Travel with your Dog to Quorn in the epic Flinders Ranges

Hey there, friend!

Explore Quorn, South Australia with me

A couple of family members laughed when we mentioned we were staying in Quorn for a whole month. However, after having spent some time there, if you decide to travel with your dog to Quorn, I think you’re in for a treat! 

My hubby and I work full-time during the week with only the weekends to wander and explore. So even though we stayed a month, we technically only had 6 days, and we managed to fill those days up fairly easily!

You can learn more about our travel style here.

We decided to base ourselves in Quorn because we wanted to visit both north towards the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park and south towards Wilmington and Melrose.

It seemed like the most central location on the map, and the caravan park in town looked quite peaceful with its natural bush setting.

Travel with your dog to Quorn

I’m excited to share our dog-friendly finds with you! And if it’s the first time you’ve heard of Quorn, or you hadn’t thought much about it as a travel destination, I hope you’re pleasantly surprised by the end of this journal entry.

How to get to Quorn

The small country town of Quorn is located 326km north of Adelaide, just under a 4 hour drive. We were coming from the Yorke Peninsula (Port Broughton, to be exact), and it took us a couple of hours.

Never having been to this part of South Australia before, I was wowed when we first started seeing the epic mountains of the southern Flinders Ranges as we drove towards Quorn. It was such a beautiful sight.

The Quorn township rests on flat land, but to its left and southward lies the southern Flinders Ranges.

On the way, about 15 minutes outside of Quorn, near Saltia, we drove through some rather hilly and winding stretches of road. I have to say, I have a huge appreciation for my hubby doing all of the driving and towing!

If you’re travelling from Adelaide, you could consider the inland route through Melrose and Wilmington instead of the national highway along the coast. We found the roads around those towns to be somewhat easier and flatter.

Driving distances to Quorn

Below are some of the locations in the Flinders Ranges we travelled to during our stay in Quorn. From what we found, all of the major roads around the central Flinders Ranges and those that connect the towns are of good enough quality to be accessible by most vehicles. 

If you go down backroads and towards places like Devil’s Peak just outside of the Quorn township, there are some unsealed gravel roads, but none seem rough enough to need a 4WD. I’ll mention it though, if we come across rough patches of road! 

• Port Augusta: 39.2km
• Hawker: 66.2km
• Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park: 108.4km
• Parachilna: 155.3km
• Blinman: 176km
• Wilmington: 39.6km
• Melrose: 63.3km
• Wirrabara: 90.8km
• Stone Hut: 99.4km
• Adelaide: 326km.

About the township of Quorn

I love anything historic or heritage—styles and designs that have character and showcase the beauty of a different time. I think this is why I really enjoyed staying in Quorn and coming across so many charming heritage commercial and residential buildings.

The quaint buildings and stunning outback surroundings of the town are what have made it a popular filming location for many classic movies like Gallipoli, The Shiralee, Sunday Too Far Away, and more recently, The Water Diviner directed by Russell Crowe.

Russell Crowe used the Pichi Richi Railway for the railway scenes, which is a great segue to mention Quorn’s rich railway history.

According to the history and origin page of the Pichi Richi Railway website, in the early 1900s, all rail traffic between Perth and Sydney, as well as Adelaide and Alice Springs, passed through the Quorn railway station. It generated jobs and encouraged the growth of the township.

During WW2, Quorn served as a crucial service point for trains and soldiers heading north for Alice Springs.

By the late 1950s, rail traffic started bypassing the station in Quorn, and it was eventually closed. However, it was reopened in the 1970s, thanks to the wonderful volunteers who formed the Pichi Richi Railway Preservation Society. 

The Pichi Richi Railway is now a popular attraction that allows people to explore the southern Flinders Ranges in a unique way, riding a heritage steam engine train! I think the Quorn Railway Station is still the heart of the town today.

The township of Quorn in South Australia, has a population of slightly over 1,000 people (according to the 2021 Australian Census). It’s very quiet and peaceful when you walk around the small town centre, especially towards the evening.

If you catch the free Silo Light Show that runs every night, you’ll learn more about Quorn’s history. It was quite heartbreaking to hear the stories of the early settlers. Many of them struggled with the harsh conditions of the region and were forced to abandon their homesteads.

The best time of year to visit Quorn

The best time to visit Quorn and the rest of the Flinders Ranges is during the cooler months, especially if you’re planning on bushwalking. From May to around October, daytime temperatures generally stay below 30°C.

The area has a semi-arid climate, which essentially means it’s somewhat dry, and receives low rainfall throughout the year.

We stayed from mid-September to mid-October, and on the weekend we arrived at Quorn, the temperature reached around 36°C. I thought I was ready for some heat, given how cold and windy it was during our time in the Yorke Peninsula. However, I wasn’t prepared for scorching hot heat!

Throughout our stay, we mostly had pleasant, sunny days with temperatures in the 20s. While we had a few days with temperatures over 30°C, there were also a couple of cool, rainy days and a couple of windy days. 

One thing we noticed was that it heated up quickly during the day and cooled down to low temperatures during the night. We still needed to use our thick doona while sleeping. There were a couple of nights when the temperature dropped close to 1°C, if I remember correctly! 

If you like seeing wildflowers, spring months are the way to go, around September and October.

A quick roundup of fun things to do while in Quorn 

Some of these are not dog-friendly as such, but there’s a dog sitter available in Quorn or boarding in Port Augusta. I’ll share their details in the relevant sections!

• Explore the town and historical buildings through the Quorn Town Heritage Walk
• Watch the Quorn Silo Light Show
• Go bushwalking at Warren Gorge or Devil’s Peak
• Ride the heritage steam powered Pichi Richi Train
• Enjoy a freshly brewed coffee or hot chocolate at Scruffy Fella
• Treat yourself to a yummy cake at the Quandong Cafe or Teas on the Terrace
• Sample the delightful gins at Flinders Gin
• Spend the day at the central Flinders Ranges, in or around the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park and nearby towns like Hawker, Blinman and Parachilna. I’ve written a separate journal entry for a dog-friendly day trip out to this part of the Flinders Ranges, please click here to view!
• Do a daytrip south and visit places like Wilmington and Melrose. I’ve written a separate journal entry for our ventures even further south, please click here to view!

Where to stay in Quorn, South Australia

We stayed at the local dog-friendly caravan park in Quorn. We really like that it had more of a country feel as my hubby and I both grew up in this kind of environment as kids! As much as I like going out to the beach and being near water, I’m more of a bushland/farmland kinda gal.

Quorn Caravan Park

Dog-friendly caravan park

• Website: quorncaravanpark.com.au
• Address: 8 Silo Rd, Quorn, South Australia
• Length of our stay: 27 nights
• Time of year: September-October
• Type of site: Powered dirt site
• Site number: 38
• Cost per night and total: $45/night. $1,215.00 in total. I had to pay the whole amount to secure the booking, and this was 2-3 months in advance.
• Grocery shopping: IGA, large and well stocked
• Phone and internet reception: No issues with Telstra phones and Nighthawk wifi router.

The pros of staying at Quorn Caravan Park

• The folks that run the caravan park are lovely and friendly.
• The caravan park has a natural bushland setting with plenty of established trees and gardens throughout. I would say it’s a medium sized caravan park with a few different sections to choose from. The way the park is laid out, there’s plenty of room to reverse into the sites. It’s one of the few where we weren’t trying to “wiggle” the caravan into place. 
• If you like seeing local wildlife, you might see a possum or two around the caravan park. We had one scampering about on the dead tree next to our site. 
• We were located on Site 38, towards the back left corner. This had a generous amount of room for our car and caravan to be side by side, with our awning up. It was very easy to pull into because it had so much room at the front. I backed our caravan up into the site! I don’t know if you could really say it was towing the caravan, but it felt like ‘a moment.’
• I think this caravan park has one of the cleanest facilities we’ve come across. It has a very school bush camp feel, and in fact, they did have a group of high schoolers come through for a few days while we were there. They were all out on the lawn one day, doing some camp cooking on trangia stoves. 
• Amenities at the caravan park include showers/toilets, large open camp kitchen, recreation/lounge room, BBQs, picnic benches and large laundry room.
• It’s next door to recreational grounds with a footy oval, basketball courts, playground, exercise park and community hall. Around the footy oval, you have beautiful views of the surrounding mountain ranges. There’s a looped walking trail to the back of it that goes through the Pithi Kawi Bush Food Garden and towards the town. The local swimming pool is also a short walk away. 
• It’s walking distance to the town centre – the quickest way is to go from the front of the caravan park, across the road, and through the train station.
• They have a very comprehensive website with lots of details about the caravan park, along with information about what services are available in Quorn and what attractions there are to see. 

The cons of staying at Quorn Caravan Park

• All of the sites are on dirt/gravel – when it’s dry and windy, it can get slightly dusty. 
• Surprisingly, this place can get busy during the weekends and school holidays with large groups. 
• This might not be an issue if you only stay a few days but after a couple of weeks, we started getting ants. 
• Also, be wary of snakes around the bushes, especially near the amenities. They do tend to come out in hot weather and head for water. If you’ve got a curious doggy, be mindful when they’re sniffing around the bottom of bushes. 
• For the first time since being on the road, I had to buy cartons of drinking water from the shops. Even through our filter, the water at the park tasted odd. My hubby thought so too and he’s not that fussy! 

Other things to note about Quorn Caravan Park

• There are a range of sites for larger vehicles, pull-throughs, powered and unpowered, tent camping, as well as cabins. 
• The Pinkerton Creek runs at the back of the caravan park but it was dry when we stayed there. 

Other dog-friendly accommodation options in Quorn, South Australia

For those of you planning to travel with your dog to Quorn, I thought I’d share some other accommodation options we saw around town. We haven’t stayed in any of them so I can’t personally say what they’re like or if they’re any good. 

While we were walking around, we saw that there was an RV Park located on Arden Vale Road, opposite the local swimming pool. It’s managed by the Quorn Pioneer Machinery Society Inc. and you can find more information about it on their Facebook page.

We also did a dog-friendly hike at Warren Gorge, about 20kms out of town, which has campgrounds. There were heaps of different sites, some more open and level than others. We spotted a few small caravans and camper trailers parked up along the hills and near the creek. I’m just not sure about suitability for a bigger rig or on-road caravan.

If you’re not caravanning or camping, I did see a couple of dog-friendly holiday homes available in the area, Westone Cottage and The Quorn-er House. Both are located within the town, Westone cottage is a bit closer to the main street, and is a gorgeous restored heritage home. 

Both are 3 bedroom houses that’s more suited to families or bigger groups, as they have multiple beds available to sleep a large number of people. 

Where to eat in Quorn (and drink!) 

Because we stayed a whole month in Quorn, we time to sample pretty much everything the location had to offer food wise.

Here’s a brief rundown of places, I’ve marked the ones I liked with an asterisk.

Transcontinental Hotel

Dog-friendly pub with outdoor seating

The Transcontinental is the oldest hotel in the area, having been built in the late 1870s. If you catch the Quorn Silo Light Show one night, you’ll be able to learn about this building’s history. Apparently, in the early days of the township, church services were held at the pub until a proper church was built!

The hotel is located on the corner of Railway Terrace and Sixth St, opposite the playground and public toilets. It does have a dog-friendly undercover alfresco area out the back with plenty of tables, and there’s a small deck out the front with a few tables as well. 

We popped into the Transcontinental on a Friday night, and it was packed to the rafters! It’s best to book a table, especially if you want to sit inside. If you don’t feel like dining in, the pub also offers takeaway meals. 

We sat at the dog-friendly alfresco out the back where there was a pool table, couch and dining tables/chairs. I have to be honest, it didn’t feel inviting. I’m not sure what happened earlier but the couch was ripped apart with stuffing everywhere, and there were cushions, children’s toys and other bits and pieces just strewn around. 

But onto the food, my hubby and I both ordered saltbush lamb loin chops, chips and salad. You can’t really go too wrong with a lamb chop, it was cooked well enough and tasted alright.

Austral Inn Hotel

Dog-friendly pub with outdoor seating

The Austral Inn is located across the road from the Transcontinental. We decided to try it out for lunch on one of our weekends. Seating here is limited, they only have a few two-seater tables out the front. 

We both ordered a chicken parmigiana with chips and salad, and the serving was massive. Was it a culinary delight? No, but it was satisfactory for a pub meal.

Quandong Café

Dog-friendly cafe with outdoor seating

The Quandong Café seems to be a popular one with locals and tourists. It gets very busy, with most people wanting to sit outside. The café has a few large tables surrounding the shopfront which are undercover.  

Most eateries in Quorn seem to have a deck out front with tables and chairs but a lot like the Quandong Cafe, don’t seem to offer any shade which makes them unusable on a hot sunny day.

True to its name, a lot of the Quandong Café’s menu items incorporate quandong. From hotdogs with quandong relish to quandong crumble with cream. I personally found the food to be average, however, it’s nice that they showcase the region’s native bushfood. 

If you’ve never tasted quandong before, I would describe it as being very tart or sour, slightly salty, maybe a little like rhubarb with a touch of apricot or peach flavours. This is based on having it only as a jam, and in dessert. I didn’t taste the actual fruit in its natural form. 

On our last weekend in Quorn, there was a local market/festival being held in honour of the quandong, and other native bushfood and botanicals! 

Michie’s Kitchen

Dog-friendly cafe with outdoor seating

I had high hopes for this local Japanese café because of the great reviews on Google, but sadly, I didn’t personally love their food. They were fairly busy at lunch on the Saturday we went, and we were told there would be about a 50-minute wait for our order.

Michie’s Kitchen is more of a takeaway place; there’s no seating inside, just a single two-seater table and bench outside. After picking up our order, we walked over to the train station, where some public benches are available.

We ordered the beef teriyaki okonomiyaki, which was very thick and undercooked. If you’re unfamiliar, okonomiyaki is like a savoury pancake with thin strips of cabbage. It was served with delicious, very thinly sliced marinated beef pieces reminiscent of gyudon, and this was probably the best thing about the dish.

We also shared a chicken katsu donburi, which is crumbed chicken with rice and sauce. Their version was a little different because it was served with chips and a lettuce/tomato salad. I’m not sure if the order was prepared earlier than when we picked it up, but the chicken crumb was soggy. Overall, it was a little lacklustre.

Scruffy Fella Cafe *

Dog-friendly outdoor cafe with outdoor seating

Just a couple of doors down from the Quandong Cafe is Scruffy Fella. 

I initially thought this was a barbershop because of the name, but as it turns out, it’s a coffee and retail shop offering hot drinks as well as selling male grooming products, gifts, chocolates, candles, and more. It definitely has a masculine, in-the-woods type vibe inside.

My hubby liked their coffee; we personally think it’s the best place in town for a hot drink. Don’t leave without going through their range of candles; I bought a salted caramel one that smells divine!

Corral Coffee

This was another coffee and takeaway joint we tried; it’s located near the skatepark and the entrance to town. The bloke there was very friendly and chatty. My hubby said that the coffee was okay but he preferred Scruffy Fella.

At Corral, they also offer pies, sausage rolls, biscuits, cakes, and, if my memory serves me correctly, burgers, chips, and other takeaway meals. I had one of their choc chip biscuits, and it was nice! 

They had maybe a couple of tables inside, but I don’t remember seeing any tables outside. 

Teas on the Terrace *

Dog-friendly outdoor cafe with outdoor seating

I thought Teas on the Terrace had a lovely homely grandma feel. I liked the historic building; it was very cute. This café is a good one to drop into for coffees and cakes because they have a cabinet full of yummy-looking sweet treats.

Their cooked menu is limited with a few things like homemade sausage rolls, quiches and pasties, which can be served with a little side salad. 

We tried their homemade sausage roll, and it was simple but delicious. Their pasties were a bit bland, but then again, I haven’t had much luck with finding pasties anywhere that aren’t. I also liked their Biscoff cheesecake and carrot cake; they were moreish!

They have a few 2-seater tables out the front, but not a lot of shade, especially the seats out on the deck area. 

Quorn Takeaway & Pet Supplies

Dog-friendly takeaway venue with outdoor seating

This takeaway venue is located along Railway Terrace, at the corner of Eighth Street. We visited it midweek for lunch and thought it wasn’t bad! This is the place to go if you want deep-fried hot foods like fish and chips, burgers, hot dogs, and schnitzels.

The chicken burger I ordered had nice, simple flavours, with lettuce that actually tasted fresh. The chips were crisp and seasoned nicely. Both portions were generous and reasonably priced.

Quorn Takeaway also doubles as a pet supply store. On their Facebook page, they advertise both human food and pet food, which amuses me. It’s not really that strange, considering it’s the same concept as a dog café, but it just seems funny to me that one post might be about fish and chips, and the next about cockatiels for sale.

They have limited products available, but if you happen to travel with your dog to Quorn and need products like kibble, treats, or shampoo, this is where you might be able to find them!

Flinders Gin *

Dog-friendly distillery, indoor seating and outdoor seating, dogs welcome inside

This place came highly recommended, and we’re passing the recommendation on to you! We popped into Flinders Gins a few times while we were in Quorn, and it’s definitely a fantastic spot to enjoy a gin-based cocktail or two.

Flinders Gin is located along the edge of the town on West Terrace, behind the Mill Motel. They opened the doors to their new distillery about mid-last year, housed within a beautifully restored heritage building which was originally a farrier and stable back in the day.

The distillery incorporates native foods and botanicals found in the Flinders Ranges region to create their unique range of gins. We had their gin tasting which included their four signature gins – farrier’s gin, quandong gin, outback lemon lime gin, and butterfly pea flower gin (beautiful purple colour). You can also grab cocktails that showcase their gins. 

The gins tasted good, I think I preferred the quandong gin because it wasn’t as sharp as the others, and had a slight floral sweetness to it. I also quite liked their own blend of tonics that complemented really well with their range of gins. 

In terms of food, they have a small selection of snack foods but you can BYO your own to munch on while you enjoy their gins. They also sell handcrafted products, like candles, tea blends, lip balms and more! 

Flinders Gin is incredibly dog-friendly, dogs are welcome inside. We didn’t see their cute resident distillery dog, Ernie, during our visits but you might see him wandering around the venue if you pop in. 

Tickle Belly Hill (Saltia, just outside of Quorn) *

Dog-friendly cafe/bistro with outdoor seating

Tickle Belly Hill is located in Saltia, which is about a 15-minute drive south of Quorn. We booked ourselves a table at this laidback country café/bistro on one of our weekends for lunch. 

There’s plenty of dog-friendly outdoor tables outside—some alongside the building, and some dotted around the back garden area. Tickle Belly Hill is nestled on picturesque grounds surrounded by gorgeous bushland and mountain ranges, and the views were incredible! 

Not only is it dog-friendly, but it’s also family-friendly with play areas in their back garden for the kiddos. 

It has a wonderful outback vibe with its shed-like building, and rustic elements. They organise a lot of live music events, and we got to experience that on the day we went. While we ate lunch, we enjoyed exquisite singing and piano playing from a local musician named Belle Ballard.  

Tickle Belly Hill has a limited lunch menu of burgers, hot dogs, salads, and things like koftas, quiche and patties. They also have an all day menu which includes grazing platters, chips, and toasted sandwiches. 

I had one of the specials for that day – a lamb kofta salad with garlic sauce and pita bread. My first thought when it came out was that it was very small for the price point. It was a very simple dish and the lamb koftas tasted good, but I was still hungry at the end of it. Hence, the melting moment afterwards! 

The cafe/bistro opens for breakfast with a limited but varied menu that include things like creamy oats, breakfast rolls, croissants, bagels and toast. Unfortunately, their cake cabinet was busted on the day we went so I never got to try their amazing looking cakes and sweet treats. 

My hubby didn’t like the limited menu but I thought the view was really gorgeous and I really enjoyed the live music. I think it’s worth visiting if you’re in Quorn for a while! 

Shops and services available in Quorn

Remember to check opening times as shops do like to shut early in country towns!

• Visitor Information Centre: This is located within the Railway Station. The folks here are really friendly and happy to help. I know from experience, I went in there a few times to ask a variety of questions!
• Grocery shopping: Quorn has a relatively large and well stocked IGA along Seventh St. They generally stock brands that are common and popular, and have a good variety of products available. A lot of their meats come from the local butcher. They have a decent selection of fresh produce, which gets replenished Thursdays. 
• Fuel: We noticed two fuel stations in town. Carling Fuels on Sixth St, diagonal from the Quandong Café. Max Motors, around the corner, enter from either First or Fifth St.
• Pharmacy: Quorn Pharmacy on Sixth Street. 
• Butcher: Quorn Meat Store on First St, as mentioned, the IGA stocked meat from here. They have great quality meat products available, this is where I grabbed most of my meat from. 
• Camping equipment / vehicle parts: If you’re caravanning or camping, Max Motors on First St also has a small range of equipment and products. This is where we found some Portasol (sanitising treatment for the cassette toilet). 
• Post Office: This is located on the corner of Seventh St and Railway Terrace. I had a delivery come through here with no problem. 
• Hairdresser: I noticed there was a hairdresser’s (LKM Hair Design) next to Scruffy Fella on First St. 
• Gift/Lifestyle: A Dash of Oak next to the hairdresser’s on First St is a wonderful shop full of beautiful products and amazing brands. Stuff like candles, picnic gear, books, jewellery, edible gourmet products, and more!

Port Augusta is only a 30-minute drive away from Quorn, and is a much bigger township with a larger range of retail choices and available services. They have the bigger grocery stores like Coles and Woolies. 

I went into Port Augusta a couple of times during our stay. The first time, I took our car in for a service at Northpoint Toyota, and the second time, I took Charlie to Redgum Vets  for his annual vaccination.

Fun attractions in Quorn and surrounding areas

Quorn Town Heritage Walk

Dog-friendly walk 

This short walk is a great way to explore Quorn’s town centre and learn more about its charming heritage buildings. There’s interpretive signage in front of each building that shares information about its past; what is was used for and when it was built. 

You can start at the Railway Station which houses the Quorn Visitor Information Centre, and grab a physical brochure for the walk. There’s also signage with a copy of the map all throughout the trail.

Quorn Silo Light Show

Dog-friendly attraction

Every night at sunset, Quorn puts on a wonderful free light show, projected onto the giant silos near the railway station. The main show is about an hour long and is made up of short animated stories about the region and its history. 

There were some very interesting tales about settlement days, the hardship and tragedy of pioneering farmers, the development of the steam engine, movie making in the region, WW2 and how it impacted Quorn and its people, water reservoirs in the area, and so much more. 

You can check out the Quorn Silo Light Show for more information and show times. Depending on the month and whether there’s daylight savings, the show can start from as early as 5:45pm in June, to as late as 9pm in December. 

There is a designated viewing area with a few railway sleeper seats at the front, and open space behind. The sleepers can fill up quickly in busier times. When we went, a lot of people brought their own chairs and set up in the open space.  

There’s also an option to watch the show from your car at the parking bays in front, along Railway Terrace. You can tune your radio to the light show’s FM channel to hear the audio. 

They say to arrive about 20 minutes early to secure your spot. If you’re sitting outside – it does get quite cool in the evenings so bring something to keep you warm, and don’t forget insect repellent!

If you stay until the end of the main show, it’s followed by a slideshow exhibition of local photography and artwork that runs for 2 hours. The slideshow keeps looping until late into the night. 

Warren Gorge Loop Walking Trail

Dog-friendly Walk/Hike

This was one of the highlights of our visit to Quorn! Usually, the longer, more beautiful, and interesting hikes are found within national parks or reserves where dogs aren’t allowed. I was so happy to come across the Warren Gorge Trail and got to spend a day hiking with both of my two boys (hubby and Charlie).

About Warren Gorge

Warren Gorge is a beautiful scenic reserve, only a short drive from the township of Quorn. It is privately-owned land, leased to the local council, and set up for recreational and campground use. A 300m gorge runs through the reserve, apparently 50m deep.

The rugged landscape of this area is gorgeous. Seeing the rocky red column-like cliffs against a forest of native pine reminded me of something from a movie, based somewhere like Colorado. That’s just one outlook though; the loop trail takes you through quite a diverse range of stunning scenery as you make your way around.

One of the best things about this scenic reserve is that dogs are allowed to enter; however, they must be leashed at all times.

How to get there 

Warren Gorge is located just north of Quorn, roughly a short 20-minute drive along Arden Vale Road. From there, you turn left onto the access road. All of the roads are sealed until you get into the reserve. 

At the reserve, roads are unsealed and there are some slightly hilly parts, but it doesn’t seem rough enough where you would need a 4WD to get around. 

Entry Fees

Along the access road before the entrance, you’ll find a shelter with an information board and an honesty box for your fee. Envelopes and pens are provided (you need to fill out some details on the envelopes).

So, before we left on our travels, I broke open a piggy bank and had all these coins. I thought I could use some of it to enter Warren Gorge, so I baggied $10 worth of loose change. As it turns out, the slot for the honesty box was only thin enough for notes. Bugger!

We had to turn back into town and find somewhere to change the coins into notes. Luckily, the people at the Visitor Information Centre were able to help.

Day Visit

• $5 per vehicle
• $4 for walkers/cyclists (without vehicles) 

Camping

• $18 per vehicle, per night
• $10 for walkers/cyclists (without vehicles).

About the walking trail 

The Warren Gorge Walking Trail is a moderately easy loop trail that’s 5.2km long, and can take anywhere from 1.5 hours to 3 hours to complete. Along the path, there are some short steep sections, rocky parts, and surfaces that have loose rocks. 

The trail is marked by white tin can lids stuck on trees and there’s signposts to say the distance you’ve walked. 

If you’re just there for a day visit, it’s best to start the trail from the first carpark marked as Day Parking on the map. From the carpark, you go across the road and walk on the other side for a short stretch, and then cross back near the gorge. 

Near the start of the hike, there’s tall column-like cliffs that’s pretty epic to see. The path follows the gorge, and goes through a forest of native pine. You’ll come across some of the available camping spots near the creek bed. 

Eventually, the trail makes it way up the mountain where you get amazing views of rolling hills that look like they’re covered in velvet, and mountains covered in native pine. Once you get to the top, there’s a visitor log canister on a pile of rocks. It’s good to fill it in so the council knows how many people walk the trail! 

There’s side trails for a couple of lookouts that aren’t very well signposted once you’re past the log book. I don’t know if we climbed the official path for the first detour but we did see a white tin lid, so maybe? It was very rocky and you had to scramble up, but the views were spectacular. 

The second detour is on the left as you’re making your way down on the other side of the mountain. Someone has marked it on one of the distance signposts. This side has fantastic views of mountain ranges. It’s slightly more rocky coming down, but not too bad! 

Wildlife

We saw lots of sheep near the campgrounds. We didn’t really see any wallabies, emus or kangaroos along the trail, but we did see one solitary kangaroo in the distance as we were walking down the mountain. 

As we were turning right onto Arden Vale Road to get back to Quorn, we saw a mother emu with her large brood of cute baby chicks. 

Other things of note

• There’s a lot of burrs or prickles in this area, Charlie was constantly stopping because of them. He also had a whole heap when we got back that I brushed out. I haven’t tried walking boots on him but it was something I seriously contemplated with the amount of times the poor vegemite got some caught on his feet. 
• You might want to bring insect-repellant or a head net for the flies!
• There are long-drop toilets available near the campgrounds
• Mobile reception can be spotty. 

If you travel with your dog to Quorn and the rest of the Flinders Ranges, this dog-friendly hike is definitely one to put on the bucket list!  For more information about Warren Gorge, visit the Flinders Ranges Council website.

If you plan to continue travelling south towards Clare and the Barossa, we did a couple of pretty cool dog-friendly walking trails you might like! There’s the Neagles Rock Lookout Walk and the Barossa Goldfields Walking Trails.

Also, check out the dog-friendly map for more amazing attractions, eats and drinks for you and your pup to explore!

Devil’s Peak Walking Trail

Not dog-friendly, dog-sitter available in Quorn

Even though this walking trail wasn’t dog-friendly, it was another Quorn highlight for me. It’s one of the most adventurous hikes I’ve done, and as someone who’s not the best with heights, I really challenged myself by climbing all the way to the very top.

Using a local Quorn dog-sitter

Unfortunately, Devil’s Peak is not dog-friendly. I found the details of a local dog-sitter through the caravan park and decided to book Charlie in for the day while my hubby and I walked Devil’s Peak in Quorn and Alligator Gorge in Wilmington.

You can find Katie’s details here, we paid $25 for the day. She’s an older lady but seemed friendly and capable enough to take care of Charlie for the day. Another option you could consider is Redgum Vets in Port Augusta. This is where I took Charlie for his vaccination, and they also offer pet boarding as a service.

About Devil’s Peak

Devil’s Peak is a mountain ridge located just outside of Quorn on private property, with a height of 697m above sea level. 

When you look at it from a distance, it kind of looks like a face. The reason it’s called Devil’s Peak is because it’s said to be the face of the Devil, lying back and looking upwards to the heavens. And I thought it was just because some parts of the walk were scary AF! 

The good thing about Devil’s Peak is that it’s a free attraction; there’s no entry fee.

How to get there

Devil’s Peak is about a 10km drive from the township of Quorn, you go south along Richman Valley Road and turn right onto Devil’s Peak Road. The roads around this area are unsealed but well-graded, it doesn’t seem rough enough to need a 4WD.

It’s about a 6km drive along Devil’s Peak Road, and just before the last 1km, there’s a gate that you have to go through. After a short drive from the gate, you’ll come across the carpark. It’s pretty well signposted, so you can’t miss it! 

We dropped Charlie off quite early as we were also planning to walk Alligator Gorge afterward. When we got to Devil’s Peak, it was quite cold, and the very top was covered in mist which added to the ominous vibe. 

About the walking trail

This is a moderately difficult trail that’s about 1.2km one way. Don’t let the short distance fool you; this is a fairly challenging hike that does require scrambling and climbing in some parts! It can take anywhere from 1.5 hours to 3 hours to complete. 

From the car park, there is a wide and relatively smooth path that leads you to the base of the mountain.

Then you start walking up the mountain trail, and it’s all incline along a very rocky path. There are some parts as you get closer to the top where you have to climb and pull yourself up. There are also sections with looser rocks that you have to be careful of.

Along the trail, there are signposts to tell you the distance you’ve walked, and red triangular markers on trees to show the route. Although there were definitely some sketchy parts where we couldn’t tell where we were supposed to go!

I don’t really know how to describe the top of Devil’s Peak besides being giant boulders stacked together. There’s a crevice that we climbed through and up, to get onto the summit. Apparently, the very top point fell in the 1800s during a storm, I think these may the big boulders we came across closer to the peak.

The summit is where the fear got real for me because there’s nothing to hold onto, and it’s all just sloped surfaces. I actually ended up crawling my way around ‘The Ring’ style because my legs were too jelly to stand and walk.

The views of surrounding farmlands and mountains from the top were breathtaking! Unfortunately, it was partially obscured by the mist – drats for going too early. Also, photos never capture how steep or high something really is; you’ll just have to trust me when I say it was scary high!

This is an incredible hike and I highly recommend doing it if you’re in the area. For more information about Devil’s Peak, download this PDF from the Flinders Ranges Council website.

Pichi Richi Train  

Not dog-friendly, dog-sitter available in Quorn

We didn’t end up riding the Pichi Richi Train in favour of more hiking, but the Pichi Richi Railway is iconic to the township of Quorn, and it would be a crime not to mention it!

The Pichi Richi Railway offers scenic rides on heritage steam or diesel engine trains along a passage of restored railway between Quorn and Port Augusta. It’s all run by local volunteers who are passionate about preserving the trains and railway system here!

We’ve driven past the train tracks around the area, and it looks like it goes over some cool bridges, around rocky cliff faces, and, of course, you can’t go past the lovely views of the mountain ranges. I do think it would be a unique way to view the stunning landscape of the southern Flinders Ranges.

Using a local Quorn dog-sitter

Unfortunately, riding the Pichi Richi Train is not a dog-friendly activity. As mentioned, I found the details of a local dog-sitter through the caravan park, see Katie’s details here. Or, you could consider pet boarding at Redgum Vets in Port Augusta.

You can find more information about the Pichi Richi Railway or book tickets for a ride through their website.

Other things to see and do around Quorn

Wall murals around town

Dog-friendly attraction

As well as the beautiful heritage buildings, there’s some pretty amazing painted murals dotted around the town. 

I particularly liked the painted set of vintage style advertisements for Arnott’s biscuits, Rosella Tomato Chutney, Vegemite and Bushell’s Tea. You can find this one on Seventh St, on the side of The Great Northern Lodge / Emily’s Bistro Building. 

Pithi Kawi Bush Tucker Trail

Dog-friendly attraction

This is located on Silo Road between the caravan park and local swimming pool. I think this is a relatively new attraction to the area as it feels a bit sparse.

Native bush food and medicine of the region have been planted in the garden with a trail that goes through. There’s interpretative signs that give you information on the different uses of the various plants.

Powell Gardens

Not dog-friendly 

I was talking to a local fellow about what attractions to see, and he suggested Powell Gardens. He insisted that it was dog-friendly, but when we got there, it had a sign saying otherwise!

From what he told me, Powell Gardens is a small garden area showcasing native flowers and plants. It’s located at the edge of the township, with the entrance along East Terrace/First Street.

Quorn Dog Park

Dog-friendly

If you travel with your dog to Quorn, this is a great spot for an off-leash run and play. This dog park is near Powell Gardens, on the corner of First Street and East Terrace. It’s a neat and tidy little dog park, and I liked the painted mural at the front of it.

It’s got quite a few established trees, so there’s some shade to stand and sit under. There are a couple of benches to sit on, and some obstacle-type things for the dogs like tunnels, old children’s play equipment, and painted tyres. BYO water!

Kanyaka Station Ruins 

Dog-friendly attraction

As mentioned earlier, farmers struggled with farming the land, which led to many abandoning their properties. One of the major historical sites is Kankaya Station, just outside of Quorn.

We didn’t stop to have a look around, but we did see it as we drove along Flinders Ranges Way on different trips. You’ll spot a few abandoned buildings and ruins along this road.

Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park/Hawker/Blinman/Parachilna

Dog-friendly Travel

We did a day trip out towards the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park, and we did it with Charlie in tow! I can hear you now, “But dogs aren’t allowed in national parks!” You’re right; they aren’t. We technically did not go into the national park!

But we still saw epic views of the mountain ranges, so if you’re interested in knowing how, please check out my journal entry all about our dog-friendly travel to the Flinders Ranges. It was an awesome day trip filled with amazing scenic lookouts, sights & drives, plus fabulous eats & drinks.

And that’s a wrap!

I hope this journal entry has inspired you to travel with your dog to Quorn. It’s a fantastic little outback town, and worthwhile travelling to, while exploring the Flinders Ranges in South Australia. 

Have you been to any of these places in Quorn before? Please feel free to share your experiences in the comments or pop in any questions you might have; I’d love to hear from you. Safe travels and happy exploring! Thanks for joining me, hope to see you again!

Sheryl