Flinders Range

SA, WA & NT specific bushwalking discussion.
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SA, WA & NT specific bushwalking discussion. Please avoid publishing details of access to sensitive areas with no tracks.

Flinders Range

Postby bcolver » Wed 13 Mar, 2019 5:46 pm

Hi I posted back in january about another topic. Thanks for the replies.

I am heading to Flinders Ranges with my brother and we are looking to do three big walks

I have earmarked: Rawnsley Bluff; Tanderra Saddle and Wilkawillina Gorge walk.

Are these recommended?
What about aroona valley?

We are both fit and like to push ourselves
Also can one camp in the park?

Thanks in advance. Any tips/recommendations greatly received

Ben
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Re: Flinders Range

Postby eggs » Wed 13 Mar, 2019 9:20 pm

Outside the Fire Ban period [Dec - Feb], camping should be OK in most off track locations - but given the way parks are becoming walker unfriendly, I am not sure this is stated anywhere anymore.
But the park is fuel stove only.
There are a number of camping sites which need to booked for a fee.
Inside Wilpena Pound is a walkers site at Cooinda Camp - but a fee of $18 applies.....wow!! [There are no facilities - it was free on the 2016 pamphlet]
See https://www.parks.sa.gov.au/booking#Ikara-Flinders%20Ranges%20National%20Park
For a wide view map - https://www.parks.sa.gov.au/files/sharedassets/parks/parks/flinders-ranges-outback/ikara-flinders-ranges-national-park/ikara-flinders-ranges-national-park-map.pdf

Aroona Valley has the Aroona and Acraman sites in the above booking list.
But you could check out my walk report from there: http://new.bushwalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=26265

Rawnsley Park is a nice private campground and you do the Rawnsley Bluff walk from that property.
I recently visited Wilkawillina and found it surprisingly beautiful.
We bush camped there but were very aware of not being conspicuous or leaving any trace.
It does not have any official campsite.
Last edited by eggs on Fri 15 Mar, 2019 10:41 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Flinders Range

Postby philm » Thu 14 Mar, 2019 10:01 am

It depends if you want to do just day walks or extended walks and camp
I personally like the camping in Wilpena
Pound as it is shady with plenty of trees

The day walks I’d suggest in order of interest are

The St Marys peak walk suggest you go to the peak on the inside track and return on the outside track - allow about 7 hours

Alternatively walk to Cooinda camp in point then walk to Malloga falls and return to camp overnight then the next day go to St Marys peak then
Out on the outside track

There is a
Parks
Brochure on these walks

Water will be a key issue and you will need to take sufficient with you


The bridle gap walk is also nice but not as scenic as St Marys peak

Outside Wilpena there are
Plenty of other walks on and off track depending on your experience and skills
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Re: Flinders Range

Postby north-north-west » Thu 14 Mar, 2019 6:42 pm

Wilkawillina is marvellous. Plenty of variety and wildllife. There's a rough camping area there but no facilities when i last visited.
"Mit der Dummheit kämpfen Götter selbst vergebens."
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Re: Flinders Range

Postby bcolver » Thu 21 Mar, 2019 12:36 pm

Thanks all

Eggs, how long did your Arizona valley walk take? Would you be able to recommend a 2 day walk in that area??
Regards
Ben
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Re: Flinders Range

Postby eggs » Thu 21 Mar, 2019 3:12 pm

Arizona?
Aroona Valley
- we took an afternoon in rain to Walkandi
- then descended and out to Bathtub Creek next day
- explored to Fossil Gorge and then back to pack up and back to the car on the 3rd day.
Travelled to Rawnsley Park to spend the night.
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Re: Flinders Range

Postby bcolver » Fri 22 Mar, 2019 11:44 am

Thanks. Yes I meant Aroona (The Perils of using a mobile phone with autcorrect!)

The walk sounds fantastic. Is it a trail with a path / signposted?
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Re: Flinders Range

Postby eggs » Fri 22 Mar, 2019 2:27 pm

The Heysen Range including Walkandi is untracked.
But the Hayward section of the range is directly next to Aroona Hut/campsite. A short 2 day walk could involve a bivouac on the crest of the range before returning the next day - sort of like my Walkandi section - but the face is not trivial with a lot of cliff lines.

The area along Bathtub Creek is untracked.
The Heysen Trail passes Aroona campsite and hut and heads up the valley towards Parachilna Gorge. Bathtub Creek is embedded in the Heysen Range to the west of the track.

This is very remote country with no mobile coverage.
You really need some good maps before you go anywhere off track.
I do web searches to glean details from others, but I also have the maps.
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Re: Flinders Range

Postby peregrinator » Fri 22 Mar, 2019 6:26 pm

bcolver wrote:Thanks. Yes I meant Aroona (The Perils of using a mobile phone with autcorrect!)

The walk sounds fantastic. Is it a trail with a path / signposted?


For walks on tracks, try this website:

http://www.walkingtrailssupportgroup.or ... sindex.htm

The walk eggs referred to was more of an adventure. You can however access superb Bathtub Creek from the Heysen Trail, starting from Arizona, or perhaps better, from Aroona and leaving the track at Pigeon Bore.
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Re: Flinders Range

Postby vagrom » Fri 22 Mar, 2019 6:52 pm

I'll never be a loner, way out in Arizona ...
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source= ... fk6NTDLQ-_
Surgite et .. andiamo!
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