Enjoy a Scenic Drive.

Tour One
Buckaringa to Kanyaka Tour - allow 3-4 hours, 125kms

Commence on the Yarrah Vale Road from North Quorn and drive 15.5 kms through slightly undulating grazing and cropping country to the turnoff on the left to the Yarrah Vale Gorge.

Drive on through Yarrah Vale Gorge. Stop just over the crest for sweeping views of the ranges. Turn right and follow the Arden Vale Road 23.7kms from Quorn to the entrance to Warren Gorge (on the left). At Warren Gorge take a short walk to appreciate and photograph the stunning red cliffs, gum trees, or fauna and flora. Early or late in the day you may even spot a Yellow Footed Rock Wallaby.

Back on the main road continue driving north 14 kms to the turn-off on your left to the Buckaringa Scenic Drive and Lookout (you will have passed the site of the proposed Buckaringa Sanctuary and Proby's Grave). It is 4 kms in to the Buckaringa Lookout car park. Take the short 100m walk to the lookout for panoramic views of the ranges. Return to the main road.

From the turn-off to the Buckaringa Scenic Drive, continue north-east. You will cross the Willochra Creek and pass Simmonston ruins. 5 kms further from the Simmonston ruins take the left turn across the Willochra Plain to Gordon (ruins) and to the main highway. Throughout this drive, you will see many ruins, the evidence of falsely placed enthusiasm last century for the agricultural potential of the region.

Once at the main highway turn left towards Hawker. It is 5kms to " Death Rock & Kanyaka Waterhole". Stretch your legs and take your camera on the short 10 minute walk to the waterhole. Lookout for evidence of the original Ghan railway track which passed through this way.

Death Rock & Kanyaka Waterhole

A further 1.5kms north turn left to the extensive Kanyaka ruins, site of what must have been a magnificent homestead.

Return south 42kms along the highway to Quorn.

Tour Two
Outback Tour - allow 3-5 hours, 190kms

On this tour you will get the opportunity to experience a feeling of isolation, travel bush tracks, make creek and floodway crossings and investigate "ghost" towns. Remember this country can be hot and isolated. Carry extra water and tell friends or authorities your plans, in case of accident or break-down.

From Quorn travel about 39kms along the main highway towards Hawker, then turn right onto the Cradock road. This track is part of the Mawson Bike Trail. You will travel 19kms through creek crossings and across hills, along an undulating track with magnificent views of the Flinders Ranges, pastoral country, and panoramic vistas over the Willochra Plain, before reaching Cradock. Stop at the Cradock Hotel for refreshments, and investigate the old church buildings.

Head south 43kms through drier pastoral country, creek and floodway crossings, towards Carrieton. You will have extended views to the Flinders Ranges and will pass just east of the Horseshoe Range.

At Carrieton stop at the pub for a beer, and definitely take the opportunity to leisurely walk around town and appreciate the well preserved stone buildings dating from the last century. The Catholic Church on the hill stands as a sentinel.

Leave Carrieton and travel towards Wilmington. You will pass old railway station buildings just out of town, travel next to a disused railway corridor, experience more great scenery, and pass through the small town of Hammond, before reaching the Wilmington-Quorn sealed road 43kms later.

Turn right and travel 35kms along the main road to Quorn.

Tour Three
All day Flinders-Willochra Plain tour - allow 6 - 8 hours, 255kms

Combine Tours One and Two. From Tour one, when at Kanyaka ruins, travel along the highway south towards Quorn approx 3 kms, and take the turn-off to Cradock. Have a great day!

Tour Four
Bush -Walkers Devils Peak Climb & Waukarie Falls- allow 6 to 8 hours, 35kms

Devils Peak trail is closed in the fire ban season (Nov - April). Take the Richman Valley Road south from Quorn and turn right (after the first gum lined creek crossing) to the Devils Peak car-park.

Near the Devils Peak Car Park

The bush walk up Devils Peak is steep in places and is recommended for experienced and fit walkers. It may take 1-1.5 hours for the return journey, but you will see a large variety of native vegetation, wildflowers, birds and get fantastic panoramic views at the summit (670 metres above sea level) and along the way.

Return back along the Devils Peak turn-off road and turn right along the Richman Valley Road. This will take you a further 10 kms through farming country to Waukarie Falls (usually dry) and the start of the Mt Brown Conservation Park bush walks at Olive Grove Trailhead. (These walks are 6-8 hour walks and you may wish to tackle them another day?) Retrace your route 14kms back to Quorn.

[ FRC Area ] [Escaped Secrets] [ Quorn ] [ Hawker ] [ Accommodation ] [ Facilities ] [Tours] [ Information ] [Maps ]
[Have some Fun] [Picnic Areas] [Scenic Drives] [Parks and Gardens]