Rawnsley Park Station Day Break Loop Walk

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An early morning guided walk at Rawnsley Bluff, where your experienced local guides introduce you to its unique plants and wildlife, finishing with a cooked bush breakfast.

Days

3 hours, early morning

Group size

Max 7

Start / finish

Rawnsley Park Station / Rawnsley Park Station

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

On foot, with a local guide

Meals

Cooked bush breakfast

Route

Map of Rawnsley Park Station Day Break Loop Walk

View map

Included experiences

Rawnsley Bluff — guided walk among its plants and wildlife
Rawnsley Bluff — the geology of the uplifted sea floor
Bush breakfast — cooked at the end of the walk

Rawnsley Park Station Day Break Loop Walk

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

EARLY MORNING: THE FOOTHILLS OF RAWNSLEY BLUFF

This walk starts early, when the air is cool and the animals are about. Your local guide leads you out from Rawnsley Park Station on an easy 3 km loop through the foothills of Rawnsley Bluff, the southern tip of Wilpena Pound. The bluff gives its name to the Rawnsley Quartzite, the rock in which the famous Ediacara fossils, some of the earliest complex life on earth, are found. As the first light reaches the cliffs, your guide introduces the plants and wildlife of the slopes, from native pines to saltbush.

HOW A SEA FLOOR BECAME A MOUNTAIN

Along the way you learn how the ancient sea floor was uplifted and worn down to make the landscape around you. The layers you walk past were laid down as sand and mud in a shallow sea hundreds of millions of years ago, then pushed up into mountains and slowly eroded until only the hardest rock was left standing as ridges and bluffs. Watch the rocky slopes as you go: this is home ground for the yellow-footed rock wallaby, a shy animal with a ringed tail that is most active in the early morning.

OPERATION BOUNCEBACK

Your guide also tells the story of Operation Bounceback, the long-running program to control foxes, goats and rabbits in the Flinders Ranges so that native animals can recover. The yellow-footed rock wallaby has been one of its great successes, and on the walk you may see why the station is proud of its part in it.

A COOKED BUSH BREAKFAST

The walk finishes with a cooked breakfast in the bush, out under the bluff, with the morning warming up around you. It's about three hours from start to finish, so you're back at the station with most of the day still ahead. Weather can change the plan on the day, and your guide will let you know.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Rawnsley Park Station, Flinders Ranges Way, Hawker.
Duration: 3 hours.
Please note: The itinerary is subject to weather and road conditions and may be changed at short notice. Each tour has room for one child seat, and guests need to provide their own.
Departure time: 7am.

What to bring

Your own child seat, if travelling with a young child

What is included

Guided walk
Cooked bush breakfast

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.