FUTURE2 HIKing CHALLENGE
Location: Flinders Ranges
Dates: 16 – 19 November 2023
Cost to participate: $1,649pp (incl. accommodation, all meals, transfers & professional guides)
Fundraising Target: $1,500pp
Future2 is thrilled that the Hiking Challenge is returning in 2023! Quickly establishing itself as one of Future2’s key fundraising events, the Hiking Challenge brings together professionals from all over Australia for four days of incredible scenery, great company, team camaraderie & best of all – it is all for a good cause!
Held in the lead up to the FAAA Professionals Congress, join us in the Flinders Ranges in Nukunu and Banggarla Country from 16-19 November.
Walking with a day pack only on selected moderately challenging day hikes, with comfortable apartment accommodation and freshly cooked meals included.
This Hike is professionally led by qualified and experienced South Australian bushwalking guides/leaders, to ensure you get the most out of your Flinders Ranges experience!
ITINERARY
Day 1 | Depart Adelaide / Mambray Creek / Southern Flinders Ranges
Today we make an early start from Adelaide for the 3.5 hour drive to Mambray Creek. With comfort stops on the way, watch the landscape change as we go from flat Adelaide Plains on Kaurna Country north to the rising horizons of the southern Flinders Ranges.
We begin our 3 hour hike into the ancient landscapes on Nukunu Country to a lookout with a picnic lunch at an old Shepherds Hut before a quick uphill jaunt up to the lookout. We walk the ancient creek bed that has flow after big rains. This walk is rated easy along the valley floor but the lookout is a moderate short steep climb and back down again. We return to the vehicle to make our way to our accommodation in Quorn.
Tonight we enjoy a locally prepared dinner and settle in to our digs for the next 3 nights. Quorn is a character filled small town, with wide streets once used by horse and carts and enriched by a colourful movie making history and a newly opened gin distillery.
Walking Distance: 8km
Day 2 | Cultural experience / Dutchman’s Stern / Devils Peak
Our day starts with a Welcome to Country with our First Nations friends in Quorn before we head to the Dutchman’s Stern – a stunning 11km hike again with the most amazing views of the Conservation Park and wider Flinders Ranges all the way to the Spencer Gulf.
For those keen to extend their adventure today, we head to Devils Peak for a steep 2 hour hike with a scramble to the lookout (you need to like heights for this one!). There is the option to stay and chill in Quorn or perhaps walk the history trail in town to the bush garden where native bushfoods are grown.
Tonight we enjoy a BBQ dinner with gourmet salads and dessert.
Walking Distance: 13km
Day 3 | Mt Brown Summit
After a big breakky, our next big challenge is the Mt Brown Summit. This hike is mostly on moderately rated trails with plenty of hills and includes sections of the iconic Heysen Trail. The walking trails are over a gradual climb, through woodland with views across farmland and hills. The optional summit includes a look out tower and colonial significance. Along this trail there is geological evidence of a 1km deep canyon that was formed 600 million years ago. This circuit hike will earn you a hearty meal this evening at a historic pub in Quorn.
Walking Distance: 15km
Day 4 | Alligator Gorge / Drive to Adelaide
Although we travel back to Adelaide today, we start our day with the stunning Alligator Gorge and our final hike. The terrain here is rugged, rocky and a magical experience.
A lunch stop at an iconic bakery famous for gourmet pies and quandong tarts is a tradition (own expense). After a fulfilling lunch, we should arrive in Adelaide at approximately 5pm. Please do not book flights for this evening.
Walking Distance: 4km
HIKING CHALLENGE SUPPORTED BY
