Ace Rental Cars Blog

The Flinders Ranges is one of those places. With jagged peaks, red dirt roads, and a sense of stillness you don’t find in many other places, it’s an outback experience that rewards you for spending time in it. If you're flying into Adelaide, picking up an Ace Rental Car puts you in a great spot to start exploring the region with room to move and plenty to discover along the way.

Getting There is Half the Magic

The drive north from Adelaide to the Flinders Ranges takes around five to six hours, depending on your route. Go straight up the highway, or take the scenic detour through the Clare Valley. Grab a coffee in Auburn or a tasting at a local cellar door—then keep driving until the landscape starts to shift. The green fades, the hills grow steeper, and suddenly you’re in proper outback country.

Set Up Base in Rawnsley Park or Wilpena Pound

There’s no shortage of places to stay, from simple bush camps to eco-villas and station stays. For first-timers, Rawnsley Park and Wilpena Pound are solid picks. You’ll get easy access to hikes, lookouts, and wildlife—plus the kind of sunrise views that make you forget you ever set an alarm. If you’re travelling with friends or family, having a rental car means you can venture further afield without needing to stay in one spot

Hike, Drive, and Take it Slow

Whether you’re into long hikes or scenic drives, the Flinders delivers. Short trails like Arkaroo Rock offer glimpses of Aboriginal rock art, while Bunyeroo and Brachina Gorges make for a dramatic self-drive loop. The road carves through rock walls and dry riverbeds, with signs marking out geological periods as you go. It’s like driving through Earth’s own history book—minus the footnotes.

Connect with Country

The Flinders Ranges sit on Adnyamathanha Country, and the stories here run deep. Cultural tours with local Aboriginal guides add meaning to what you're seeing—whether it's ancient rock engravings or bush tucker along a walking track. If you get the chance, take a tour. It’ll stay with you longer than any photo.

Campfires, Stars, and the Stuff That Sticks

Out here, the nights matter as much as the days. You’ll find yourself sitting under a sky that actually twinkles, with stars so bright they don’t seem real. Cook a simple dinner, stoke a fire if it’s allowed, and enjoy the kind of stillness that’s hard to find back home. You might see emus crossing the road at dawn or catch a sunset that makes you pull over just to take it in. These little moments sneak up on you—and that’s kind of the point

The Outback, Your Way

The Flinders Ranges isn’t about ticking boxes—it’s about taking your time and letting the place unfold. With an Ace Rental Car, you’ve got the freedom to explore beyond the main tracks and the flexibility to shift plans when something catches your eye. So throw your gear in the boot, turn up the music, and hit the road. There’s nothing quite like the outback when you’re in the driver’s seat.