Rawnsley Park Station Bunyeroo & Brachina Gorges 4WD Tour

Map View Full Details

A four-hour 4WD trip from Rawnsley Park Station into Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park, driving through Bunyeroo and Brachina Gorges with a local guide who reads the rocks for you, from 600-million-year-old sea beds to some of the oldest fossils on earth. Morning or afternoon tea is included.

Days

4 hours

Group size

Guided 4WD tour

Start / finish

Rawnsley Park Station / Bunyeroo and Brachina Gorges / Rawnsley Park Station

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Modern 4WD with a local guide

Meals

Morning or afternoon tea

Route

Map of Rawnsley Park Station Bunyeroo & Brachina Gorges 4WD Tour

View map

Included experiences

Bunyeroo Gorge — see 600-million-year-old sea beds preserved in the rock
Brachina Gorge — some of the oldest preserved fossils on earth
Gorge walls — look for yellow-footed rock wallabies
Flinders Ranges geology — explained by your local guide

Rawnsley Park Station Bunyeroo & Brachina Gorges 4WD Tour

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

SETTING OFF: RAWNSLEY PARK INTO THE NATIONAL PARK

Your guide meets you at Rawnsley Park Station, on the southern side of Wilpena Pound, for a morning or an afternoon in a modern 4WD. The Pound is a natural basin of ridges about 17 km long, and its Adnyamathanha name, Ikara, means meeting place. As you head north into Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park, your guide starts on the story this trip tells: how the rocks of the Flinders Ranges hold a record of the sea and of early life on earth. The views across the ranges open up as you go, so keep your camera close.

BUNYEROO GORGE: 600-MILLION-YEAR-OLD SEA BEDS

In Bunyeroo Gorge the track runs between rock that was once sea floor, laid down around 600 million years ago and since tilted up into the gorge walls. Look closely and you can see the ripples and layers the old sea left behind. One thin band in the Bunyeroo rocks holds debris thrown about 300 km from the Acraman asteroid impact, some 580 million years ago, and your guide can show you where these stories sit in the stone. River red gums line the dry creek, and after rain the gorge floor can carry running water.

BRACHINA GORGE: THE OLDEST FOSSILS

Brachina Gorge cuts west through the ranges past layer after layer of ancient sea bed. In 2004 a site in this gorge was chosen as the world's reference point for the Ediacaran Period, the first new geological period named in more than a century, and your guide shows you some of the oldest preserved fossils on the planet. As you wind through the rock formations, watch the slopes for the yellow-footed rock wallaby, a shy animal with a ringed tail, once hunted for its fur and now holding on in these gorges. Wedge-tailed eagles often ride the air above.

TEA AND THE DRIVE BACK

Morning or afternoon tea is served along the way, depending on when your tour runs, a chance to sit in the quiet of the ranges and ask the questions the rocks have raised. Then it's the drive back to Rawnsley Park, about four hours after you set off. Road conditions and the season can change the route, and if that happens your guide will talk you through the new plan before you leave.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Rawnsley Park Station, on Flinders Ranges Way, 35 km north of Hawker and about 430 km (5 hours' drive) north of Adelaide on sealed roads.
Departure time: Tours run in the morning or the afternoon; your start time is confirmed when you book.
Duration: About 4 hours.
Minimum age: Children are welcome; under 2s travel free. You need to bring your own child seat, and each tour has room for one.
Please note: The itinerary depends on weather and road conditions and can change at short notice. Wear enclosed shoes. Hawker, 35 km south, is the nearest town for fuel and supplies.

What to bring

Enclosed shoes (required on all Rawnsley Park tours)
Your own child seat, if travelling with a young child

What is included

Guided 4WD tour of Bunyeroo and Brachina Gorges with a local guide
Morning or afternoon tea

Not included

Lunch (the full-day tours include it; this half-day one does not)

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.