Blinman
Town
Population 151
During the 19th century numerous mining townships dotted the northern Flinders Ranges. Blinman is the sole surviving town surveyed at the time. The discovery of copper here in 1859 was accidental; the story goes that a shepherd, Robert Blinman, used to watch his sheep from a boulder. One day he absentmindedly broke off a chunk and discovered it was copper. Historic buildings in the main street are reminders of those rich (and temporary) days.
Visitor Information
General store, Mine Rd; (08) 8648 4370
Nearby national parks
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Flinders Ranges National Park
Flinders Ranges National Park covers a vast ancient landscape of rippled outback terrain and exposed ridges, culminating in the striking...more -
Lake Torrens National Park
The 250-kilometre-long ephemeral Lake Torrens is timeless, wild and starkly photogenic. Protected within Lake Torrens National Park, this is...more -
Vulkathunha Gammon Ranges National Park
At the northernmost end of the Flinders, the weathered Vulkathunha–Gammon Ranges are the last cluster of ancient mountains before the...more
Nearby towns
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Wilpena
Wilpena consists of a resort and caravan/camping park on the edge of Wilpena Pound, in Flinders Ranges National Park. In 1902 the Hill...more -
Leigh Creek
Located in the Flinders Ranges, Leigh Creek is a modern coalmining town that services a huge open-cut mine to the north. The original...more -
Hawker
This small outback town was once a thriving railway centre, and historic buildings are still well preserved in its streets. Hawker was...more
Nearby
Blinman Mine Historic Site: a 1 km self-guide walk explains the history and geology of the site. Contact the caretaker on (08) 8648 4874 for a guided tour; just north-east of Blinman. Great Wall of China: impressive limestone ridge; Wilpena Rd; 10 km S. Angorichina Tourist Village: Start point for 4 km walk along creek bed to Blinman Pools, permanent spring-fed pools in scenic surrounds. Accommodation ranges from tents to cabins; (08) 8648 4842; 14 km W. Glass and Parachilna gorges: 10 km NW and 15 km W of town are these 2 beautiful gorges. Parachilna Gorge is the end point of the 1200 km Heysen Trail (bushwalking trail), which begins at Cape Jervis; for information contact Parks SA, (08) 8124 4792. Flinders Ranges National Park: see Wilpena for more details; 26 km S; Prairie Hotel: a historic hotel at Parachilna offering cuisine with a bush-tucker twist as well as first-rate accommodation. Hotel staff can arrange activities including 4WD tours, scenic flights and visits to nearby Nilpena Station on the edge of Lake Torrens to sample the outback life; (08) 8648 4844; 32 km W. Scenic drive: travel east through Eregunda Valley (around 20 km E), then north-east to Mt Chambers Gorge (around 75 km NE), with its rockpools and Aboriginal carvings; further north is Vulkathunha–Gammon Ranges National Park; see Arkaroola. Mawson Trail: this 900 km bike trail from Adelaide ends in Blinman. It is named after famous Australian explorer Sir Douglas Mawson and traverses the Mt Lofty and Flinders ranges; for details contact Bicycle SA, (08) 8411 0233.
Fishing spots near town
Fitzgerald Bay 219 km
Snapper fishing has a language all of its own. In Queensland and NSW, anglers talk about small snapper as ‘squire’. In Victoria, small snapper are ‘pinkies’; in SA, they are known as... Find out morePoint Lowly 226 km
The Point Lowly lighthouse marks the southern extremity of Fitzgerald Bay. Near the lighthouse is a small community of shacks. These lighthouse cottages are cared for by the Uniting Church, and are available for hire. It... Find out moreWhyalla 237 km
Whyalla is snapper central for anglers. Every Easter the Australian Snapper Championships are based here and the top ten snapper weighed in are always over 10 kg. As you would expect with a destination where fishing is... Find out moreEco-friendly activities around town
Heysen Trail 47 km
Some 1200 kilometres long, this renowned walking track stretches from Cape Jervis on the Fleurieu Peninsula all the way to Parachilna Gorge in the northern Flinders. It covers a vast range of scenery from coastal cliffs... Find out moreAustralian Arid Lands Botanic Garden 176 km
Located at Port Augusta West (at the head of Spencer Gulf) and spread over 200 hectares, this centre showcases the Australian arid landscapes and their vegetation. There are 12 kilometres of walking tracks, guided tours... Find out moreArid Recovery Reserve 183 km
Initially a public relations exercise for BHP Billiton’s massive Olympic Dam mine, the Arid Recovery Reserve at Roxby Downs is now an excellent example of how industry, government and the community can work... Find out moreDiving with cuttlefish, off Whyalla 238 km
Every year between May and September, thousands of Australian giant cuttlefish converge on the rocky coastline between Fitzgerald Bay and False Bay at Whyalla (on the Eyre Peninsula’s north-east coast) to breed and... Find out moreCafes & restaurants around town
Prairie Hotel
Great food is the secret to the success of this middle-of-nowhere pub. Many visitors – especially from overseas – have had their first taste of outback goodies here, including kangaroo, emu, camel, goat,... Find out moreCampsites around town
Artimore Ruins camping area 13 km
This former homestead occupies a scenic and secluded valley, 28 km north-east of Blinman. Access is via PAR 4. Bring in your own firewood and water.... Find out moreParachilna Gorge camping area (bush camping) 17 km
The road heading east from Parachilna to Blinman follows Parachilna Gorge as it snakes through the Heysen and ABC ranges. Spectacular summits and rock formations create a memorable atmosphere for the designated bush... Find out morePatawarta Gap camping area 19 km
This camping area lies in rugged terrain north of Artimore Ruins, with spectacular Patawarta Hill a commanding presence. It’s 42 km north-east of Blinman via PAR 5. Bring wood and water, and preferably a gas/fuel... Find out moreAroona Campground 21 km
Close to the historic Aroona Ruins, this site has fine outlooks to the Heysen and ABC ranges. It’s also at the start of the Heysen Trail’s final dash up the beautiful Aroona Valley to Parachilna Gorge.... Find out moreKoolaman Campground 22 km
For classic creek-side camping among the old river red gums in the beautiful Aroona Valley, follow Aroona Rd, 46 km north of the visitor centre. There are sites here for both 2WD and 4WD vehicles with camper trailers.... Find out moreYoungoona Campground 24 km
Self-sufficient camping on the eastern slopes of the Trezona Range, from where walking trails loop back through historic grazing country to Aroona Valley. The campground is just off the Brachina Gorge Rd, 48 km north of... Find out moreTrezona Campground 25 km
This location on Brachina Gorge Rd, 44 km north of Wilpena, takes its name from the ancient shales and limestones of the craggy Trezona Range. There is a self-guided nature walk here as part of the Brachina Gorge... Find out moreNuccaleena Mine camping area 25 km
In a historic Flinders Ranges mine site, tucked among the sweep of hills north of Blinman, there are ruins to explore and hills to wander at this camping area on an elevated site near the ruins. Located on PAR 3, 42 km... Find out moreBrachina East Campground 26 km
The gateway to all the Brachina action, this campground for self-sufficient campers is accessible from the east by 2WD and is pleasantly situated on the banks of Brachina Creek. Signposted along Brachina Gorge Rd, 48 km... Find out moreCaravan parks around town
Shoreline Caravan Park 174 km
This park has good facilities in a quiet, offthe- highway location. It has sea frontage and views of the Flinders Ranges. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out morePort Augusta Big4 Holiday Park 175 km
With very good facilities, this place is strategically based at the junction of the Eyre, Princes and Stuart highways. It can get quite busy here, even in the low season. The park is about 1.5 km from the town centre.... Find out moreNuttbush Retreat Caravan Park 206 km
This park adjoins the huge Pandurra sheep and cattle station, 40 km south-west of Port Augusta on the Eyre Highway. The park has very good facilities, including a licensed bar and restaurant.... Find out morePeterborough Caravan Park 207 km
This is a tidy park located off the main road in a quiet part of town, adjacent to the town’s swimming pool. The park has modern amenities and is conveniently positioned for an overnight stop between Broken Hill... Find out morePort Pirie Beach Caravan Park 238 km
This beachfront caravan park is just 1.5 km from the town centre and offers a range of facilities to suit most travellers. Nicely angled drive-through sites, clean amenities and friendly staff make this our pick of the... Find out moreDiscovery Holiday Parks – Whyalla Foreshore 238 km
Now part of the Beston Group, this large park close to town has most amenities for tourists. Bookings are required at Easter.... Find out moreHotels, motels & B&Bs around town
Straddling the heart of the central Flinders Ranges, this working sheep station just 5 kilometres from Blinman offers self-catered accommodation at the main homestead’s shearer’s quarters. Deeper into the... Find out more
Tucked among the ranges 20 kilometres north of Blinman, this historic grazing property is a handy base for off-road exploring, including the historic Nuccaleena mine and nearby landmarks like the eye-catching peak... Find out more
This historic pastoral property is now a popular haunt for groups and family parties as they explore the famed Brachina and Bunyeroo gorges, as well as other nearby highlights like Aroona Valley and the Heysen Range. The... Find out more
Prairie Hotel
The Prairie Hotel is one of Australia’s most surprising outback pubs, whose location – a lonely railway siding perched on a vast sweep of saltbush plain – makes the calibre of the bush tucker and... Find out moreEco-friendly places to stay around town
Willow Springs Station, near Wilpena Pound 38 km
Another working sheep station, Willow Springs on the edge of the national park is home to the legendary six-hour 4WD route Skytrek, passing through Bunkers Conservation Reserve and culminating at the 921-metre-high... Find out moreRawnsley Park Station 60 km
Eight modern strawbale eco-villas with grand views perch on this sheep station, on the southern slopes of Wilpena Pound. Tourism is now the main industry on the property, and the one- and two-bedroom eco-villas are the... Find out moreRest areas around town
Ironstone Lagoon Rest Area 154 km
103 km N of Port Augusta (L) or 70 km S of Pimba (R) Large area just off the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S31 43.149 E137 13.867... Find out moreTent Hill Rest Area 165 km
36 km N of Port Augusta (R) or 137 km S of Pimba (L) Large area just off the highway surrounded by scrub. Limited shade. GPS: S32 14.531 E137 32.759... Find out moreIsland Lagoon South Rest Area 171 km
155 km N of Port Augusta (L) or 18 km S of Pimba (R) Large parking bay adjacent to the highway. GPS: S31 22.774 E136 55.411... Find out moreWilmington Park Area 179 km
South side of town Small area just off the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S32 39.11 E138 06.06... Find out morePimba Park Area 180 km
At the roadhouse Large parking area well off the highway. GPS: S31 15.347 E136 48.236 ... Find out moreYunta Rest Area 182 km
Middle of town Town park opposite the hotel. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S32 34.908 E139 33.749... Find out moreWinnininnie Creek Rest Area 183 km
36 km SW of Mannahill (R) or 9 km NE of Yunta (L) Large area among a few trees. Limited shade. GPS: S32 32.644 E139 39.349... Find out moreHancocks Lookout Rest Area 187 km
T/O 18 km SE of Princes Hwy (R) or 4 km W of Wilmington (L) Large area 7 kilometres south of the highway at the lookout. Excellent views over the surrounding countryside. NOTE: Access road unsealed. GPS: S32 42.20... Find out moreMannahill Park Area 191 km
Middle of town Town park next to the hotel. Limited shade. GPS: S32 25.860 E139 59.210... Find out moreGoyders Line Rest Area 192 km
17 km S of Wilmington (R) or 4 km N of Melrose (L) Large area just off the highway. Good shade. GPS: S32 48.06 E138 12.30... Find out moreOlary Park Area 197 km
Middle of town Town park opposite the hotel. GPS: S32 18.253 E140 13.718... Find out moreInformation Bay Rest Area 197 km
130 km NE of Kimba (R) or 26 km SW of Port Augusta (L) Large area adjacent to the highway at the information bay. Limited shade. GPS: S32 36.974 E137 34.424 ... Find out moreTank Hill Rest Area 200 km
126 km NE of Kimba (R) or 30 km SW of Port Augusta (L) Large secluded area just off the highway in the scrub. Limited shade. GPS: S32 37.048 E137 31.647 ... Find out moreIsland Lagoon North Rest Area 200 km
20 km NW of Pimba (L) or 93 km SE of Glendambo (R) Large area adjacent to the highway at the lookout. GPS: S31 15.831 E136 35.945... Find out moreWhat's on around town
Land Rover Jamboree: Easter.
Cook Outback: food/wine festival with camp oven competition; Oct long weekend.
