To say the Flinders Ranges of South Australia are awe-inspiring is an understatement. While they have the advantage of being accessible, all you have to do is put on your hiking boots and take a few steps away from the road and you are suddenly in a land beyond time – in the aboriginal Dreamtime. As harsh and rugged as the landscape is, it is also mesmerisingly beautiful. Go there and you, too, will fall in love with the Flinders Ranges.
Just entering the Flinders Ranges is like being transported into a dimension outside of time. While today, our modern roads and amenities make it perfectly safe to explore this part of Australia’s outback, in the Appealinna Ruins and abandoned mines you will see how harsh life was for the early settlers. If you want to get a real taste of an old opal mine, then visit Coober Pedy’s world famous Old Timers opal mine. While you’re there, you will see how opal was mined in the old days and even be given a chance to try your hand at opal mining yourself.
Step back further in time and visit the many wonderful aboriginal sites in the Flinders Ranges. These ranges are of special spiritual significance to indigenous Australians. For thousands of years, local cultures knew how to survive here with nothing but their ancient wisdom to rely on. Over five thousand years ago, they left a lasting legacy of their presence here in the form of wonderful rock and cave art that can be found throughout the region. Some of these sites are now under management while others you will discover by accident in a rocky outcrop at the side of a rugged trail.
As ancient as the aboriginal culture is in this region, the rocks will reveal evidence of far more ancient inhabitants. Take the 12 mile (20 km) Brachina Gorge Geological Trail and you will learn about its 130 million year history. Don’t worry, though: you don’t need to be a geologist to appreciate what you are seeing. You will come across signposts along the trail that will explain everything about geological history of this, one of the world’s oldest mountain ranges.
As desolate as the area may appear, it is teeming with wildlife. Of particular interest is the Yellow Footed Rock Wallaby. While these fascinating animals were once near extinction, they are now a protected species and it looks like their future is secure. They are only one of dozens of species of animals that call the Flinders Ranges home. You will no doubt see many red kangaroos and grey kangaroos as well, not to mention the reptiles and birds.
Mention hasn’t even been made yet of one of the Flinders Ranges greatest attractions. Wilpena Pound has to be on your "must see" list of attractions while you’re there. Thankfully, there is no shortage of safe and comfortable Flinders Ranges accommodations, so you can stay as long as you like. Many visitors like to spend much of their time as close to nature as possible in a camping ground and then find a more luxurious hotel or eco retreat to stay in to recharge their batteries. The best way to really appreciate the Flinders Ranges is to give yourself as much time as possible to explore them and immerse yourself in their timeless majesty.
Before embarking on your journey into the Flinders Ranges choose an accommodation Adelaide option and spend a few days exploring Adelaide.
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The toxin-covered tentacles of the Box Jellyfish can stop human cardio-respiratory function in about three minutes. Found around the Great Barrier Reef, jellyfish cause more deaths in Australia than snakes, sharks and salt water crocodiles. 
Found in the shallow waters of Australia’s reefs, the Blue Ring Octopus has a golf-ball sized body, and venom that can cause motor paralysis leading to cardiac arrest and death for which there is no known antidote. The Blue Ring Octopus, so-called for its blue ring markings, is both beautiful and deadly. 
Lurking in the shallow waters of coastal Australia is the brownish-colored Stonefish, which appears to be a rock when in the water. Its thirteen sharp dorsal spines inject venom causing shock, paralysis, and even death. 
Found across Australia, the Red Back Spider hides in common insect spots. Only about 1 centimeter long and recognizable by a red stripe down her back, the female Red Back’s venomous bite causes acute pain, but fortunately deaths by Red Spider bite are rare. 
The Brown Snake, found mainly in Eastern Australia, is famous for its deadly venom. Seeking treatment quickly is vital to survival after a Brown Snake bite. 
In 1802 a British and a French explorer set foot on Kangaroo Island, an island in the south of Australia. They discovered the land, naming areas and mapping it out. The island was full of kangaroos, an animal they had never seen before. At first the men and their crews easily hunted these large, dark animals since the kangaroos were not scared of the humans, using the kangaroo meat regularly for steak and soup. The island’s name comes from the abundance of the animals that were seen on the land.
Most visitors to Australia aren’t expecting to catch a glimpse of a small town that would look more at home in the mountains of Europe, but then again most people visiting Australia aren’t familiar with Hahndorf before they arrive. Tucked into the Adelaide Hills just a half-hour south of Adelaide itself, Hahndorf was settled by Lutherans and bears a strong resemblance to the homeland of Germany.