Riding the Flinders Ranges
9th June 2025
Looking out from the summit on the Mt Samuel Track.
The Flinders Ranges was supposed to be the highlight of the trip but in the end it fell well short of that. The light was way too harsh during my time there. Everything was very dry and I was running out of time and tyre wear.
My first sunrise near Wilpena Pound.
The first sunrise I experienced in the Flinders had such harsh light it made back lit trees appear to be in fog.
The panoramic views spot on the first half of the Mt Samuel Track.
As well as harsh it was also so vast and grand. Open spaces went for miles as did layers of mountain ranges. This was a very impressive spot…..I was just there at the wrong time for photos.
Roaming on the bike midday under a very blue sky.
I do not normally shoot many black and white photos but in this weather it was a go to. The country was really harsh and I think black and white highlights that and helps to deal with those endless blue skies I experienced.
A very bare tree near my campsite at Alpana Station.
LOL did I mention it was dry? I stayed at Alpana Station and the showers facilities were not available to campers due to a lack of water.
I was not surprised to see bare trees but the cactus were a shock. After a bit of research I confirmed my thoughts that these were introduced to Australia and not native. I saw quite a few.
A photo I took when I was lost….somewhere in the Flinders Ranges.
Despite having accepted that the light was not optimal for photos I occasionally found a composition that I liked as I roamed on my motorbike and would spend some time photographing it.
In the end the Flinders for me this trip was all about riding my bike, camping and planning my next visit.
I stayed at Alpana Station and got to ride the famous Mt Samuel track. Having been dry for so long it was nothing like what I had seen in online videos from previous years. A lot rockier, rutted and drier.
I learnt on this trip how to better pack my motorcycle for living of it camping. What I really need and what I do not is much clearer now. Most of all the trip reinforced my great love of wild camping and dislike of caravan parks!
By the time I got to the Flinders Ranges I had already travelled well over 6000 kilometres during the trip on tyres that I was told would probably last me that distance. I still had over 3000 kilometres to get home so I made the call to head back home early to avoid riding on dangerous tyres.
The rear tyre still above the wear indicator after more than 10 thousand kilometres.
Little did I know that the rear tyre ( Mitas ENDURO TRAIL-XT+ Dakar) would end up getting me home, lasting well over 10000 kilometres. The same cannot be said for the Pirelli MT 21 on the front which was well and truly dead by the time I arrived back in Cairns.
Himi being cleaned, repaired and improved.
I have been home for a couple of weeks now. During that time my bike Himi has been undergoing cleaning, repairs and servicing. I am also making some changes to reduce both the weight of the bike and the gear I carry on it.
I am hoping to be back out and about in the next week or so. The riding adventures will continue and I will return to the Flinders Ranges for some unfinished business to properly tick it off my bucket list.