$2190 BSA Member $2300 Non-Member
Registration Includes:
NOTE: Bring Your Own tent, sleeping bag/mat for camping
Optional Extras:
**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 2024 Flinders Escape Ride Guide will be posted in due course
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 Annual Tour merchandise and your rider ID.
Please take time to view the following information resources
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 will be made for participants to park their vehicle in a secure facility in Port Augusta. More details, including cost and location, will be provided closer the the event.
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
Return to the Flinders Escape Home Page
Joining as a member of Bicycle SA will provide you with a significant saving on the price of your registration together with important benefits, including cycling insurance. To be eligible for this discount and the additional benefits, you will need to purchase your membership before you register.
Spaces are limited to 200 riders.
Register now to avoid disappointment.
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