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6 Days$3160USD

Activities
  • 6 days walking
Accommodation
  • 5 nights accommodation
Meals
  • 5 Dinners
  • 6 Lunches
  • 5 Breakfasts
5
Moderate
 
 

Heysen Trail Trip highlights


  • Soak up the beauty and grandeur of the scenic Wilpena Pound
  • Visit Alligator Gorge, one of the Flinders Ranges most spectacular natural attractions
  • Animal spotting for yellow-footed rock wallaby, euro and emu plus much more local wildlife
  • Relax each evening in comfortable glamping tents that allow you to connect with the landscape and spend the night in style beneath the stars
  • Relax in the evenings as the guides prepare delicious 3 course meals

Why Book With Us

  • Trek our favourite sections of the famous Heysen Trail, including the very last leg: Section 61
  • Walk with just a day pack on this fully supported trip
  • Enjoy delicious food cooked on by our experienced guides

The North Flinders Ranges offers some of the most stunning scenery in Australia as well as some of the most attractive outback properties. This newly in comfort accommodated trek includes selected walks on our favourite sections of the Heysen Trail. The Flinders Ranges offer a rolling range of majestic peaks and rugged ridges, deep gorges and endemic plants and animals.

The world class trails combine exceptional views and achievable challenges to create unforgettable walking experiences. The forests of cypress pines create an almost alpine ambiance in these semi-arid ranges with the dry climate creating ideal conditions for walking. This trip is fully supported so you can enjoy walking with just a day pack. Each evening we stay at comfortable accommodation offering both stunning scenery and the best of outback hospitality.

Trip Code: HFC

We pick you up from your accommodation in Adelaide between 7-7:30am and drive north though South Australia’s agricultural districts to the small township of Wilmington on the footsteps of Mount Remarkable National Park. Our walk today is the Alligator Gorge Ring Route, one of the Flinders’ regions best kept secrets and part of the Heysen Trail. This walk takes us along the highlight sections of Alligator Gorge and through The Narrows – a peaceful gorge only a few metres wide that stretches for a couple of hundred metres. We can see ancient ripple fossils in the rocks of The Terraces. This unique walk is a magnificent beginning to our 6 days of Flinders Ranges walking. This evening we enjoy a scrumptious dinner prepared by our guides, and hear a briefing about the exciting adventures on the itinerary for tomorrow. Tonight we will stay at the Wilpena Pound resort, our home for the next 5 nights. Walking Distance: 3km | Walking Time: 1 hour | Driving Time: 6-7 hours

Meals:  L,D

Today we walk section 57 of the famous, 1200km Heysen Trail. Beginning at scenic Black Gap Lookout, the trail takes us north-east to Bridle Gap. From here we have views across the expansive Wilpena Pound, and back towards the Elder Range. We descend into the Pound itself and follow the trail straight through the middle – an unforgettable walking experience. A variety of mallee, native pine and heath habitats within the Pound provide excellent opportunities to observe interesting local birds including wrens, robins, parrots and raptors. We walk back to our accommodation at Wilpena Pound. Walking Distance: 14km | Walking Time: 5-6 hours

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning, we have our own private cultural tour with a local business to learn about Indigenous culture. During this tour, we visit Sacred Canyon, an area of great cultural significance to the Adnyamthanha people, where access is only allowed when accompanied by an Aboriginal guide. In the afternoon, we hike one of the best short walks in the Flinders Ranges: Mount Ohlssen Bagge. Mount Ohlssen Bagge offers arguably the best view over Wilpena Pound and the surrounding mountain ranges. You start the walk through some of the surrounding bushland teeming with animal life. You might get lucky and spot an emu, echidna, or even a perentie lizard in the scrub. Quickly, you start your steep, rocky ascent to the summit. On the way up, you will be rewarded with sweeping, spectacular views over the land—it's the kind of view you only get in these vast Australian landscapes, being able to see as far as the eye can. We return following the same path. Walking Distance: 7km | Walking Time: 3-4 hours

Meals:  B,L,D

The Tanderra Saddle Walk begins on the outer edges of Wilpena Pound through Sheoaks and Grass Trees. Starting from Wilpena, we trek along the 'Outside Trail' which skirts around the foothills of Wilpena Pound's northern edge. As we ascend to the top of the saddle, our reward awaits us: utterly unbeatable views in all directions of the Central Flinders Ranges, Aroona Valley, and the salt plains to the west. The Tanderra Saddle Walk is a shorter but equally rewarding section of the St Mary's Peak walk. The Adnyamathanha people of the Flinders Ranges would prefer visitors not to climb to the summi, as it is important to the Adnyamathanha creation story. A picnic lunch on the Saddle gives us time to kick back and take it all in before we begin the descent, retracing our steps to Wilpena. We return to our accommodation at the Wilpena Pound resort and celebrate our walk with another scrumptious evening meal together. Walking Distance: 12km | Walking Time: 5 hours

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we walk the official final leg of the Heysen Trail – section 61. After breakfast we leave Wilpena Pound and transfer north through Brachina Gorge to the Aroona Valley. The bus drops us off in the middle of the wilderness at Aroona Hut and we set off for a full day on the trail, walking along the valley between ABC Range and Heysen Range. The day's walk is gently undulating, taking us through bird life filled vegetation and past numerous abandoned mine sites. Reaching the trail head at Parachilna Gorge, we board the bus for a transfer back to our accommodation. Tonight we enjoy our final meal together as a group. Walking Distance: 17km | Walking Time: 6-7 hours | Driving Time: 2 hours

Meals:  B,L,D

After indulging in an early breakfast, we embark on a southbound journey, pausing for our final hike. Our destination is the captivating Arkaroo Rock, where we'll traverse a brief circuit to immerse ourselves in the mesmerising Indigenous rock art sites. This distinctive walk serves as a splendid conclusion to our enriching six-day Flinders walking experience. It provides a poignant moment to express our silent gratitude to the land and the enduring Indigenous culture that has nurtured it for millennia. Our journey concludes when we drop you at your Adelaide accommodation in the late afternoon between 4-5pm. Walking Distance: 3km | Walking Time: 1.5 hours | Driving Time: 6-7 hours

Meals:  B,L


Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.


Inclusions

  • 5 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 5 dinners
  • Snacks and hot drinks
  • Professional wilderness guide and support staff
  • 5 nights glamping accommodation nestled amongst nature against the backdrop of Wilpena Pound
  • All entrance and national park fees
  • Emergency communications and group first aid kit
  • Transport during the trip

  • Airfares
  • Accommodation in Adelaide prior and post trip
  • Items of personal nature such as laundry and postage
  • Backpacks
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Travel insurance
  • Face masks and hand sanitiser

Accommodation


Departure dates


Notes

Note:
A high season supplement applies from 1 April to 31 May and 1 September to 31 October, and for any trips that overlap with a public holiday.

Dates don't fit?
Create a Private Trip

If you have your own group, talk to us about turning this itinerary into your own private adventure.

Priceper person from

$3160USD

Options & Supplements*
    *Prices listed are per person

Essential Information

Ready to book? Make sure you download and read the detailed Heysen and Flinders Ranges in Comfort trip notes which contains all the essential information you need to know before booking. Once you’ve booked, we will supply you with a Pre-Departure document which contains a detailed gear list and other important information to help you prepare for your adventure ahead.


Heysen Trail Trip reviews


Other trip reviews


Why travel with us

Award Winning Adventures

Enhancing your journey with authentic experiences, genuine cultural exchange and real exploration are the focal points on all of our adventures. In 2019, we were crowned by our peers as the best in adventure travel at The Travel Awards in Sydney.

Thoughtful Travel

Our vision is to leave the world a better place by following our sustainable active outdoor travel charter. All our adventures are 100% carbon offset and our Regenerative 2030 Project aims to integrate ‘regenerative’ projects into every one of our global operations by 2030.

Ultimate Value

 When you book one of our adventures, you will receive quality services at the best prices with plenty of inclusions. There are no hidden costs, single travellers don’t pay more and you’ll enjoy many ‘extra touches’ that ensure your holiday is excellent value for money.

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