Section 50: Eyre Depot to Warren Gorge

August 2020, section numbers altered:

  1. Sections previously numbered 51 to 55 have been renumbered to accomodate what was previously Section 50, from Eyre Depot to Buckaringa, to be split into two smaller more manageable sections: Section 50 Eyre Depot to Warren Gorge, and Section 51 Warren Gorge to Buckaringa. So what was Section 51 is now Section 52, and what was 52 now 53, and what was 53 now 54, and what was 54 now 55.
  2. Sections previously numbered 55 and 56 have been combined into Section 56, from Mt Little Station to Moralana Scenic Drive.
Region: Flinders Ranges

After climbing back into the range, walkers enter Depot Creek which winds its way northwards. The gradual climb up the winding creek bed with its waterfalls and rocky sections can make progress very slow. Walkers can choose to use the spur trail to Warren Gorge at GR 795 346 or continue following the creek to Mount Arden South campsite.

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Mapsheet 7A, Dutchmans Stern Conservation Park to north of Mt Arden

Northern Guidebook, chapter 4 map 3.
chapter 4 map 4.

Distance
8.4km
plus extra distance of 5km
Location of Eyre Depot
765 301
(776500 6430100 zone 53)
Latitude: -32.231732 (32° 13' 54.2352")
Longitude: 137.934157 (137° 56' 2.9652")
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Note that to travel from Quorn to Eyre Depot vehicles need to travel via the Pichi Richi Pass i.e. via Stirling North and Port Augusta. There is NO ACCESS on the route via Thompson Gap that is often shown by Google Maps.

To obtain permission  to access Eyre Depot contact Tom Smart, Manager of Wilkatana Station by text message giving details of your name, date of proposed entry and number in the walking party with at least 72 hours notice. His number is  0403 895 056.

Vehicle access to Eyre Depot is via Wilkatana Station, 40km north of Port Augusta on the Warrakimbo Rd. Signs will then indicate the station tracks needed to reach Eyre Depot.
The track crossing of Depot Ck is only passable to high clearance 4WDs so vehicles will need to stop at GR 753 307 (Lat/long -32.226394 137.920892). Walkers will need to leave the trail at the gate at GR 764 302 (lat/long -32.231653 137.933279) on mapsheet 7A (near the memorial) and walk out 1.5 km to the vehicle.

Location of Warren Gorge
177 354
(217736 6435449 zone 54)
Latitude: -32.1821 (32° 10' 55.56")
Longitude: 138.006333 (138° 0' 22.7988")
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Vehicle access from Quorn is via the Arden Vale Road (for 19.7km) and then on the Warren Gorge Access Road.

The trail spur out to Warren Gorge begins at GR 795 346 (Peter’s Corner) (Lat/Long -32.190924, 137.965761) on mapsheet 7A. The spur trail was marked in August 2020.  The spur trail enters a tight creek line, quickly climbing to a saddle, approx. 1 km.  It crosses a 4WD track on the saddle and descends along a spur to another creek and a very pretty gorge.  It stays in the creek line, leaving it only briefly to negotiate a gate and then returns to creek bed into Warren Gorge.
The exit at the Warren Gorge is via the turnstile located adjacent to the creek at the northern end of the access road.

Warren Gorge is not a National Park, it is private land leased to the Flinders Ranges Council.
Entry fees are payable via self-registration at the entrance to the Gorge (cash only), or at the Flinders Ranges Visitors Information Centre, Railway Tce Quorn
As at March 2025 the fees are…
Vehicle entry per day $5.00
Walkers or cyclist with no vehicle day entry $5.00
Bus day entry $5.00 per person.

Camping within Warren Gorge is also permitted for a fee…
Camping per night per vehicle $20.00
Walkers or cyclist with no vehicle camping per night $10.00

Walkers that are using Warren Gorge simply as an access point to the Heysen Trail are exempt from these fees.