Have you experienced the Australian outback? It is a unique destination and ‘a must visit’ for every Australian. If you would like to do it in style, look no further than Rawnsley Park Station.

This luxurious eco-friendly property is located at the foot of Wilpena Sound, a significant indigenous cultural site at the heart of the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park.

Whether you’d like to go on hikes, go on 4WD adventures or simply relax and take in the incredible natural beauty of the Flinders Ranges, Rawnsley has got you covered. If you enjoy nature, wildlife, escaping busy city life, you’ll love the rugged beauty of the outback and will enjoy many activities Rawnsley offers its guests.

Getting To Rawnsley

Rawnsley Station is an easy 5-hour drive from Adelaide. The roads are not busy but you have to be on the watch out for kangaroos that sometimes jump on the road in front of the car. We’d recommend driving up here in the day time, as kangaroos are nocturnal. The last hour of the road through the mountains is stunning – we stopped the car and took a few photos on the way.

The road is well marked but there is no phone reception for the last hour or so of the trip, so ask for good directions and have a print out of google maps handy. The entrance is well signed – look out for a signature eagle.

Accommodation

The best accommodation at the resort is Eco Villas. They come in one- and two-bedroom configurations and are excellent for families travelling together.

The villas are free standing, with magnificent views from every window. Villas are well spaced and truly feel like your own private sanctuary.

In the morning we had kangaroos come up to our terrace to say hello, an incredible experience. Even though we live in Australia and see kangaroos often, it was amazing to be so close to nature and I can imagine just how impressive it would be for the international travellers.

The villas themselves are very nice, new and cozy – they come with a spacious living room, the kitchen has all the cooking facilities and a large fridge and a BBQ on a terrace. The highlight of the bedroom is a sliding roof that opens up for star gazing. Imagine lying in a comfy bed and staring at the bright stars right above you – what a unique, romantic experience.  The bathroom has a shower and a bath. Villas are serviced every day and the fridge comes full of yummy breakfast food that gets replenished every day.

Activities

Activities are incredible at Rawnsley Park Station and are a big reason why we wanted to visit the resort.

From hikes through Wilpena Pound and along the Brachina Gorge Geological Trail to admiring significant sites such as Arkaroo Rock, Bunyeroo Gorge and the Sacred Canyon – the possibilities are endless. With miles upon miles of sprawling terrain at your disposal, days here are filled with incredible adventures and nights are spent admiring the outback’s starry skies.

Every day’s hike is different and offers an opportunity to make friends with the daily group and chat to the very knowledgeable guides who know the outback like the back of their hand.

Most hikes go for 6-7 hours, but are not too difficult. All you require is a smile and adventure spirit and the Rawnsley guides will provide you with a safe passage and yummy lunch to enjoy on the hike.

If hiking for hours isn’t your thing, Rawnsley has a variety of easy walking trails at its front door. Another option is to arrange a 4WD tour to explore the local geological sites, do an old mine tour, see tiny local towns and partake in an outback lunch at the famous Prairie Hotel serving kangaroo, emu, goat and camel.

If you would like a day off activities there are a few swimming pools around the property – on a warm day you could soak in the views, have a swim and enjoy the beauty of your surroundings with a good book.

Dining

Yummy breakfast is provided in the room for all eco-villa guests and for dinner don’t miss an opportunity to dine at the Woolshed Restaurant, serving modern Australian cuisine. Rawnsley’s lamb is a must-try, always featured on the menu and cooked in a variety of ways. The food is excellent and even though we planned to cook in our villa, we went out to Woolshed on most nights.

Lux Traveller Loved

Majestic beauty of the Flinders Ranges.

Superb setting of the eco-villas, set far apart from each other, making you feel one-on-one with the nature.

Sliding bedroom roof for star gazing in the eco-villas.

Warm friendly service.

Excellent guides and activities.

Yummy outback food at the Woolshed.

Splitting Hairs

There is no phone reception in the area (unless you are with Optus). For those who need to stay connected it could be an issue and wifi in the villas is very weak as well. I would suggest purchasing a pre-paid Optus card before the trip.

All In All

I am so glad that we had an opportunity to visit Flinders Ranges, the outback and Rawnsley. It was an incredible experience and a ‘must visit’ for all Australians. I hope this article inspires you to visit Rawnsley soon!