in April. The trip length isn't settled yet but I anticipate a minimum of 2 weeks.

The tentative itinerary I've drafted so far looks like:
Menindee Lakes (1.5 days)
Broken Hill (overnight)
Wilpena Pound (1.5 days)
Arkaroola Village (2 days)
Gammon Ranges National Park (1.5 days)
Woomera (1 day)
then home probably via Broken Hill (1 day) or possibly Mungo National Park:shrug:

Anyone have any advice on must see/do's and things to watch out for or avoid? Recommendations welcome!:)

Al.

[lacad01]

Hi Al, sounds like a great plan. I was out that way in October spending time at Wilpena, Arkaroola and Broken Hill. If you get the chance should try a charter flight over the Ranges. Ridgetop tour at Arkaroola is definitely worth it and they also have a couple of observatories on site there so if you try and plan around New Moon would be well worth it. Balcanoona is a historic site worth checking out in the Gammon Ranges NP.
Had a couple of blowouts on the road to Arkaroola due to not slowing down adequately at the floodways but I had a puncture kit and compressor so thankfully got out of trouble :)

[sheeny]

Thanks for the tips, Adam.:thumbsup:

I think we've all got compressors and repair kits, etc... as long as we don't do huge damage to too many tyres we'll be right.

Al.

[Coen]

What kinds of things do you want to see/do? (besides taking advantage of the pristine skies up that way)

If 4WD/bushwalking, then you'll need more time than what you have listed.
E.g. at Wilpena (or using it as a base)
- walks into and about the pound, the St Mary's Peak walk is an all day affair.
- a number of 4WD tracks including the much talked about and enjoyed SkyTrek (Willow Springs) which takes all day. There are other tracks on the various properties.
- trip down to sacred canyon for rock carvings etc.
- road up to Hawker there is the Kanyaka (spelling?) ruins, some Aboriginal rock art, to the west of there is some other nice Flinders bits that are not part of the usual pound views from others.
- flight over the pound
- Bunyeroo Valley is an absolute must, as is Brachina Gorge (camping along both is allowed).
- trip to Aroona ruins (Hans Heysen and all that)
- Parachilna pub for an interesting meal (not cheap but tis good)
- Parachilna Gorge with Glass Gorge
- Blinman for historic mining town

At Warraweena (turn east from Beltana)
- lots of great 4WD tracks that offer quite varied scenery and history plus bush huts for camping. If you have arranged it with Stony (the manager) you can also shoot the odd goat.

Around Arkaroola
- the mentioned Ridgetop tour (half day, about $100 per person) takes you to the top of Mt Painter with views to the Parlana Hot Springs, Lake Frome and the desolate west/north-west. The Ridgetop tour is not self-drive.
- The self drive Echo Camp backtrack (about $40 per vehicle) takes most of a day and nice scenery ending up with views over Lake Frome etc, just not as high as Mt Painter.
- trip to the former resort of Parlana hot springs where radioactive decay ensures the water comes out of the ground at 83C - the kangaroos around that water hole were the healthiest we'd seen compared to the other waterholes, still I would not swim there.
- trip to the various former mining ruins around the property and the "Noodle" waterhole (can not remember how to spell its correct name).

On the eastern edge of the Flinders there is Chambers Gorge and a few others. Are you planning to come up from the Yunta road? There is some interesting mining history plus a whole lot of nothing.

To the west there is the Nilpena station (edge of Lake Torrens) that has a self-drive track onto or near Lake Torrens.

Any particular reason for putting Woomera in there? It is not exactly that close to the Flinders comparitively speaking. At Woomera itself there is the rocket park in the centre of town which is worth about an hours looking around (free). There is also the museum (cost) and a shop with various interesting tourist items including lots of Len Beadell material.

The Flinders is fantastic, whether it is the southern region (Melrose, Mt Remarkable), the mid (Quorn, Hawker, Wilpena, Blinman) or the north (Warraweena, Arkaroola etc).

I'd recommend Ron and Viv Moon's Flinders Ranges book, have found it handy.

[sheeny]

Thanks Coen. Some good info there.

I just threw Woomera on the list as it's a place I've always wanted to have a look at, but it's all negotiable. It is a fair way from the Flinders, so it might end up sacrificed to better experience the Flinders:). That's why I've asked:D.

Our main interests are 4wd, bushwalking and photography and of course I'm into astronomy so the skies and Arkaroola Obs will interest me:D.

Al.

[Lismore Bloke]

We did a trip to SA last year and did pretty much what Coen has described so well. I couldn't agree with him more. Spectacular scenery.

One warning: do not drive fast on the gravel roads, it is hard rock country and your tyres will take a pounding, particularly if heavily loaded. There were 4 of us and we did 3 tyres between us in that region. New tyres are recommended, not old ones.

Scenic flight at Wilpena is outstanding - a must do if the weather is clear.
Kanyaka Ruins are excellent.
Parachilna Gorge and Glass Gorge are a spectacular drive and the geology is fascinating - take plenty of memory cards for the camera and keep the dust out of the camera, not like me!!

It is a pity you don't have more time, the Oodnadatta Track is not far away and the early history there is not to be missed. Enjoy it because we want to go back and explore some more.

[wasyoungonce]

If you go to Woomera...go a little out of the way to Roxby Downs & Andamooka...two places guaranteed to blow your socks off.

Roxby Downs...(3 beers from Woomera) an oasis in the desert..great pub lunches.

Andamooka...(1 beer from Roxby downs) like Coobar Pedy...moon scape...totally alien world.

They are a little out of the way but worth it.

Oh...and if you take a scope...also take dew heaters & power supply.

[Greenswale]

I would drop Woomera and spend all your time in the Flinders - its an engrossing place.

Find maps that show Public Access Routes (PAR). These are 4WD tracks that take in phenomenal scenery.

You may be able to book accommodation in Grindel's Hut in the Gammons. It is a full on house at the end of a pound, elevated, with views to die for. And hot showers! Good for the girls to have a break? Organise through parks SA.

When you go to Warraweena (another must!), tell Stony that Wren sent you. I have taken a group to Warraweena doing all sorts of volunteer stuff there for years.......

One way to avoid tyre problems is to deflate and drive a bit slower. In my Discovery, I run 26psi front, 30psi rear; and have never had a flat in the outback, over many, many years of travel. Also stop frequently and walk around the vehicle and look at stuff, including tyres. That way you will have a chance to catch a slow leak and hopefully avoid destruction of a tyre.

Then, next year, you can go to the opal fields and Woomera, take in the Oodnadatta track (more like a really good road than a track) and, and,.........!

[Coen]

Wilpena pound has a number of walks ranging from about 1-2hrs through to the all day St Mary's Peak which has some climbing involved.

Arkaroola, whilst incredibly arid compared to the rest of the Flinders has some great photography. The walk/climb up Griselda Hill, which overlooks the campground, leads to some magnificent views. The various drives around lead to some unique locations such as the old cooper smelter, various mine ruins, huts, springs and waterholes. Coming back from Arkaroola to Wilpena and the Wilpena region feels lush. The Echo Camp track has a number of tricky bits and some of the possible side trips will test your suspension - not for soft off-roaders.

Warraweena has some varied scenery from almost Colorado Rockies (in Rockies summer :lol:) feel through to Arkaroola style arid. From local pines through to river red gums. There are many 4x4 tracks some free (for example through to the old Warraweena homestead), the rest $40 per vehicle. The Mt Gill track takes you to the top of the mount at around 910m and has some interesting bits to make you consider you wheel placement - no soft off-roaders and chances to check suspension travel. Other tracks take you to a swimming waterhole, various huts, steep lookouts (one with a very interesting 3pt turn - make a mistake and you'll have a ride and a half). Various campsites and Stony keeps the long drops in fantastic condition. At Hallies hut (spelling?) the long drop has no door, but that is because of the view.

Have lots of pictures of the region many of which I am intending to enlarge and hang when I get around to it.

Dropping tyre pressures makes a big difference. If you know this already please disregard. I have found that dropping to below 30psi (I usually sit somewhere between 20 to 25psi depending on load etc, couldn't quite come to the 15psi recommended by the owner of Imintji roadhouse...) helps with the corrugations and with protecting tyres as well as traction. I only drop once I get to long stretches of dirt/gravel. Remember to re-inflate before reaching the black-top or otherwise keep the km/hr right down until you do. Do not forget the trailer too if you are towing.

Only times I have gotten punctures were when I did not deflate the tyres. No punctures at Arkaroola, Warraweena, Kimberley, Tanami etc.

[Paul Haese]

Being an SA bloke I am only gonna say one thing. Take lots of water with you. I am sure you know this but where you are going is the outback of SA. It is desert country and there is not a lot of water about that you can drink.

Good luck with your trip.

[Coen]

Should add, hope your camera has a panorama mode or at least some software to stitch photographs together.

Regarding water - places that do have water it is usually bore water and has a high mineral content. The swimming pool at Arkaroola, apart from being cold is also hard water (could almost bounce off the top) and using the showers there do not expect a lather to form :lol:.

Regarding Brachina Gorge, there is a geological trail with lots of signs which takes in a large part of the geological history of the region. There is also a "gold spike" there regarding a specific reference to a specific geological age - i.e. a geological reference/datum point. That is from memory so others probably can clarify further.

Enjoy, tis a great place.

[gary]

Hi Al,

Sound like a great trip and there has been some excellent follow-up advice here.

Though one can get up to Woomera from the Flinders in about half a day, it might be
worth considering doing it on a separate trip that takes you via Cooper Pedy and
then up to the wonders of the NT. As other posters have suggested, there is certainly
a lot to see on the ground at many of the other sites and I know you are an
avid photographer. For example, it is easy to spend a couple of days in and around
the Flinders and Wilpena Pound including a day walk into the Pound itself.

As Paul wisely suggested, take plenty of water particularly on day walks.
For example, whatever you think you might need on a day walk into Wilpena
Pound, particularly if you walk up the escarpment - double it. Not just for safety's
sake, but because you will easily drink it and still be dreaming of the cold
beer back at the village. :)

Kev and Trevor can undoubtedly pass on some good tips on what to see
in and around Broken Hill.

You are giving us all itchy feet! Have a great trip and we look forward to those images.

[lacad01]

For a very small taste of what you can see I have a set of photos on flickr you might be interested in seeing:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22268856@N04/sets/72157622716583373/show/

[cfranks]

Before you get to Woomera, the road descends to a railway crossing at the bottom and then goes up hill again. Make sure you STOP at the crossing. There is nearly always a police person hiding in the bushes!! I've been across that crossing twice, 10 years apart, and both times they were there!! ;)

Charles

[Octane]

Al,

Wow, you lucky sod. I've just been doing some Googling of the places you're going to and some of the recommendations made by others.

I've got itchy feet now, too.

Could anyone tell me is the absolute furthest I could possibly go with a little Toyota Echo? If it's not far, I might even consider taking a 4WD course and then hiring one for a mini holiday. The outback of Australia looks stunning -- just as stunning as the lush rainforest-y type places that really appeal to me.

Cheers.

H

[Coen]

RE: Toyota Echo

The road is sealed to Wilpena so getting to Wilpena and doing bushwalking is fine. The dirt roads through Bunyeroo & Brachina would be doable if you are careful and the car is not loaded down - you are on holiday so no need to rush. The rangers have info on whether the road is open or not for 2wd.

Forget Arkaroola, the greater than 120km of dirt road at the slow speeds you'd be doing = not much fun.

The 25ish km into Warraweena off the bitumen is doable but slow (depends on when the grader might have been). Once into Warraweena, well, need a 4x4.

Area around Melrose & Quorn can do but again the 4x4 means you can go to some of the more "interesting" spots like the top of Horrocks Pass at Yapoona Springs. Having said that there is Mt Remarkable, Alligator Gorge and various other things to keep you more than amused.

Kanyaka ruins, the Aboriginal rock art etc. are all within reach as just off the main bitumen.

[Lismore Bloke]

Ah memories, some pics from our trip to SA, posts 115 & 116 - just want to go back ...

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=42966&page=7

[Octane]

Coen,

Thank you so much. That is wonderful information.

Cheers.

H

[sheeny]

Thanks for the responses guys! Lots to read and take into consideration there.:thumbsup:

Al.

[Coen]

Should add, on a trip to Arkaroola with a bunch of folk back a couple of years ago 2WD did get in as there were Commodores around although the Subaru Liberty ended up with two flat tyres (one on the way up on the bitumen, the other on the way out on the gravel). The Liberty was loaded up and is a low riding car to begin with. Long wheel base helps the comfort factor though.

Once into Arkaroola it was thumb a lift with those with 4x4s.

[lacad01]

yep also saw a few 2wds at Arkaroola last year, they just take the road to there nice and easy. Once there, theres only a couple of tracks you could take your vehicle down comfortably

[sheeny]

That's not a problem... been a panorama freak for years!:) The only problem is it doesn't take too long to fill up the lounge room walls!:lol:



Thanks Gary. These sorts of things are contagious!:lol: I am looking forward to it.;)



:lol:

Sorry! (Not):P

Al.

[Coen]

Warraweena: http://www.warraweena.com/
Arkaroola: http://www.arkaroola.com.au/ http://www.exploroz.com/TrekNotes/Flinders/Arkaroola_4WD_Loop.aspx http://www.ritas-outback-guide.com/arkaroola-photos.html

Western Wall of Wilpena has a nice dirt road scenic drive labelled Moralana http://www.exploroz.com/TrekNotes/Flinders/Moralana_Scenic_Drive.aspx
Bunyeroo: http://www.exploroz.com/TrekNotes/Flinders/Bunyeroo_Gorge_Scenic_Drive.aspx
(Lots of other links from there).

http://www.wilpenapound.com.au/
http://www.rawnsleypark.com.au/

[michaellxv]

We spent a week based in Wilpena last year, could easily have stayed longer. Road is sealed all the way to Blinman now.

We only have a 2wd van, and on the day after some rain we could not get through Bunyeroo gorge. Went back a day later and had no problems. Did that and Brachina.

I want to go back.

[sheeny]

Thanks for the links, Coen. Saves a bit of time searching.

Al.