The world’s catching on — South Australia’s Ikara-Flinders Ranges & Outback is one of the best places on earth to visit
Turns out the rest of the world has finally caught on to what South Aussies have known all along — the Ikara-Flinders Ranges and Outback is something pretty special.
Lonely Planet has just named the region one of the top 25 travel destinations in the world for 2026, making it the only Australian location to make the list. That’s right — no Sydney Harbour, no Great Barrier Reef — just our rugged backyard, front and centre on the global stage.
From Red Dust to World Fame – the Flinders Captures Hearts
From the ancient, folded peaks of Wilpena Pound to the rugged mountains and magnificent gorges at Arkaroola – the Flinders has a way of humbling you. You breathe it in, get a bit of red dust on your boots, and somehow walk away a little bit changed.
Tourism Minister Zoe Bettison said the recognition is a proud moment for South Australia.
“South Australians know the Flinders Ranges & Outback is one of the world’s best destinations, and now it’s official. Being named a top destination by Lonely Planet brings Ikara-Flinders Ranges global recognition on a monumental scale and comes as it moves one step closer to a UNESCO World Heritage listing.”
Lonely Planet’s Senior Director of Trade Sales and Marketing, Chris Zeiher, is clearly a fan too.
“I’m ecstatic to see the epic Ikara-Flinders Ranges and wider South Australian outback on our prestigious list — it’s one of the world’s most breathtaking environments perfectly primed for the world to discover in 2026.”
And while international travellers are only just catching on, locals like Ross Fargher, co-owner of the iconic Prairie Hotel in Parachilna, have been sharing the magic of the region for generations.
“I have always felt it imperative to share my passion for the Ikara Flinders Ranges both locally and internationally.” Ross said.
“My family came to the Flinders Ranges in the 1860’s, the experiences, recollections, relationships and multi-generational stories of the Fargher family create a memorable journey of 550 million years from the dawn of animal life, through aboriginal custodianship and pastoral heritage to the protection of country for all time.“
The announcement adds to a string of accolades for South Australia, with Adelaide recently crowned the #1 Best Place to Travel in 2026 by Yahoo! Creators, and our state named Best Event State at the 2025 Australian Event Awards.
