Flinders Ranges National Park
| Location | Flinders Ranges National Park |
| Start/End Point | Aroona Campground |
| Distance | 9 km |
| Time | 4 hours |
| Difficulty | Difficult |
| Activity | Walking |
| Region | Flinders Ranges & Outback |
| Accommodation | Bush camping, mid-range and premium options — See accommodation options |
| Key Feature | Panoramic views of Heysen Range and ABC Range |
Commanding Views of Two Great Ranges
From the summit of Red Hill in Flinders Ranges National Park, two of the region’s most iconic mountain ranges are laid out before you — the Heysen Range and the ABC Range — in a panorama that captures the essence of this ancient landscape. The Red Hill Lookout Hike is a challenging nine-kilometre loop from Aroona Campground that climbs to this spectacular viewpoint, connecting with the Heysen and Youngoona Trails along the way. It is one of the park’s more demanding walks, but the views from the top rank among the finest in the Flinders.
Flinders Ranges National Park protects some of the most geologically significant and scenically dramatic landscapes in Australia. The ranges are the eroded remains of a mountain system that formed over 500 million years ago, and the layered sedimentary rocks that make up the Heysen and ABC Ranges tell a story stretching back to the Ediacaran period — when the earliest complex life forms left their traces in the mudflats of a shallow sea that once covered this area.
The Walk
The trail begins at Aroona Campground and climbs steadily through the park’s characteristic vegetation — native pines, eucalypts, and the hardy shrubs that cling to the rocky slopes of the ranges. The difficult rating reflects both the distance and the climbing involved — walkers should be prepared for steep sections, loose rock, and exposure to sun and wind on the higher ridgelines.
The summit views are the walk’s great reward. The Heysen Range stretches to the north, its distinctive quartzite ridgeline creating the dramatic profile that Sir Hans Heysen captured in his paintings. The ABC Range — named because its peaks were originally labelled alphabetically on survey maps — lies to the west, its layered red and ochre cliffs glowing in the afternoon light. Together, these ranges frame the Aroona Valley in a panorama that encapsulates the ancient beauty of the Flinders.
Planning Your Walk
The trail starts at Aroona Campground in Flinders Ranges National Park. Park entry fees apply. Carry ample water, sun protection, and sturdy footwear. The walk connects with the Heysen Trail and the Youngoona Trail, allowing experienced walkers to extend their outing into multi-day adventures. The best walking months are April through October — summer temperatures can be extreme.
The Red Hill Lookout Hike is four hours of climbing rewarded with one of the great views of the Flinders Ranges — two iconic mountain ranges laid out in a panorama of ancient rock, sculpted ridgelines, and the vast, empty sky that makes this landscape feel like nowhere else on earth.
Where to Stay
Planning an overnight trip? See our Flinders Ranges Accommodation Guide for the best places to stay near this trail.
Guided Tours
Want a guided experience around Red Hill and the Flinders Ranges? See our Flinders Ranges Tours guide for recommended tour operators and experiences in this region.