The Best Flinders Ranges Restaurants To Dine At

From cute diners championing native ingredients to classic country pubs and a pop-up bakery with a difference, here’s your guide to the best Flinders Ranges restaurants.

Gorgeous sunsets that stretch from horizon to horizon, impossibly cute rock wallabies silhouetted against the golden glow and a deep silence that settles over everything once the sun goes down… There are plenty of things to love about the outback, but those star-filled nights can lose their lustre if you forget to pack enough food.

Fortunately, the days of having to make do with lukewarm roadhouse pies are long gone. It doesn’t matter if you’re camping remotely or living it up in the region’s best accommodation; a new crop of eateries bringing fine dining to every corner of this majestic landscape means you’re never far from your next meal. Whether you’re looking for a paddock to plate feed on a working sheep station, a mixed grill with a difference or an iconic quandong pie, here are the best Flinders Ranges restaurants to help you get the most out of your outback adventure.

1. Flinders Food Co

a table-top view of hands holding out drinks at Flinders Food Co — Fuel up at Flinders Food Co.

Homemade barbed wire chandeliers set the scene at this welcoming Hawker diner that specialises in finding inventive new uses for locally sourced materials. Native ingredients find their way into most dishes on a modern Australian menu that would be at home in any capital city: cornbread with avocado and feta gets a dusting of native dukkah, while the sticky eggplant is doused with a delicious Korean BBQ sauce spiked with native pepperberry (you can also buy bottles to take home).

Add in taps pouring craft beers, coolers and cold press juices, plus cans of refreshing quandong or golden wattle soda, and you’ve got a winning formula.

2. Woolshed Restaurant

the dining area at Woolshed Restaurant, Flinders Ranges — Woolshed Restaurant offers spacious seating.

Dining options begin to thin out as you head further north, so the Woolshed Restaurant on Rawnsley Park Station is a godsend for anyone staying in or near Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park. Don’t be fooled by the rustic fit-out that goes heavy on the corrugated iron; the kitchen here turns out seriously sophisticated dishes (just skip the pizza).

The property is a working sheep station, so homegrown lamb finds its way into meatballs, stewed hash and pizzas, but there’s also a seasonal menu featuring fresh vegetarian options like lemon zucchini pasta with roasted cherry tomatoes if you’re in the mood for something lighter.

3. Prairie Hotel

the Prairie Hotel in Flinders Ranges — Prairie Hotel is a classic pub in town. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

Harvey Keitel and Kate Winslet have stayed here, John Williamson wrote a song about the venue, and it’s even featured in Home & Away. Not bad for a pub in a town with a single-digit population. But it’s the Feral Mixed Grill at the Prairie Hotel that has made Parachilna’s pride and joy a fixture on outback itineraries for decades.

Portions are among the most generous of any Flinders Ranges restaurants, so you’ll need to bring a serious appetite to finish the platter laden with an emu rissole, camel sausage, grilled roo fillet and goat tomahawk. Or you can check out the menu of native proteins that includes everything from roo schnitzel and wild boar orecchiette to a leafy salad with chardonnay dressing.

After lunch, peruse the walls adorned with Aboriginal artworks from across South Australia, the Northern Territory and Western Australia, before heading to the stylish front bar pouring session ales, IPAs and hazies from the 500-litre microbrewery in the corner.

4. The Miners Crib Cafe

The former copper mining settlement of Blinman is South Australia’s most elevated town, but there’s nothing highfalutin about the local bakery . Their hunger-busting pies come in an impressive variety of flavours, including kangaroo curry, goat curry, roast lamb and roast pork, while their version of a Cornish pasty packs a little apple pie filling into the trademark thick crusts so you can finish your lunch with a little dessert. You’ll also find scones with quandong jam and cream as well as a range of takeaway soups, curries and stir-fries in case you don’t feel like cooking dinner.

5. North Blinman Hotel

a vehicle parked outside The North Blinman Hotel, Flinders Ranges — The North Blinman Hotel is a classic country watering hole in the Flinders Ranges. (Image: Ranch Glapers)

When this classic country watering hole opened in 1869, it aimed to keep customers satisfied with ice-cold beers and hearty pub meals. More than 150 years later, the “pub in the scrub" is still going strong on both fronts. The classic counter meals taste even better after a long day on the road, and it’s easy to spend an entire evening admiring the unusual decorations; the bar walls are almost entirely hidden by business cards and other mementoes left by satisfied customers.

6. Farina Bakery

a finger bun on white background at farina, Flinders Ranges — Swoon over sweet finger buns at Farina Bakery.

Head north from Leigh Creek, and after half an hour, you’ll hit the railway siding at Farina , which was home to 600 souls in its heyday. These days, the ghost town is mostly populated by tumbleweeds, but for eight magical weeks each winter, a group of enthusiastic volunteers helps to bring the town back to life.

The chief attraction is an underground bakery where mulga fenceposts are fed into a vintage scotch oven, turning out a range of rolls, cobs and loaves, including the infamous one-kilogram fruit loaf. A more modern bakery also produces pies, lamingtons and swoon-worthy cream cakes that are worth the trip alone. It’ll be open again in 2026 from 23 May to 19 July.

7. Over The Edge

If the day doesn’t truly start until you’ve had your caffeine fix, head to this surprisingly cosmopolitan Over the Edge cafe in the small mountain biking hub of Melrose. Racks of bikes and accessories share space with a bright red espresso machine pouring shots of single-origin Guatemalan coffee – order an affogato and you can also try the delicious (and palm oil-free) Golden North ice cream from nearby Laura. A cabinet filled with vegan cakes, slices and tarts is perfect for breakfast on the go, and even if you’re not hungry it’s worth grabbing one of the famous chocolate and raspberry brownies to enjoy later.

8. Quandong Cafe

Spend any time in the Flinders and you’re bound to encounter quandongs in one form or another. Also known as the native peach, this hardy tree thrives throughout the arid ranges, and the tart, vitamin C-rich fruit has long been a local favourite. The cute Quandong Cafe , set a street back from the grand country pubs in the former railroad hub of Quorn, lives up to its name with offerings like quandong milkshakes, waffles, cheesecakes, pies and fluffy scones with whipped cream and quandong jam alongside a range of brunch standards.

For more inspiration and itinerary tips, read our travel guide to the Flinders Ranges.

NSW’s beach towns take on a new kind of magic when the cooler months hit.

Autumn and winter cast a whole new light on the New South Wales coastline. The sun hangs lower, the shadows stretch longer and the air is crisp and fresh. The frenetic summer crowds are gone, and the rhythm slows to the pace of a leisurely winter bush walk through still, damp quiet. From wineries pouring winter reds to the annual whale migration up the ‘humpback highway’, here’s why winter on the New South Wales coast is better.

Winter on the NSW South Coast

Winter down south means misty dawns, sipping a flat white on the beach. The thrill of a whale spotting from the headlands and evenings spent slowly savouring Shoalhaven’s wines by the fire.

Start in Kiama, where waves crash into the famous Blowholes. This natural spectacle is achieved when underground pressure and swell unite, sending sea spray soaring above the basalt cliffs. This means, due to larger waves, you’re even more likely to see an explosive display in winter.

two people standing in front of kiama blowhole — See Kiama’s blowholes in full force. (Image: Destination NSW)

Inland, the Minnamurra Rainforest Walk in Budderoo National Park is all subtropical forest and trilling lyrebird song. Make sure to walk silently along the elevated boardwalks, past winter-swelled creeks and the tangled roots of fig trees. You might just hear one of the musically talented birds mimicking your footsteps.

Feeling adventurous? Book a session at Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures for a wobbly walk through the canopy on Australia’s highest zipline.

Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures on the new south wales south coast — Walk among the tallest trees. (Image: Destination NSW)

Next, it’s time to take the speed down a notch with a drive over to the historic village of Berry. It’s been a beloved stop for generations of Sydneysiders heading south, as has the obligatory stop at its famous doughnut van for crisped, cinnamon goodness. If you’re ready for something a little more chunky, stroll right past the boutiques (okay, go on, just one quick peek) to Milkwood Bakery . Their flaky pastries and all-day breakfasts are best enjoyed under cream-coloured fringed umbrellas.

Back in Kiama, you’ll also find modern Middle Eastern share plates at Miss Arda , and next-level burgers on The Hungry Monkey ‘s extensive menu: an ode to everything pattie-shaped.

End the day at The Sebel Kiama on the harbour. The apartment-style rooms come with full cooking facilities — a welcome addition for families looking to test out the local produce they picked up along the way. Including, but not limited to, vintages from nearby Crooked River Wines .

The Sebel Kiama exterior — Sleep by the harbour.

Winter on the Mid-North Coast

A trip up north is a gentle one at this time of year. You’ll still feel that sunshine warming your shoulders, but the lower temperatures make space for rainforest walks, vineyard lunches and long coastal hikes. All without that pesky humidity.

First stop? It has to be the town of Port Macquarie. Start by marking out a stretch of the nine-kilometre coastal walk you want to tackle (or do the whole thing), which winds from Town Beach to the lighthouse along rugged headlands and quiet beaches. Hot tip: binoculars. Don’t forget them if you want to partake in some close-up sightings of dolphin pods or whales migrating up the ‘humpback highway’.

Port Macquarie Coastal Walk, winter on the New South Wales coast — Wander the Port Macquarie Coastal Walk. (Image: Destination NSW)

Swap sea for canopy at the Sea Acres Rainforest Boardwalk , one of the last remaining pockets of coastal rainforest in the state. The accessible elevated trail passes under climbing ferns and tangled strangler figs, and is alive with scarlet robins, goannas and diamond pythons – if you’re lucky, you might see one slipping through the leaf litter.

Afterwards, lunch is sorted at Cassegrain Wines , where crisp whites and elegant reds are grown using a blend of French winemaking tradition and Australian innovation. After a tasting, saddle up for a horse ride through the estate.

port macquarie koala hospital — Meet Koala Hospital inhabitants at their temporary home. (Image: Destination NSW)

The beloved Koala Hospital is rebuilding, so meet its furry patients in their temporary bushland abode at Guulabaa – Place of Koala . Here, you can see rehabilitation up close and learn how one of Australia’s most iconic animals is being carefully rewilded and protected.

Back in town, Whalebone Wharf serves up fine dining with serious views to go with your oysters. Prefer something breezier? Bills Fishhouse + Bar does everything from blue swimmer crab toast to zucchini noodles drizzled in basil and wattleseed pesto. Down by the waterfront, Little Shack slings ceviche, mushroom burgers and fish tacos with casual aplomb.

At the end of it all, check in to Mercure Centro Port Macquarie , right in the heart of town. From here, everything’s walkable. Just park the car, pop your keys in your pocket, and stroll down to the beach.

bed at Mercure Centro Port Macquarie — Check in to Mercure Centro Port Macquarie.

Winter on the Central Coast

On the Central Coast, expect to explore oyster farms that sit on estuaries, beaches that stretch empty for miles, and the kind of surprise sightings of whale sprays that can stop a hiker in their tracks.

The best way to settle into this slower rhythm is with the Bouddi Coastal Walk , an 8.5km trail that dips through rainforest and eroding cliffs. It’s made for unhurried walkers and long-lens photographers.

Up the coast in Terrigal, it’s prime time to spot humpbacks on the move. Join a cruise or find your own perch — Crackneck Lookout and Norah Head Lighthouse are both local favourites.

a humpback whale breaching on the central coast — Spot migrating humpback whales. (Image: Destination NSW)

Travelling with kids? It would be sacrilege not to visit the Australian Reptile Park . Here, Elvis the saltwater crocodile reigns supreme, and the venomous snake talk somehow manages to be simultaneously terrifying and fascinating.

If that isn’t enough to wear them out, zip and climb your way through Treetops Adventure Central Coast , a ropes course in the canopy of Ourimbah State Forest. Afterwards, steady your nerves with a garden tasting at Firescreek Botanical Winery , where fruit- and flower-infused wines are served under the trees.

Switch earth for sea and hop on a boat tour with Broken Bay Pearl Farm . Once you’re out on the water, you’ll learn how pearls are cultivated and have a hands-on lesson in grading and shucking.

woman holding a pearl at Broken Bay Pearl Farm — Get a hands-on pearl lesson. (Image: Destination NSW)

As the day winds down, grab a seat at Yellowtail in Terrigal , which takes seasonal native produce and presents it with Asian flair. Prefer something simple? Award-winning Mount White restaurant Saddles is a quintessential Australian dining destination. Find an impressive breakfast and lunch menu, dedicated to country-style cooking and seasonal produce.

Stay the night at Pullman Magenta Shores , between the ocean and the lake. There are plenty of ways to relax, with a massage at the day spa, a poolside beanbag and a round or two at the golf course.

restaurant at Pullman Magenta Shores central coast — Eat well at Pullman Magenta Shores’ restaurant. (Image: Destination NSW)

Winter in Wollongong

Wollongong does contrast pretty well. One moment you’re walking beneath an enormous Buddha, the next you’re ordering soju a few blocks from the surf. It’s a town where skydivers land on beaches, trails lead to paddocks and winter days stretch long and clear beneath the Illawarra cliffs.

If you’re coming from the north, start by crossing over the Sea Cliff Bridge. Curving dramatically out like a jutting ‘C’ out above the water means you won’t be able to resist pulling over (safely, in designated lookouts) to gaze down at the waves crashing on the cliffs below.

Just inland is the serenity of the Nan Tien Temple , the largest Buddhist temple in the Southern Hemisphere. You can trace the prayer path, explore the temple gardens and sip delectable Kam Quat Tea in the quiet light at the Dew Drop Inn Tea House.

monk teaching tai chi at Nan Tien Temple — Learn about Buddhist practices. (Image: Destination NSW)

Next, dust off that cowboy hat. It’s time for the Darkes Forest Riding Ranch . Take a guided canter via trail rides among peppermint gums and paddocks. If you’re happier to look at animals than ride them, Symbio Wildlife Park has red pandas dozing in trees, kangaroos that hop up to you and lessons on conservation.

The brave among you shouldn’t miss Skydive Australia – Wollongong . A free fall over the coast via tandem jumps before tumbling down to the sand is a breath-stopping thrill. Prefer to keep your feet on the ground? Check out the program at Wollongong Art Gallery , which delivers contemporary and Aboriginal exhibitions in the centre of town.

monkey at Symbio Wildlife Park — Hang out with the locals at Symbio Wildlife Park.(Image: Destination NSW)

As evening settles in, nab a table at Baby Face Kitchen . It has an ever-changing set menu, with dishes like hand-picked mud crab with white asparagus and salty brown butter, to sheep’s milk and honey ice cream. For something more casual, Dagwood Bar + Kitchen brings the fun with Korean fried chicken, sake cocktails and weekly all-you-can-eat bao buns.

Check in to Novotel Wollongong Northbeach , right by the sand. With a beachfront pool and ocean views, it’s an ideal base for whatever pace you choose.

Winter on the New South Wales coast starts with a cosy place to stay. Start planning your adventure at all.com.

Skip the roadhouse pies at these Flinders Ranges restaurants