Rawnsley Park Station Central Flinders Explorer 4WD Tour

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If you have only one day to see the Flinders Ranges, then this is the tour for you. Visit Bunyeroo and Brachina Gorges, see yellow-footed rock wallabies and learn about the geology of the area, then have lunch at Parachilna's Prairie Hotel, famous for its feral food.

Days

8.5 hours

Group size

Max 7

Start / finish

Rawnsley Park Station / Rawnsley Park Station

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Guided 4WD from Rawnsley Park Station

Meals

Morning tea, and lunch at the Prairie Hotel, Parachilna

Route

Map of Rawnsley Park Station Central Flinders Explorer 4WD Tour

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Included experiences

Bunyeroo Gorge — views of Wilpena Pound and Bunyeroo Valley
Brachina Gorge — ancient fossils and rock wallabies
Parachilna — lunch at the Prairie Hotel
Parachilna Gorge — scenic drive
Blinman — Wadna Aboriginal culture and art shop
Great Wall of China rock formation

Rawnsley Park Station Central Flinders Explorer 4WD Tour

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

MORNING: RAWNSLEY PARK TO BUNYEROO GORGE

Your guide collects you at Rawnsley Park Station, on the southern side of Wilpena Pound, and the 4WD heads north into Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park. Ikara is the Adnyamathanha name for the Pound, meaning meeting place, and its ring of ridges forms a great stone bowl about 17 km long and 8 km wide. The road climbs to look out over Bunyeroo Valley, then drops into Bunyeroo Gorge. One thin layer in the rocks here holds debris thrown about 300 km from the Acraman asteroid impact, some 580 million years ago. A morning tea stop keeps you going before the gorges.

LATE MORNING: BRACHINA GORGE AND ITS FOSSILS

From Bunyeroo you continue into Brachina Gorge, where the track follows the creek through layer after layer of ancient sea floor. 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 fossils on the planet. As you wind between the rock walls, 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.

MIDDAY: PARACHILNA AND THE PRAIRIE HOTEL

Leaving the gorge to the west, the ranges open onto the plains and the tiny town of Parachilna, which grew up on the old Ghan railway line and still sits beside the track. Lunch is at the Prairie Hotel, an outback pub since 1876 and famous for what it calls feral food: kangaroo, emu and camel, with its feral mixed grill the dish most people come for. If you'd rather keep it simple, there is plenty else on the menu. It's a good chance to stretch your legs and look back east at the wall of ranges you've just come through.

AFTERNOON: PARACHILNA GORGE, BLINMAN AND HOME

After lunch the 4WD heads back into the ranges through Parachilna Gorge, the northern end of the 1,200 km Heysen Trail, with red cliffs and river red gums along the creek. In Blinman, at about 610 metres the highest town in South Australia, you visit Wadna, an Aboriginal culture and art shop. On the run back to Rawnsley Park, keep your camera ready for the Great Wall of China, a long ridge of hard rock standing along the hillside like a built wall. Weather and road conditions can change the route, and your guide will talk you through any changes.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Rawnsley Park Station, Flinders Ranges Way, Hawker.
Duration: About 8.5 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 bring their own.

What to bring

Your own child seat, if travelling with a young child

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.

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