Remarkable Places to Stay in Flinders Ranges and Outback
When the days cool down, and most people are getting ready to hibernate, true travellers know that the outback comes alive. The searing heat gives way to beautiful sunny days that can be spent exploring, and evenings that chill to the perfect temperature to light a campfire.
We are lucky to have an abundance of incredible places to stay in Flinders Ranges and Outback, from Station Stays to iconic pubs and family-run B&Bs. Here are a few places that you will want to make sure are on your itinerary when you come and see us.
Pichi Richi Park
Campsites, caravan hook-ups and cabins make this bush retreat perfect for outdoor enthusiasts
Located just 10 minutes from Quorn and nestled in the picturesque Pichi Richi Pass, you’ll find Pichi Richi Park. This family-owned-and-operated bush retreat is a welcoming haven for those looking for a nature-filled escape.
“When you come to Pichi Richi Park make sure you spend some time walking through the bush,” said owner Hamish. “Our property is rugged and beautiful and you can really get a feel for this part of the world when you spend time in such close quarters.”
You will find signposted walking tracks which range from a few kilometres to a 10km+ loop for those who are ready for a challenge. The Heysen Trail winds its way through Pichi Richi Park for about 7km, with some of their own tracks linking in with the famous 1,200km trail. For those who love to explore by mountain bike, you’re in for an absolute treat, with tracks and trails on the property and in the surrounding region.
Options for accommodation include newly renovated cabins, group accommodation and plenty of secluded campsites. Whether you have all the gear and just need the perfect spot to park, or if you’re looking for somewhere that has activities and amenities, Pichi Richi Park is ready for you.
Wilpena Pound Resort
Comfort and convenience set in an ancient landscape
Does a beautiful location, gourmet food, indigenous experiences and plenty of space to roam sound like your idea of a perfect escape? Well, we know you’ll quickly fall in love with Wilpena Pound Resort. The Traditional Owners, the Adnyamathanha people, know this area as Ikara, which means “the meeting place”.
Wilpena Pound Resort has a few different accommodation options: hotel rooms, glamping and camping. They also have an onsite restaurant, which boasts a menu that seamlessly combines Indigenous ingredients with modern Australian cuisine. From crocodile to quondong, and plenty of bush tomatoes, there’s a lot to love on the menu!
One of the most spectacular experiences is a scenic flight to discover the region from a bird’s eye view. After driving along the long roads that lead to this slice of paradise, seeing Wilpena Pound, the Elder Range, Edeowie Gorge, St Mary’s Peak, Heysen Range and Bunyeroo Gorge from above will give you a whole new appreciation for this stunning part of Australia.
Moolooloo Station
Bask in idyllic serenity at this exquisite part of the Ranges
Watching the colours of the setting sun in the far northern Flinders Ranges, many visitors remark about a special feeling overcoming them.
At Moolooloo Station, a Merino wool farm owned by Tarina and Reece Warren, this feeling saw them purchase the first property they looked at. From the moment they set foot on the land, it just felt right. Opening their home so that others could come and experience the magic too became an imperative for the Warren family.
Steeped in history, the property features a Shearer's Station, Blinman Hut and plenty of secluded camping space for you to rest your head. While in this beautiful part of South Australia, spend your days in your 4WD, bushwalking or diving headfirst into the fascinating heritage of the area, and then spend your evenings trading stories around the fire.
According to Tarina, the one thing all visitors to their station should experience is exploring Ferguson Gorge followed by a glorious sunset visit to Sunset Boulevard to toast the end of the day.
The Outback Loop
Your itinerary for an incredible outback road trip
Under outback skies, you will find yourself transported to a world that feels a million miles away from city lights and bustling metropolises. Making your way to the outback, there’s plenty of places that you’re going to want to tick off, that’s where the Outback Loop comes in. There are a couple of iconic stops that every adventurer should tick off: Arkaroola, the Prairie Hotel and the Innamincka Hotel.
Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary is multi-award-winning and takes great pride in its science, education, and conservation work. For those who love stargazing, you’re in for the experience of a lifetime as Arkaroola is an accredited International Dark Sky Sanctuary, making it one of the best places in the Southern Hemisphere to look beyond our world and into galaxies beyond. If you want to do something special, Arkaroola’s Ridgetop Sleepout Experience will have you retelling tales of your stay for years to come. They also have lodges, cabins and campsites for you to choose from.
Prairie Hotel is more than just a place to lay your head, it’s also home to a brewery, iconic meals, beautiful accommodation and even an art gallery! Beloved for their famous Feral Mixed Grill, which is made up of charred roo fillet, camel boerwors sausage and emu rissole served with mashed potato, tomato and a red wine sauce, this menu is for the real adventurers. While you’re at the Prairie Hotel, we highly recommend experiencing the Nilpena Edicara Fossil Tour, an opportunity to see the most intact and significant Ediacara fossil beds in the world, the earliest evidence of complex, multicellular life on earth.
Last but not least, in the far north-east corner of South Australia, you will find the Innamincka Hotel. This pub has been an institution for outback travellers since the ‘70s, it’s the kind of place that people light up when they talk about their stay there in decades past. While you’re at Innamincka Hotel, explore the pristine Cooper Creek, see the historic Dig Tree from the ill-fated Burke and Wills expedition, and have a well-earned sleep in a great bed. There’s nothing quite like outback hospitality.
