Rawnsley Park Station: Planning an enjoyable stay with your toddler in tow
Rawnsley Park Station is on Adnyamathanha Country.
Rawnsley Park is well-situated and a great alternative to staying at Wilpena Pound Resort.
Whilst it’s a 20 minute drive into Wilpena Pound, it’s worth remembering there’s far more to explore in the Flinders Ranges than the Pound.
Rawnsley Park Station has its own worthwhile walking trails, a small shop, fuel, swimming pool (closed through winter) and a restaurant.
Tours are available into the Flinders Ranges National Park and surrounds, including scenic flights by plane or helicopter.
Is Rawnsley Park Station family-friendly?
There’s some effort to accomodate families but only a few ‘nice-to-have’ extras that we look for when travelling with a child.
A tiny baby bath is tucked in the corner of the accessible bathroom. We wouldn’t have fit our 18 month old in there and you’d need to stand over the toilet making it rather impractical.
The amenities block is clean and well-kept but there’s no family bathroom here.
There’s a large camp kitchen/dining space with plenty of room to set up card and board games at tables if you need some downtime or have a rainy day.
A couple of school holidays programs are listed on the website. The ‘Farmtime Feeding’ would be a hit with younger kids and at $2 per child is cheap family fun. The programs run during South Australian holidays, with dates not currently listed.
There’s no playground and no obvious play space outside so kids will need close, constant supervision whilst playing on roads and around sites. The caravan park is very busy so there’s plenty of traffic.
Older kids will love to check out the creek which has water in winter months and flows quickly after rain.
It’s likely that you’ll spend most of your time away from the station and exploring the Flinders Ranges. Clean, functional facilities are all that’s needed and anything beyond that is a nice bonus!
Camping at Rawnsley Park Station
Rawnsley Park Station offers a variety of accomodation options, including some different options for camping.
Powered camp sites
For access to power and water, choose a caravan park site. Drive-through sites are available. The sites are on the smaller side but most people fit their van with awning on the site and had room to park their car in front. Some sites have overhanging branches, so if you need a lot of height it’s best to mention this when booking.
There’s no drinking water at Rawnsley Park Station however the bore water is suitable for washing dishes and bathing. You’ll need to bring all your drinking water requirements but it’s nice to have access to bore water to conserve your tank water for drinking only.
There are no sullage points so it’s important to consider others and direct grey water away from other sites.
Powered sites are from $43 per night for 2 persons.
Unpowered Camping
For a more spacious site, choose the unallocated unpowered section. There’s little shelter in this spot as the area is fairly clear.
You’ll be a little further from the main amenities block and camp kitchen, but there is a smaller toilet block nearby.
There are geat view of Rawnsley Bluff from this point in the park.
Unpowered sites from $30 for 2 persons per night.
Cabin Accomodation
The caravan park also has budget cabin accomodation. The cabins are old and fairly basic, with a small kitchen/dining area, double bed separated by a curtain and a small room with two bunk beds.
There’s no toilet, so you’ll need to use the campground amenities.
Whilst the cabins do sleep six, there’s only room for four people around the dining table and no additional seating space.
Cabins are from $125 per night for two persons.
Campfires
Most sites have their own fire pit although a few have a communal fire pit shared between 4-5 sites.
Bags of wood are available for purchase for $25. No firewood collection in the park or surrounds.
Fires in designated fire pits only - although some people seem to think this doesn’t apply to them.
Each night we stayed, there was quite a bit of campfire smoke, starting from early afternoon and still lingering the next morning. I’m not a fan of smoke-scented canvas so I always find this a super frustrating part of camping with others.
However, the smoke was definitely worse at Wilpena Pound Resort several years ago and I doubt much has changed.
When it rained most of the day, we had to drop everything and head outside whenever there was a break in the clouds. Muddy puddles, sticks and pebbles featured heavily in our playtime at Rawnsley Park Station.
Rawnsley Park Station Amenities
I thought the standard of amenities at Rawnsley Park Station was great. Everything was clean, functional and well-maintained. The amenities block and camp kitchen seemed fairly new - especially when compared to similar accomodation options.
Bathrooms
Standard toilet block, clean and well-maintained with plentiful hot water. Separate male/female shower blocks. “Accessible” unisex bathroom to the side of the main amenities block with hand rails but not spacious.
Laundry
There’s a basic laundry, with coin-operated washers and dryers. The washing come out mostly - clean and the dryers were handy with all the rain over our stay. Washing line space is limited considering the number of campers.
Camp Kitchen
The camp kitchen is fully-enclosed with a decent prep bench, wash-up sink and plenty of dining tables. It’s close to the amenities block which would be handy for shuffling kids off to the showers after dinner. A good spot to escape the weather and play some board games.
Is there drinking water at Rawnsley Park Station?
There is no drinking water at Rawnsley Park Station. Drinking water is available at Hawker, 38 km and roughly 30 minutes away from Rawnsley Park. It’s likely you’ll be able to purchase boxed drinking water at the shop, but it’s best not to rely on this. Bore water (not suitable for drinking) is on tap in the caravan park.
Food and Fuel at Rawnsley Park Station
There’s a fuel station, selling unleaded and diesel, and a small shop. You’d definitely be able to put a couple meals together but I wouldn’t rely on the shop for all your family’s food and other necessities.
Eating at the Woolshed Restaurant with kids
Rawnsley Park Station’s restaurant is family-friendly, with a couple of other families eating out on the same night we did. There’s indoor and outdoor seating and plenty of room between tables. The restaurant has high chairs available, which is always a bonus and makes eating out with a wriggly toddler much easier.
Kids meals are expensive at $14 but the serves are generous and the food is high quality. There’s fish and chips, chicken nuggets, a pasta dish, and lamb sausages with mash. Drinks are separately priced and a vanilla ice cream with choc topping will be another $6.
Our toddler enjoyed her sausages and mash but we ended up not serving her the veggies. If you’ve got a young child, be sure to ask for any veggies to be well-cooked/soft. The adults at the table enjoyed their meals too!
If you’re hoping for a sit-down meal with your family during your Flinders Ranges stay, the Woolshed Restaurant is a good pick.
The restaurant is open 7 days from 6 - 8:30PM. Bookings are essential and I highly recommend booking early (a couple days in advance) if you want a 6:00PM seating.
Takeaway is available for pick-up between 4:30 - 5:30 PM with orders placed at reception.
Views returning from Allison’s Saddle. This walk starts from Rawnsley Park Station’s main office and is one of the ‘easy’ trails around the property. Our toddler walked a short portion of the beginning/end. We needed the carrier for the majority due to the steep and rocky paths.
Things to do around Rawnsley Park Station
At check-in, you’ll receive a couple of brochures with maps, walking trails and checkpoints for the self-driving track. The information is very helpful and I’m sure the staff at reception will be able to answer any additional questions.
Both brochures are available on Rawnsley Park Station’s website. The walking trails map is here and the driving tracks information is here.
Walking Trails
Rawnsley Park Station has several wonderful walking trails, of which three are rated as ‘easy’. I’d suggest starting with one of these, particularly if you’re new to hiking in rocky, steep terrain.
Twidale Top: An easy 2 km trail with suggested return time of 2 hours. Geological features and scenic views.
Kangaroo Gap Lookout: This trail has a return time of 45 minutes and is an 800m walk. Views to the Chace Range, Elder Range and Rawnsley Bluff.
Alison Saddle: A 1.6 km trail with a 45 minute return. Views, great for sunset.
Each of these walks starts in a different location, with only Kangaroo Gap Lookout beginning from the Caravan Park. Check the map before planning your walk.
Unfortunately, there was quite a bit of rain during our stay at Rawnsley Park. We managed one station walk to Alison Saddle. It was quite a nice lookout and whilst listed as ‘easy’, the path is steep and some sections are loose underfoot.
The walking trails brochure includes some lovely pictures and descriptions of the native wildlife and birds that you might encounter around Rawnsley Park Station.
Our toddler has a fondness for brochures and really enjoyed looking at the birds. We keep our old brochures to hand back to her during long car rides. Now she thinks every brochure should be hers!
Driving Tracks
Rawnsley Park Station offers one self-guided driving tour at additional cost on neighbouring Arkapena Station.
It costs $70 per vehicle, with $10 back in your pocket when you return the key.
You’ll need a 4WD vehicle with low-range to complete the tour and all-terrain tyres. The shale rock surface is rugged and likely to cause punctures if attempted without suitable tyres.
Arkaroo Rock / Akurra Adnya
Our other walk whilst at Rawnsley Park Station was to Arkaroo Rock. The walking trail had plenty of large puddles to dodge but it was a scenic walk and the Aboriginal rock paintings are easily accessible from a viewing platform.
This is a significant cultural site for the Adnyamathanha people, with the paintings telling the story of the creation of Wilpena Pound. There are plans for more interpretative signage directly at the art site but this hadn’t been completed (July 2023).
This walk has a few short steep sections but I’d still consider it to be family- friendly and manageable with a baby carrier for those with moderate fitness levels. With a 3.1km loop distance and a 2 hour return time, it’s best to carry water and snacks for everyone. We completed the walk in under 2 hours with a bit of time spent at Arkaroo Rock shelter.
There’s an unsheltered picnic bench at the carpark and a long-drop toilet (BYO hand sanitiser, there’s no tap for hand washing).
Some of the new signage for Arkaroo Rock, which is part of the Flinders Ranges World Heritage bid, has been put into place. Great to see the Adnyamathanha language and culture more visible within the park.
Day trips from Rawnsley Park Station
Blinman
The historic town of Blinman is about an hour drive away from Rawnsley Park Station on a sealed road. Blinman is an old copper mining town, offering a decent coffee at the bakery and tours of the old mine. There’s even a tiny playground!
Interested in a mine tour? I’ve written down some tips and lessons from heading down the Blinman Mine with our toddler.
Parachilna and Glass Gorge
These scenic gorges are a ‘must-do’ when visiting the Flinders. From Rawnsley Park Station, it’s quickest to drive north along Flinders Ranges Way and enter Parachilna Gorge from Blinman.
On our first (pre-baby) trip we travelled from Wilpena to Blinman, through Parachilna Gorge to Glass Gorge and onto Parachilna. We drove back down the Outback Highway and then along the Moralana Scenic Drive to create one long, very scenic loop.
This makes for a long day in the car, so if you’re travelling with a young child, you’ll need to be prepared. I wouldn’t recommend driving this loop if you are also doing the Blinman Mine tour with a little kid. Even though it’ll mean driving back towards Blinman, I’d separate your Blinman Mine tour and gorge drives into two days if possible.
Wilpena Pound
One of the best ways to see Wilpena Pound is the hike it, with several different walking trails to explore the area. Walks begin at the Visitor Information Centre.
Hills Homestead is an easy, 6.6 km Grade 1 return walk suitable for families. There’s a picnic area with toilets and benches at the homestead which is a great lunch spot. The walk will take a couple of hours, add extra time for any breaks.
If you’re feeling fit, the viewpoints from Wangara Lookouts are stunning. Continue past the Hills Homestead. The steep path, rough surface and 7 km return distance earns this hike a Grade 4 rating.
A scenic flight over Wilpena Pound is another wonderful way to truly appreciate the rugged landscape of the Flinders Ranges. We took a 30-minute flight over Wilpena Pound on our first trip and it was pretty special to see the area from the sky.
Brachina Gorge
This stunning gorge has an amazing geological time-line signposted along the drive. To really experience the gorge, you’ll need to hop out of the car at each stop and walk to read the signage.
We did Brachina Gorge as drive during a nap so there was no stopping for us until the baby woke up! The views from the car are lovely but you’ll miss some information and a chance to see the rock formations up close.
You can create a loop by driving back towards Rawnsley Park via the Moralana Scenic Drive.
Brachina Gorge was closed during our stay at Rawnsley Park Station due to heavy rain. We managed the drive on our way home after our stay at Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary. After seeing the Flinders Ranges a few years back in drought, it was incredible to drive through Brachina Gorge with creek crossings and abundant plants, birds and Yellow-Footed Rock Wallabies.
Road Conditions
Rawnsley Park Station posts the information on road conditions at the Caravan Park office. It’s best to check in the morning before heading off on day trips, especially when rain is forecast or heavy rains have fallen. Road conditions can change quickly.
South Australia has the information available online on its Outback Roads Report website.
How long to stay at Rawnsley Park Station?
It depends. It’s best to work out what you’d like to see in the area and what activities you’re planning to do. Use that to plan out how many days to spend.
If you’re travelling with a young child, it’s best to be realistic about how much you can fit in a day. Generally choose one activity per day with a young child for a less stressful and more enjoyable experience!
I’d say 3-4 days is the minimum amount of time you’ll need to explore the central Flinders Ranges, especially with a little kid around. If you can, be flexible with your planning as the weather can impact what you’re able to do in a day too.
Is Rawnsley Park Station worth a visit?
The Flinders Ranges is absolutely worth a visit and Rawnsley Park Station is a decent spot to base yourself whilst you travel out and explore. With walks, driving trails, Aboriginal cultural sites and a few days trips, you’ll fill your itinerary in no time!
Whilst not super family-friendly, we did have a lovely time at Rawnsley Park with our toddler. Oftentimes, it’s about being prepared and so knowing what to expect at each destination is definitely helpful.
Want to know more about travelling and camping in the Flinders Ranges? Check out the posts below.
We acknowledge over 65,000 years of continuous care and custodianship of the Adnyamathanha people over these lands and waters. Their sovereignty has never been ceded. We pay respect to Elders past and present, and the Adnyamathanha people as the traditional and rightful owners of this Country.