Flinders Ranges And Outback Guides Attractions Events in South Australia

Andamooka is a unique town of miner's homes and semi-dugouts nestled on a honeycomb of underground diggings, in a field famous for the quality of its gemstones.

Andamooka is 600 kilometres north of Adelaide and visitors today will discover that underneath its rugged exterior, like the rough opal itself, there is a wealth of warmth and colour.

There are a variety of things to do and see here. Discover Andamooka's unique 'matrix opal' or the rare beauty of the famous local crystal opal. Buy directly from the miners at one of the opal showrooms in town or from The Bottle House (built in 1972), eliminating the middleman and saving dollars. You can buy painted opals from Hilda, and art from resident artist Alex Mendelsohn.

Try 'noodling' (fossicking) for your own piece of elusive opal, but please check you are not on somebody's 'pegged' claim and always be alert as there are many old mine shafts around. Visit the vast, usually dry salt lake of Lake Torrens, the satellite opal fields of White Dam or the remote Stuart Creek opal diggings for a taste of the real outback.

Relax at the Tuckerbox or Opal Hotel for meals or a refreshing drink, or explore this tiny opal mining town and unusual lunar like landscape by foot. Andamooka is the gateway for four wheel drive vehicles connecting with the Oodnadatta or Birdsville Tracks, or taking the Farina Adventure Trail and linking up to the Flinders Ranges.

Andamooka opal adorned the hemline of the year 2001 "Opal Dress" worn by Olympian Tatiana Grigorieva; a breathtaking beauty valued at AUD500,000 and housed at the South Australian Museum.

The opal fields were discovered in 1930 by two drovers from Andamooka Station who saw flashes of brilliant colour on a hillside after a rare thunderstorm. Opal is still mined in close proximity to the town and extends into 24 fields, giving the area a fascinating moon-like appearance. Andamooka is the only town in Australia where none of the streets are named and the main thoroughfare is built in a creek bed.

The once thriving settlement of Beltana is now little more than a picturesque ghost town. Today there is the licensed Beltana roadhouse and the Beltana heritage township 13 kilometres east of the main route between Hawker and Leigh Creek. However it is well worth the detour.

It was here that John Flynn worked as a clergyman in the Smith of Dunesk Mission before eventually establishing the Australian Inland Mission and the Royal Flying Doctor Service. It is said that his work in Beltana inspired his later efforts to provide health care to those living in the outback.

Copies of the great little book Beltana Trails are available at the former Railway Station (now the Beltana Visitor Information Centre) and afford amazing insights into the town and its involvement in many defining Australian moments: some of the great inland explorations left from Beltana; a repeater station for the Overland Telegraph was established here; and Beltana Station was base for sheep and camel-breeding giants Thomas Elder and Robert Barr-Smith.

Blinman sits at the northern edge of the Flinders Ranges National Park and is a good base for exploring this rugged, beautiful region of Australia.

Discover Aboriginal carvings, old homestead ruins, walking trails and rock pools. The rusting ruins of the Blinman mine now form an historic reserve, complete with interpretive information for self-guided tours. The sparse, hilly countryside makes for great 4WD journeys and bushwalks. South on the Wilpena Road is the 'Great Wall of China' - lines of rocks topped with ironstone which resemble the Chinese landmark.

To the north-east are the Gammon Ranges and Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary. Also near Blinman are the ruins of Artimore Station and the Nuccaleena Mine, which can be accessed via pastoral access routes. There are self-drive, tag-a-long and guided four-wheel-drive tours available.

The town offers facilities including a hotel and motel, shearers’ quarters and beautifully restored cottage accommodation.

In 1859 Robert Blinman discovered copper here. The Blinman Mine was the largest mine in the Flinders Ranges and was worked extensively up to 1908.

With Mount Remarkable as a spectacular backdrop, Booleroo Centre is the hub of a rich agricultural area 17 kilometres east of Melrose.

Booleroo Centre is home to South Australia's largest collection of steam and traction engines. Look through more than 150 machines housed at the local museum. Every April, steam enthusiasts from across the country come to Booleroo Centre for its annual rally.

Together with the twin farming community of Murraytown, Booleroo Centre has many points of interest and can provide a range of basic facilities for the tourist.

Follow one of the scenic drives and lookouts such as Box Hill, Magners Hill and Baroota Nob.

Booleroo Centre Hotel offers comfortable, affordable accommodation with shared facilities in four large queen size rooms in a superbly refurbished hotel. Dine in Arbons Restaurant with its 120 year old polished boards, or relax in the bar and the revamped Gossip Lounge. The cafe lounge and art gallery are open daily for lunch or sumptuous coffee and cake.

Bruce, between picturesque Wilmington and Quorn, lies on the Willochra Plain surrounded by the Flinders Ranges and the Horseshoe Range.

Mount Remarkable, Mount Brown and Moockra Tower are among many landmarks that can be seen and explored from this 1880s settlement.

Bruce consists of three cottages, a memorial institute and a railway station that has been restored. The railway line is still in existence from Bruce to Quorn, and is owned by the Pichi Richi Railway Society.

During Bruce's settlement, settlers were allocated a square mile, 640 acre blocks of land of what had been open pastoral holdings. In the 1890s drought forced many off their properties, and in most cases the land was reverted to grazing for sheep and cattle.

Carrieton was named in 1878 after the daughter of Governor Jervois, this small, but extremely enchanting town is surrounded by gum lined creeks. Carrieton has many attractions nearby including the Yanyarrie Whim, Moockra Tower and the Horseshoe Range.

The annual Carrieton Rodeo held on the last Saturday in December each year is one of the biggest and most popular in South Australia. Thousands of people come from all over Australia to either participate in, see, or soak up the atmosphere of the Carrieton Rodeo.

In the opal mining outpost of Coober Pedy, half the population lives in underground dugouts to escape high temperatures in summer. It's a fascinating and friendly place to visit, and a must-do on your Outback holiday.

Only in Coober Pedy will you find a underground hotels, restaurants, bars, an underground church, and a golf course without a blade of grass.

Coober Pedy has some 4000 residents from more than 40 countries. Taking its name from the Aboriginal word "kupa" (uninitiated man or white man) and "piti" (hole), Coober Pedy produces most of the world's opals. Its opal fields, discovered in 1913 by 14-year-old Willie Hutchison, cover an area of 4,954 square kilometres and consist of 70 individual fields.

Try your luck at "noodling" (fossicking) at various spots around town; get a great insight into the history of Coober Pedy at the Old Timers Mine and Museum; and buy up big at more than 30 shops.

Town tours feature underground homes and opal mines, an art gallery and pottery, and there's also a host of awesome natural landscapes including the Painted Desert, the Moon Plain and the Breakaways. (Incidentally, these great desert locations have attracted film makers from around world, for movies including Fire in the Stone, Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome, Ground Zero, Pitch Black and Val Kilmer's Red Planet.)

You can tag along with the famous Outback Mail Run to Oodnadatta and William Creek, or join the nightly Star Gazing Tour on the Moon Plain.

Visit over Easter for the annual Coober Pedy Opal Festival (featuring events from the fun to the outrageous), or in October for the Coober Pedy Races.

Tourists have been known to travel for miles for a bite of bush baking at the Quandong Cafe in Copley.

Here, you can join the twice-weekly mail run to nearby stations and Aboriginal communities at Nepabunna and Iga Warta. Or see the Mount of Light copper mine and Copley's historic two-storey Leigh Creek Hotel.

To the east of Copley, the road leads to Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary and the rugged Gammon Ranges National Park. Nineteen kilometres north are the Leigh Creek coalfields. Continuing north, the road goes on to Lyndhurst - gateway to the Outback desert parks run by National Parks and Wildlife South Australia.

Originally named Leigh Creek after a nearby pastoral holding, it was surveyed in 1891 and officially named Copley after William Copley, Commissioner of Crown lands. The Great Northern Railway made its way to the town in 1881.

Established in 1878, the town takes its name from the then Governor of South Africa, Sir John Cradock. There was once a school, police station, two hotels, two blacksmith shops and a saddler situated in Cradock, which is now virtually a ghost town. Any hopes of a thriving community died when grain growing proved impossible, however the old sandstone buildings remaining are fascinating and a delight to view.

No visit to Cradock is complete without wining and dining at the lovely Cradock Hotel one of the few businesses to continue to operate in this pretty Flinders ghost town.

Grab a map from the caravan park and get walking to discover Gladstone's fine old sandstone homes and commercial buildings. A town highlight is the Southern Flinders Discovery Centre, offering insights into the region, local produce tastings and guided town walks.

Don't miss the Gladstone Gaol, a heritage-listed building that has also served as an internment camp, a barracks and even a film set. The gaol was in official use until 1975. Day tours are available.

Gladstone High School hosts wine tastings and tours as part of the students' viticulture program. And active visitors can hire a mountain bike from the Gladstone Caravan Park to explore the back roads.

The early pastoral lease 'Booyoolie Run' purchased in 1851 established the pastoral and grazing pursuits of the district, which still form the backbone of the area today. The enormous grain storage silos holding 82,500 tonnes are the largest inland grain storage facilities in South Australia.

An important railway centre for many years, the Gladstone railway yards will hold the train enthusiast's attention as one of the world's few junction points of the three different gauges - narrow, standard and broad, all laid together in one siding.

A friendly outback town, Glendambo provides essential services for travellers into South Australia's Outback.

There's accommodation, dining, a bar and fuel facilities - even an Outback swimming pool. It's a good spot to rejuvenate and rest during your driving holiday.

Each June, Glendambo hosts a 4WD Outback Challenge and Field Day. The population also soars during Glendambo's annual Bachelor and Spinster Ball.

If you're in the mood for adventure and excitement, then venture further into South Australia's Outback. It's a dramatic departure from the hectic pace of big cities, but it's surprisingly accessible. See the majestic natural amphitheatre of Wilpena Pound, drive legendary desert tracks, or take a scenic flight over the Flinders Ranges.

There's hiking trails, places to fossick for opals, and even a desert golf course with no grass.

Whatever sort of adventure suits you, the Flinders Ranges and Outback has got it.

Hawker is a great little outback town 400 kilometres north of Adelaide.

It's the hub of the Flinders Ranges, being the junction of roads from Port Augusta, Orroroo, Leigh Creek, Marree, Wilpena and Blinman.

There are numerous heritage buildings in Hawker, dating from the 1880s, with evidence that it was once a thriving railway town before the line was relocated further west in 1956. Hawker is now an important tourist centre in the Flinders Ranges and provides all essential services to the visitor.

Hawker is a great place to base a holiday in the Flinders Ranges, and enjoy half day and day trips to popular attractions such as Wilpena Pound, the Flinders Ranges National Park, Bunyeroo Valley, Brachina Gorge, Blinman, Parachilna Gorge, Quorn, Pichi Richi Railway and the Moralana Scenic Drive.

Local accommodation includes a hotel and caravan park.

Many of the buildings around Hawker are of corrugated iron construction together with a number of the present day homes and businesses. Truly this is the first of the outback towns you will come across, on you way into the north of South Australia.

A number of small gardens along Elder Terrace have some rock carvings mounted for viewing. These carvings were made in 1997 during the Opera in the Outback week of functions, which took place at Quorn, Hawker and Blinman. Hawker staged a very well received art show during this period, along with other functions.

Nestled near the Cooper Creek, Innamincka is a fascinating Outback destination.

You can camp along the creek, which has good fishing and canoeing. Innamincka tourist information is available from the restored Australian Inland Mission building, which is the National Parks and Wildlife South Australia park headquarters.

Visit the memorial plaques to expeditions by Charles Sturt in 1845 and by Burke and Wills in 1861. East along the creek is Burke's own memorial, and west is Wills's. The Dig Tree, where food was buried for them to dig up, is just over the Queensland border. And there's also King's Marker, where sole survivor John King was found.

Cullyamurra Waterhole on the creek is good for camping and fishing, and at the eastern end you'll find ancient Aboriginal rock carvings. Tours operate from the town and can be arranged at the hotel or store. You can also charter a boat for fishing or cruising.

North west 112 kilometres are the Coongie Lakes, which are wetlands of international significance. This area is protected - dogs, guns, fishing, campfires and generators are not allowed. And remember, you must keep to the road as the ecology off the road is fragile. You need a four wheel drive vehicle to visit this area and a Desert Parks Pass or camping permit. Take all the food, water and spares you’ll need in case something goes wrong. If it rains, you could be stranded for weeks.

Visit nearby Innamincka Regional Reserve (a camping permit or Desert Parks Pass is required).

Innamincka took its name from the Aboriginal word Yidniminckanie.

Jamestown sits in the scenic Clare Valley and hosts the Jamestown Fly In and Air Spectacular, recognised as one of Australia's best air shows. This event, held every three years during spring, regularly attracts around 8000 to 10,000 people.

Jamestown is also home to a Railway Station Museum. Head there to see a collection which includes a former ambulance/accommodation carriage, old farm machinery, ET Both designed iron lung and old medical equipment, local flourmill history and household items.

The museum also traces the history of nearby Bundaleer Forest and the origins of South Australian Farmers Union and MS McLeod Limited. Look through the photographic gallery with pictures of pioneer families and prominent citizens, or the collection of local newspapers.

The early development of Jamestown is displayed in the many fine wall murals on shops and commercial buildings. Choose from the town tour to see these features, or take an interesting self drive tour.

Jamestown is a good base from which to explore Bundaleer Forest, nine kilometres south of the town. The world’s first plantation forest, established here in 1876, was where the merits of the famous Radiata Pine were demonstrated. The forest area contains a pleasant picnic ground just off Spalding Road, interesting historical and botanical walks, original forest buildings and the Mawson and Heysen Trails. Dry stone walls built by early stonemasons crawl over the ridges for many kilometres. The forest is also the venue for various cultural and sporting events.

Jamestown was surveyed in 1871 to service the surrounding northern highlands, some of the most productive and reliable farmland in South Australia. Sheep, cereal and legume crops predominate. The sheep sales, held monthly, are the largest in country South Australia. It was named after the then Governor of South Australia, Sir James Fergusson, who came from County Ayr in Scotland.

MS McLeod and the South Australian Farmers Union commenced their extensive operations in Jamestown and Both's Iron Lung was invented at nearby Caltowie.

The delightful town of Laura is nestled into the eastern slopes of the southern Flinders Ranges. Situated on the banks of the southerly flowing Rocky River amid stately red gums, Laura is a perfect base from which to visit the many surrounding attractions and scenic drives.

Laura is the home of famed Golden North Ice cream. You can taste some delicious ice cream varieties at friendly cafes in the main street.

The town hosts the annual Laura Folk Fair, a two-day festival. During the Laura Folk Fair, the town centre becomes a large mall lined with art, craft, hobby and food stalls. The food stalls include baked potatoes; barbecue, hotdogs, strawberries and ice cream, home cooked biscuits, pizza and Devonshire Teas. There is non-stop entertainment from three stage areas. This entertainment is suitable for all the family. Join in one of the fun competitions, like the great Golden North Ice-cream Eating Competition.

Australian poet and writer CJ Dennis, of The Sentimental Bloke fame, is a much respected early identity of Laura. His father was the licensee of the Beetaloo Reservoir Hotel from 1892 to 1910 and Clarrie Dennis spent much of his youth in Laura.

You can discover Laura on foot by following a walking trail that takes you past the Courthouse Gallery, War Memorial, churches, historic Post Office and Police Station and more.

Laura is approximately 220 kilometres from Adelaide. Nearby attractions include Beetaloo Reservoir, Wirrabarra Forest, Mount Remarkable, Alligator Gorge and Appila Springs.

Leigh Creek –'The Best End of the Flinders'. Leigh Creek is modern, attractive town with many facilities to offer weary travellers. It is on the northern edge of the Flinders Ranges, servicing the nearby Leigh Creek Coalfield. The coal is sent on the longest coal train in Australia to the power stations at Port Augusta. You can visit the coal mine, rugged gorges, the Aroona Dam Sanctuary, go four wheel driving, bush walking or just relax.

Lyndhurst is the setting off point for travellers going north-east to Innamincka on the Strzelecki Track or north to Oodnadatta and Birdsville via Marree.

Five kilometres north of Lyndhurst, you'll find spectacular red, brown and white ochre cliffs used for thousands of years by Aboriginal people trading ochre with other groups.

The famous Strzelecki Track partly follows an old stock route along the Strzelecki Creek, named by Charles Sturt in 1845. The track passes close to the impressive Moomba natural gas field complex.

The Strzelecki owes its existence to the tenacity of the cattlemen who worked the Cooper Creek river system in the 1800s. One of the first to use the route was cattle thief Harry Redford, who stole 1000 cattle from a Queensland cattle baron and tried to flee down to South Australia. He was eventually arrested, but found not guilty of the crime because the jury so admired his courage.

Today it's a well-trodden track servicing the Cooper Basin's Moomba gas field. Signposts state that after Lyndhurst the next available fuel is at Innamincka (500 kilometres northeast), so stock up before you head up the track.

Mambray Creek in the Mount Remarkable National Park, in the Southern Flinders Ranges, offers visitors exciting recreational experiences within easy reach of Adelaide and the more populated areas of South Australia. Mambray Creek Campground is the primary vehicle based campground for the park and is well appointed with solar heated showers, flush toilets, reticulated water and barbeques. The campground is set along the Mambray Creek with its towering gums and abundant wildlife. Dramatic mountain scenery, sheer faced gorges and natural diversity draw visitors further into the park along an extensive and well marked series of walking trails. This family friendly area is a great location for camping, bushwalking and other outdoor activities.

Mambray Creek is on the western side of the 16,000 hectare park extends to Mount Remarkable near Melrose and to the foothills above Wilmington. Its geographical location, where South Australia's arid north and wetter southern regions overlap, makes it a key conservation area with an intriguing mix of flora and fauna from both environments.

With the new Darwin railway line straight across the road, Marla Roadhouse is a welcome oasis just 160 kilometres south of the Northern Territory border. It marks the northern tip of the Oodnadatta Track and the turnoff to the Mintabie opal fields, with 24-hour fuel, accommodation, camping, a general store and restaurant.

The South Australian outback town of Marree has a rich history.

Today, Marree is the starting point for outback adventures, including trips up the Birdsville and Oodnadatta Tracks.

The Arabunna Aboriginal people still have strong ties to the area and celebrate their heritage and culture at the Arabunna Aboriginal Community Centre. And visit Marree's replica mosque - all that remains of 'Ghantown' whcih was once home to more than 60 cameleers, their families and 1500 camels.

See Museum Park, which features the old mail truck used by legendary outback mailman Tom Kruse on his run from Marree to Birdsville.

Once known as Hergott Springs, Marree was a staging post for the large camel trains carrying wool and supplies in the early days, it became an important railhead from 1940 to 1980.

Melrose is a charming reminder of early South Australia, nestled at the foot of Mount Remarkable National Park. The towns serves a rural community and at the same time offers pleasant holiday retreat.

Many of Melrose's features are within walking distance. Climb to the War Memorial for a panoramic view over the Willochra Plain, or to Lookout Hill near the water tanks. Cathedral Rock is a spectacular formation along the edge of Mount Remarkable Creek, west of the town.

Walk through the fascinating Melrose Courthouse Heritage Centre which brings to life the early days of miners, timber workers, pioneering women and farm workers. This innovative museum has possibly one of the best depictions of the early history of the upper and far north of South Australia.

Stop for a drink and a bite to eat at the fabulous North Star Inn. It also offers accommodation. More accommodation can be found in the town, including holiday units and a caravan park.

Melrose, the oldest town in the Flinders Ranges, came into existence because of a copper deposit found in the area in 1840s. However, today, situated safely within the assured rainfall area, grazing, wheat and barley growing are the main activities.

The friendly opal-mining town of Mintabie is known for its lake, spectacular sunsets and the wild flowers that thrive after a good rain. It's also known for noodling - the exciting, sifting search for opals in various spots around town.

Mintabie is located about 40 kilometres west of Marla in the Pitjantjatjara Lands in South Australia's far north.

This small opal mining community has developed over the past 20 years and now has a population of approximately 300. Facilities include a hotel and caravan parks.

Note: Road access to Mintabie requires a permit, which is available from the Marla police station. Permits to the opal fields are also available there.

The famed outback town of Oodnadatta is a must-see for visitors who want to get 'off the beaten track'.

Stop for a cold drink at the Pink Roadhouse, which is a mine of information for travellers heading into the Witjira National Park and the Simpson Desert. The new facilities at the Oodnadatta racecourse are popular for large celebrations with campground, kitchen, bar and toilet facilities.

The town has a heritage-listed sandstone railway station that has been converted into a museum and provides great tales of yesteryear.

Oodnadatta took its name from the Aboriginal word Utnadata which means 'blossom of the mulga'.

Travellers venturing into the outback can check road conditions with Transport SA on 1300 361 033.

Whether you want to kick back and relax while enjoying the varied local landscapes or take part in more active past times Orroroo has something for you. Situated in the Flinders Ranges there are many options available to fill in your days including bushwalking, four wheel driving, utilising public sporting facilities or marvelling at the phenomenon of Magnetic Hill.

The history of this area is remarkable and the townships feature beautiful old stone buildings. Also available to visit are historic rail bridges, a pug and pine hut built in the early 1880s, Yesteryear Gallery featuring fashion dating back to the 1830s, the local historical society and ghost towns to mention a few.

The local Pekina Creek Walking Trail is a must featuring Aboriginal Carvings, the giant gum tree, a rock poem carved in 1896 and a picturesque barbecue area.

The district attracts visitors every year to Black Rock Dirt Circuit Racing, Carrieton Rodeo, Carrieton Campdraft, the local Agricultural and Horticultural Show and the Quilting and Arid Gardens weekend.

Accommodation is available to all tastes and budgets including motel, hotel, caravan park (including ensuite cabins), bed and breakfasts and bush camping.

Outback Towns

When it comes to quirky towns and things to do, the Outback is hard to beat. From Coober Pedy and Marree to William Creek and Mungerannie, you'll love the things you find and the people you meet. Here we take a look at some must-see towns and their nearby attractions.

Andamooka

Andamooka is a great little outback mining town, famous for the quality opal that was first discovered in 1930. Andamooka opals are open-cut mined, unlike Coober Pedy where they are shaft mined, and this gives the town its own unique character. Town tours are available from Roxby Downs and highlights include working mines, semi-dugout homes, early underground shaft mines, historical cottages and "noodling" (fossicking) for opal.

Innamincka and Coongie Lakes

Located near the end of the Strzelecki Track, Innamincka was originally a customs post taxing the movement of stock between the colonies. The town now consists of a character-filled hotel, a trading post (they bake their own bread) and an auto shop that doubles as a camping spot, laundromat and cappuccino house. The ruins of the original Innamincka Pub, which closed in 1880, is a talking point for drinkers at the new hotel who enjoy a beer or two in the revamped beer garden, known as "Outamincka".

Two of Australia’s greatest early explorers, Robert O’Hara Burke and William John Wills, died near here on their return journey to Melbourne from the Gulf of Carpentaria. Their support team had given them up for dead and headed for home just eight hours earlier. A carved Coolibah tree stands as a monument to their expedition.

In the Innamincka Reserve, about 110 kilometres from Innamincka at the end of the Strzelecki Track, you'll find the Coongie Lakes system. This stunning desert oasis is home to around 20,000 water fowl, more than 150 species of birds and many other plants and animals. Due to its isolation, careful planning is required before you visit.

Mount Dare and Dalhousie Springs

Mount Dare, north of Oodnadatta, is the western starting point for crossing the Simpson Desert and a great spot to replenish your supplies before taking off. You'll find camping and homestead accommodation, a small store and a licensed pub.

Dalhousie Springs, further east into the Simpson, is the largest complex of artesian springs in Australia and a sanctuary for wildlife. Soaking in the thermal springs after a long hot drive is said to be one of life's great pleasures. The springs are part of the Witjira National Park, which is jointly managed by the local Irrwanyere people and has upgraded visitor facilities and camping spots.

Marree

Marree marks the southern starting point for the legendary Birdsville and Oodnadatta tracks and is part of the Old Ghan Heritage Trail. You can explore many relics of the town's past, including a replica mosque (all that remains of Ghantown - once home to more than 60 Afghan cameleers, their families and 1500 camels) and the now abandoned Old Ghan railway line to Alice Springs. Visit in July to see the fabulous Marree Camel Cup.

The Bubbler and Blanchcup Springs are among the best examples of mound springs on the rim of the Great Artesian Basin, and you'll find these about 100 kilometres northwest of Marree.

Mungerannie

Halfway up the famous Birdsville track, Mungerannie consists of a pub and a hot water spring that attracts 140 species of birds. Lying at the junction of four deserts (Sturt’s Stony, Tirari, Simpson and Strzelecki) the pub is a true oasis complete with sand dunes around a tree-lined water hole. The very affable John and Genevieve Hammond have owned the pub, set on eight acres of the 1.5million acre Mungerannie Station, since 1996.

Oodnadatta

Head straight to the Pink Roadhouse when you get to Oodnadatta – it's a great source of information on everything to do with the Oodnadatta Track and the surrounding area. Also worth a visit is the heritage-listed railway station, which tells of the town's history as a terminus for the Great Northern Railway.

Roxby Downs and Olympic Dam

Built in the 1980s to support the Olympic Dam Mine, Roxby Downs is a modern, well-equipped desert oasis. One of the city's best attractions is the mine, which produces nine million tonnes of ore annually (consisting mainly of cooper, uranium, gold and silver). Two-hour bus tours of the mine run on Monday, Thursday and Saturday from Roxby Downs.

William Creek and Lake Eyre

Hundreds of kilometres from the ocean, Lake Eyre can harbour water nine times as salty as the sea. When it fills (as it has done only a handful of times in the past century) it becomes the biggest lake in Australia, teeming with wildlife. You can see Australian pelicans, silver gulls, ducks and waders. Lake Eyre National Park is also home to interesting reptiles such as the Lake Eyre Dragon and (after rain) tiny forms of aquatic life such as Brine and Shield Shrimp. The park can be accessed only by four-wheel-drive vehicles. Contact the Department for Environment and Heritage on + 61 8 8648 5300 for details on the Desert Parks Pass, which offers access to parks across the Outback and also features comprehensive maps and wildlife information.

William Creek is the closest town to Lake Eyre, with the shoreline just 53 kilometres away by road and only 15 minutes by air. Located on the legendary Oodnadatta Track, William Creek is home to the most isolated hotel in Australia and a population numbering just 16. The timber and corrugated iron pub is a sight to see - over the years its been wallpapered with business cards, hand-written notes, bras, underpants and just about everything else not nailed down.

Several local tour operators run sightseeing flights over Lake Eyre from Adelaide or Outback towns like William Creek, particularly when the lake is flooded. These flights are a great way to appreciate the vastness of the lake and surrounding terrain.

Woomera

Just a few kilometres north of the Explorer's Highway, this Outback town was established in 1947 as a site for the launching of experimental rockets. The most famous of these was the Europa, launched by the European Launcher Development Organisation (ELDO) between 1964 and 1970. Access to the town was restricted until 1982, but you can now visit a range of attractions including the Woomera Heritage Centre and Missile Park (displaying rockets, aircraft and weapons associated with the testing range).

Dine or drink at Parachilna's Prairie Hotel and there's every chance you will be in famous company. The pub is a hub for a growing number of international moviemakers drawn to the hauntingly beautiful Outback landscape. Famous visitors include Kate Winslet and Harvey Keitel during the filming of 'Holy Smoke', Australian rock star Paul Kelly, Hollywood director Philip Noyce and cinematographer Christopher Doyle, who wrote that "The Prairie Hotel is God's gift to cuisine and fellowship".

The pub, first licensed in 1876, is one of few buildings in Parachilna: population in the single digits and lying between the Flinders Ranges to the east and Lake Torrens to the West. It has got a sensational range of accommodation and a deserved reputation for 'Flinders feral food', including anything from kangaroo, emu and yabbie to quandongs, native limes and bush tomatoes.

Pekina, about 16 kilometres to the south of Orroroo, has strong Irish Catholic roots. The immediate district being dubbed 'Vatican Valley'.

Close by you can see Pekina Station Ruins, be amazed at the infamous Magnetic Hill, Magnetic Hill is a well known tourist attraction because of its ability to make vehicles roll uphill. Or visit Carinya to experience 13 kilometres of self four wheel driving in unspoilt bushlands.

Summers may be very hot and winters may be very cold but, the wide-open spaces, sparkling mornings and gorgeous sunsets are only part of the attraction of Peterborough and district, especially in the milder spring and autumn months, surely the best time to travel anywhere.

History oriented folk will love the picturesque 'old world' shop fronts of the Main Street (take a bus tour, by arrangement, and discover why all the shops are on one side); the magnificent town hall with acoustics much admired by Thomas Edmonds, plus the much feted 'Federation Quilt', which has admirers from as far as Hobart Tasmania, Bunbury Western Australia and Bonu Germany; St Cecilia's the beautiful convent that was built for the sisters of a by gone era; a history walk dotted with Information Plaques and of course, the Steamtown precinct a microcosm of Peterborough's proud Rail Heritage.

Travellers who love the great outdoors will surely admire the clean, open space feel as they drive around, and of course, linger in the district. Call at the Visitor Information Centre and collect a 'drive yourself' map of various interesting locations. Why does your car roll uphill at Magnetic Hill? Check how far you can see 'on a clear day' from Dare's Hill. A wide choice of accommodation is available, plus various 'eateries' encourage the traveller to stop and enjoy Peterborough's country hospitality.

Port Augusta is known as the Crossroads of Australia - where roads from Adelaide, the Flinders Ranges, Alice Springs, Perth and Whyalla all intersect.

This friendly city sits at the head of Spencer Gulf and is an excellent holiday destination with a number of world class attractions, a wide range of water activities, a relaxing foreshore including playground and barbecue areas, and extensive shopping facilities.

Port Augusta is home to the Wadlata Outback Centre Wadlata - a must see for all visitors travelling to the Flinders Ranges and Outback. Walk through the Outback's "Tunnel of Time", an interpretive, interactive, three dimentional display that provide a fun learning experience for the whole family. This will give you a better understanding of the Flinders Ranges and Outback. You'll also find out about other places to visit and things you could see and do.

The Australian Arid Lands Botanic Gardens are just outside of Port Augusta, and provide a fascinating insight into the Outback's plant and bird life.

Port Augusta is a great base for easy access to the attractions of the Flinders Ranges, Eyre Peninsula and Outback.

Port Germein is where the Flinders Ranges truly meet the sea. Located 27 kilometres north of Port Pirie on National Highway One, Port Germein is a tranquil and safe holiday haven, especially for families with young children.

Port Germein is a popular resort town as evidenced by the many holiday shacks located here. The beach is safe for swimming. Crabbing is popular when the tide is right.

Port Germein's tidal beach provides endless hours of activity for every member of the family. The shallow tides ensure fun and safe swimming for small children. Search for sand crabs among the tidal pools. At low tide the eastern side of the beach gives vehicle access to the deeper water. Land yachting is also a popular low tide past time. To allow you to continue your beachside experience, amenities include a children's playgrounds, a number of coin operated electric barbecues and gazebo.

Originally settled as a deep sea trading port in the late 1800s, Port Germein is now a peaceful seaside town of 200 residents, serving the local farming community and catering for ecologically sound tourism. When Port Germein was a major seaport for wheat shipping it had the longest wooden jetty in the Southern Hemisphere. Those days are gone, but the structure of the 1881 jetty remains jutting out into the sea for local fishing.

Enjoy a scenic drive through Port Germein Gorge with its deep ravines and magnificent gum trees to Melrose and Mount Remarkable. There's good walking with spectacular views of Spencer Gulf nearby at Telowie Gorge Conservation Park. On the western side of the Mt Remarkable National Park is the settlement of Mambray Creek and headquarters of the National Parks and Wildlife Service. The area is the starting point for several walking trails through the park.

Port Pirie is one of South Australia’s best-kept secrets, just a short detour from National Highway One, nestled at the base of the picturesque Southern Flinders Ranges.

South Australia’s first provincial city, Port Pirie has taken a leading role in South Australia's agricultural and industrial development. But it’s also rapidly gaining kudos for its diversity of tourism experiences.

The multi award-winning Port Pirie Regional Tourism and Arts Centre is a must for all visitors. Open daily it features a fibreglass model of the longest white pointer shark ever landed in South Australian waters (at Germein Bay), “Shakka”, a 23-year-old female shark drowned after becoming tangled in the anchor rope of a local fishing boat, and her original jaws, pectoral fin, vertebrae and deformed teeth can be viewed up close.

The centre is also home to the Pirie Rail Express, a one point two kilometre “ride-on” miniature railway that takes visitors on a replica journey from Port Pirie to Broken Hill; and a beautifully landscaped indoor model rail layout featuring 1000 feet of track. Both the miniature and model railways are operated on the first and third Sunday of the month by enthusiastic volunteers, who are always keen to impart their exceptional railways knowledge.

Co-located at the centre is the Port Pirie Regional Art Gallery, also open daily it feature two great art galleries hosting major touring exhibitions from the National Gallery of Australia and the South Australian Touring Exhibitions Program, and fabulous pieces from the Southern Flinders, Mid North and Yorke Peninsula.

In keeping with the city’s railway theme is the engrossing National Trust Museum, housed in the stunning former Ellen Street Railway Station and offering great insights into the history of a city that was once one of the nation’s busiest railway centres.

Visitors can celebrate Port Pirie’s industrial success with a tour of the world’s largest lead smelter – an expansive facility that continues to dominate the city skyline. Tours run on Monday, Wednesdays, Fridays and bookings can be made at the Tourism and Arts Centre.

Tagged the “City of Friendly People”, Port Pirie took its name from the schooner John Pirie, which drew into the inlet in 1845 to load sheep from the surrounding pastoral districts. The city continues to have a strong focus on the waters of Spencer Gulf, with great on and offshore fishing backed by two fully equipped launching ramps and extensive car/boat parking facilities.

Pretty picnic areas, children’s playgrounds and fun public art can be found at Solomontown Beach and also at parks dotted around the city (particularly Memorial park).

Seven-day shopping and a wide range of accommodation options (from budget to caravan parks, cabins and motels), make any stay in Port Pirie a breeze.

Permanent tourism facilities are enhanced by regular special events including the Port Pirie State Masters Games, Smelters Picnic, Southern Flinders Live Music Festival, Blessing of the Fleet and the Tripolis Yachting Classic.

The pretty Flinders Ranges town of Quorn is home to the Pichi Richi Railway, a treasured steam journey which chugs its way through glorious rugged countryside to Port Augusta.

Quorn retains much of its old world character, with charming street frontages and a pub on almost every corner. Stop in at a cafe for coffee and cake, or wander through bric-a-brac stores and an art gallery.

The discovery of rich mineral deposits in the Flinders Ranges and the opening up of the Willochra Plains for agriculture made it necessary to construct railways to serve the north of the state. To meet these needs the town of Quorn was surveyed and proclaimed in 1878 and soon became an important railway town.

Mount Brown 14 kilometres south, is the highest peak rising majestically over 900 metres. Nearer to the town, Devil's Peak and Dutchmans stern overlook the valley with their rocky outcrops richly coloured, to the north where Warren and Buckaringa Gorge carve through the hills to Mount Arden.

You can find accommodation at the Quorn Caravan Park.

Built in the 1980s to support the nearby Olympic Dam Mine (one of the world’s largest mines producing gold, silver, copper and uranium oxide), Roxby Downs provides a welcoming detour off the Stuart Highway and pleasant stop-off on the drive north to the Oodnadatta Track.

The mine, nine kilometres north of Roxby Downs, is perhaps the greatest attraction. Nine million tonnes of ore are mined annually, producing 350,000 tonnes of copper, 4,000 tonnes of uranium oxides, 80,000 ounces of gold and about one million ounces of silver. BHP Billiton operates surface tours, which are very popular and bookings are essential.

BHP Billiton fund an Arid Recovery Reserve, where rabbits, cats and foxes have been eradicated to make way for native animals including the bilby, western barred bandicoot, burrowing bettong and sticknest rat. Tag along night tours are on offer.

As a predominantly with young miners and their families, Roxby Downs offers everything from swimming, golf and tennis to squash and bowls. And the news Roxby Downs Cultural Precinct is a must, featuring the town’s visitor information centre, an Outback cinema, art gallery, auditorium and the Dunes Café.

The Outback Fringe Festival, held every March, is rapidly gaining kudos and the local races take place in August.

Situated in a valley surrounded by ranges, Spalding is a pleasant farming town. The nearby Broughton River offers excellent trout fishing and Geralka Rural Farm offers pony rides, hay rides, blacksmithing, working Clydesdales and more.

The Broughton River, the only river to rise and set in South Australia, flows through the area. A popular spot for trout fishers, fingerlings are released into the river on a regular basis.

Mining first began in the district in 1858, when the sample showed 50 perc ent metallic copper and traces of both silver and gold. Mining ceased in the area in the 1920s. William Lunn opened the first business in Spalding in March 1875, a store and post office.

Stirling North is a delightfully peaceful satellite community located six kilometres out of Port Augusta. Being the first township encountered upon turning off of Highway One, it could truly be described as the gateway to the Flinders Ranges, and these majestic hills make a stunning backdrop to the location. Accommodation at the Cabin Park provides the perfect setting for a restful break including a leisurely hit of golf or tennis, or a home base from which to explore the attractions of nearby Port Augusta and the Flinders Ranges. Many basic facilities are available within walking distance in Stirling North, or Port Augusta is few minutes by car for more substantial supplies.

Your journey to Stone Hut begins in Adelaide where you take the Main North Road through Clare and head on up through Gladstone and Laura till you reach the tiny village of Stone Hut just eight kilometres north of Laura. The stunningly beautiful scenery of this special part of South Australia will amaze you.

Stone Hut is an old pioneering town that had its beginnings in the stagecoach days when the horses were changed at a little stone hut on the banks of the Rocky River, hence the name. In those days, during the 1870’s it became a thriving township with blacksmiths, timber-getters from the adjacent forest at Wirrabara and later with the railway and the huge traffic of wheat transhipped from Stone Hut to Port Adelaide.

The visitor today will discover Stone Hut a sleepy little collection of quaint stone cottages nestled in a picturesque valley. The population today is only 26 and the descendants of the original inhabitants own some of the cottages. The historic schoolhouse has been lovingly restored and is a private residence today. The Soldiers Memorial Hall was built in 1926 to honour the men of the district who served in World War One and is still used today for dances, markets, festivals and reunions. Dances at the Stone Hut draw people from far and wide who have connections with this wonderful old hall. It is the home of the Wild Boar Weekend, a festival of wine, food and music of the Southern Flinders, held each year on Mothers’ Day weekend.

Stone Hut is also the home of the Old Bakery. The visitor will be met with enticing aromas from the quaint little bakehouse at the front of the property and once inside can select from a wide range of home made goodies including chunky steak pies, pasties and a superb range of cakes and slices, all hand made from old fashioned recipes. Dine in the restaurant area and enjoy a glass of regional wine, or outdoors in the garden area. Perhaps takeaway and enjoy a picnic at the lookout just east of the town where you take in the stunning panorama of Mount Remarkable to the north and the ranges to the west and south.

Slow down, take a break in Stone Hut and continue your journey feeling relaxed and refreshed knowing that you have experienced something quite unique in country hospitality.

Population 10, William Creek is one of the smallest towns in Australia and situated on the world's largest working cattle station – 24,000 square kilometre Anna Creek Station, part of the S Kidman & Co empire.

The timber and corrugated iron pub, dating from 1887, is like a giant visitors’ book. Over the years it has been adorned with business cards, hand scrawled notes, bras, jocks and anything else not nailed down.

Across the road is a little museum established by the William Creek Progress Association, and the friendly folk at the William Creek Store (take the time to learn the intriguing story of the Burtt Stone). Other highlights are charter flights over Lake Eyre, a 30-minute walk along the railway line to Breakfast Time Creek and camel safaris operated by Explore the Outback Camel Safaris. Every April the town plays host to the William Creek races.

Heading north from Coward Springs you will pass ruins marking the old Strangways Siding and Strangways Telegraph Station, once one of 11 repeater stations boosting communications on the Overland Telegraph Line between Adelaide and Darwin. Soon after the gibber plains make way for a burst of red dunes and finally the saltbush flat of William Creek.

Nestled in the Flinders Ranges, surrounded by park lands and the Willochra Plain spreading eastward, it is easy to see why Wilmington was first known as Beautiful Valley by the pioneers who settled in the region in the mid 1850s.

The town lies just a few kilometres from Mount Remarkable National Park. Entrance to the park is gained via nearby spectacular Alligator Gorge where unusual rock formations and sparkling mountain pools can be seen. Steps enable visitors to get down to the bottom of the gorge, where, in some places the walls are only two metres apart. The water worn rock leads right through the ranges to Mambray Creek, offering some of the best walking trails in the Flinders Ranges.

Bikers and walkers should seek advice before attempting the nearby Heysen and Mawson Trails. The Mount Maria summit walk is a must, a two-hour return trip taking in great views of the town and surrounds. The town Heritage Trail is also well worth a look. Hancocks Lookout scenic drive provides sensational views of Spencer Gulf. Horrocks Pass, Spring Creek Mine and Gunyah Roads are also excellent drives.

Shops include a hotel offering meals and accommodation, fuel and hardware, general store, post office with online facilities, take away foods, butchers, art and crafts, antique store, toy museum and sporting facilities including BMX fun track and 18-hole golf course. A range of caravan and camping facilities are available at the Beautiful Valley Caravan Park opposite the entrance to Alligator Gorge Road and bed and breakfasts and four-wheel drive tours are also available. The annual night rodeo is held in January.

Wilpena Pound is a magnificent natural ampitheatre and the centrepiece of the Flinders Ranges National Park.

It's rich in wildlife including emus, kangaroos and euros.

Here, you'll find a great range of accommodation, 4WD tours, scenic flights and a general store at the award-winning Wilpena Pound Resort, which is also home to the new Wilpena Pound Visitor and Information Centre.

With rugged mountain scenery, peaceful gorges and a huge array of wildlife and flora, the Flinders Ranges National Park is recognised as one of the finest landscapes in Australia. Highlights include walks to Rawnsley Bluff, Wilpena Lookout, Ferntree Falls and Clem Corner, plus Aboriginal art sites at Arkaroo Rock and Sacred Canyon.

The Brachina Gorge Geological Trail traces the geological history of the area. Located off the Wilpena-Blinman road, the trail features a series of interpretive maps.

Wirrabara is a timber and farming town in the Flinders Ranges, which caters extremely well for visitors.

Explore Wirrabara Forest, with its walking trails, scenic drives, picnic grounds and more. See the King Tree, a gnarled 400 year old Red Gum, over 11 metres in circumference, sitting 150 metres off the King Tree Road. The Old Nursery - established in 1877 and now abandoned - contains a diversity of tree species. There are walking trails leading from the picnic ground to the Old Nursery. Another trail does a loop from the picnic ground to the King Tree, to Ippinitchie Camping Ground.

The Heysen Trail and its various spurs provide access to The Bluff and to the Top Of The Range. The Heysen Trail provides spectacular views of Spencer Gulf.

Bushwalker permits for the Wirrabara Forest can be obtained from the Forest Headquarters. Educational groups should register their routes at the Forest Headquarters.

Stroll through the Wirrabara Producers Market, showcasing the produce of the Flinders Ranges. It is a genuine producers only market and items available range from fresh and dried fruit and meats to superb olive oils and baked goods.

The Wirrabara Golf Club offers an 18-hole golf course, par 71.

The Wirrabara Craft House and Tourist Information Centre is situated in an historic two storey building overlooking the Wongabirrie parklands. You'll find a mosaic wall in the parklands, as well as facilities for a barbeque and picnic lunch.

Wirrabara accommodation includes a local caravan park and youth hostel.

Wirrabara was proclaimed in 1874 and its name means 'forest with running water'. Its history is well preserved and the 1877 nursery with its King Tree, a 400 year old gum tree with a girth of over 11 metres is worth a visit.

The outback town of Woomera celebrates its space race history with attractions such as the Woomera Space Museum and Missile Park, where you can get a feel for the town's role as a rocket and missile base.

Woomera was founded as a joint project with the United Kingdom for testing experimental rockets and missiles of all types. Two satellites were placed into orbit from Woomera (Australia was the third country in the world to launch a satellite). Today, you can wander through Missile Park and gaze up in awe at rockets on display.

Visit the Woomera Heritage Centre, displaying Aboriginal artefacts, as well as rocket and missile memorabilia. There's also a bowling alley and outback diner inside.

Established in 1887, Yunta was a busy railway town on the Adelaide to Silverton line, and is today a small service hub for travellers and surrounding properties. Boasting a rich history in mining, railways and agriculture, Yunta offers an alternate route to Arkaroola and the Flinders Ranges.

Facilities include a hotel with meals and accommodation, two roadhouses (one with caravan sites), Post Office and Rural Transaction Centre offering Internet access and an airstrip.

A rest area with public toilets is located opposite the hotel. The town supports emergency services and a primary school. The main annual event is the Yunta Picnic Races and Gymkhana held mid- May.