Flinders Ranges named one of world’s top travel destinations by international publication

A leading international publication has given South Australia a big nod in its travel guide for 2024.

South Australia’s Flinders Ranges has been crowned one of the world’s top travel destinations by a leading international travel publication.

Explore Travel, which has a monthly reach of more than 4.5 million people, has praised the mid-north national park as the “ultimate accessible outback” travel spot in its list of best places to visit in 2024.

In addition to walking trails, the publication also praised the Ranges for fossil exploration tours and the nearby Prairie Hotel at Parachilna, which serves exotic menu items like camel sausage rolls and kangaroo pastrami.

Wilpena Pound at the Flinders Ranges National Park. Picture: Getty Images

The Prairie Hotel at Parachilna, about 5km from Flinders Ranges National Park. Picture: Toby Zerna

Last year, the state government and conservation groups nominated the Ranges as a UNESCO World Heritage site to potentially acquire extra funding for its protection.

Environment Minister Susan Close said this accolade would add “further legitimacy” to the bid.

“This is a place where visitors can have the unique experience of witnessing the first evidence of animal life on Earth, which is truly amazing,” Ms Close said.

Tourism Minister Zoe Bettison said visitors to the Ranges pumped $690 million into the state economy last financial year.