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Heysen Trail and the Flinders Ranges

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All content by World Expeditions

7 days (Adelaide)

Destinations visited: Australia, Adelaide, World

Grading:

Introductory to Moderate level

Grading Definitions

Discovery & Cruising

These are our least demanding trips. These journeys of discovery and cruises involve little or no extended activity and are suitable for people with a basic level of fitness and good health. The itinerary may take place in remote areas (with basic facilities) and may involve long travel days on various types of transport. Sightseeing may be conducted on foot and all participants should be capable of carrying their own luggage from vehicle to hotel rooms. These adventures do not go above 2500m and rarely involve camping.
Suggested preparation: Once or twice a week, we recommend you walk on undulating terrain for an hour, for at least 2 -3 months prior to departure.

Adventure Touring

Suggested preparation: Two or three times a week, we recommend you walk on undulating terrain for an hour or more, for at least 3 months prior to departure.

Introductory

These trips involve trekking or walking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to five or six hours a day at a slow but steady pace and should never be misinterpreted to mean they are easy trips. These trips do not spend time at altitudes above 4000m and are usually a week in duration. You will need a reasonable level of fitness and good health.
Suggested preparation: 30 minutes of aerobic type exercise, (either cycling or jogging) three times a week for three months leading up to your trek. For trekking, hill walking with a daypack in variable weather conditions is also recommended. For a cycling adventure, road cycling twice a week for three months prior to departure is recommended.

Introductory to Moderate

These trips involve a combination of what is described in our INTRODUCTORY and MODERATE levels. The emphasis is on introductory activity with several moderate stages

Moderate

These adventures involve trekking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to 6 or 7 hours a day at a steady pace. These trips may spend successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 5,500m and are usually between 10 and 15 days in duration. You will need a good level of fitness and be in good health.
Suggested preparation: 45 minutes of aerobic type exercise, three to five times a week for the three months leading up to your trek. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or road cycling is also recommended depending upon the activity you plan to undertake.

Moderate to Challenging

These adventures involve trekking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to 6 or 7 hours a day at a steady pace. These trips may spend successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 5,500m and are usually between 10 and 15 days in duration. You will need a good level of fitness and be in good health. Suggested preparation: 45 minutes of aerobic type exercise, three to five times a week for the three months leading up to your trek. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or road cycling is also recommended depending upon the activity you plan to undertake.

Challenging

These adventures involve trekking, cycling or rafting in remote areas in variable weather conditions for up to 8 to 10 hours a day (possibly more subject to weather conditions and altitude). This may include spending successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 6000m. These trips may often be over three weeks in duration. You will need an excellent level of fitness, be prepared to carry a daypack weighing up to 8kgs (and in some cases a full pack) and be completely comfortable in adverse weather conditions.
Suggested preparation: One hour of aerobic type exercise, four to five times a week for three to six months prior to departure. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or on/off road cycling is also recommended.

Entry Mtn/Exploratory Treks

These adventures are classed as expeditions. They involve either extreme trekking and or basic mountaineering. Expect remote and poorly defined trails in variable weather conditions for up to 12 hours a day (possibly more subject to weather conditions and altitude). This may include a number of demanding high pass crossings and evacuation may be difficult from remote areas. Suitable for first time mountaineers wishing to take the step from trekking into the realm of mountaineering. Prior experience trekking at altitude is preferable but not essential and you should be comfortable in adverse weather conditions. Prior technical mountaineering experience is not necessary. Terrain will involve low angle snow slopes. Ropes may be used during treks for glacier travel and steeper sections of ice and snow. When mountaineering, basic mountaineering instruction is given by our mountaineering guides.
Suggested preparation: For grade 8-10 mountaineering expeditions you will need to be very fit and healthy. A minimum of 1 hour of aerobic exercise per session, four to five times a week is essential. Running and cycling in hilly areas is particularly beneficial as are multi day walks on the weekends. This is the ideal time to try out your boots and other gear to make sure you are prepared and ready for your expedition. If you are considering Intermediate or advanced level trips, you will need to discuss your preparation leading up to the trip with our expert staff.

Intermediate Mtn Expedition

Participants should be competent and self sufficient in the outdoors and have experience in multi day trekking at altitude. Prior experience on an entry level mountaineering expedition is highly recommended. The terrain will involve low to moderate angle snow slopes and traveling on crevassed glaciers. Experience using ice axe and crampons is preferred but not essential.
Suggested preparation: For grade 8-10 mountaineering expeditions you will need to be very fit and healthy. A minimum of 1 hour of aerobic exercise per session, four to five times a week is essential. Running and cycling in hilly areas is particularly beneficial as are multi day walks on the weekends. This is the ideal time to try out your boots and other gear to make sure you are prepared and ready for your expedition. If you are considering Intermediate or advanced level trips, you will need to discuss your preparation leading up to the trip with our expert staff.

Advanced Mtn Expedition

These are our most challenging expeditions. Clients must have prior mountaineering experience. Most are participatory expeditions & involve load carrying, setting up of camps, cooking and campcraft. Altitude is generally greater than 6500m. Some of these expeditions also involve “technical” climbing and are for experienced alpine climbers / mountaineers only. Technical expeditions involve steep climbing at high altitude (including rock climbing). Participation on one of these expeditions is subject to acceptance by one of our high altitude mountaineering guides.
Suggested preparation: For grade 8-10 mountaineering expeditions you will need to be very fit and healthy. A minimum of 1 hour of aerobic exercise per session, four to five times a week is essential. Running and cycling in hilly areas is particularly beneficial as are multi day walks on the weekends. This is the ideal time to try out your boots and other gear to make sure you are prepared and ready for your expedition. If you are considering Intermediate or advanced level trips, you will need to discuss your preparation leading up to the trip with our expert staff.

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Spectacular trekking in the remote Flinders Ranges accommodated in comfortable outback properties

The North Flinders Ranges offers some of the most stunning scenery in Australia as well as some of the most attractive outback properties. This newly accommodated trek includes selected walks on our favourite sections of the Heysen Trail. The Flinders Ranges offer a rolling range of majestic peaks and rugged ridges, the trails combining exceptional views with enjoyable strolls and achievable challenges. The forests of cypress pines create an almost alpine ambiance in these semi-arid ranges with the dry climate creating ideal conditions for walking. This trip is operated in our classic style, you can enjoy walking with just a daypack while our comfortable accommodation offers both stunning scenery and the best of outback hospitality.

Highlights

Wilpena Pound
Arid ranges trekking
Alligator and Bunyeroo Gorges
Dutchmans Stern

Itinerary

Day 1 Drive to Quorn, walk Mambray Creek, accommodate at Quorn

We pick you up from your accommodation in Adelaide between 7:00 and 7:30am, driving north though the agricultural districts to the historic town of Quorn. To break up the long drive north from Adelaide we will stop in the Mambray Creek area of Mt Remarkable National Park for lunch and a short hike through Davey’s Gully. After continuing further north to Quorn we will summit its most distinctive formation, Devils Peak.. We will be staying in a classic country hotel in Quorn

Day 2 Moralana Creek to Wilpena Pound

A short transferr brings us to the start of the days hike, and our journey along the Heysen Trail, in Moralana Creek. After following the creek we ascend the southern slopes of Wilpena Pound. The saddle rewards us with views back over the Elder Range and out to the Chase range. From there it is a gentle walk through the middle of the pound and out to Wilpena where the opportunity exists for a scenic flight over the great formations. Our accommodation is the cottages at the Willow Springs Sheep Station

Day 3 St. Mary Peak (16km)

Today we will take on the challenge of South Australia’s highest peak. This breathtaking hike to 1170m offers the most accomplished views of the tour. A quiet moment on top dwarfs the largest of us before we begin the descent, retracing our steps to Wilpena. Our accommodation is the cottages at the Willow Springs Sheep Station

Day 4 Bunyeroo Gorge to Wilpena (16km)

Starting at Bunyeroo Gorge this walk winds us through native pine forrests between the Wilpena Pound and ABC Ranges. We start the days walk in the Gorge and then up on to the ABC range for breathtaking views toward Wilpena Pound. Our accommodation is the cottages at the Willow Springs Sheep Station

Day 5 Yuluna Walk (8km), drive to Parachilna

Setting off from the historic Aroona homestead and its restored pug and pine hut, this hike leads through the landscape that inspired artist Sir Hans Heysen on his numerous visits to the Flinders Ranges. The trail weaves through an impressive valley in the ABC Range. As we pass through the ABC Range, the high north-facing slopes of quartzite on our left are clad with porcupine grass and scattered gum-barked coolibah, while the cooler south-facing slope on our right carries pine and silver wattle. We enjoy a picnic lunch before heading south to tonight's accommodation at Parachilna.

Day 6 Dutchmans Stern walk (10km), Warren Gorge Loop Walk (5km) drive to Melrose

We drive south through Hawker and Quorn toward the prominent peak of the Dutchmans Stern. The Dutchman Stern is another of Quorns breathtaking formations. This walk winds through sugar gum woodlands and into Sheoak forrest before reaching the Stern, which offers stunning views out to Spencer Gulf. After driving south back to the Mount Remarkable National Park we will stop at the Flinders Ranges best kept secrets, Alligator Gorge. Tonights accommodation is at delightful town of Melrose

Day 7 Mount Remarkable

Waking early we walk amongst towering River Red Gums enjoying the tranquil beauty of the rocky creek line. A wonderful opportunity for us to see wallabies and kookaburras as our path meanders between water holes. The trail winds between Native Pines as we ascend into Mallee woodlands providing spectacular views of Mount Remarkable National Park. Concluding our walk we drive to Adelaide where our trip concludes around 5pm.

Additional Information

Inclusions

6 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 6 dinners
professional wilderness guide and support staff
6 nights accommodation as per itinerary
all entrance and national park fees
emergency communications and group first aid kit
4WD transport from Adelaide

Summary

6 nights accommodation

Trip Main Activities

Trekking

Group Size Min

Group Size Max

Accommodation Summary

During the trip you will be accommodated in a range of outback properties. These range from basic outback homesteads, shearers quarters, park cabins with shared facilities through to twin share rooms in delightful properties. Night 1 A classic old-style country hotel with good clean accommodation. Rooms are Doubles, singles, twin rooms- but shared bathrooms with private cubicles. Night 2 - 4 Cottage Accommodation on a working Sheep Station. Various rooms in a small cottage like setting.- common rooms for spare time, shared bathrooms and toilets- with fire place and outside seating area around outside fire as well Night 5 Clean and comfortable bust basic accommodation in donga's. There is shared bathroom facilities with private cubicles and toilets. The donga (transportable accommodation unit) is actually the most used style of accommodation throughout outback Australia. From the outside the donga can look very minimalist, however on the inside they provide clean comfortable and good value accommodation. Night 6 A classic old-style country hotel with good clean accommodation. Rooms are Doubles, singles, twin rooms- but shared bathrooms with private cubicles. A single room option will not be available due to lack of available single rooms. Basic linen is provided however Please do not expect hotel-style services such as daily linen service. The guides will prepare all the meals and run the catering, however you will be asked to contribute by assisting around mealtimes. Participation will make for a more enjoyable experience for everybody. Most groups are made up of a mixture of single participants and couples. If you are travelling alone you will share a room with someone of the same sex. This usually sorts itself out naturally. All accommodations are heated & fully powered so please feel free to bring your camera chargers etc. with you

Equipment Required

Specialist gear required include walking boots and day pack (a comprehensive gear list is provided in the pre-departure information provided on booking).

What You Carry

The Heysen Trail Trek is a fully supported, accommodated trek. You will need to carry just a day-pack with your water and other items.You should plan on carrying at least 3 litres of water every day.

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Book this trip with World Expeditions on their site

from
USD$2,720

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