Photographing Flinders Ranges
About the Flinders Ranges
The Flinders Ranges are a mountain range on the edge of the desert (outback). The light from the desert strikes these hills and illuminates different colours. The hills can range from green (trees), to red rocks, to blue depending on the time of day and angle. The ranges are an extended area from south of Port Pirie (Southern Flinders Ranges) up passed Quorn (where the Flinders Ranges 'proper' start), and then up passed Hawker, Wilpena, Blinman, Liegh Creek to Arkoola. This is several hundred kilometres.
The area is generally desert-ish plains, with steep sided ranges poking up at the edges. There is some 2 wheel drive asphalt roads through the area, but many of the roads (really tracks) are 4x4 only. In general, the area is remote. (i.e. this is outback - come prepared). Fuel and food can be purchased in Hawker (our preference) and Blinman.
South Australia - Flinders Ranges and Outback is a government site that has a range of really good info on the area.
Viewpoints
The number of veiwpoints here is literally in the thousands. It is a location that photographers tend to spend 7-14 days in. The area is large, and there are many little tracks to follow. The angle of the sun (and rare clouds) change the colours of the hills. Dawn and Sunset here are great - the question is where to be for them.
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Flinders Ranges River Crossings - nn
Flinders Ranges River Crossings
How I photographed the Flinders Ranges
What I took - what was in my kit
I have been to the Flinders Ranges, but not to some of the better spots. Not knowing what the environment would be like, I took my LowePro Backpack loaded with Linhof Technorama with Velvia 100 film for the panorama, and Canon 5DSR body, Canon 24 mm TS, Canon 16-35mm, 50mm Sigma Art, and Canon 70-200mm Lenses, Manfrotto 190 Tripod, and of course a range of lens wipes, spare batteries, sunscreen and bug repellant.
Other things to look out for
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Location
Location: Flinders Ranges Way, Hawker SA 5434 (-31.449, 138.757)
Techniques used
Kit used
How to get there
The Flinders Ranges are in South Australia, some 450kms due north of Adelaide. The town of Hawker promotes itself as the entrance to the Flinders Ranges, and this is a reasonably accurate description. From a photographic point of veiw, the ranges take in several other ranges such as Southern Flinders Ranges, Gammon Ranges and Nilpena Ediacara National Park.
Best time to visit
April to November is the best time to visit. This avoids the hottest part of the year.
Accessability
We drove to, and through, the Flinders Ranges in a 2 wheel drive car. That said, there are many dirt roads and poor roads here, so a typical 4 wheel drives clearance, suspension and 4WD ability will not hurt. There are some tours for 4X4 cars - i.e. those cars that have: 4 wheel drive, lockable differentials, and high ground clearance. Most hire car firms specifically ban taking their cars into places like this due to the likelihood of damage to the underneath of the car. You can get to Willow Springs via nice asphalt roads though. Many roads throughout the Flinders Ranges are 2 wheel drive accessable - but certainly not all.
Where to stay
We stayed at Hawker, which has two hotels and a caravan park. There are many other options though from station stays (e.g. Edeowie Station $30 per night (20241018)) through to Wipena Pound Discovery Resort ($282 per night (20241018)), and Prairie Hotel & Outback Lodge ($690). The area is popular though, and while I have not looked for free camps, I think that if you are attempting to free camp, then you should get into camp early.