The Flinders Ranges has just been named by Lonely Planet as one of the worlds must see destinations in 2026. The only place in Australia to make the top ten.
But the Flinders Ranges is large, and very diverse. You’d need months to see it all, so what are the must see places?
For me it has to be the north eastern part of the Flinders Ranges. Arkaroola, Iga Warta, and Chambers Gorge in particular.
If you like bush camping where you feel completely alone, staring at the stars, 4wding and hiking, then Arkaroola is the place for you.
And if you like all that while still being close to ‘civilisation’ – showers and toilets, a bar, dining room and great experiences, or where you can stay in a cabin and swim in a pool – then you definitely should go to Arkaroola.
I’m not sure what to say about Arkaroola that hasn’t already been said. For me the best thing about Arkaroola is the stars. My first big solo outback trip was to the Flinders Ranges. I went to Arkaroola and did their observatory tour – where you look through one of their telescopes into deep space. It’s still one of the best things I’ve ever done. I stayed an extra couple of nights this time just so I could do it again. It was just as spectacular the second time.
Now you can also lie back in a comfortable chair and look at the night sky and hear about the stars.
Or you can lie back in your roof top tent, with the moon roof open, and fall asleep with your glasses on while looking at a million stars.
Then there’s the yellow footed rock wallabies which come in to be fed every evening. Arkaroola has the largest population of yellow footed rock wallabies anywhere, and they are extremely cute. I saw some on the rocks near my campsite, and while I was out hiking one day.
The hiking in Arkaroola is incredible, with magnificent views across the Flinders Ranges. And it’s all easily doable.
Ditto the four wheel driving. The last 20k of the track out to Paralana Springs took me an hour and a quarter. It was fabulous!!
And of course there’s the famous ridge top tour. I did that last time I was in Arkaroola so didn’t do it again this time. But this time I did do an all day flight over the Gammon Ranges, the flooded Cooper Creek, Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre, and the Painted Hills. With a stop off at William Creek for lunch.
While my main focus on doing that was Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre, it was the Cooper in flood and the Painted Hills that really grabbed me. They were just unbelievable.
Just down the road, Iga Warta is owned and operated by the local Andyamantanha people. You can set up your own camp, camp in one of their glamping tents, or stay in a cabin. You can learn about Indigenous culture with some of their cultural experiences. I did a tour to an art site and an old mission that they’re trying to turn into a ‘keeping site’. I also sat by the campfire every night listening to Vincent’s stories about his life and his star stories.
A lookout over the whole area is only a short walk away and fabulous to do at sunset.
Chambers Gorge is something else again. Free camping, fabulous scenery, great walks, and ancient art.
All up I spent almost 2 weeks just in these places and loved every minute. I could have stayed longer. I had campfires every night, lay back and looked at the stars from my roof top tent, hiked, went 4wdriving, relaxed. I even had a foot spa at the Paralana Hot Spring, well, I soaked my feet in the hot water in the creek for a while. It felt fabulous.
This is only a small section of the Flinders Ranges, but for me it’s the best part. Well, this and Quorn, which is the home of Flinders Gin 😆🍸
Oh, and the sunsets at the Prairie Hotel at Parachilna, and driving or hiking through Brachina and Parachina Gorges. And, of course, you must call in to Farina, especially when the bakery is operating.
No wonder it’s in Lonely Planet’s top ten destinations for 2026.
