Things to See and Do Near the Flinders Ranges

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Posted 2015-04-02 by Dave Walsh ⇒ follow

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As you plan your holidays in South Australia it's easy to just focus on your destination. We sometimes think of our holidays as only starting when we arrive and unpack. But why waste the journey by not enjoying yourself as you travel on an Adelaide to Flinders Ranges road trip?

The Flinders Ranges are a spectacular place of natural beauty, but there are many other things to do along the way. Whether you're speeding along the A1 with a brief stop at Port Wakefield , or heading up the Barrier Highway through the Clare and Gilbert Valleys , there are plenty of things to see.

Why not take a brief break in your trip? You will feel all the more refreshed when you're back in the car.

[SECTION]Burra and Beyond[/SECTION]

The drive to Burra bypasses Clare attractions and Mintaro, home of the maze and Martindale Hall. Passing through Riverton and its walking trails , you will soon be in bustling Burra.

Burra has preserved its built heritage well. As you wander the main street there are many fine examples of old stone buildings, with some great coffee shops for relaxing and antique stores to browse.

If you have time to spare then do get a Burra Heritage Passport - it lets you explore three museums and eight locked sites including Redruth Gaol free of charge. It costs $25 for adults ($20 concesssion), but only $5 for National Trust SA members.

After leaving the many Burra attractions you drive through the tiny town of Mount Bryan and its country pub . Across the road is a giant 44 metre long wind blade, and the hills are well populated with wind farms which look spectacular in the setting sun as you approach the hamlet of Hallett.

[SECTION]Terowie, Peterborough and Quorn[/SECTION]
These three iconic railway towns in South Australia are bursting with railway history. Now something of a ghost town Terowie is well worth a visit. There's a free 4WD park and free camping available too. Pick up a Tour of Terowie brochure from any of the neighbouring visitor centres, it lists nearly 40 free things to see and do in Terowie.

Read about the top 10 Peterborough attractions before you travel, or call in to the unique visitor centre for even more ideas for what to do in Peterborough. It's a popular town to visit due to its proximity to the Flinders Ranges. Depending on the season Peterborough accommodation can fill quickly, so if you plan to stay then consider booking first.

As I left Peterborough I saw an image from 19th century Orroroo on popular Facebook page Adelaide Yesterday and Today . It spurred me to explore the Orroroo attractions, grab a snack in town and eat it under the shade of a 500 year old gum tree on the edge of town.

On your way to the Flinders Ranges you may pass two key Wilmington attractions - perhaps the most unusual museums in South Australia. The Sansouci Puppet Museum and Gallery has more than 1,000 puppets in its collection, and the Wilmington Toy Museum which also has a collection of Land Rovers on display.

The beautiful backdrop of the Flinders Ranges is one of many Quorn attractions, and the town has a real outback feel. There are several hotels in Quorn including the grand Transcontinental Hotel, or you can grab a tasty bite at the Quorn Cafe .

Quorn railway history is centred on the Quorn railway station, home to the hugely popular Pichi Richi Railway . This year Pichi Richi Railway is celebrating the Anzac centenary with a special troop train experience - definitely worth a special visit. Don't miss the chance to see inside their massive workshops with many heritage railway carriages and steam locomotives.

[SECTION]Port Augusta and Port Pirie[/SECTION]

Driving to the Flinders Ranges from Adelaide to Port Augusta via Port Pirie is a very different experience. There are fewer things to see and do along the way, but many ineresting things to do in Port Augusta and Port Pirie.

Port Pirie has a rich built heritage, and the striking Port Pirie railway station has been converted into a museum by the National Trust SA. It must be one of the most ornate museums in South Australia, and has a large static display depicting life in the mid north. The Port Pirie National Trust Museum also incorporates the old Customs House and the former Central Police Station, making it one of the largest Port Pirie attractions.

A great way to exercise is to take the heritage walk or one of the many cycling trails . When staying longer, the heritage B&B at Sampson Cottage lets you stay in the town centre at affordable prices.

Anyone visiting Port Augusta must visit the Wadlata Outback Centre in the Visitor Information Centre. It may look like a cave in the corner of the room, but it's one of the best things to do in Port Augusta for visitors. While the entrance is deceptively modest, it's almost a portal to another universe - a tunnel of time that circumnavigates the visitor centre. Children love the colourful interactive displays with plenty of activities for kids and fun things to do.

Visitors wander through a sequence of themed galleries exploring the history of the Flinders Ranges and surrounding districts. Learn about the culture of the original peoples, and the trials of early settlers from Europe. It's fun for all ages.

Another of the awesome things to do in Port Augusta is visit the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden. I visited the Matthew Flinders Red Cliff Lookout at sunset just before the park closed, and the late afternoon sun bathed the Flinders Ranges in beauty. At other times of the day the garden Visitor Centre is open and you can take guided tours.