Planning a Trip

Getting There

By car, take Highway 1 out of Adelaide to Port Augusta (3 1/2 hr.), then head east on Route 47 via Quorn and Hawker (45 min.). It's another hour to Wilpena Pound, next to the tiny settlement of Wilpena. Alternatively, take the scenic route, which doesn't have a specific name, through the Clare Valley (around 5 hr.): From Adelaide, head to Gawler and then through the Clare Valley; follow signs to Gladstone, Melrose, Wilmington, and Quorn.

Premier Stateliner (tel. 08/8415 5500; www.premierstateliner.com.au) runs several buses every day from Adelaide to Port Augusta for A$45 (US$41/£21) one-way (half-price for kids). The company also runs buses to Wilpena Pound via Hawker and Quorn. Heading Bush Adventures (tel. 08/8356 5501; www.headingbush.com) has great trips, including a 10-day tour to the Flinders Ranges, the Oodnadatta Track, Coober Pedy, the Simpson Desert, Uluru (Ayers Rock), the Olgas, Kings Canyon, and Aboriginal communities. This remarkable four-wheel-drive trip, which focuses on Aboriginal culture, costs A$1,495 (US$1,346/£673) -- or A$1,420 (US$1,278/£639) with a YHA card -- and includes meals and bush camping. It departs Adelaide every Monday and alternate Thursdays. There's a maximum of 10 passengers.

Another good operator is Banksia Adventures (tel. 08/8431 9311; www.banksia-adventures.com.au), which has 1- to 4-day trips to the Flinders, either in hotels or camping. The 2-day trip, including a hotel, costs A$770 (US$693/£347) for adults and A$495 (US$446/£223) for kids. Camping is about 25% cheaper.

Most operators will also make up personalized tours on request.

Visitor Information

Before setting off, visit the Wadlata Outback Centre, 41 Flinders Terrace, Port Augusta, SA 5700 (tel. 08/8642 4511), an award-winning interactive museum and information center. The museum costs A$9.95 (US$8.95/£4.50) for adults and A$6.50 (US$5.85/£2.95) for children and is open Monday through Friday from 9am to 5:30pm, Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm.

In Hawker, the information center is on the corner of Wilpena and Cradock roads, Hawker (tel. 1800/777 880 in Australia), and there is an information center at the Wilpena Pound Resort (tel. 08/8648 0048).

Getting Around

If you decide to explore on your own using a rental car, I recommend renting one in Adelaide.