The Flinders Ranges are fantastic for bush camping and hiking.

Then, in 2000, we drove to the Flinders Ranges with our just-bought 20-year-old VW camper van to escape the crowd during the Olympic Games. While in the magnificent Flinders Ranges, we went hiking and camping.

In 2000 we escaped the crowd during the Olympic Games in Sydney and we went hiking and camping in the magnificent Flinders Ranges.

Willandra and Kinchega National Park

Willandra National Park, NSW is a pastoral area with a fascinating Homestead complex. A great place to watch and photograph kangaroos, emus and other wildlife. Kinchega National Park is near the town of Menindee, NSW. The park is ideal for camping, hiking and wildlife watching.

We bought a 20-year-old VW camper van; it brought back a lot of nostalgia. It was nice to drive and we loved the sound. This was our first big trip with this car. It was a long drive to our first location, Willandra National Park in Outback NSW, but we made it. 

We stayed one night at the Willandra Men's (Sheep Shearer) Quarters

Then, we stayed the first night at the Willandra Men’s (Sheep Shearer) Quarters. It was interesting. There was a large room with a fireplace and six bedrooms. But, the shower was outside in an amazing corrugated iron hut.

We found a beautiful campsite along the Darling River among the majestic river red gums.

Then, our next target is Kinchega National Park, near Menidee. We found a beautiful campsite along the Darling River among the majestic river red gums. It’s just a place for us and some feral goats. During the night, it started drizzling, the clay was slippery like ice, and the VW camper van broke down. It was a long walk to Menidee, and a nice mechanic helped us get moving again.

Then we stayed for one day in Broken Hill. We had our camper van inspected and we bought all the fresh food for our camping adventure. After entering South Australia on the way to the Flinders Ranges, there was a checkpoint. We were told that we couldn't bring fruits or vegetables into South Australia. We drove back a few hundred metres and ate whatever food we couldn't bring in.

Then we stayed for one day in Broken Hill. We had our camper van inspected and we bought all the fresh food for our camping adventure. After entering South Australia on the way to the Flinders Ranges, there was a checkpoint. We were told that we couldn’t bring fruits or vegetables into South Australia. We drove back a few hundred metres and ate whatever food we couldn’t bring in.

Flinders Ranges

The Flinders Ranges in South Australia stretch over 430 kilometres. In the south from Mount Remarkable to the Gammon Ranges in the north. Boasts fantastic scenery, including dramatic gorges, striking rock formations, and stunning salt lakes. It is a paradise for hikers and nature lovers.

The majestic Flinders Ranges. We spent one night at Wilpe­na Pound, hiked, and then travelled further to camp in the wilderness.

The majestic Flinders Ranges. We spent one night at Wilpe­na Pound, hiked, and then travelled further to camp in the wilderness.

Camping in the bush was wonderful. However, the recent rain limited hiking, and we couldn’t reach the Brachina Gorges.

We drove to the Gammon ranmges with our VW campervan.The Gammon Ranges are located in the north of the Flinders Ranges and have few tourists. It is a great place for people seeking solitude and a true wilderness experience.

Gammon Ranges

The Gammon Ranges are located in the north of the Flinders Ranges. Not many tourists travel there, it is a great place for people seeking solitude and a true wilderness experience. The Gammon Ranges are of great cultural importance to the Adnyamathanha people, the traditional owners of the land.

Then, we drove on a gravel road from Parachilna to the Gammon Ranges. The landscape consisted of saltbushs, flat grass, and scattered animals. Sometimes, a farmhouse could be seen in the distance and no traffic.

Then, we drove on a gravel road from Parachilna to the Gammon Ranges. The landscape consisted of saltbushs, flat grass, and scattered animals. Sometimes, a farmhouse could be seen in the distance and no traffic.

We spent a week camping and hiking in the Gammon Ranges. Living in the bush was wonderful. No one was around us, only rock wallabies and kangaroos. We had to carry food, water and of course wine with us. No facilities and there were no toilets.

We spent a week camping and hiking in the Gammon Ranges. Living in the bush was wonderful. No one was around us, only rock wallabies and kangaroos. We had to carry food, water and of course wine with us. No facilities and there were no toilets.

We walked along the banks of the river beneath the giant red River Gums into the purple hills.

We walked along the banks of the river beneath the giant red River Gums into the purple hills.

The Red River Gum trees along the river are majestic. .. But don't camp beneath them; they're known for falling limbs that can kill you.

The Red River Gum trees along the river are majestic. But don’t camp beneath them; they’re known for falling limbs that can kill you.

While in the Gammon Ranges, we hiked through Weetootla Gorge, which is known for its red rocks.

We drove from the camping site to Lake Frome with our old VW camper van. When we arrived, we met a couple of real 4WD enthusiasts who were not impressed that we had done it in a 2WD. But the ranger approved it, and it's fine.

While camping, we drove to Lake Frome with our old VW camper van. When we arrived, we met a couple of real 4WD enthusiasts who were not impressed that we had done it in a 2WD. But the ranger approved it, and it’s fine.

The dazzling white salt lake is remarkable—almost 100 kilometres long and 40 miles wide. We had intended to hike around the dunes for a little while, but millions of flies chased us back into the car.

The dazzling white salt lake is remarkable—almost 100 kilometres long and 40 miles wide. We had intended to hike around the dunes for a little while, but millions of flies chased us back into the car.

We didn't have a digital camera when we went to this region, so the scanned photographs didn't capture the stunning true red and orange colour of the rocks.

We didn’t have a digital camera when we went to the Flinders Ranges, All the pictures are scanned and lack the real stunning true red and orange colour of the rocks.

Finally, after all our walks, we found the Sturt’s Desert Pea, South Australia’s floral emblem.

With another week left, we're heading in our VW campervan to Mount Remarkable National Park in the Southern Flinders Ranges.

With another week left, we’re heading to Mount Remarkable National Park in the Southern Flinders Ranges.

Mount Remarkable

Mount Remarkable, in the southern Flinders Ranges, is famous for its scenic beauty, diverse flora and fauna. The National Park is a fantastic area for camping, hiking and rock climbing.

Camping in our VW camper van Mt. Remarkable, were we did some hikes

We camped among the bush at Mambray Creek Campground, which was quiet and close to the amenities.

There are hikes for everyone, from easy to very difficult, flat to steep. We hiked the 4-hour Sugar Gum Lookout Hike.

Mt Remarkable is a great place, with gorgeous flora and animals. There are hikes for everyone, from easy to very difficult, flat to steep. We hiked the 4-hour Sugar Gum Lookout Hike.

Walking through the beautiful spring flowers was great.

Walking through the beautiful spring flowers was fantastic.

During the long way back home from the Flinders Ranges, we enjoyed driving along the Murray River and had two overnight stops.

During the long way back home from the Flinders Ranges, we enjoyed driving along the Murray River and had two overnight stops.

More from South Australia: Adelaide and the Hills

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