What are the Flinders Ranges?
The Flinders Ranges are the largest mountain range in South Australia, stretching about 430 kilometres north from near Port Pirie. They are famous for Wilpena Pound and ancient fossils.
The ranges are made of folded rocks laid down hundreds of millions of years ago. The highest peak is St Mary Peak at 1,171 metres, on the rim of Wilpena Pound, a huge natural amphitheatre known as Ikara by the Adnyamathanha people.
The Flinders Ranges contain some of the world's oldest animal fossils, from the Ediacaran period, more than 550 million years ago. The Ediacaran period was named after the Ediacara Hills in the ranges.
Outback scenery
Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park protects gorges, red cliffs and wildlife such as yellow-footed rock-wallabies. The Heysen Trail ends in the ranges, and they are named after navigator Matthew Flinders.
Arkaroola, in the northern Flinders Ranges, is a private sanctuary known for ridge-top tours, dark skies and an astronomical observatory.
Did You Know?
The Ediacaran period is the only geological period named after a place in Australia.