If you like big views and rugged trails then Rawnsley Bluff has to be on your Flinders Ranges hike list. It’s one of those trails where you can see the mountain ahead of you from the car park, but you can’t see the route up. It looks impenetrable. The reality is that there’s only one section which is particularly steep and the rest is a fairly gradual climb over red rock that feels like true outback.
The views are spectacular the whole way up and then panoramic at the very top, which makes every last step well worth it. Here’s exactly what to expect from the trail.
The Rawnsley Bluff hike
The stats
Distance: 10km (shorter than the sign posts said)
Elevation: 481m
Difficulty: Hard
The trail up Rawnsley Bluff has some steep sections and there are some parts that are very rough as well. However, with a little time and effort, most people will be able to do this hike, and those who do are greatly rewarded.
Starting the trail
The good thing about the Rawnsley Bluff walk is that you have a decent amount of time to warm up before the climb begins. The gravel path starts off in excellent condition, and it’s an easy stroll where you don’t need to watch your feet and can admire the surrounding mountains and desert scrub.
The track is really well signposted, roughly every 200m and is very easy to follow.
After 570m you reach the turn off for Ferntree Falls which only runs after rain. If you do want to see the falls it’s a 2km detour each way, we didn’t get the chance to visit so would love to hear what they’re like if you do!
Carrying on straight, it’s roughly another 400m before the trail starts to head gradually uphill. The path becomes a bit more rocky, but it’s not difficult footing. The desert vegetation starts to close in around you and it feels quite wild and remote.
You have roughly 1.3km climbing fairly gradually uphill before you meet the rubble.
The real climb begins
If you’ve done any other walks in the Flinders you’ll probably be fairly used to the rough and rubbly tracks. This one was slightly different in that there were quite a few small rocks which are a little more slippery than on other trails in the area.
It isn’t scree, so it’s not too bad, but it is more tricky than most, in my opinion. Luckily the steepest section of it only lasts for 500m, so it’s over fairly quickly, and arrows point you up the easiest route.
There are plenty of big rocks to stop on if you need a break, and the views back in the direction you came from are absolutely jaw dropping.
There is one short section of bigger rocks which is a bit of a scramble, but nice and grippy in dry weather.
You’ll soon come to a large flat area known as Lone Pine Lookout, with a good view of the Elder Range, before you have another short sharp climb to go - which only lasts for a couple of hundred metres.
The ridge
You’ll then come to a ridgeline where the trail is nice and flat, and gives you a good break after the steep section. The views continue to be incredible and there are a couple of unofficial lookouts on rocky outcrops.
The path gets quite narrow and at points the vegetation obscures it a bit, which can be prickly, I was glad to have trousers on! It’s easy footing though, either on slick rock or a sandy, stony path.
After 500m of virtually flat track you’ll reach a junction, on the right hand side you can go to Wilpena Lookout or straight on will take you to Rawnsley Bluff.
We had every intention of doing both but when it came to it we couldn’t face any extra uphill so we headed straight for the Bluff. Doing St Mary Peak, Mount Ohlssen Bagge and Alligator Gorge on the previous three days had really caught up with us!
I think the detour was only 600m so I can’t believe writing this now that we didn’t!
Onto the bluff
The track to the bluff continues along the slick rock for several kilometres, at points between more prickly bushes, but it’s only a gradual incline. It all feels much easier after the steep rubbly section earlier on.
As you get close to the bluff there are a couple of sections of climbing up the slick rock, but it’s easy and grippy, and you’re soon rewarded with the sight of a giant cairn in the distance.
It’s probably the biggest one we’ve ever seen and someone definitely had a sense of humour when adding the little toy truck to the pile!
To the right of the cairn is a big area to sit and relax, overlooking the sweeping view of the Chace Range.
It’s the perfect picnic spot, although it does feel the full brunt of the wind and we wished we had jumpers even in November! It’s worth carrying something warm with you if you want to sit for any length of time up there.
The descent
Whilst the trail was really easy to follow on the way up, the arrows are slightly harder to spot on the way back. We went off trail a few times, but it always met back up with the main track so it wasn’t really a problem.
The descent is all pretty easy with good footing up until the rubble section.
All the way up the rubbly scramble I had been dreading coming down it again. Although around 500m of it felt a bit unstable and slippery, it wasn’t quite as bad I expected, and I only had to go down on my bum once - which is a result for me!
Most people won’t have a problem, but if you’re not a fan of scrambles you will be pleased when this part is over! After that, it’s an easy downhill stroll back to the car park again.
All in all it’s a great walk that you can easily do in three hours, or less if you’re really going for it.
Essential information about the Rawnsley Bluff hike
National Park pass
Unlike other hikes in the area, Rawnsley Bluff is outside the national park and does not require a parks pass. The hike does not close in summer either, but it’s best to go early or later in the day during the warmer months as much of the walk is exposed.
The trailhead
The start of the trail is from the Rawnsley Bluff Lookout. It’s a car park by a locked gate.
The access road
The last few kilometres to the car park after you turn off the main road are on dirt track. It’s well graded and you won’t need any kind of high clearance vehicle unless it’s been washed out. Even then as it leads to the hotel and caravan sites I am sure they quickly regrade it when necessary.
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