2025 departure dates : August 30th 2025. Fill out the contact form below or email [email protected]
Ikara (Flinders Ranges) and further into Valkathunha (Gammon Ranges) are one of the more remote mountain ranges in Australia and a truly stunning place for bikepacking owing to the rugged terrain, cultural heritage and incredible scenery. Let us take care of all the planning and logistics by offering a fully supported 9 day expedition into the heart of the Northern Flinders Ranges and beyond. The aim of this trip is to spend more time riding with lightened loads and less time worrying about your gear and logistics, aided by pop up feed stations, lunch stops and night time comforts carried on the bus most days. Days will be challenging but there are plenty of extra loops and shortcuts to cater to the group as a whole. It’s a region I have extensive experience guiding in and I can’t wait to show you around.
Jagged mountains rise from the valley trails exposing sea beds that were formed 400-800 millions years ago. Yellow footed Wallabies can be spied nesting in the cliffs as Wedge tailed eagles circle above. The terrain is ever changing as you pass through these slivers of ancient rock towering above. The culture of the the Adnyamathanha (rock people) is still very strong with the communities taking more of the lead in managing the national parks and we’re hoping to arrange some interpretive sessions with them on route.
Itinerary
Day One
We head out of Melbourne early morning aiming to make a few stops along the road to Adelaide. In the afternoon we’ll drop you off at Yurrebilla (Mt Lofty) Adelaide’s highest peak for a fun filled descent on back roads to our campground for the night.
Ride of up to 40km.
Day Two
Drive through to Wilpena for lunch, Ride the Mawson trail from Wilpena resort below the towering peaks of Wilpena Pound and ABC Range. We’ll be camping at Aroona Hut, a site often frequented by Hans Heysen on one of his many painting expeditions. Explore Brachina Gorge in the evening and spot the elusive Yellow Footed rock wallabies.
Minimum 55km with optional extras.
Day Three
Ride the northern most section of the Mawson trail to the quaint town of Blinman North. Check out the mining past of this former boomtown before we zoom down Glass gorge and out onto Moolooloo station. Spend the night in a remote mountain hut and enjoy a hot shower powered by a wood fire.
Minimum 55km with options to explore nearby gorges and lookouts.
Day Four
Depending on the feel of the group we will either shuttle up to Arkaroola to ride into Vulkathunha (Gammon Ranges) NP to camp the night or ride onto Nantawarrina Indigeonus protected area, Australia’s first Aboriginal run National park.
50-85km
Day Five
We go deep into the Gammon ranges on a loop around the National park. The mountains get older, the rocks get bigger and the double track out here is all about line choice! Our home for the next two nights in an 1800s cottage with a chequered past
25-40km of chunky double track and stunning views!
Day Six
Waking up in Grindells hut, the day is yours to explore at your leisure, you can check out the local gorge or head out on trail to check out the truly remarkable geological feature that is Bunyip Chasm.
Either chill at camp, explore some local gorges on foot or head out on a 40km loop.
Day Seven
Ride out of Gammon Ranges NP before transferring back into the central Flinders for one last ride.
30-45km broken up into two rides.
Day Eight
A morning ride out to the bus followed by a drive to camp in a stunning location in the Murray Sunset National park
Day Nine
A quick explore around Murray Sunset NP before we drive back to Melbourne arriving late afternoon.
What do I need to bring?
Tent and sleeping gear, although if you are comfortable in a swag they are an excellent option out here.
Your bike in good running condition.
Warm clothes for night time
Casual clothes for Pub meals
Alcoholic beverages (limited fridge space is available)
What we supply
All food and snacks for the entire trip. Up to 4 guides with first aid training, mechanical support in the field. GPX files, daily briefings, up to 4 nights sheltered accommodation.
More information will be sent to you closer to departure.
How fit do I need to be?
Medium cycling fitness will get you though as will a bit experience riding on some rougher tracks. If you can ride 60km with out much training there’s still time to get in shape for the trip. If you are concerned about this please reach out and we can point you in the direction of some good training rides. For example the Grampians have very similar geology, just less rocks and more sand 🙂
Costs and expectations
$2950, this includes meals, accommodation, parks fees and transport.
Group size is limited to just 16 people maximum.
It’s a pretty tight schedule at times and requires a bit of hustle to get going in the morning, you’ll need to help prep food, set up and pack down your camp set-up and work in the team to get things done when the need arises.
It’s expected your bike is in excellent condition and has been serviced prior to the trip. This ensures you have a great time out there and don’t compromise the group as a whole. A mountain bike is by far the most suitable bike out here due to the incredibly rough and ever changing 4×4 tracks, however those with above average skills might be just as at home on a gravel bike with 2 inch tyres. Tubeless is essential. The itinerary I have gone with comes from many years of running commercial and personal trips in the area both on foot and on bikes, it’s a rarely visited, absolutely spectacular part of the world I want more people to appreciate.
The itinerary may change on the fly due to weather or group feel on the day but rest assured you will experience some truly unique riding.
We will be riding on un-ceded lands of the Adnyamathanha peoples. Their stories and culture are still incredibly strong and they have great influence on land use and management in the area. We would like to respect their culture through some interpretive sessions with local guides during the trip