Rawnsley Park Station or Wilpena pound area

[richardl]

Hey

We are hoping to go for 10 days during the holidays, had thoughts of staying at Willow do I need to book?
Have had a bit of a look at the maps, there are so many places to visit I might have to over stay!

Richard

[JCOJ]

I would always book just to be safe.

[Traveller]

G'day GG,

Another off grid spot we love is at Aroona Ruins, which is off Brachina Gorge. Great spot with drop toilets, fire pits and great walks. One of our regular stops.

This is effectively the view from camp.

[GGV8Cruza]

Leave is booked and we are working out the finer details, looking on the way up to leave early am on a Saturday morning and making it over the border. Then another shorter drive to Rawnsley Park Station. Anyone have a good spot for a quick overnighter, if we have a good run I would like to get close to Burra if possible.

GG

[albany_nomads]

As others have mentioned Rawnsley park station

[JCOJ]

Leave is booked and we are working out the finer details, looking on the way up to leave early am on a Saturday morning and making it over the border. Then another shorter drive to Rawnsley Park Station. Anyone have a good spot for a quick overnighter, if we have a good run I would like to get close to Burra if possible.

GG

You could go to Burra Creek Gorge which is a free camp and nice place to stay.

[fuji]

Might stay at at of those places on the way back from up north.

[whitey]

Stayed at Rawnsley and went to Wilpena and did the walking tracks there, had I known I would have stayed at the later instead..... more to do with site seeing and it's a good spot to have as a base camp.

Just don't even think about driving at night within a 200 k radius unless you want skippy impregnations on you vehicle. Will go back there and revisit all up and down the flinders again next year. Also so nice camping spots away from the big sites as well check the maps properly.

[GGV8Cruza]

So these are our plans at the moment, what are peoples thoughts, should we stay somewhere longer or shorter??

21.09- leave Melbourne very early and get as far as possible, hopefully Burra. Travel the next day the Rawnsley Park Station

22.09 - 25.09.  Rawnsley park station

26.09. - 29.09. Wilpuna pound resort

30.09 - 03.10. Arkaroola

04.10 - 06.10. Travel home, route undecided

Please give some feedback, possibly we are spending too much time at the first two as they are close together, thanks in advance

GG

[Mace]

Personally, as you have said, as you have chosen to camp at two places within  half a hour of one another (rawnsley and wilpena), I would have chosen to go somewhere a bit further away, like Gammon Ranges NP for  2 or 3 days, instead of doing day trips up to there.

If you want a caravan park experience more, stay in the park at wilpena. If you want a bush camp, go out the back at rawnsley,away from their cp.

You will love it all either way.

[Marschy]

Which is the better route from Adelaide to get to the Flinders, up the A1 and turn off just before Port Augusta, or straight up Main North Road, then the Horrocks Hwy?

[Bird]

I think someone else said it, but if your going to the mid north, go to Warraweena Homestead.. great spot.
Stoney the bloke there will look after you.

http://www.gupatrol.com/pics/Warraweena_2006/

[crackacoldie]

Which is the better route from Adelaide to get to the Flinders, up the A1 and turn off just before Port Augusta, or straight up Main North Road, then the Horrocks Hwy?

A1 to Stirling North, Quorn, Hawker is quickest, Main North Road and RM Williams way is nicer, less traffic but slower, Main North Road to Willmington then on to Quorn is the slowest of the three.  this could vary depending on where you are in Adelaide.

[Jjw1234]

We did Melbourne to renmark as day 1. Left at 6, minus 4 kids we maybe could have got to burra but its a big drive. Be safe

[Marschy]

A1 to Stirling North, Quorn, Hawker is quickest, Main North Road and RM Williams way is nicer, less traffic but slower, Main North Road to Willmington then on to Quorn is the slowest of the three.  this could vary depending on where you are in Adelaide.

Thanks for that Cracka, I thought I'd ask, because the Horrocks Hwy/R M Williams route looked a bit windier than the A1 route. I hate long trips on constantly windy roads, they are exhausting.

[Redcherokee]

Personally, I would stay at Arkaroola an extra night or two.

You want to spend one half day doing the Ridgetop tour. One full day doing the Echo Camp backtrack self drive. One half day doing that walk back along the top of the ridge. I think they call it Acacia Ridge   Another half day to go out to noodloodoona or whatever you call it.   There are other walks if you are that way inclined.  From there you can also do a big day trip out to Grindells hut and there is loop you can drive there if you are into 4wding.  And you want to be relaxed enough to go out out to see wallabies at the waterhole at sunset and do the observatory one night.  Phew.

[GGV8Cruza]

Personally, I would stay at Arkaroola an extra night or two.

You want to spend one half day doing the Ridgetop tour. One full day doing the Echo Camp backtrack self drive. One half day doing that walk back along the top of the ridge. I think they call it Acacia Ridge   Another half day to go out to noodloodoona or whatever you call it.   There are other walks if you are that way inclined.  From there you can also do a big day trip out to Grindells hut and there is loop you can drive there if you are into 4wding.  And you want to be relaxed enough to go out out to see wallabies at the waterhole at sunset and do the observatory one night.  Phew.

We are starting to think this way as well, thanks for the advice, keep it coming guys and gals

GG

[GGV8Cruza]

We are now looking at the following, just need to sort out days in each

Rawnsley Station with trips into the pound

Parachilna  (anyone give feedback on here please)

Arkaroola

GG

[Crisp Image]

Ok So we are from east of Melbourne (160km) left home at 05:30 and made regular stops every 2 or so hours (Calder, Charlton, Ouyen, Mildura) and ended our day in Renmark. An easy 850km. If you want to say in the van park a burra then you had better book as it is small. 
As for where to stay in the flinders choose one spot and stay. Do day trips out from there. We did most days north of the pound and only one day south of it when we visited Rawnsley park.
We went to Parachilna and had lunch at the pub (Road Kill Grill) It can be busy so bookings are advisable.
I wish I could come with you. Loved the area.
Regards
Crispy

[GGV8Cruza]

Have booked, Rawnsley park for starters, some freestyle camping in the middle and the Arkaroola to finish it off.

Just need to get a few things for the Patrol and camper and we will be set

GG