1. Flinders Ranges 2026 OPT 1. FLY & DRIVE

*** Registrations have closed for this event.

*** Please contact Monica D on 0402 205 897 if you wish to go onto a waiting list in case of cancellations.

General Trip Info 

The Flinders Rangers encompass several distinct mountain ranges with some of the most spectacular and remote semi-arid walking in Australia. The geology of the entire region is dramatic and ancient with evidence of areas covered in ice and fossils. The traditional owners of the Flinders Rangers are the Adnyamatganha First Nations people who lived in shelters almost 50,000 years ago.

Trip Leaders:

Monica den Hertog and Brian Hodges. Monica is the primary contact for registrations and Option 1. Fly & Drive, and Brian will be leading Options 2. & 3. Driving Road Trips on the ground.

Co-Leader: Monica den Hertog

Monica’s mob: 0402 205 897

Monica’s email: monicadenhertog@gmail.com

Co-Leader: Brian Hodges

Brian’s mob: 0419 355 394 (text first and Brian will call you back)

Brian’s email: mbhodges@bigpond.net.au

How we are getting there:

Choose one of these 3 options -

Option 1. Fly & Drive

Option 2. Driving 

Option 3. Driving (Sealed Roads)

Where we are going:

Our 11-day combined itinerary will take in three different base camps in the Northern, Central and Southern Flinders Ranges:

1. Arkaroola, staying at Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary   www.arkaroola.com.au 

2. Rawnsley Park Station (15 mins from Wilpena Pound)    www.rawnsleypark.com.au

3. Pichi Richi Park, near Quorn     www.pichirichipark.com.au     

Trip Conditions:

Please note: all participants are required to hold full club membership.

Monica and Brian ask all participants to commit to one of the three itineraries. After the club trip ends on Tuesday 8^th September, in the Quorn area, you are welcome to make your own travel plans. If the dates or destinations don't suit you, maybe this isn't the trip for you.

We are driving through remote areas on gravel roads which in bad weather may deteriorate. Due to the remoteness, we ask groups to travel in convoy as much as possible.

Dogs can’t come as they are not permitted at our station stay at Arkaroola.

LATEST UPDATES 6/10/25

***Closing of Registrations:

To secure your place, make sure you register by October 31st, as we aim to keep the group size manageable and may place late inquiries on a waiting list.

***Registration Deposit:   

$100 Deposit - per person - due by 31^st October

At this stage, we request all registered trip participants, regardless of your chosen Trip Option, to pay a $100 deposit, per person, to the Club Treasurer, via funds transfer.

Club Bank Acct Details for funds transfer:

NAB: 084961

Acct: 265773287

Reference to use when transferring funds:

FLIND1 (or FLIND2 for a couple) and your surname

For example: FLIND1BLOGGS

Trip Option 1: Fly & Drive 

Register Now!

Dates: Thursday 27^th August to Saturday 12^th September 2026

Co-Leader: Monica den Hertog

Registration Due Date: October 31st

***Fly & Drive Meeting:

(You only need to attend this if you are participating in Trip Option 1. Fly & Drive).

Meeting 6.30pm Wednesday 8^th October (before our monthly meeting), Hall next to St Anthony's Church (on the right), 3 Memory St, Harristown

The general club meeting begins at 7:30pm and if you’d like you can stay on for this.

Getting to the meeting point at Arkaroola:

Trip Option 1. Fly & Drive involves flying into Adelaide Airport, collecting hired cars (4WD’s) and driving up to our group's meeting point at Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary, the most northern destination of our combined itinerary. From Adelaide Airport to Arkaroola is 8-10 hours drive. A two-night stop in the heritage town of Burra is planned to break the journey and see the sights in this fascinating town.

Registering for Option 1. Fly & Drive:

Since September is the peak tourist month early registration is advised. After registering on Member Jungle, please contact Monica, who will organise you into groups of about four people for carpooling.

Registrations received after 31^st October 2025 will be placed on a waiting list, to help with grouping people together for carpooling. However, everything is subject to the availability of accommodation which is booking up quick for one year's time.

Dates for booking:

Sept 2025 - Accommodation secured in Arkaroola W.S & Rawnsley P.S (some options are reserved)

Oct 2025 - Accommodation secured in Burra & Pichi Richi Park (Monica to discuss at meeting) and Car Hire booked 

Nov 2025 - Groups to meet up to book flights and discuss a preferred Adelaide itinerary for end of the trip

Booking Accommodation:

If you're interested in Option 1 Fly & Drive, please register now to secure your accommodation, as availability is limited in areas and especially during peak season.

Monica has booked rooms at various locations and will inform you of the reservations she has made for you at each site. No need to book your own accommodation.

1. Burra (Heritage Town) 

Two tentative bookings have been made on Booking.com. Payment is required early Aug 26. Monica has booked 2 venues, the Smelter Apartments (sleeps up to 7) and a 2-bedroom apartment at Paxton Square Cottages (sleeps up to 4).

2. Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary    www.arkaroola.com.au  

- Monica has reserved 12-rooms in Greenwood Lodge, which is the preferred option. Payment is not required until 2026. Rooms are ensuite with a double bed and single bed. Pricing is reasonable and there is a access to a kitchen and a communal area that we can all meet in.

3. Rawnsley Park Station   www.rawnsleypark.com.au  

- Monica has paid deposits on 2 x 3-Bedroom Std Holiday Units (sleeps 6). Payment for the deposit (one night) is required in October. There are some vacancies for Park Cabins (sleeps 2-3) but these do not have separate rooms or bathrooms.

4. Pichi Richi Park     www.pichirichipark.com.au    

- This is our preferred location for a base camp near Quorn. They have ample room for Unpowered camping, 2 Cabins that sleep 4 people and a large Shared Quarters with bunk beds. The views look incredible. A group booking is required (do not book individually) and a 25% deposit is required to be paid directly to the club treasurer. (At the Fly & Drive meeting on Wed 8th Oct, Monica will notify you of what money is owed for the deposit).

Booking Hired Cars:

Each group will need to book their high-clearance 4WD vehicle. Please note: three Toyota Prado's have been put on reserve for the Toowoomba Bushwalkers (23/09/25). Details for booking:

Company:   Complete Ute & Van Hire     www.completeuteandvanhire.com.au     

Vehicle:    Toyota Prado, 2.8L Turbo Diesel, Automatic Transmission includes Bull Bar / Tow Bar / GPS

Rate: approx. $132.00 per day (up to 14 days)

Rate Includes: 200 km per day. Additional km’s priced at 22 cents per km, if required.

Insurance: Rate includes Full Comprehensive Insurance. The excess on this policy is $3,000 for drivers over 21 years with their full license. Coverage includes travel on both unsealed roads and dirt tracks. It also covers commonly excluded incidents such as single vehicle accidents and damage to the underside of the vehicle.

Booking flights:

Monica will be providing suggestions for airport buses and flights over the coming months, but please note your group will need to make their own bookings. Please coordinate and arrange to meet up with one another to discuss.

Following your registration, Monica will email you updates as she adds more information to the event on Member Jungle.

It's going to be a very exciting trip and we hope you can join us!

Monica DH & Brian