Robert Posted on 09 October 2025

SA’s Flinders Ranges joins Lonely Planet’s top list for 2026

Words Robert Crack Pics Robert Crack and Supplied

South Australia’s Ikara–Flinders Ranges and Outback has been recognised by Lonely Planet as one of the world’s top 25 travel destinations for 2026. Here at Hema Maps, we’ve been offroading in the Flinders Ranges for more than 40 years, and indeed we picked this region for our 40th anniversary trip in 2024. We could probably list 40 reasons why you should add this stunning region to your list too, however for the sake of brevity we’ll limit it to 10 reasons, broken into two parts.

View from Razorback Lookout (Bunyeroo Road), Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park (Credit: Getty Images)

South Australia’s Ikara–Flinders Ranges and Outback region has stepped onto the global stage, officially recognised by Lonely Planet as one of the world’s top travel destinations for 2026. The rugged spine of the state now stands proudly alongside global heavyweights such as Peru, Sardinia, Barbados, Phuket and Siem Reap — the only Australian entry to make this year’s list.

The Hon Zoe Bettison MP, South Australia’s Minister for Tourism, said, “South Australians know the Flinders Ranges and Outback is one of the world’s best destinations, and now it’s official. Being named a top destination by Lonely Planet brings Ikara-Flinders Ranges global recognition on a monumental scale and comes as it moves one step closer to a UNESCO World Heritage listing.

“As one of the world’s best places to visit — the only one in Australia to make the list — this accolade will bolster the Ikara-Flinders Ranges’ reputation as a must-see destination for travellers everywhere.”

Stretching from the sunlit walls of Ikara (Wilpena Pound) to the shimmering salt flats of Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre, this vast region is a living museum of Earth’s history. Its rocks reveal stories written more than half a billion years ago, and its ancient fossil fields hold some of the earliest traces of complex life ever found.

For adventurers, the Flinders Ranges offer far more than views — it’s a place to drive through geological time, walk on ancient seabeds and connect with Adnyamathanha Country under an outback sky so full of stars it feels alive.

Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel series names the top 25 destinations and experiences across the globe for each year, with each destination chosen for its authenticity, adventure and local insight. That the Flinders Ranges now feature among them only confirms what we here at Hema Maps already knew — this region belongs in the company of the world’s icons.

It’s the latest in a string of honours for South Australia, following Adelaide’s title as Yahoo! Creators’ ‘#1 Best Place to Travel in 2026’ and the state’s recent win as Best Event State at the 2025 Australian Event Awards.

Chris Zeiher, senior director of trade sales and marketing at Lonely Planet, said, “I’m ecstatic to see the epic Ikara-Flinders Ranges and wider South Australian outback on our prestigious list; it’s one of the world’s most breathtaking environments perfectly primed for the world to discover in 2026.”

“Each entry in Best in Travel 2026 reflects a personal experience from Lonely Planet’s vast community of staff, contributors from around the world, publishing partners and more,” he said.

So, if you’ve been waiting for the right excuse to load up the 4WD, unfold your Hema map and head into the real heart of the outback — this is it.

World-class adventure. Right here at home.

Reason 1: Landscapes, 4WDing, camping and accommodation

Flinders Ranges and Outback is home to a wide variety of landscapes, four-wheel drive tracks, camping and accommodation.

If Australia had a backbone, this would be it. Ikara–Flinders Ranges National Park is South Australia’s outback masterpiece — a place where time sits on the surface, not buried beneath it. Sheer cliffs, weather-beaten ridges and vast stony valleys glow deep red in the dying light. Even before the kangaroos, euros and emus come out to say ‘G’day’, the silence here does the talking. It is a place where the land remembers.

Plan to linger. You’ll want more than a few days to take it all in.

The best months to visit are April through October, when the days are mild, the nights crisp and the flies mercifully scarce, making camping a very pleasant experience.

The ranges are made of quartzite and sandstone, their current form carved by 540 million years of upheaval and erosion. The Heysen Range and Elder Range dominate the skyline, while Wilpena Pound (Ikara) forms the park’s beating heart — a natural amphitheatre so perfectly shaped it seems otherworldly. At first glance, Wilpena Pound looks like the rim of a massive volcano.

But it’s not. In truth, it’s the result of unimaginable geological pressure — a vast fold in the Earth’s crust eroded into a near-perfect circle and the perfect place to stand and feel the weight of history beneath your boots.

This country tells a story of deep time. Once submerged beneath an ancient sea, the land was folded and lifted during the Cambrian period, then worn smooth by wind and water. What remains are ribbon-like ridges, ochre-streaked valleys and fossils older than almost all known life.

You won’t need dozens of 4WD tracks here — the few that exist are worth the journey alone. Drives through Bunyeroo Valley and Brachina Gorge rank among the most scenic in Australia, offering a patchwork of lookouts, picnic spots and photo stops. With every turn, the ranges shift colour and shape. Keep your eyes peeled for wedge-tailed eagles circling high above, or a mob of euros dozing in the shade.

Whether you prefer campfire simplicity or outback comfort, you’re covered. Discovery Resorts – Wilpena Pound delivers full facilities — resort rooms, glamping, powered sites, fuel, supplies and a cracking restaurant and bar.

Further inside the national park, a chain of bush camps offers more rustic options. Sites including Aroona Ruins, Koolamon, Brachina East, Teamsters, Cambrian, Dingley Dell, Youngoona and Acraman all provide water, toilets and firepits.

For those craving silence and stars, the remote bush camps hit the spot: Yanyanna Hut near Bunyeroo Gorge, Middlesight Water Hut off Brachina Road, Cooinda Camp in the south and Wilkawillina Gorge way out east. Each one promises space, solitude and skies you’ll never forget.

Reason 2: Fantastic walking tracks

Flinders Ranges and Outback is home to some of Australia’s best walking tracks. And we’re not just talking about The Arkaba Walk, the approximately 45km three-day guided walk from Wilpena Pound to Arkaba Homestead. (That said, having experienced The Arkaba Walk myself, being one of only 15 walks to make the Great Walks of Australia cut and featuring Arkaba Homestead which is one of only 18 to make the Luxury Lodges of Australia grade, I cannot recommend The Arkaba Walk highly enough!).

(Credit: Robert Crack)

We’re talking about a handful (or three) of other walks worth the dust. To really understand this country, you’ve got to not only traverse it in your 4WD vehicle, you also need to walk it. The Ikara–Flinders Ranges National Park offers more than 20 marked trails — everything from lazy morning strolls to day-long challenges that both test legs and camera batteries alike. Each track tells part of the story that the rocks began writing half a billion years ago.

Here are a few of them:

Wilpena to Wangara Lookout — A short, steady climb with knockout views into Wilpena Pound. Perfect for early risers chasing that golden light.

Heysen Trail Section — A bucket-list stretch of South Australia’s most famous long-distance walk, linking Wilpena to Parachilna Gorge. Ideal for overnight hikers or those keen to sample a few sections.

Aroona Ruins Loop — A gentle wander through the landscapes that inspired artist Hans Heysen; think soft light and craggy river red gums oozing character.

Wilkawillina Gorge Walk — A more challenging, full-day outing through one of the park’s most dramatic gorges. Arrange a pickup at the far end if you’re not keen to retrace your steps.

Those after lighter exercise can explore the beautifully restored Old Wilpena Homestead, where interpretive signs bring the pastoral history to life.

(Credit: Robert Crack)

Whether you’re camping among (but not beneath!) the river red gums, winding through Brachina Gorge, standing on the rim of Wilpena Pound at dawn or marvelling at the westering sun at Stokes Hill Lookout, the Flinders Ranges have a way of getting under your skin.

(Credit: Robert Crack)

Reason 3: Willow Springs Station’s Skytrek

Few 4WD tracks in the Flinders Ranges earn the kind of reputation that Skytrek at Willow Springs Station has. Rugged, remote and spectacularly scenic, this 79km self-drive loop is a rite of passage for offroad adventurers — and one that rewards patience, preparation and a good sense of awe.

Leaving the homestead gate, the track snakes south-east through broad valleys and ancient creek beds, flanked by river red gums and low, stony hills that shimmer under the sun. You’re travelling through geology that’s hundreds of millions of years old — and it shows in every fold and ripple of the land.

Early on, the track eases you in with smooth gravel and gentle bends. Keep an eye out for the 50 numbered points of interest along the way — a mix of natural and cultural highlights that include ochre cliffs, old huts, Aboriginal etchings, and fossil-rich rock shelves. Each stop is signposted and detailed in the Skytrek guidebook you’ll receive at check-in.

The going toughens as you move north past Buffalo Creek and Moxans Hut, with rocky steps, washouts and occasional climbs demanding low-range work and precise wheel placement. Near the Willow Springs Waterhole, the terrain narrows into a maze of gullies before breaking out to vast views across the Chace and Bunker ranges.

Then comes the payoff — the final climb to Upalinna Lookout. Standing 700 metres above sea level, the panorama takes in the whole sweep of Wilpena Pound and the surrounding Ikara–Flinders Ranges National Park. The sense of scale is humbling — endless sky, rolling ranges, and a silence that settles in your bones.

When you finally roll back into the homestead, dust-covered and grinning, you’ll understand why Skytrek is one of the most beloved offroad experiences in South Australia. It’s a landscape that makes you feel equal parts small and incredibly lucky.

You don’t just visit Willow Springs — you stay a while. This 28,300-hectare historic sheep station has been run by the Reynolds family for generations and has evolved from pastoral lease to outback tourism icon.

Shearers’ Quarters — Sleeps up to 34 people, complete with an enclosed wood fire, kitchen, TV and a stone well that’s been converted to a barbecue. (Minimum three-night stay.)

Self-contained huts and cottages — Ideal for families or small groups wanting privacy and comfort.

Bush campsites — Secluded sites tucked along creek beds or against rocky hillsides, perfect for those chasing solitude under the stars.

Willow Springs takes its name from the property where the Reynolds family first settled near Hawker. They took up this block in the 1920s after a tip-off from a ‘well-lubricated shepherd’ who swore by its fertile ground.

Today, Brendan and Carmel Reynolds carry that spirit forward, blending genuine bush hospitality and a legacy writ large in dust and stone with access to one of Australia’s most scenic 4WD adventures.

Once part of the vast Wilpena Station, Willow Springs and Upalinna have witnessed more than a century of change — from wool booms to outback tourism. The station’s shift into 4WD experiences in the 1980s was a leap of faith, but it paid off: Skytrek has since become one of the premier self-guided drives in the country, used and mapped by countless adventurers — including Hema Maps’ own 40th anniversary convoy in 2024.

Skytrek isn’t just an offroad drive. It’s a full day of history, geology and outback storytelling on wheels. So, whether you take it on solo, with mates, or as part of a guided convoy, Skytrek delivers exactly what its name promises — a road to the sky.

Reason 4: The quiet, quaint town of Quorn

Quiet, charming and just a little bit quirky, Quorn sits at the southern gateway to the Flinders Ranges, surrounded by weathered peaks and the kind of wide horizons that make road-trippers grin. On the map it looks modest, but on the ground, this heritage town makes the perfect launch pad for adventure.

Founded in the 1870s, Quorn still wears its past proudly — stone pubs, cast-iron verandahs and a main street that has starred in more than a few Aussie films, from Gallipoli to Wolf Creek. There’s an easy rhythm to life here: friendly faces, slow afternoons and the whistle of the Pichi Richi Railway echoing through town.

Before you quit Quorn, be sure to take in this delightful town and its spectacular surrounds. Stroll the heritage streets and take the self-guided Historic Buildings Walk, tracing 19th-century architecture and stories of the town’s railway heyday. Pop into the Transcontinental Hotel for a hearty pub meal and a yarn with the locals. Tackle a section of the Heysen Trail by climbing Mount Brown and enjoy panoramic views across the plains — best at sunrise. A modicum of fitness is required in order to tackle the 15km or so of the Mount Brown Summit Circuit, but the views are worth every step.

Catch the sunset at Devils Peak where a short but steep scramble rewards you with one of the best outlooks in the Southern Flinders Ranges. Explore Dutchmans Stern Conservation Park where a scenic loop trail winds through rugged hills and native pine forest. The views out to Spencer Gulf are stunning.

'Before and after' shots of/from Dutchmans Stern. (Credit: Robert Crack)

Step back in time aboard the restored Pichi Richi Railway steam train running between Port Augusta and Quorn — a true outback classic. And don’t miss Alligator Gorge and Mount Remarkable National Park, a short drive south where a labyrinth of cliffs and rock pools shows a softer, greener side of the Flinders Ranges.

And be sure not to miss the audiovisual celebration of the Flinders Ranges that is the Quorn Silo Light Show, winner of the Gold Award for Best Mega Mural at the 2022 Australian Street Art Awards.

Reason 5: Rawnsley Park Station

And for our fifth and final (for this part, at least) reason to visit the Flinders Ranges and Outback, we have Rawnsley Park Station, a world-class tourism venture.

Two unforgettable tracks. One ancient landscape. Endless rewards.

This is where time, terrain and tyre tread all meet.

The Ikara–Flinders Ranges have a way of humbling you — rock folded like paper, dry riverbeds running silent and skies that stretch wider than reason. For those with a 4WD and an appetite for dust and discovery, Rawnsley Park Station is the perfect launchpad.

Here, two self-drive routes — the Arkapena Yellow and Arkapena Red tracks — unravel the secrets of this ancient land. Think steep climbs, deep time and views so raw they feel prehistoric.

The Arkapena Yellow Track stretches from plains to primeval sea, toward the jagged Chace Range. En route there’s a very good chance that you’ll spy emus scattering across wide, sandy creek beds lined with ancient river red gums and resilient native pines whose termite-proof resin built the old dog fence you see tracing lines in the neighbouring terrain.

Start early. Check in at reception, pay your access fee and pick up the keys and tour booklet. Drop your tyre pressures to about 14 psi, open the first gate and leave the bitumen behind. From here, it’s nothing but country and history.

Climbing higher, the world opens up. From the ridge, the Chace and Elder Ranges glow in ribbons of red and slate — the visible bones of an ancient seabed that existed 550 to 850 million years ago. In these rocks lie the Ediacaran fossils, the earliest evidence of complex life on Earth.

Follow the trail as it twists through gullies and dry creeks toward Jim Gehling Camp, a shady lunch stop named after a scientist still unearthing fossils in these hills. Just avoid sitting directly beneath river red gums; Eucalyptus camaldulensis is known as ‘the widow-maker’ for good reason. After lunch, engage low range and descend through a maze of rocky spurs back to Martins Well Road, closing the loop.

Still have fuel in the tank? The Arkapena Red Track, replete with climbs, colour and commanding views, ups the ante. Forests of slender cypress-pine a.k.a. southern cypress-pine (Callitris gracilis) daubed in brushstrokes of orange lichen mark the start — nature’s quiet reminder of decay and renewal. Soon the gradient kicks in, hauling you up to Prelinna Lookout, about 680 metres above sea level.

At the top, a tin letterbox invites you to sign the visitor book. Beyond it lies a panorama that defines the Flinders: Wilpena Pound, the ABC Range, The Bunkers, Chace Range and Elder Range, all laid out in breathtaking clarity.

Drop into low range for the descent — tight switchbacks, stony creek crossings and gullies that will test not only your traction, but also your patience. Eventually, the trail spits you out at Baldoura Creek and the final gate back to Martins Well Road.

Back at Rawnsley Park Station, return your keys and find a quiet spot in the bush camp. As the day fades, Rawnsley Bluff cuts a black silhouette against the stars. A crackling fire, a hot meal and the faint rustle of wind through spinifex — the kind of outback evening that makes every rough track worth it.

Rawnsley Bluff from Rawnsley Park Station (Credit: Robert Crack)

Return for part two

We’re not finished yet with the Flinders Ranges and Outback region! Come back soon for part two, where we’ll explore Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary, discover Blinman, eat the feral platter at Parachilna’s Prairie Hotel, drive The Bridle Track and get up close-and-personal with some of the Flinders Ranges and Outback’s wildlife.