Flinders Ranges Camping: An Ultimate Guide

The best thing about camping in the Flinders Ranges is the sky. Bright stars stretch from horizon to horizon.

Camping in the Flinders Ranges can mean many things. For some, it’s a swag, a campfire and very little else. For others, it’s a comfortable bed in a safari-style tent, a hot shower and a view of the ranges from a private deck. Here are our top picks.

In short

If you only camp at one spot in the Flinders Ranges, make it Wilpena Pound Campground. You can walk to hiking trails, spot emus wandering through camp and wake up surrounded by the most recognisable landscape in the Flinders Ranges. It also strikes the best balance between scenery, facilities and access, making it suitable for first-timers and seasoned campers alike.

Our top camping spots in the Flinders Ranges

Discovery Resorts Wilpena Pound Campground

Best for: Exploring Wilpena Pound

Why we recommend it: The best thing about camping at Wilpena Pound Resort is the location. You can wake up surrounded by the Flinders Ranges and be on the trail before most people have finished their first coffee. The campground offers powered and unpowered sites for caravans and tents set among native vegetation, with views of the surrounding ranges

Closest town: Hawker

Price: $-$$$

Amenities: The resort has a cafe and bar, restaurant, fuel station, tour desk, general store, laundry, and toilet/shower blocks

Rawnsley Park Station

Best for: Campground views

Why we recommend it: Rawnsley Park Station campground faces Rawnsley Bluff, one of the most recognisable peaks in the region. At sunset, the rocky escarpment glows deep orange, and the surrounding open spaces are frequented by wildlife. If you’re travelling with a caravan or camper trailer, this is one of the easiest and most comfortable places to base yourself. Feel free to bring your pet. They offer a pet-minding service for $50 per dog

Closest town: Hawker

Price: Powered sites – $51 per night (2 persons)

Camping sites – $35 per night (2 persons)

Amenities: Showers/toilet blocks, pool, restaurant, licensed grocery store, camp kitchen, undercover eating facilities, and pet minding

Aroona

Best for: National park camping

Why we recommend it: If Wilpena feels too busy, head north to Aroona Campground. Wedged between Brachina Gorge and Bunyeroo Gorge, it’s one of the most scenic campgrounds inside the national park. There are no powered sites, restaurants or swimming pools; instead, you’ll find river red gums, rocky ridgelines and some of the darkest skies in the region. Yellow-footed rock-wallabies occasionally appear on nearby slopes if you’re up early. There are only 13 campsites, so book early and make sure you’re in a 4WD

Closest town: Parachilna

Price: $27.50

Amenities: Long-drop toilet

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary

Arkaroola Ridgetop Sleepout, Flinders Ranges — Sleep under the vivid sky facing the mountains on a Ridgetop Sleepout Experience. (Credit: Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary)

Best for: Stargazing

Why we recommend it: This is where to go if you want to get properly off-grid. Arkaroola’s campground covers 300 hectares of bushland, with 50 powered sites and a large unpowered camping area set among rocky cliffs and a dry creek bed. Spend your days exploring the sanctuary’s walking trails or tackling the famous Ridgetop Tour, then settle in for some of the darkest skies in the Flinders Ranges. There’s no drinking water available, so you’ll need to bring your own supply

Closest town: Arkaroola Village

Price: $

Amenities: Shower/toilet block, laundry, camp kitchen, and communal fire pit

Willow Springs Station

Best for: 4WD travellers

Why we recommend it: Space is the biggest advantage at Willow Springs. The station has unpowered private campsites scattered across the property, with options for everything from tents and 2WDs to 4WDs and hybrid vans. Choose a site near the amenities or head further out for a more secluded setup. The station’s rugged landscape is right outside your tent, with the Skytrek 4WD route and other tracks available to explore during the day

Closest town: Hawker

Price: $

Amenities: Toilet/shower block and camp kitchen

Discovery Resorts Wilpena Pound Safari Tents

Best for: Glamping

Why we recommend it: Not everyone wants to sleep on the ground. The new deluxe safari tents at Discovery Resorts Wilpena Pound offer the atmosphere of camping with an actual bed, electricity and four soft walls. You still wake up surrounded by the ranges and can walk straight onto the trails, but you’ll finish the day with a hot shower and a cushy mattress

Closest town: Hawker

Price: $$$

Amenities: Onsite restaurant/bar, grocery store, and tour desk

Brachina East Gorge Bush Campground

Best for: Wildlife spotting

Why we recommend it: Many visitors drive through Brachina Gorge hoping to spot yellow-footed rock-wallabies. Staying overnight improves your chances considerably. The Brachina East Gorge campground is in one of the most wildlife-rich parts of the national park, making it a good choice for photographers and early risers. There are 13 unpowered campsites available; some are accessible by 4WD only, and the rest are 2WD

Closest town: Nature lovers

Price: $$

Amenities: Long drop toilet, fire pits, and BBQ facilities

Wilcolo Campground

Best for: Hikers

Why we recommend it: If you’re hiking through Ikara–Flinders Ranges National Park, Wilcolo Campground is the park’s only walk-in campground and sits close to several major routes, including the Heysen Trail and Mawson Trail. There are no showers, powered sites or fire pits. What you get instead is a quiet site between native pines and the eastern wall of Wilpena Pound to pitch a tent

Closest town: Hawker

Price: $

Amenities: Toilets only; no campfires permitted

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Acraman Campground

Best for: Access to Razorback Lookout

Why we recommend it: With only four unpowered campsites, Acraman Campground is a good option if you’re looking to stay in the middle of nowhere. There’s no phone reception either. You’ll see yellow-footed rock-wallabies hopping around at dawn and dusk. The road in can be rough, so take it slow

Closest town: Hawker

Price: $

Amenities: Toilet block, rainwater tank, and BBQ facilities

ONYA Eco-camping Park

Best for: Eco-friendly camping

Why we recommend it: If you’re planning to stay near Blinman, ONYA Eco-Camping Park is your closest option, just three kilometres south of town. The self-sufficient campsites are spread well apart, so you won’t feel like you’re camping on top of your neighbours. There’s a strong focus on preserving the surrounding landscape, so pets aren’t permitted, but the owners have added a few unexpected touches, including a community library and school holiday activities for kids

Closest town: Blinman

Price: $20 per vehicle

Amenities: Community library, grocery store, and drop toilets

Can you free camp in the Flinders Ranges?

True free camping in the Flinders Ranges is limited. Most campsites sit within national parks, conservation areas or private stations and require a booking fee. Some low-cost roadside rest areas exist outside the parks, but facilities are usually minimal.

Where is the best place to camp in the Flinders Ranges?

Mount Little Station, Flinders Ranges — Base yourself at the remote and rugged Mount Little Station. (Credit: South Australian Tourism Commission)

For most travellers, Wilpena Pound Campground offers the best combination of scenery, facilities and access to major attractions. If you prefer a secluded experience, Aroona Campground and Mount Little Station are excellent alternatives.

Do you need a park pass for Flinders Ranges?

Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary, Flinders Ranges — Journey to the remote landscape of the Flinders Ranges. (Credit: South Australian Tourism Commission)

Yes. Visitors entering Ikara–Flinders Ranges National Park need to purchase a park pass unless it is included as part of their accommodation or tour. Fees and pass options are available through the National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia website.

Planning a trip to the Flinders Ranges? Check out more of our recommendations here:

Best Flinders Ranges accommodation | Awe-inspiring things to do in the Flinders Ranges | The essential guide to the Flinders Ranges

Monarto Safari Resort’s new Safari Lodge delivers so much more than a memorable stay; it’s packed full of unforgettable moments.

Just a year after the 78-room Monarto Safari Resort opened, the new Safari Lodge brings a more intimate and exclusive overnight African safari experience to Australia just outside of Adelaide. But just how similar is it to an African safari?

Consider these pinch-me moments I had during my stay and decide for yourself.

1. Cheetah sightings at check-in

monarto safari lodge cheetahs — Spot cheetahs before you even check in.

Safari Lodge is set within the Wild Africa precinct of the expansive, open-range Monarto Safari Park. I expected to see animals, but I didn’t expect to see two cheetahs stalking the fenceline just behind my tent at check-in.

I cross the paddock to get a closer look. Both are now perched like a sphinx on a hill overlooking the 20 premium tents that make up Safari Lodge. I stand here, locked in place, waiting to see if they make a move. After 10 minutes like this, I turn to get settled into the tent but throw a final look in their direction; they’ve slinked back down, now barely visible in the grass. I’m sure I’ll be dreaming about this encounter later tonight.

2. Sipping champagne as a giraffe sips from a waterhole

giraffes at monarto safari lodge — Enjoy champagne while meeting the locals. (Credit: Katie Carlin)

The all-inclusive stay includes a 2.5-hour Sunset Safari that takes guests into the Wild Africa precinct onboard a purpose-built Safari Land Cruiser for a chance to see free-roaming herds of African animals up close.

The safari drive culminates in a champagne and canapé stop in a fenced and sheltered viewing area of the precinct. A chance to watch the sun set as animals gather around one of the many waterholes. And we’re in luck! Two giraffes are stripping leaves from a nearby tree as three white rhinos graze to my right. One giraffe starts galloping, in that funny head-bobbing way giraffes do, to the water’s edge. It splays its legs and bends its long neck down to start slurping up water. I find giraffes endlessly entertaining, and sipping champagne while watching the scene play out is the icing on the cake.

3. A rain shower with views of a waterhole where African animals gather

monarto safari lodge King Safari Tent — Enjoy views from the King Safari Tent.

I am staying in tent 17, one of the best positioned tents for animal encounters, due to its proximity to the waterhole. Not only does the spacious 71-square-metre King Safari Tent feature a king bed, lounge area, separate dressing room with kitchenette, coffee machine, kettle and fully stocked mini bar, and ensuite bathroom. But you can even glimpse the waterhole from the rain shower. It’s thoughtful details like this that keep you connected to the safari experience no matter where you are located.

4. Feeding lions from within a caged dome

Lion 360 experience at monarto safari resort — Step into the Lion 360 experience. (Credit: Katie Carlin)

Monarto Safari Park isn’t a zoo. Set across 1500 hectares of South Australian bushland, it’s an expansive safari experience. It’s been designed to support complex social groupings, natural behaviours and long-term species management. Entry is included for guests, but I’ve decided to upgrade my experience with tickets to Lion 360.

Senior Keeper Rachel Hemming herds 15 of us into a domed cage for the unique lion feeding experience. She leads Monarto’s care and conservation breeding programs for their iconic big cats. “Make sure you don’t get too close to the edge of the cage; the lions like to mark their territory,” she warns.

She starts making cat-like calls to Kubwa, Kashka and Kito, the three male lions lazing somewhere out of sight behind the tree line in the distance. The promise of food eventually lures the lions over. I’m in awe of their size as they pace back and forth, pausing to take the meat as it’s fed to them via tongs.

In her excitement, one lady has inched too close; a lion takes aim and hits his mark before she realises her mistake. I see her leaving the gift shop with a new jacket not long after the tour ends.

5. A swim in a private plunge pool with a floating charcuterie board

Monarto safari Lodge swim in a private plunge pool with a floating charcuterie board — Tuck into a poolside treat. (Credit: Katie Carlin)

The Safari Lodge reception is also home to a restaurant and bar, heated swimming pool and several private plunge pools available to book. After a morning spent at Monarto Safari Park, a dip in one of the private plunge pools sounds too good to skip.

I change into my swimmers and make my way to the lodge. A generous charcuterie board arrives shortly after I slip into the pool. I’m told floating trays are already on order, but picking at the selection of cheeses, meats, nuts and fruit while perched on the edge sipping champagne is just as indulgent as it is having it float in the water. I never make it to the gym or pickleball court beside the lodge, but I have no regrets.

6. A front-row seat to a male rhino rejected by two females

male rhino grazing — Watch a rhino’s unlucky day. (Credit: Lucas Alexander)

Louis Tonkin, our Wild Africa Tour host, is giddy with excitement when he spots the three white rhinos on our Sunset Safari drive. He has an inkling that we’re about to get a show.

He pulls to the side and tells us what terrible eyesight white rhinos have, struggling to spot a motionless animal or object even from a short distance. However, they make up for it with acute hearing and an incredible sense of smell. Which explains why the larger male rhino is methodically creeping towards the two disinterested females grazing metres in front of him, then suddenly freezing on the spot. He’s hoping one will be open to mating with him. He takes another wary shuffle forward and suddenly the smaller of the two turns and charges towards him, butting him hard with her head. It’s a firm no. The male, denied, sheepishly backs away.

7. Watching a dazzle of zebra from the comfort of a luxury safari tent

monarto safari resort zebra — Wildlife encounters abound.

Rain clouds loom, and the wind is howling, but thankfully it hasn’t deterred the zebras. I’m brewing a cup of Monarto’s Serengé-T – a vanilla rooibos blended with Daintree black tea and butterfly pea flower when I spot them. Six zebras are prancing across the plains for a drink at the waterhole. I watch their antics from the deck of my King Safari Tent, wrapped in a merino blanket made by Australian-owned Grampians Good Co. and marvel at the fact I get a front-row show to these wild animals.

After they disappear from view, I sit with the sketch pad and pencils I find in the cupboard and start drawing some of my most memorable animal encounters from the weekend – starting with the two hippos I saw ravenously munching on grass at dusk as we made our way out of the Wild Africa precinct last night. This really is as close to an authentic safari experience as you can get outside of Africa.

Start planning a wild stay in the luxurious Safari Lodge at monartosafariresort.com.

The best camping spots in the Flinders Ranges to wake up in the wilderness

The best thing about camping in the Flinders Ranges is the sky. Bright stars stretch from horizon to horizon.

In short

Our top camping spots in the Flinders Ranges