This vast region extends from the southern Flinders Ranges near Melrose to Innamincka in the State's far north nearly 1100 kilometres from Adelaide.

The Outback borders the Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia and New South Wales. It covers 80% of the State's area but has less than 1% of its population, Anna Creek cattle station alone is larger than Great Britain.

It is a land of extreme contrasts from arid cattle grazing lands in the north to the magnificent wetlands of the Coongie Lakes system.

Harsh and beautiful at the same time, it's a land of tree-lined gorges and desert plains that stretch to the horizon.

The Flinders Ranges and Outback region is a timeless retreat from the hurried pace of life. Described as "delightful in autumn and stunning in spring", the region offers visitors many holiday experiences, including bushwalking, photography, bird watching, scenic flights over the ancient Wilpena Pound, and horse-riding. The Ridgetop Tour at Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary is highly recommended for more spectacular views from the back of a 4WD vehicle.

The fascinating opal mining town of Coober Pedy, the world's largest producer of opals, should not be missed. Staying in an underground accommodation in Coober Pedy is an unforgettable experience!

Getting There

Flights

- Airlines of SA (to & from: Adelaide and Pt Augusta)
- Regional Express (to and from Adelaide, Coober Pedy and Olympic Dam)

Coach

- Greyhound (Adelaide - Pt Augusta - Coober Pedy - Alice Springs)
- Premier Stateliner (Adelaide - Pt Pirie - Pt Augusta - Wilpena Pound).

Rail

- The Ghan (Great Southern Railways, Adelaide - Coober Pedy - Alice Springs-Darwin)

Distance and Drive Times
Adelaide - Andamooka	581 km ( 363.125 miles )	6 hours 30minutes
Adelaide - Arkaroola Village	667 km ( 416.875 miles )	7 hours 30 minutes
Adelaide - Blinman	505 km ( 315.625 miles )	5 hours 45 minutes
Adelaide - Coober Pedy	842 km ( 526.25 miles )	9 hours 30 minutes
Adelaide - Innamincka	1057km ( 660.625 miles )	12 hours
Adelaide - Leigh Creek	574 km ( 358.75 miles )	6 hours 30 minutes
Adelaide - Marree	667km ( 416.875 miles )	8 hours
Adelaide - Melrose	263 km ( 164.375 miles )	3 hours
Adelaide - Peterborough	243 km ( 151.875 miles )	3 hours
Adelaide - Port Augusta	306 km ( 191.25 miles )	3 hours 30 minutes
Adelaide - Roxby Downs	564 km ( 352.5 miles )	6 hours 30 minutes
Adelaide - Wilpena Pound	449 km ( 280.625 miles )	5 hours

Climate

Between April and October most days are warm and beautifully clear, but at sunset the temperature can fall sharply. Daily temperatures are usually in the average of 16-20C, while during the hotter months of November through March the days often go above 40C and on extreme days in Outback areas, above 50C. It's seldom humid so the dry heat can still be bearable. Rainfall may be low but when it comes it can be torrential and flooding occurs quickly. The winter and early spring rains are the source of the wildflower season across the Flinders Ranges and Desert Parks.

Season	Flinders Ranges	Outback
Summer	Average 30-35C	Average 28-40C
Winter	Average 8-18C	Average 6-22C

Visitor Information Centres

Port Augusta Visitor Information Centre

41 Flinders Terrace, Port Augusta
+61 8 8642 4511
+61 8 8642 4288
wadlata@portaugusta.sa.gov.au

Port Pirie Regional Tourism & Arts Centre

3 Mary Elie Street, Port Pirie
+61 8 8633 8700
+61 8 8633 8799
tourism@ppcadc.sa.gov.au

Wilpena Pound Visitor Information Centre

Wilpena Pound Resort
+61 8 8648 0048
+61 8 8684 0092
visitorcentre@wilpenapound.com.au

Flinders Ranges Visitor Information Centre

3 Seventh Street, Quorn
+61 8 8648 6419
+61 8 8648 6419
vic@flindersranges.com

Coober Pedy Information Centre

Hutchison St, Coober Pedy
+61 8 8672 5298
info@opalcapitaloftheworld.com.au

Wadlata Outback Centre

41 Flinders Terrace, Port Augusta
+61 8 86424511
wadlata@portaugusta.sa.gov.au