Alison Saddle Walk
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Big bang for your buck for effort versus reward, Alison Saddle walk at Rawnsley Park Station is a steep but short walk that gives you sweeping views across mountain ranges in several directions including towards the bluff and back towards Hawker.
| Quick Fact Box – Alison Saddle Walk |
| Track notes and photos are for supplementary information to help you see what a walk and experience may be like. Conditions outdoors can change quickly, please ALWAYS use official government or business resources and maps for navigation and safety information. Getting There: This walk leaves from the gate near the stone fireplace across from the accommodation reception. This is marked as ‘Office Start Point’ on the official Rawnsley Park Pdf map. This can be downloaded from their day walks and trails page. Walk Distance: 1.6km return Track Grade: NA Dogs: Dogs are allowed on lead. There were sheep in this paddock when I walked so be mindful of the lead requirement. At the time I visited in August 2022 dogs were allowed on all walks except the ones that enter the national Park (Rawnsley Bluff Walk and Ferntree Falls). Walk Highlights: The Views – Great Sunset spot as while steep there is a wide gravel path to walk down as the light starts to disapear Accessibility: Mobile Reception: With Telstra, I had full reception (well enough to messenger video call anyway)! This could differ based on your phone type. |
Track notes for Alison Saddle Walk
Rawnsley Park recommended this walk for sunset and sunrise so if you were more of a morning person than me it would be a great dawn walk to watch the valleys and ranges around you slowly come to life, as you get views out in two different directions.
Getting There
Rawnsley Park Station is located on a private road off Flinders Ranges Way. You do not have to be staying at the station to do the walks.
The walk starts from near the accommodation office. There is a large gravel turnaround you could park in if your not staying at the station. Be sure to download their most up to date walking notes in case anything has changed.
You head through the gate near the accommodation office
The Alison Saddle Walk
From the gate across from the office, you meander your way through some native shrubs until the gravel track starts to climb straight up the hill. This area seems to be part of the agricultural side of the station as sheep were wandering around (or perhaps there just there to create the station experience who knows ha).
After a steep but fairly short climb to the saddle, where there is a small tower, you will get views towards several mountain ranges.
You can also reach the saddle from the, however, boots are recommended by the people who came over the top as they said ‘We couldn’t enjoy the views because we were watching where we walked!’
I did this walk on the last night of a 3 day stay. I already didn’t want to leave but the sweeping views across the valleys and mountain ranges were a reminder of how much of a privilege it is to be able to travel to and enjoy the Flinders Ranges.
As I stood on the seat taking photos and watching the end of the day of the station – cars coming back from exploring, tours returning from adventures and sheep wandering through the paddock I knew if everything goes to plan in life, I will be back many more times.
Things to do Nearby
There are plenty of walks to do at the station of varying lengths and most are dog-friendly however there are a few longer challenging walks that dogs are not allowed on as they enter the National Park.
You can also pay for access to 4wd private tracks on the station or do guided activities or helicopter rides. There is plenty of exploring to do in other places nearby off the Flinders Ranges Way.