Flinders Escape - Event Information

• Flinders Ranges South Australia
• 11-19 May 2024
• 9-day on-road cycle tour with gravel options 
• Start & Finish in Port Augusta
• 500+km, exploring the delights of South Australia's iconic Flinders Ranges
• Maximum of 200 riders
• NOTE: Bring Your Own tent, sleeping bag/mat for camping or purchase our deluxe camping option

 $2190 BSA Member    $2300 Non-Member

Registration Includes:

• Transport of luggage from campsite to campsite
• Comfortable campsites, flush toilets & hot showers
• Undercover dining facilities with tables & chairs
• All breakfasts, lunches & dinners (except Breakfast on Day 1 & Dinner on Day 9)
• Programmed activities & entertainment
• Ride Guide
• Merchandise

NOTE: Bring Your Own tent, sleeping bag/mat for camping

Optional Extras:

• Coach Transport:  Adelaide to/from Port Augusta  $90/pers one way - bike included
• Massage therapy
• Deluxe Camping accommodation - $625 / tent**  
• Bike hire - road, hybrid or mtb - contact Bike SA office for details
• Limited Cabin, B&B, hotel/motel accommodation may be available in some overnight venues
• Secure car parking available in Port Augusta  Details TBC

 **Optional Deluxe Camping accommodation – includes large 2 person tent, set up & packed down each day, plus 1 air mat per person. BYO pillow.  View more information here

Each day offers the opportunity to ride the full distance on sealed roads except Day 4 which is all gravel. Otherwise, all days offer a mix of sealed and gravel road options.
Note: Route subject to change pending road and weather conditions.

Click here to view a map of the “On-road / Bitumen” route.

Click here to view an online interactive map of the "On-road/Bitumen route.

Click here to view a map of the route with Gravel options.

Click here to view an online interactive map of the route with Gravel options.

B =  Bitumen only route
G =  Gravel option including Bitumen sections

Day 1: Saturday 11 May
Drive / Coach transfer Adelaide to Port Augusta then ride to Quorn - 44km–B only

Day 2: Sunday 12 May
Quorn to Hawker –  67km-B / 93km-G

Day 3: Monday 13 May
Hawker to Parachilna – 89km-B / 98km-G
 

Day 4: Tuesday 14 May
Parachilna to Blinman (Alpana Station) via Parachilna Gorge –37km = 32km-G plus 5km-B   

(off-road ride OR coach transfer)

Day 5: Wednesday 15 May
Blinman to Wilpena Pound – 58km-B / 62km-G

Day 6: Thursday 16 May
Wilpena Pound Rest Day

Day 7: Friday 17 May
Wilpena Pound to Hawker – 55km-B / 68km-G

Day 8: Saturday 18 May
Hawker to Quorn – 67km-B / 78km-G

Day 9: Sunday 19 May
Quorn to Port Augusta via Wilmington / Horrocks Pass – 80km-B / 80km-G
(or 40km-B shortcut option UNSUPPORTED)

Below you will find essential information to help you enjoy your ride.

The updated 2024 Flinders Escape Ride Guide V.2 can be viewed Here

An updated printed copy of this guide including any last-minute amendments will be included in the rider Welcome Pack which you will receive on the first day of the tour, along with your Flinders Escape merchandise and your rider ID.

Please take time to view the following information resources

• Wilpena Pound - Optional Activities
• A Day in the Life of Flinders Escape
• Tom Osborne's Ride Review from 2022
• Photos from Flinders Escape 2022
• Deluxe Camping Package Information
• E-bikes on Flinders Escape
• Bike Transport Information
• Bike Mechanic Information - Bills Bicycle Service
• Overnight Accommodation Venues 
• Non-Camping Accommodation 
• My Bike – What sort of bike should I ride?
• My Gear – What do I need to bring along?
• My Ride – A little more about the ride?
• My Training – How should I prepare my fitness for the ride?
• Secret Women’s Business – How do I look after my rear end?

Click Here to view the Flinders Escape Terms and Conditons

May is a great time to be riding in the Flinders Ranges with relatively stable weather. The extreme heat of summer is gone and it’s not yet time for the full onset of winter chills. Typically it’s mild sunny days and cool nights – ideal for riding. Check out the Ride Guide or My Gear downloads in Participant Information tab of the Flinders Escape Home page for more on what to expect with the weather. 

The Flinders Escape involves riding distances of between 50km and 100km each day. The average is about 60-70km.
Whilst you don’t need to be an elite athlete you will need to have a reasonable level of fitness to manage the full distance of approximately 450km over 9 days.
You can ride at your own pace each day and rest assured that our support team won’t leave anyone behind.
If you’re not sure how long it will take you to ride a certain distance you can refer to the comparison chart below to get a rough idea. Please note that these times do not take into account additional time spent at refreshment stops, taking photos, sightseeing, etc.

The Flinders Escape will start and finish in Port Augusta – approx 300km north of Adelaide

Departure on Day 1 will be from Gladstone Square, in the centre of Port Augusta.

Check-in will be from 10.30am and 12.30pm for departure at 1pm.

The ride will finish after lunch on Day 9 at Gladstone Square, in the centre of Port Augusta.

You can drive directly to Port Augusta and leave your car in a secure parking facility for the duration of the ride (costs apply - details to be advised)

If you are flying to Adelaide you can book an optional coach transfer to Port Augusta, departing Adelaide.

Sat 11 May - Adelaide to Port Augusta 

Departs @ 7.30am from Adelaide Central Bus Terminal, 85 Franklin St Adelaide.
Arrive in Port Augusta @ approx. 11.30am

Sun 19 May - Port Augusta to Adelaide  

Departs at 2:00pm and arrives at approx. 6:00pm

Bus transfer cost includes rider, bike and baggage, price is $90pp each way 

It is not necessary to pack your bike into a box for the coach transfer. We have plenty of cardboard/blankets to cushion the transported bikes. You may, however, have to turn the handlebars and / or remove the pedals, depending on the available space. 

The total luggage allowance is 25kg/person – this includes your tent, sleeping bag / mat, etc.
This must be packed into 2 bags, each weighing no more than 14kg (it’s easier and safer to pack two lighter bags than one big bag).
Excess baggage fees apply up to a maximum of 28kg.

Each bag must be no more than 85 litres in volume or have dimensions of no more than 140cm in total.
i.e. L x H x W e.g. 70cm Long + 35cm High + 35cm Wide = 140cm

We recommend you use medium sized, lightweight, sturdy Duffel bags or soft sided wheeled bags

Please read the My Gear information sheet for more information on what to bring. 

Yes, the accommodation on the Flinders Escape is camping and you do need to supply your own tent, sleeping bag and inflatable mattress. When you arrive in the campsite at the end of each day you’ll need to collect your luggage/tent from the luggage truck and set up your own tent. The next morning you pack everything up and take it back to the luggage truck for transport to the next destination.  

Optional Deluxe Camping accommodation also available– includes large 2 person tent, set up & packed down each day, plus 1 air mat per person. BYO pillow 

There may be the option of extra cabin/pub/B&B/motel accommodation in some places on route for riders to organise for themselves. However please be aware that accommodation options are limited in some places and tend to book out quickly. You are more than welcome to do a combination of tent/cabin accommodation for the trip if you wish to have a few nights of luxury!
Note: You are responsible for arranging transport of your luggage between the overnight campsite and any offsite accommodation. 

The Flinders Escape is primarily an on-road ride with sealed roads on all days except one - so you're welcome to bring your roady but you may want to consider having wider tyres fitted - at least 28mm wide. 

For those who like to get off the beaten track a little, there will be the opportunity to take a gravel route option on most days.  In this case we would recommend a hybrid / gravel / mountain bike with wider tyres that have a smoother centre but with coarse tread on the outer edges.

The gravel route options involve a mix of unsealed roads, potentially rough station tracks and in some places single track trail. Some of the gravel route will be along parts of the iconic Mawson Trail. The roads generally wide with a good camber. Of course, there will always be a few potholes and crumbling edges in places, so care is needed. And in the Flinders Ranges you may come across washed out creek beds. 

If you're keen to ride some of the more remote sections of the Mawson Trail through Flinders Ranges National Park, we would recommend you bring a mountain bike with a minimum of front suspension to allow a more comfortable ride all round. We would also highly recommend that your bike has disc brakes for increased braking efficiency and less likelihood of clogging with mud in wet conditions.

If you don’t have a suitable bike, then you can hire one from Bicycle SA. We have a limited number to choose from in a range of sizes.  Please contact Bike SA office on 08 8168 9999 or email office@bikesa.asn.au for more details. 

Yes, you are more than welcome to use an electric assist bicycle, provided that it complies with South Australian Standards relevant to “Pedelec power assisted bicycles” i.e.maximum 250w power output using pedal-assist system only. View SA Compliance Details Here

A designated “recharging area” will be located at each overnight venue but you will need to provide your own cables for recharging batteries.
Please be aware that access to 240v power outlets may be limited in some venues and you will need to share recharging time with other riders.

For more information please read the E-bikes on Flinders Escape information sheet

The Flinders Escape registration fee includes Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner each day EXCEPT for Breakfast on Day 1 and Dinner on the Final day

We shall do our utmost to cater for riders who have specific dietary requirements, i.e. vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, lactose intolerant, low fat, etc.
For those riders who have more specific dietary needs including low FODMAP, Paleo and food allergies, please feel free to contact us with any concerns you may have.
Call 8168 9999 or send your queries to office@bikesa.asn.au 

Arrangements have been  made for participants to park their vehicle in a secure facility in Port Augusta. Click here for more details, including cost and location.

Luggage can be dropped off and loaded straight on to the luggage truck at our office on the Friday afternoon prior to departure from 3pm until 5pm only. Take a small overnight bag for your night in Adelaide. This can be loaded onto the luggage truck at the official departure point on Saturday morning. There is no facility for overnight bike or luggage storage 

Adelaide Airport Flyer offers door-to-door minibus transfers from/to Adelaide airport, outer suburbs and surrounding area. Door-to-door 7 day service. Reservation is appreciated at least 48 hours prior to travel.
Phone 1300 856 444 or +61 8 8389 3528 | Fax +61 8 8389 3572 | www.adelaideairportflyer.com |info@adelaideairportflyer.com

Adelaide Superb Chauffeurs offers luxury airport transfers, with a Mercedes Benz V-Class van (taking max 6 people) and enclosed trailer for bikes.
Call Shane on 0447 788 654 or check out their website www.adelaidesuperbchauffeurs.com

You can also book a Maxi Cab.

Des’s Mini Bus Phone: (08) 8440 1600 https://dessminibus.com.au

Adelaide Independent Taxis  Phone: 13 22 11   www.aitaxis.com.au/maxi-taxis

There are many hotels, apartments and short term rentals such as Air B’n’B available in Adelaide, to suit a variety of budgets. We suggest that you make use of a online booking website to explore these options.

Otherwise you can contact the South Australian Tourist Commission for more information.

www.southaustralia.com or telephone the SA Visitor & Travel Centre on 1300 764 227 or for international callers +61 8 84634547 Email: InformationAndBookings@SouthAustralia.com

Private support vehicles are not permitted along the route. Depending on capacity, special arrangements may be made with non-riding partners, to be part of the event, camping with us and sharing meals. However, there is a limit to how many people can participate in Flinders Eescape and priority will always be given to those riding.  Contact Bicycle SA for options. Non-riding partners may also consider volunteering for the event, helping with catering, logistics, transport or a range of other roles.

Contact volunteer coordinator Maureen Merrick for details – maureen.merrick@bikesa.asn.au

We recommend that all participants purchase travel insurance at the time of booking – to cover you for everything that could occur including cancellation due to illness/injury, lost/damaged baggage in transit, theft of bike, flight changes, etc.  

The following outlines our refund/cancellation policy

Cancellation notified more than 60 days prior to event – a $75 cancellation administration fee applies to booking cancelled prior to 5pm on Friday 8 March 2024.

Cancellation notified 60 days or less and more than 30 days prior to event – a cancellation fee of 50% applies to bookings cancelled between Friday 8 March and 5pm on Wed 10 April 2024.

Cancellation notified 30 days or less prior to event – a cancellation fee of 100% applies to bookings cancelled after 5pm on Wednesday 10 April 2024