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

6 Days$AUD

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THIS TRIP IS
100% CARBON OFFSET
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Trip Code: SOG7562

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.

Activities:

Itinerary

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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 Quorn. We'll have lunch in Quorn and then travel closer to the Flinders Ranges National Park via a short walk at Arkaroo Rock, while we walk we will see a few Indigenous art sites. This evening we will enjoy a Welcome to Country by a local Yura guide (occasionally timings do not allow for Welcome to Country on day 1 evening in which case our group will experience this on day 2). 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 Distances: Arkaroo Rock 3km | Driving Time: 4-5.5 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

Mount Ohlseen Bagge is considered one of the best short walks in the Flinders Ranges offering arguably the best view over the entirety of Wilpena Pound and the surrounding mountain ranges. You start the walk through some of the surrounding bushland teaming 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 provided 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 at the eye possibly can. We return following the same path. In the afternoon we have our own private cultural tour with local business Wadna to talk and 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. 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

We drive south through Hawker and Quorn entering Mount Remarkable National Park from the north. 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 finale to the last 6 days of Flinders walking. Our journey concludes when we drop you at your Adelaide accommodation in the late afternoon between 4-6pm. Walking Distance: 3km | Walking Time: 1.5 hours | Driving Time: 4.5-6 hours

Meals:  B,L

Inclusions

What's included

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

  • Airfares
  • Accommodation in Adelaide prior and post trip
  • Backpacks
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Travel insurance

Accommodation

Glamping Tent Accommodation

For this trip we will spend in 5 nights in glamping tent accommodation nestled amongst nature against the backdrop of Wilpena Pound. The Ikara Safari Camp at Wilpena Pound Resort offers an inimitable accommodation experience where you can connect with the landscape and spend the night in style beneath the stars. Each Ikara Safari Tent is a relaxing space to rest after a busy day of exploring the outback.

Each tent provides premium accommodation that includes, reverse cycle air-conditioning, ensuite with walk-in shower and tea and coffee making facilities.

Accommodation is on a twin share basis but a limited amount of single rooms can be requested, for a supplement.

Suitability

Moderate

5

To determine the grade of a particular adventure we consider a number of factors. These include the condition of the walking terrain, altitude and the length of the trek. The Heysen Trail trek is a 6 day trek graded introductory to moderate. This trek involves 6 – 8 hours walking each day over rugged terrain with some steep ascents and descents. The trails are characterised as rocky, stony and mountainous terrain requiring you to be walking each day over rugged sometimes narrow terrain with some steep ascents and descents. Some days will be quite active involving steep walks for most of the day. In order to complete this trek we advise that you undertake regular three or four times a week for at least three months prior to your departure. Hill walking with a daypack is recommended. At least once a week, you should walk with a weighted day pack (5–7kg) for several hours for leg strengthening and aerobic fitness. You will need to be prepared to use your upper body to climb, scramble and push along ledges. The best way to train for an active holiday is to simulate the activity you will be undertaking on the trip. Train for uneven terrain by finding a rough narrow bush track, even just your local park or sports field, and go for a lovely long walk in your trekking boots.

Departure dates


Notes

SS
Single Supplement

Priceper person from

$AUD

Options & Supplements*
  • Single SupplementAUD$1000
*Prices listed are per person

Essential Information

Ready to book? Make sure you download and read the detailed GOK Group - Heysen & 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

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The guides will prepare and cook all of your evening meals, and cater for a wide range of dietary requirements.

Heysen Trail Trip reviews

Positive Impact Travel

By joining this trip you are directly supporting positive impact projects in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

We’ve offset the carbon emitted by this trip by purchasing credits that support important projects that address the UN’s seventeen SDGs, like reducing poverty, affordable and clean energy, reducing hunger, clean water and climate action.

Proceeds from this adventure purchase carbon credits through the world’s largest and most awarded carbon project developer, South Pole, which are invested into projects accelerating the transition to renewable energy sources in developing countries.

Supported projects are based on internationally recognised standards and are third-party audited. They entail a series of positive impacts on the ground, which benefit local communities and ecosystems, that are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.