Go there and you, too, will fall in love with the Flinders Ranges

The Flinders Ranges of South Australia are truly awe inspiring. That may be an overused word, but it is the only one worthy of them. In order to appreciate them fully, you have to step a little bit out of your comfort zone and take a hike away from the main road, but you don't have to go far. As soon as you get away from the last signs of civilization (easy to do), you feel you are living in the aboriginal Dreamtime. Raw, jagged and yet hauntingly beautiful - this is the Flinders Ranges.

Just entering the Flinders Ranges is like being transported into a dimension outside of time. While today, our modern roads and amenities make it perfectly safe to explore this part of Australia's outback, in the Appealinna Ruins and abandoned mines you will see how harsh life was for the early settlers. If you want to get a real taste of an old opal mine, then visit Coober Pedy's world famous Old Timers opal mine. While you're there, you will see how opal was mined in the old days and even be given a chance to try your hand at opal mining yourself.

As fascinating as the 19th century attractions are, that is only the beginning of your trip back in time in the Flinders Ranges. Indigenous Australians have recognized the special significance of the region for many thousands of years. The local aborigines have recorded their lives and beliefs here for at least 5000 years in the hundreds of amazing rock art creations you can find throughout the ranges. Some of these are now easy to find and are now protected for future generations. Others you may stumble across on your own as you explore the Flinders.

As ancient as the aboriginal culture is in this region, the rocks will reveal evidence of far more ancient inhabitants. Take the 12 mile (20 km) Brachina Gorge Geological Trail and you will learn about its 130 million year history. Don't worry, though: you don't need to be a geologist to appreciate what you are seeing. You will come across signposts along the trail that will explain everything about geological history of this, one of the world's oldest mountain ranges.

The Flinders Ranges is home to many species of Australian wildlife. Notable amongst these is the now protected Yellow Footed Rock Wallaby. Although these timid animals once nearly faced extinction, they are now protected and once again thrive in their ancestral home. These are joined on the ground by red and grey kangaroos and echidnas as well as many different reptile species. In the air, you see parrots, galahs and wedge-tailed eagles, just to name a few of the many bird species.

Mention hasn't even been made yet of one of the Flinders Ranges greatest attractions. Wilpena Pound has to be on your "must see" list of attractions while you're there. Thankfully, there is no shortage of safe and comfortable Flinders Ranges accommodations, so you can stay as long as you like. Many visitors like to spend much of their time as close to nature as possible in a camping ground and then find a more luxurious hotel or eco retreat to stay in to recharge their batteries. The best way to really appreciate the Flinders Ranges is to give yourself as much time as possible to explore them and immerse yourself in their timeless majesty.

Take a few days off, find Holiday in Flinders Ranges, things to do and other travel related information about the area on bookitnow.com.au. Or visit our Australia blog for more Australian holiday ideas.