8 Best Flinders Ranges Accommodation For Any Budget

Hit the hay at these incredible stays.

Stretching 430 kilometres from Crystal Brook in South Australia’s mid-north to the glittering salt lakes on the edge of the Simpson Desert, the Flinders Ranges is a vast and alluring region that simply begs to be explored. One of the most accessible parts of the Australian outback, it’s a land of sun-bleached river reds towering over arid plains, ancient mountain ranges that light up with a fiery glow every evening and a night sky illuminated by millions of stars.

But settlements are few and far between in this vast wilderness, so it’s vital to do a little planning when deciding where to stay. Whether you’re looking for five-star luxury, a family-friendly caravan park or a remote campsite to share with the local wildlife, read on and you’ll find the perfect Flinders Ranges accommodation option for every type of trip.

1. Arkaba Homestead

Price: $$$$$

If you want to get a taste of outback life without roughing it in the slightest, start saving up to visit this former sheep station that’s been transformed into a 25,500-hectare wildlife conservancy.

the Arkaba Station in the Flinders Ranges

Arkaba Homestead is formerly a sheep station. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

There’s only room for ten guests at a time in the 1851 Arkaba homestead, and they have the run of the property with included activities including guided bush walks, 4WD safari drives and birdwatching excursions.

an aerial view of the luxury lodge in Arkaba Homestead

Go off-grid at Arkaba Homestead. (Image: Isaac Forman)

Add in meals prepared by a chef who makes liberal use of the onsite garden, an inviting outdoor pool and an extensive wine selection and this eco-retreat boasts everything you could want (except wi-fi, because the owners want guests to get out and explore).

the luxury lodge in Arkaba Homestead, Flinders Ranges

There’s only room for ten guests at a time. (Image: Isaac Forman)

2. Rawnsley Park Station

Price: $-$$$$

You could spend weeks exploring the 12,000-hectare property at Rawnsley Park Station, and almost as long checking out all of the accommodation options.

the Rawnsley Park Station in the Flinders Ranges

Immerse yourself in nature at Rawnsley Park Station. (Image: Rawnsley Park Station)

A well-vegetated campground and budget cabins are perfect for families travelling on the cheap, while the comfortable holiday units are a step up and include decks so you can enjoy views of the weathered sandstone ranges that encircle the property.

the deck at Rawnsley Park Station accommodation

Enjoy outback views from your deck. (Image: Rawnsley Park Station)

But once you greet the day with mobs of roos and brilliantly coloured ringneck parrots circling the roomy decks outside the premium eco-villas, you won’t want to leave.

a woman standing in the outdoor pool area at Rawnsley Park Station

Cool off after a busy day. (Image: Rawnsley Park Station)

3. Prairie Hotel

Price: $$$$

More than simply a place to stay while visiting the region, this legendary pit stop is a destination in itself.

an aerial view of the Prairie Hotel in the Flinders Ranges

The Prairie Hotel is a destination in and of itself. (Image: Tourism Australia/South Australian Tourism Commission)

Thousands of travellers make the pilgrimage to the onsite restaurant every year to sample a smorgasbord of native proteins, but it’s worth sticking around until sunset to see nearby ranges glowing bright red like a giant ember.

an al fresco seating and dining at Prairie Hotel, Flinders Ranges

Relax with a drink in hand. (Image: Tourism Australia/South Australian Tourism Commission)

Once night falls, relax with a drink in the stylish private lounge before retiring to one of the Prairie Hotel’s country chic rooms decorated with cowhide rugs and contemporary artwork.

a top view of the Prairie Hotel, Flinders Ranges

Prairie Hotel is a legendary pub and accommodation. (Image: Tourism Australia/South Australian Tourism Commission)

4. Wilpena Pound Resort

Price: $$$

Love the idea of camping but not so keen on long drops and creepy crawlies? Then the circle of 15 glamping tents at Wilpena Pound Resort has your name on it.

a woman relaxing inside her tent at Wilpena Pound Resort

Go glamping at Wilpena Pound Resort.

Each safari tent includes a kingsize bed, ensuite bathroom, fridge and aircon so you can relax in comfort, but the private deck and firepit keep you connected to the natural environment.

a couple sitting by the fire outside their tent at Wilpena Pound Resort

Sit by your private firepit.

You’ll also find a bricks-and-mortar resort and campsites at the only accommodation located within Ikara (Wilpena Pound), and a range of guided tours run by the Adnyamathanha traditional owners help you to take in both the sublime natural beauty and the rich cultural history.

Join a guided tour around the scenic Ikara (Wilpena Pound).

5. Jacka Brothers Brewery Guesthouse

Price: $$$

Founded in 1840, Melrose is the oldest town in the Flinders Ranges and it’s no surprise that it also housed the region’s first brewery. After lying vacant for some 90 years, the bar in the fortress-like four-storey brewery recently began pouring beers again and the former bottling plant next door is also being put to good use. Now functioning as a boutique B&B, Jacka Brothers Brewery Guesthouse has four spacious bedrooms arrayed around an enormous common area that’s ideal for entertaining. And while original elements including giant timber trusses and solid masonry have been preserved, a thoroughly modern kitchen and ensuites allow guests to enjoy a very comfortable stay.

6. Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary

Price: $-$$

At the far northern end of the Flinders Ranges, Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary is the main hub of the breathtakingly beautiful Gammon Ranges.

Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary is the main hub of the Gammon Ranges. (Image: Matthew Storer)

A caravan park with powered sites and bush camping gives you front-row views of the 60,000-hectare property, while those who prefer a roof over their heads can choose from a range of suites, incredibly well-priced motel-style rooms and several self-catering cottages.

camping under the stars at Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary

You can sleep under the stars. (Image: Matthew Storer)

Just don’t expect to spend a lot of time inside: days are spent tackling the 4WD tracks that cross this formidable landscape and nights are devoted to starwatching at one of three onsite astronomical observatories.

Under The Stars Tour at Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary

Stargaze at one of three onsite astronomical observatories. (Image: Matthew Storer)

7. Leigh Creek Outback Resort

Price: $

One of the last stops before the tarmac gives way to the Strzelecki and Birdsville Tracks, the former coal mining town of Leigh Creek once boasted a population of 5000 but is now home to fewer than 100 permanent residents. The upside of that is that guests at the Leigh Creek Outback Resort can access the local swimming pool, gym and tennis and squash courts.

Less a traditional resort than a collection of ’70s-era motel rooms and cabins spread over several streets, it also has an affordable restaurant and is located near the supermarket and shopping precinct.

the bedroom at Leigh Creek Outback Resort

Rest your head at the budget Leigh Creek Outback Resort.

8. Flinders Ranges Motel

Price: $

Quorn is one of the first major towns you’ll encounter as you approach the Flinders Ranges from the south, and the grand two-storey pubs lining the main street give a sense of its former importance. A dozen motel rooms located behind the town’s former mill are basic but spacious, and the location at the end of the main street means it’s a short walk to all the main sights. Friendly owners Paul and Kylie can point you in the right direction if you want some local tips, but don’t be surprised if you find yourself tempted to stay in and play with Fez the friendly house cat instead.

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

With a thriving colony of friendly yellow-footed rock wallabies, jaw-dropping lookout points and some of the clearest night skies on earth, this unique property stands alone even in the wild and ancient landscape of the Flinders Ranges.

From the gently sloping hills around Mount Remarkable, the Flinders Ranges grow progressively more rugged and remote as you head north. By the time you arrive at Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park some 600 kilometres north of Adelaide, it feels like you’re on another planet. Only a few rugged 4WD tracks created by mineral prospectors traverse this forbidding Martian landscape and the absence of settlements in the area means you can expect gloriously clear night skies. In 2023 Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary became Australia’s second certified Dark Sky Sanctuary and a range of tours and accommodation options make it the obvious base from which to explore the region.

The backstory

a guided tour at Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary

Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary lies on the traditional lands of the Adnyamathanha people. (Image: Tourism Australia/ South Australian Tourism Commission)

Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary and Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park lie on the traditional lands of the Adnyamathanha people, who called this region home for tens of thousands of years before the first European explorers arrived in the 1840s. They were quickly followed by prospectors searching for gold, copper and precious stones before the quest for uranium brought several prominent geologists to the region. Among them was Antarctic explorer Sir Douglas Mawson, who declared the region “the gem of the Flinders Ranges” and “a geologist’s paradise”.

A densely packed collection of hulking pyramids and razor-sharp peaks, the Gammon Ranges were created by volcanic activity up to 1.6 billion years ago and the landscape is older, wilder and more colourful than the main body of the Flinders Ranges. Mawson considered this open-air museum so important that he lobbied the state government to grant it special protected status, as did his student Reg Sprigg (later Dr Reginald Sprigg AO). When the government declined, he purchased the Arkaroola property in 1967.

Arid conditions and rugged terrain meant that it was never prime pastoral land and over the following years, he destocked the 60,000-hectare property and began removing invasive species to rehabilitate the land. The construction of Arkaroola Village and the Arkaroola Observatory brought tourism to the property, which is still managed by Reg Sprigg’s son Doug. An onsite statue of Douglas Mawson is flanked by rocks from his two favourite places on earth – Arkaroola and Mt Erebus in Antarctica.

Arkaroola accommodation

the bathroom and bedroom at Callitris suite, Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary

Bed down in the Callitris suite. (Image: Matthew Storer)

Despite the property’s isolation, Reg Sprigg’s vision made him a pioneer of tourism in the region and the Arkaroola accommodation options are surprisingly varied for such a remote location. The modern and well-kept guest rooms come in several sizes: the comfortable Callitris suites have a queen bed, while the roomier Mawson suites can sleep up to four with the addition of a single and trundle bed. With 19 basic rooms built around an enormous common area, the budget-friendly Greenwood Lodge is ideal for larger groups, as are the four standalone cottages.

If you’re towing a caravan, the Arkaroola caravan park has 50 large powered sites and a sprawling 300-hectare campground with plenty of sites arrayed along the banks of a dry creekbed. Guests have access to a camp kitchen, ablution block and laundry as well as the swimming pool and all facilities in Arkaroola Village.

Arkaroola Village and facilities

Impressive geological formations surround Arkaroola Village. (Image: Matthew Storer)

Nestled between several outcrops of deep red rock, Arkaroola Village is a sight for sore eyes after the long, dusty drive in.

A small shop, fuel bowsers (plus an EV charging station), and repair workshop take care of the essentials, while the timber-lined Pick & Shovel bar is the first stop for many visitors and kids will love the in-ground pool out back. The adjoining Native Pine restaurant is filled with artefacts from the property’s rich history and offers a traditional Sunday roast in addition to a range of pub classics. And be sure to visit the small room in the rear to see a collection of rare glow-in-the-dark minerals.

The rest of the village was clearly designed by someone who loves geology – there’s a gem cave, rock gardens and rock walls displaying the many types of local stone and how they were formed. A free museum is packed with astronomical and geological information, but most visitors are more interested in the viewing area out back. Every evening, yellow-footed rock wallabies from a nearby colony hop down to enjoy a free feed, presenting a rare opportunity to see these shy but beautiful mammals up close.

Arkaroola Ridgetop Tour

Join the Arkaroola Ridgetop Tour. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

While the main body of the Flinders Ranges is defined by gorges snaking through a narrow line of sedimentary mountains, the passage of untold millennia has transformed the Gammon Ranges into a complex labyrinth of peaks and troughs. The rough-as-guts 4WD tracks here require tremendous skill to navigate, and the best way to get a feel for the region is from the seat of an open-top Landcruiser on the four-and-a-half-hour Arkaroola Ridgetop Tour.

While experienced guides wrestle their vehicles up the near-vertical trails forged by enterprising uranium hunters, you’ll be free to look out the sides and admire the wilderness of ancient mud volcanoes and jagged pyramids with silvery green foliage spilling down the sides.

Many of the creeks and ponds are carved so deep into the earth that they feel completely enclosed from the outside world, but as you climb upwards, you’ll start to catch glimpses of glittering salt lakes between the brick-red peaks. You might want to find something to cling to when the driver tackles a terrifyingly steep path up an exposed ridge to reach Sillers Lookout, but once up top, you can stretch your legs and enjoy some lamingtons and tea while marvelling at the incredible views created by the sheer 150-metre drop below.

Arkaroola Observatory

Enjoy the spectacular light show from the Arkaroola Observatory daily. (Image: Tourism Australia/ South Australian Tourism Commission)

Tucked far away from the bright lights of any city (or even town), Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary offers plenty to do long after the sun has set, especially if you’ve timed your visit to coincide with the new moon. The lack of light pollution, arid climate and elevation make for some of the best night skies in the world, and NASA scientists access information from the Arkaroola Observatory daily. Fortunately, you don’t need to be a rocket scientist to enjoy this spectacular light show.

If you’re still finding your way around the cosmos, the 90-minute Under The Stars Stargazing experience includes comfortable reclining chairs and speciality astronomy binoculars so you can gaze at the heavens in comfort as you get your bearings. Or step things up on the Observatory Tour, which uses a high-powered telescope that can see far into the night sky and brings you up close to stars, planets and other celestial bodies. And if you prefer to stay inside, the Digital Astro Experience lets you enjoy a real-time digital representation of the night skies from the comfort of the Ningana Imaging Observatory.

Fall asleep under the whimsical starry night sky. (Image: Matthew Storer)

If you’re after a more exclusive experience, the Arkaroola Ridgetop Tour Sleepout takes you on a 4WD journey to a remote campsite where you can watch the landscape fill with colour over sunset drinks and sit down to a gourmet dinner around the campfire. Then you can spend the evening watching the night skies through a telescope before falling asleep on an open-air swag deck and waking up to sunrise from Sillers Lookout.

Getting to Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary

an aerial view of a vehicle driving through Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park

Pass through beautiful scenery on your way to Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

The 630-kilometre drive from Adelaide to Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary takes eight hours, so most visitors break up the journey with a stop in the Clare Valley or southern Flinders Ranges. The final section of the road is unpaved, and travellers have two main options. A 150-kilometre dirt track from Blinman passes through beautiful gorges and stark flatlands bordered by salt pans that provide a taste of outback adventure, while the 130-kilometre unsealed road from Copley is graded more frequently and passes the community of Nepabunna.

Either route can be driven with a 2WD, but a raised vehicle with 4WD will make the drive significantly more comfortable, especially as there is no phone reception if you run into trouble. A small shop at Arkaroola Village carries some basic supplies, but it’s a three-hour round trip to the nearest supermarket, so it’s vital to stock up on supplies ahead of time.