Images K.J.Ellis - S.A Media Gallery
5, 7 & 9 Days Ikara~Flinders Ranges
​Step into the thought-provoking stillness of the Australian Outback on a one-of-a-kind,
hands-on immersive journey.
Wake up to soul-nurturing sunrises, explore breathtaking landscapes, and unwind by the campfire under the shimmering Milky Way. Whether you choose to bushwalk, or immerse yourself as a cameleer, this journey promises unforgettable memories.
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Two Booking Options
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Bushwalking Option: Walk alongside camels and fully immerse yourself in the beauty of nature.
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The Cameleer Experience: A hands-on, immersive option where you’ll learn camel handling and join the trek crew.
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Secure your spot on our small group safaris between June ~ October 2026
Why Ikara - Flinders Ranges Is a Must-Experience Destination
It’s official — Lonely Planet has named Ikara–Flinders Ranges one of the world’s Top 5 Travel Destinations
for 2026, standing proudly alongside Botswana, Peru, and South Korea’s Jeju Island.
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This recognition is long overdue. For decades, this breathtaking region has flown under the radar, overshadowed by other Australian icons like Uluru and Kata Tjuta. Yet, those who’ve visited know — the Flinders Ranges is every bit as extraordinary.
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A place where rugged peaks meet open plains, where wedge-tailed eagles soar and ancient stories whisper through the red rocks, this is one of the oldest mountain ranges on Earth. Its history is written in stone — home to fossils that hold the earliest evidence of complex life on our planet.
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The Adnyamathanha people, whose name means “Rock People,” have cared for this land for tens of thousands of years. Their connection to Country gives the Ranges a living spirit that travellers can feel with every step.
When you walk here, you’re not just exploring — you’re part of a continuing story of resilience, balance, and beauty.
Our 'Bushwalking and Cameleer Experience Journeys' weave through landscapes mapped in collaboration with South Australia elder cartographer Anthony Stephens, revealing expedition routes otherwise unseen between Leigh Creek, Arkaroola, and Lyndhurst — regions of immense geological diversity and cultural depth.
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Imagine mornings filled with soft desert light, days walking alongside meditative camels, and evenings under star-studded skies in an area world-renowned for its pollution free, dark night skies perfect for astronomical observation.
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Every tour and expedition with Camel Treks Australia offers more than a journey — it’s a reconnection with land, culture, and self. Join us in Ikara - Flinders Ranges, where the world’s newest must-see destination awaits, still beautifully unspoiled.
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Every bushwalking tour and expedition with Camel Treks Australia offers
more than a journey — it’s a reconnection with land, culture, and self.
Arrive at your camel trek to a fully prepared campsite—
Dinner cooked, billy boiled, and the fire crackling under a star-filled sky. Relax in our premium Darche Eco Dee swags, designed for ultimate comfort with a high-density 70mm foam mattress, large entry doors for stunning views, and super-fine mesh for insect free ventilation. Freestanding, hassle-free and over 7ft in length, these outdoor bedrolls, called swags, offer plenty of space to sit upright, making your Outback nights as comfortable as they are unforgettable.​
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With an average daily trek of 10-18kms, depending on the days terrain, there's ample time for exploration, relaxation, and enjoying the natural beauty of the Outback. Cameleers morning activities commence at sunrise, allowing early rising guests company and to appreciate the tranquil light, whilst others might best enjoy a leisurely start to their day.
A typical day on our camel trek unfolds with a serene rhythm:
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Morning Delights: Begin with hot tea or coffee available from sun-up.
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Breakfast Bounty: Enjoy a leisurely breakfast amid the picturesque surroundings.
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Camel Moments: Capture the beauty of camels browsing in the morning light.
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Saddling Up: Observe or participate as cameleers prepare camels for the day's journey.
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Scenic Walk: Set out for a walk with camels, cameleers, and fellow guests.
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Midday Pause: Take a break for lunch, approximately halfway to the our next campsites destination..
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Camp Arrival: Reach a new campsite in the late afternoon.
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Unsaddling Ritual: Join the process of removing swags, bags, saddles and blankets from camels.
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Evening Atmosphere: Experience the magic of evenings with campfires, stories, and new friendships.
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Guest Participation: Choose your level of involvement, from observing to hands-on engagement.
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Whether you greet the dawn or ease into the morning, our rhythm follows that of the camels — steady and unhurried. Our pace reflects the camels’ naturally meditative rhythm.
Days are never rushed; we take our time to share the camels and our way of life with guests,
ensuring a truly memorable experience.
Day 1. Transfer day from Adelaide Central Bus Station to Cameleers
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If you’ve chosen the optional transfer service departing from the Adelaide Central Bus Station at 8:25 am with Stateliner Premier Coach, our cameleers will greet you upon arrival in Port Augusta at the East Caltex Service Station at approximately 12:54 pm.
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We aim to depart promptly after everyone has arrived. Along the journey, we’ll pause at the Flinders Food Co. Café in Hawker township for refreshments and lunch, with regular comfort stops and short breaks at scenic locations. The route winds through the picturesque Quorn Pass and into the Central Flinders Ranges before opening into the wide horizons of the Far North Flinders Ranges — the beginning of your Outback adventure.
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As the sun sets, you’ll arrive at the first nights camp to find your comfortable bed - swag already prepared, dinner plated, and the campfire glowing — chairs gathered in a welcome circle.
The travel weariness fades quickly here, replaced by the warmth of the fire, good company,
and the vast night sky stretching above.
​​​​​Day 2. Cameleers Rise Early for the First Day of exploring
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Early each morning, our cameleers rise to prepare hot coffee and tea, setting out breakfast and lunch tables with a generous selection to suit all tastes and dietary needs. Together, we pack up camp, load the camels with gear, and set out across the Northern Flinders Ranges.
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Watch as we gather with our camel companions — many of whom have shared more than 15 years together. Cameleers carefully fit halters and lead ropes, showing guests how we groom and prepare the camels for the day ahead. They love being brushed and pampered. Once the blankets are layered for comfort, saddles and supplies are secured, and we begin our full day’s walk.
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Ikara - Flinders Ranges is home to varied Australian wildlife, and as the sun dips low, the landscape transforms under breathtaking colours. After tending to the camels, our cameleers light the evening campfire, boil the billy, and prepare dinner.
Meals often feature traditional damper bread, hearty camp oven mains,
and sweet puddings enjoyed under the stars.
DAY 3: Exploring the Flinders Ranges of Outback South Australia
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Ikara - Flinders Ranges is a landscape shaped by time itself — rugged, ancient, and breathtakingly beautiful. Its weathered mountain peaks, winding gorges, and vast semi-arid plains tell stories hundreds of millions of years old. From the soaring granite ridges of Arkaroola to the soft ochre valleys near Leigh Creek and Lyndhurst, this is one of the world’s oldest and most geologically diverse mountain ranges.
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Since completing our final trek in the Tirari Desert and returning once again to the Ranges, we’ve been developing new route maps in collaboration with Adelaide City elder cartographer extraordinaire Anthony Stephens, capturing the dramatic topography between Leigh Creek and Arkaroola to the east, and Leigh Creek and Lyndhurst to the north.
These journeys will daily take you through rarely seen landscapes — places where nature still leads the way and every horizon tells a story leading to contemplation.
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This area is accessible only through the generosity of our Adnyamathanha friends. Paul and Karen, initiated as North Winders many years ago by a highly regarded Elder Aunty, have long been friends and recognised as close friends of the Traditional Adnyamathanha people.
This area is accessible only through the generosity of Adnyamathanha friends.
​We hope that young emerging leaders from the community will join us on our 2026 walks.
​Days 4 onwards: The Enigmatic Beauty of Ikara - Flinders Ranges
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Your friendship with the camels deepens; you've learnt their names and personality quirks — something you thought wouldn't be possible when you first arrived. The morning camel routine and guidelines associated with brushing, blanketing, saddling, and loading now have tangible meaning, and your understanding has developed. The loads are carefully assessed and balanced; the picture of how it's meant to look has come alive, and you can spot a misplaced swag or bag.
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The journey deepens, and you feel part of the group — or perhaps your vision has softened, and the subtleties of the landscape have become more visible. Although it's only been days out here, it feels more like weeks away. What a relief that you took this time out. Your entire being knows you're in the capable hands of an experienced crew, and the experience can be enjoyed to the fullest.
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The Adnyamathanha people, whose name means “Rock People,” are the Traditional Owners of this land. Their deep connection to Country stretches back tens of thousands of years. Rich in ochre and stone, these ranges hold their Dreaming stories, traditions, and sacred sites, and it is with their permission and guidance that we now walk and camp within their Country.
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Our camels live full-time with our friends, the Traditional Owners of the Flinders Ranges. It is with their support and care that we continue offering journeys on Country in this remarkable region that we also call home.
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This region is alive with wildlife — wedge-tailed eagles gliding effortlessly above, emus and kangaroos roaming, and the endangered Yellow-Footed Rock-Wallaby sheltering among the cliffs. The colours shift with the light; morning brings soft pastels over the peaks, and by evening, the rocks glow in warm reds and golds.
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As we continue our exploration and walk through dramatically varied terrain, our bodies develop a rhythm, and our minds forget what day it is, accepting that clock time means very little out here. We live by the rising and setting sun. This feels good — as does sleeping in your bedroll, the great Aussie swag, which keeps you warm, comfortable, and allows you to fall asleep watching the stars. ​
And then there is the silence.
Imagine waking to the first light of day, emerging from your bed - the Aussie swag, into stillness so profound that even your breath feels part of the landscape.
This is what it means to wake up in Ikara - Flinders Ranges — to stand in one of the oldest, most soul-stirring landscapes on Earth and feel completely connected to it. Its an experience that continues to deepen after saying goodbye.
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Day 5, 7 or 9 depending on your chosen duration, we say goodbye to Camels and Cameleers.
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The return journey to Port Augusta from the Far North Flinders Ranges, is an adventure in itself. We start our day early, after packing our bags and enjoying breakfast, we set out along the main track, immersing ourselves in the picturesque landscapes of the Outback, Far North and Central Flinders Ranges.
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We make a stops in Hawker and Quorn townships, where you can purchase souvenirs to remember this unique region. Lunch is enjoyed at your own choice in The Flinders Food Co. in Hawker. Our journey continues via the Quorn township and Quorn Pass, winding our way back to Port Augusta for the return optional charter to Adelaide with the Stateliner Premier Coach service.
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When was the last time you truly heard it — a silence so deep it feels tangible, as though you could reach out and touch it?
