Section 51: Warren Gorge to Buckaringa 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.

Walkers starting from Warren Gorge will use the scenic spur trail to meet the through-trail at Peter's Corner and head north towards Mount Arden South campsite. Just north of the campsite the trail leaves the creek to climb the exposed Mount Arden summit for spectacular 360 degree views. The trail then follows the main ridgeline before descending down to a pretty but rugged creek to exit at Buckaringa Gorge.

Quick stats
17.0km
plus extra distance of 5km
Flinders Ranges

Walkers please note…

The Australian Wildlife Conservancy conducts regular programs to control feral animals in the Buckaringa Sanctuary.

When these take place the section of the Heysen Trail passing through the sanctuary is closed.

These closures generally occur around the same time each year.

For the latest news of any closures click here.

To bypass the closure south-bound walkers should leave the trail just after the Buckaringa North campsite to follow the Buckaringa Scenic Drive south to join the Arden Vale Road … and to rejoin the trail via Warren Gorge.

Map & GPS Files

View map in full screen format.
View full featured Interative Map of the Heysen Trail.

Download GPX file for a GPS unit.
Download KML file for Google Earth/Maps.
Download full-featured GPX and/or KML files of the Heysen Trail.

Mapsheet 7A, Dutchmans Stern Conservation Park to north of Mt Arden;
Mapsheet 7B, North of Mt Arden to Willochra Creek

Northern Guidebook, chapter 4 map 4.
chapter 4 map 5.
chapter 4 map 6.

Location of Warren Gorge
177 354
(217736 6435449 zone 54)
Latitude: -32.1821 (32° 10' 55.56")
Longitude: 138.006333 (138° 0' 22.7988")
View in Google Maps

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.

Location of Buckaringa Gorge
215 429
(221500 6442900 zone 54)
Latitude: -32.1159159333 (32° 6' 57.2974")
Longitude: 138.0483685083 (138° 2' 54.1266")
View in Google Maps

Vehicle access from Quorn is via the Arden Vale Road (for 28.3km) and then on Wyacca Road.
Buckaringa Gorge is a private conservation park so vehicle access is only so far as the gate on Wyacca Road located at GR 214 429 on mapsheet 7B (Lat/Long -32.115605, 138.047525).
Walkers heading north can proceed to the access point by staying on the station track through Buckaringa Gorge. Walking south leave the track around GR 210 430 and walk south to find the station track and then follow it eastwards to the access point.