💦 A WET, MUDDY DETOUR To The BEST FREE CAMP in the FLINDERS RANGES

Another wet morning at Rawnsley Park sets the tone as we pack up and roll north through a very soggy Flinders Ranges. The van’s caked in mud, the car’s wearing half the station on its sides, and every few kilometres we’re splashing through another water crossing. It’s one of those days where the landscape feels alive — green, saturated, and completely transformed by the rain. Our plan was to tow the caravan through the Bunyeroo Scenic Drive, but after hearing rumours of closures, we head in with fingers crossed… only to find the gate shut at the very start of Bunyeroo Gorge. Disappointed but not defeated, we push on to Blinman and swing west onto Parachilna Gorge Road — wet, muddy, slippery, but open. And that’s where the day turns around. Parachilna Gorge is one of our favourite places in the Flinders, and honestly, one of our favourite free camps in Australia. We pull in to find the gorge glowing after the rain, set up camp, light the fire, and cook up some beautiful local Rawnsley Park lamb over the coals. A quick shower passes through, the fire kicks back into life, and the whole evening becomes one of those simple, perfect moments. The next morning, Liz and the boys settle in for some painting at camp before we make our way back to Blinman — wrapping up the episode at the iconic Blinman Hotel with a well‑earned pub lunch. It’s a wet, muddy, unpredictable couple of days… but the Flinders Ranges in these conditions are something truly special.