Creating the Southern Flinders Precinct
New nature and adventure-based visitor experiences are being developed in the Southern Flinders Ranges.
The Southern Flinders Ranges are within easy reach of Adelaide and the area already includes existing parks such as Mount Remarkable National Park and the newly proclaimed Wapma Thura Southern Flinders Ranges National Park (comprising of the parks previously known as Telowie Gorge, Wirrabara Range, and Spaniards Gully Conservation Parks).
The rugged landscape of the proposed Southern Flinders nature-based tourism precinct features ranges, peaks, gorges and forests, including high-quality native vegetation and reservoirs, which stretch from Beetaloo to Wilmington. There are some incredible views throughout the Southern Flinders Ranges, including the 960m high Mount Remarkable which presides over the Willochra Plain. Views from the Southern Range look out over the Spencer Gulf and also take in the agricultural landscapes to the east. Many of these locations are already popular for camping and bushwalking, with trails for all ages and abilities and the area is linked by the Heysen (hiking) and Mawson (cycling) trail.
The construction of new facilities will occur over a number of phases, with some projects already complete.
You can see the first projects underway on the map below as well as getting a sense of the projects still to come.
Key projects of the precinct will include:
The partnership
Developing new facilities in the Southern Flinders is occurring through a partnership of between the South Australian and Australian Governments, the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife, Northern Areas Council, District Council of Mount Remarkable, Port Pirie Regional Council, Regional Development Australia Yorke and Mid-North and the Nukunu Wapma Thura Aboriginal Corporation to further advance and promote the Southern Flinders region as a tourism destination.
New mountain bike trails at Willowie — complete
20 kilometres of new mountain bike trails constructed at Willowie are now ready for public use.
Catering for beginner through to intermediate riders, the new trails are family-friendly with some progressive elements included for riders looking to challenge their skills.
New and improved day visitor facilities are now also in place at Willowie including a picnic area, accessible toilets and improvements to the existing carpark.
These new trails will contribute to the network of already popular mountain bike trails in Melrose and were planned with the help of local mountain bike organisation, Bike Melrose.
Day facilities at Willowie Forest — complete
New and improved day visitor facilities and car parking have been developed at the Wirrabara Forest picnic area for visitors to this region of the Southern Flinders.
The new facilities include two picnic shelters with tables and seating, BBQ facilities, an amenity block with accessible toilets and improvements to the existing carpark.
The improvements to the carpark include more parking spaces, including accessible car parking, resurfacing and changes to improve traffic flow.
EPIC Trail — underway
The Epic Trail is still an active construction site and public access is prohibited. The official opening date will be announced shortly.
The Epic Trail has been designed to international standards and is set to become a world-class tourism drawcard for the region.
The proposed route will showcase the best mountain biking country that the Southern Flinders Ranges has to offer. The 42-kilometre trail will wind its way through Mount Remarkable National Park and adjacent private land, traversing the previously unexplored western flank of Mount Remarkable and descending into Spring Creek. From the western side of the trail, the spectacular Black Range is visible before the trail loops back toward Melrose beneath the Gibraltar and Cathedral Rock formations.
Gorges Walks trail network — underway
The Gorges Walks trail network will create a new, iconic, multi-day hiking experience in the Southern Flinders Ranges, taking hikers through the region’s gorges and up on to vantage points which offer spectacular views across the Spencer Gulf.
It includes plans for up to 4 day/3 night hike and day walking opportunities, with the detailed design continuing. New campsites will also be built along the trails.
Mambray Creek Upgrade Design — underway
Infrastructure upgrades will also soon be underway in the Mambray Creek campgrounds as part of the Remarkable Southern Flinders project, with the detailed design for the new facilities close to completion.
Mambray Creek is one of the state’s most popular national park campgrounds, located within Mount Remarkable National Park.
This project will contemporise and improve the visitor experience within the campground, including a new day and overnight visitor precinct, redesign group camping facilities and provide greater accessibility for larger touring caravans, motorhomes, and campervans.
More information
For more information or if you have any questions, please get in touch with us online.