Rawnsley Park Station: A True Flinders Ranges Icon

With four tiers of accommodation to suit every budget, enough activities to keep you busy for weeks and an unbeatable location, this legendary outback property has something for everyone.

The Flinders Ranges is a place of overwhelming natural beauty, where powerful tectonic forces have created tortured ridgelines, soaring cliffs and winding creekbeds lined by majestic river red gums. But for those in the know, it’s also a surprisingly accessible destination.

In the very heart of this rust-red mountain range five hours north of Adelaide lies the 12,000-hectare Rawnsley Park Station . Separated from Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park by the forbidding sandstone walls of Ikara (Wilpena Pound), its central location makes it an ideal base from which to explore the surrounding region.

The property has been a working sheep station since the mid-19th century, but the arrival of the first cabins on the property in 1968 brought tourism to the Flinders Ranges and Rawnsley Park Station has been a leader in the sector ever since. Today visitors can enjoy some of the best camping, dining and luxury accommodation options in the Flinders Ranges, as well as a range of activities that bring you to the very heart of this ancient landscape.

Rawnsley Park accommodation

Luxury eco villas Rawnsley Park Station — Rawnsley Park Station can accommodate 800 guests at a range of sites. (Image: Zac Watson)

You wouldn’t know from the drive in, but Rawnsley Park Station can accommodate 800 guests at a range of sites tucked discreetly into the vegetation. Four levels of accommodation offer something to suit every budget, from bush camping to basic cabins and hilltop eco-villas that look out over the surrounding mountains.

1. Eco Villas

a luxury eco villa in Rawnsley Park Station — Admire scenic landscapes from your luxury eco villa. (Image: Rawnsley Park Station)

Positioned on a small knoll looking out over the Chace and Elder Ranges, eight galah-pink eco villas boast outlooks that will turn any guest into an amateur photographer. A roomy deck and windows on three sides maximise the views, while skylights allow you to enjoy the clear night skies from bed.

Tall pitched ceilings and an open living area create a sense of space, while the use of timber and galvanised iron for internal walls honours the property’s heritage as a sheep station. With rainwater tanks and solar power as well as a chemical-free cleaning regime, the naturally insulated straw bale houses also boast plenty of eco credentials.

2. Rawnsley Homestead

Rawnsley Homestead in Flinders Rangers — Spend time outside by the pool.

Those in search of an even more secluded option can enjoy a taste of outback luxury at this two-bedroom homestead built from local stone. Two stylish living areas, a well-equipped kitchen and spacious dining room mean there’s plenty of space to spread out inside, but the al fresco barbecue area and swimming pool that look straight out to the rugged rock wall of Rawnsley Bluff provide a good excuse to spend most of your time outside.

3. Holiday Units

Bed in room at Rawnsley Park Station — These self-contained units are perfect for travellers on a budget. (Image: Rawnsley Park Station)

Conveniently located just a short walk from the Woolshed Restaurant, these self-contained units with a kitchen and outdoor deck are perfect for travellers on a budget. The one- and three-bedroom Standard Holiday Units include wheelchair-accessible options, while the more spacious one- and two-bedroom Superior Holiday Units have a modern open-plan layout. Guests have access to communal picnic areas with barbecues and a shared swimming pool, and the cabins are also pet-friendly.

4. Caravan Park

An array of powered and unpowered sites is nestled in the native pine and river red gums around Rawnsley’s camp kitchen and licensed shop, but those looking for a more secluded experience can also venture further out to one of the numerous bush camps. Many sites include fire pits (firewood is available from the shop), and there’s a dog minding service if you want to visit the neighbouring National Park.

Rawnsley Park Experiences

The towering rock wall that separates Rawnsley Park Station from Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park means that you can enjoy spectacular views from anywhere on the property. But you’ll need to get out and explore to truly appreciate the scale of this natural playground that offers rich rewards for those venturing out on foot, in a 4WD or even by air.

1. Heli-Camping

The only way to truly grasp the majesty of the region is to see it from above, and this tour gives you a chance to see Ikara and the surrounding ranges unfold from a helicopter before landing atop the rugged Chace Range. You can find a spot to admire the sunset while a guide sets up your swag and cooks a camp oven dinner, then fall asleep under a glittering blanket of stars before enjoying a bush breakfast as the landscape slowly refills with colour.

2. Walking

Seven purpose-built walking trails stretch across the property, from gentle 45-minute strolls linking lookout points at Kangaroo Gap and Alison Saddle to a strenuous five-hour return hike up to the highest point on the property. The 943-metre-high Rawnsley Bluff looks like an impassable barrier from ground level, but make it to the top of the sandstone plateau and you’ll be rewarded with views that seem to stretch on forever over the broad red plain and surrounding ranges. If you prefer not to strike out on your own, there are also several daily group hikes.

3. 4WD Tours

sunset dining on the Chace, Arkapena Station — Watch the sunset from Arkapena Station. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

Confident drivers can head off-road in neighbouring Arkapena Station, but those who prefer to stick to the tarmac can still see some of the region’s more secluded spots on a 4WD tour. Buckle up and enjoy the rollercoaster ride as a Landcruiser jumps over rocky ridges and sandy creek beds while a guide takes you through gorges filled with yellow-footed rock wallabies, shows you what daily life on a working sheep station looks like or brings you to a vantage point for a spectacular sunset accompanied by a glass of sparkling and canapes.

4. Scenic Flights

a scenic flight above Kati Thanda (Lake Eyre) — See Kati Thanda (Lake Eyre) from above. (Image: Peter Rowe)

Rising abruptly in the centre of the Flinders Ranges like a dormant volcano, Ikara is one of outback Australia’s most striking sights. It catches the eye from every angle but is at its most spectacular when it’s illuminated by the golden rays of the rising sun.

Watch the landscape come to life on an early morning flight, then continue north to see the landscape of dramatic cockscomb ridges and steep gorges give way to ranks of deep red sand dunes and shimmering salt pans, including Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre, where periodic floods attract thousands of birds from across the country.

5. Mountain Biking

The 900-kilometre Mawson Trail is one of Australia’s most epic long-distance bike rides, and it passes directly through Rawnsley Park Station, but you don’t need to commit to a multi-day adventure to enjoy riding on the property. Part of the trail has been turned into a loop that links the main areas on site, while all of the station’s access roads and tracks can also be used by cyclists.

Dining at Rawnsley Park

the rustic dining interior of Woolshed Restaurant, Rawnsley Park Station — Dine on modern Australian meals on offer in the rustic Woolshed Restaurant. (Image: Rawnsley Park Station)

The remoteness of the Flinders Ranges means that it pays to plan ahead for meals, but guests at Rawnsley Park Station can take advantage of one of the region’s best dining options without having to leave the property.

A vintage wool press in the corner of the Woolshed Restaurant nods to the station’s original raison d’être, and it’s no surprise that lamb is the hero of the menu. If you can’t decide between succulent skewers, sticky-sweet ribs and hearty racks, opt for the mega-sized platter that includes four different cuts. The modern Australian menu also makes room for other local proteins, including saltbush-crumbed kangaroo steak and goat curry, along with a decent selection of South Australian beers and wines.

Takeaway pizzas provide a more casual option (but don’t expect anything too special), while self-caterers can pick up barbecue packs to cook up at their leisure. The onsite store also carries some essentials; otherwise, it’s a half-hour drive to Hawker’s General Store.

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

Just over an hour from Melbourne, spectacular walking and hiking trails encompass ancient landscapes, forested ridgelines and volcanic peaks.

Just a short drive from the city, the urban sprawl gives way to rolling hills, mineral springs, and lush forests that will have you feeling like you’re in the bucolic countryside of France. Encompassing Daylesford , the Macedon Ranges, Castlemaine and the Central Goldfields, this pocket of Victoria is a region where nature, art, and wellness intertwine. Heritage towns hum with creativity, good food and wine, and welcoming locals. While Daylesford hikes, and those nearby, offer the chance to take a pause and reconnect with nature.

1. Hanging Rock Summit Walk

Etched into folklore, few places in Australia carry as much mystique as Hanging Rock. Rising dramatically from the plains near Woodend, this volcanic mamelon offers a beautiful nature walk. The walk begins at a gentle pace, weaving through shaded woodland before it gets a little steeper as the path starts to climb and twist to the summit. From here, you’ll have views that stretch across the Macedon Ranges. The walk is roughly 1.8 kilometres return, but the real reward lies in standing among the weathered boulders, feeling the age and energy of the earth beneath your feet.

2. Macedon Ranges Walking Trail

Macedon Ranges Walking Trail camel's hump lookout — Walk to Camel’s Hump. (Image: Clair Derwort)

The Macedon Ranges Walking Trail traverses around 19 kilometres of forest and mountain landscapes. The full trail is a six-hour circuit, with most of the walk being a grade three; however, you don’t have to tackle it all at once. There are shorter walks that will take you through the tall mountain ash forests, to tranquil picnic areas, and sweeping views from Camels Hump and the Memorial Cross. The best times of year to head out are autumn, when the mountain turns into a tapestry of crimson and gold, and spring, when wildflowers brighten the trail.

3. Mount Alexander Traverse

Towering above the goldfields near Castlemaine, Mount Alexander is a granite giant that offers some great bushwalking trails. The Mount Alexander Traverse winds along the mountain’s rocky spine through dry eucalypt forest that opens up in sections to reveal beautiful panoramas across Loddon Valley and all the way to the distant Grampians. Once a site of ancient volcanic activity (and later a gathering place for the Dja Dja Wurrung people), the mountain’s granite tors are now quiet and create a beautiful, serene atmosphere for a moment of reflection while walking.

4. Murmuring Walk

Murmuring Walk daylesford hikes — Circle the picturesque Sanatorium Lake.

Located an easy drive from Daylesford, Murmuring Walk offers something a little different. Circling Sanatorium Lake, this free audio-guided walk aims to immerse you in the rhythms of Dja Dja Wurrung, Taungurung and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country by blending the sounds of nature with a multi-layered soundtrack. There are two routes to explore while you listen: a shorter loop around the lake itself and a longer circuit that extends deeper into the woodland.

5. La Gerche Forest Walk

Located in Creswick, the La Gerche Forest Walk honours the legacy of John La Gerche, a 19th-century forester who championed the regeneration of the then gold-rush-ravaged land. Today, over 100 years later, his replanting efforts have grown into a living cathedral of towering pines, oaks, and native gums. As you meander along the 2.2-kilometre circuit, you’ll find interpretive panels along the way that help tell the story of La Gerche’s vision, so you can learn as you wander.

6. Sailors Falls Loop

Just outside Daylesford, Sailors Falls tumbles through a fern-lined gorge, fed by mineral springs. Thought to be named after the sailors who jumped ship to seek gold in the area during the 1850s gold rush, the loop walk begins at the car park and descends through a cool, shaded gully to the base of the falls. From here, you’ll make the climb back via the mineral springs. It’s a short but enchanting walk – about 1.5 kilometres in total, so make a day of it by packing a picnic to sit by the springs; you’ll feel worlds away from the city.

7. Paddys Ranges Loop Walk

Further north, the Paddys Ranges State Park loop reveals a different side of Victoria’s Heartland – dry forest, golden light and hints of a gold-rush past. This protected reserve is a stronghold of box-ironbark woodland, providing vital refuge for endangered species. In spring, the forest floor is awash with the colour of over 230 species of wildflowers, so a springtime walk is a must-do. As you walk the 4.5-kilometre loop trail, keep an eye out for remnants of old mine shafts and rusted relics from the prospectors who once sought their fortunes here.

8. Mount Franklin Summit Walk

An extinct volcano turned picnic ground, Mount Franklin (known as Lalgambook to the Dja Dja Wurrung people) is one of the region’s quiet marvels. The summit walk follows a narrow, winding path through native forest to the crater’s rim, where you’ll get glimpses of farmland and forest below. It’s a moderate climb – just over an hour return, so it can easily be done if you’re camping in the surrounding reserve for a weekend nature retreat.

The trails of Victoria’s Heartland offer a chance to reconnect with the landscape, local history and yourself. Start planning your next adventure at daylesfordmacedonlife.com.au.

Rawnsley Park Station: A true Flinders Ranges icon