Collect your rental vehicle and drive out of the city via the Adelaide Hills. Continue north from Adelaide as the green hills gradually change to the red sand and gum trees of the Australian outback.

Follow the signs towards Flinders-Ikara National Park and then turn off to Rawnsley Park Station. There has been pastoral farming at Rawnsley Park since 1851, and the property is named after Rawnsley Bluff, the southern tip of the unique Wilpena Pound rock formation that overlooks the station.

As well as hosting guests Rawnsley Park Station is also home to around 3000 South Australian Merino sheep.

On arrival you will be shown to your chosen accommodation where you can relax, refresh and perhaps take a dip in the swimming pool.

Adelaide > Rawnsley Park Station | 260 miles

After an early breakfast jump aboard a 4WD vehicle with your experienced guide to explore the Flinders-Ikara Ranges National Park. The route of the tour stops at the ‘Cazneaux Tree’ (made famous by the photographer Harold Cazneaux back in 1937) before heading to the Bunyeroo and Brachina Gorges. Here your guide will explain about their formation and the story of life on earth, while you hopefully spot the rare yellow-footed rock wallabies that reside in the area.

Lunch is had at either the Prairie or Blinman hotels, where you can discuss the morning’s discoveries and the history of Rawnsley Park Station with your knowledgeable guide.

The return journey through the Flinders-Ikara National Park offers some great opportunities to get out of the vehicle, stretch your legs in the mountains and photograph Wilpena Pound.

Departing the main Rawnsley Park Station office at daybreak (making the most of the cool temperatures) discover the native flora and fauna on a guided breakfast walk.

The short 3km walking trail takes you through the foothills of Rawnsley Bluff and Wilpena Pound. Your expert guide can discuss how the ancient sea floor was uplifted 500 million years ago to form this stunning landscape and hear how Operation BOUNCEBACK a conservation program that aims to protect the natural landscape and feral animals was put in to action in 1993 and remains in place today.

During the walk your guide will also cook you a delicious breakfast and billycan tea over a campfire whilst you admire the sunrise across the outback.

After your return to Rawnsley Park Station, you will have plenty of time to relax, enjoy the facilities, go for a swim or count the sheep until about 90 minutes before the sun starts to set.

As the evening approaches, jump in to a 4WD with your guide for a sunset experience. The 40-minute drive climbs to an exclusive hilltop lookout above the station. Once here your guide will be able to point out distinctive features of Wilpena Pound and the Chace Range as the colours change at sunset.

Your guide will be able to serve you some sparkling wine, or another drink of your choice, and gourmet canapes whilst you watch the rocks change in colour from red to purple to blue, as the sun slowly sets. You should also keep your eye out for the local wildlife that becomes more active at this time. This two-hour tour provides a truly magical memory of what makes at Rawnsley Park Station so special.

There is still time to enjoy swim, or another self-drive tour through the Flinders-Ikara National Park and maybe another bushwalk, before making your return journey back to Adelaide.

Rawnsley Park > Adelaide | 260 miles