Northern and Central Flinders Ranges

• Summary
• Weather for Northern and Central Flinders Ranges

To the north of Adelaide is the Flinders Ranges, the gateway to the Outback.

Beyond lies the Simpson Desert, the proper Outback. It is a harsh area of spectacular sand dunes that can become a mass of wildflowers after rain. The Simpson Desert is one of the greatest 4WD challenges on the planet, beginning with the 'Big Red' 30km east of Birdsville and ending at the oasis of Dalhousie Springs.

Hundreds of kilometres from the sea lies Lake Eyre which is Australia's largest inland waterway and fills only once every decade! The water in the lake can be 9 times as salty as the sea. When empty, the lake is a salt encrusted landmass. The Warburton Channel area and Haligan Bay in the south are home to an enormous variety of birds.

The Oodnadatta Track from Marree to Marla follows the route of the Overland Telegraph line and later the old Ghan railway to Alice Springs. A detour west of Marree will take you to the Bubbler and Blanchecup Mound Springs where water emerges from a hilltop.

The Birdsville Track takes you through gibber plains and rolling dunes in the heart of the desert. Enroute you can get to Lake Eyre from Muloorina Station via the Oodnadatta Track and can visit one of the most isolated pubs in the world at Mungerannie. Birdie types will enjoy surveying the birdlife of the artesian bore wetland system.

This area also has some of the largest beef cattle stations in the world - Clifton Hills Station covers 13,000 square kilometers! At the end of the Birdsville track across the Warburton River is the town of Birdsville with its legendary Outback pub.