Melrose
Town
Melrose, a quiet settlement at the foot of Mount Remarkable, is the oldest town in the Flinders Ranges. Indigenous groups who occupied the southern Flinders Ranges around Mount Remarkable and Melrose resisted European settlement in the 1840s, but after just a few decades the population was reduced to a handful. Pastoral properties were established on the mountainous slopes of the ranges, but Melrose truly took off when copper deposits were found nearby in 1846. Bushwalking through Mount Remarkable National Park is a highlight of any visit to this area. The arid north country meets the wet conditions of southern regions to provide a diverse landscape to explore.
Visitor Information
Melrose Caravan and Tourist Park, Joes Rd; (08) 8666 2060
Nearby national parks
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Mount Remarkable National Park
Mount Remarkable National Park, in the southern reaches of the Flinders Ranges, is a beautiful bushland park with pretty creeks, steep...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 -
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
Nearby towns
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Wilmington
Robert Blinman had the foresight to build an inn, called the Roundwood Hotel, at the base of Horrocks Pass in 1861, and soon the Cobb...more -
Port Pirie
Industry in its splendour greets the visitor at this major industrial and commercial centre. The oil tanks, grain silos and 250-metre-high...more -
Port Augusta
Port Augusta is the most northerly port in South Australia. The difficulty of land transportation in the 1800s prompted the town's...more
In Town
National Trust Museum: documents local history, with particular focus on early law enforcement. Original stone buildings include the courthouse and lock-up; open 2–5pm; Stuart St. Bluey Blundstone Blacksmith Shop: a restored shop with a cafe and B&B; closed Tues; Stuart St. Serendipity Gallery: Australiana arts and crafts; Stuart St. War Memorial and Lookout Hill: views over surrounding region. 4WD tours: to local landmarks; contact visitor centre for operators. Heritage walk: self-guide walk includes ruins of Jacka's Brewery and Melrose Mine; brochure from visitor centre.
Nearby
Mt Remarkable National Park Part of the southern Flinders Ranges and popular with bushwalkers. Marked trails through the park's gorges and ranges vary in scope from short scenic walks to long 3-day hikes. Highlights include pretty Alligator Gorge and the tough but worthwhile 5 hr return walk from Melrose to the summit of Mt Remarkable (960 m), with breathtaking views from the top. Access to the park by vehicle is via Mambray Creek or Wilmington. Foot access is from carparks and Melrose. (08) 8634 7068; 2 km W.Cathedral Rock: an impressive rock formation on Mt Remarkable Creek; just west of Melrose. Murray Town: a farming town with nearby scenic lookouts at Box Hill, Magnus Hill and Baroota Nob. Remarkable View Wines offers tasting and sales on weekends. Starting point for a scenic drive west through Port Germein Gorge; 14 km S. Booleroo Centre: this service town to a rich farming community features the Booleroo Steam Traction Preservation Society's Museum. Annual Rally Day is held in Mar/Apr; open by appt; (08) 8667 2193; 15 km SE. Wirrabara: you could easily lose half a day in this town's bakery-cum-antiques shop, wandering through the rooms of relics and antiques just to work up an appetite for another homemade pastry; 25 km S.
Fishing spots near town
Fitzgerald Bay 40 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 42 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 60 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 morePort Broughton 87 km
Port Broughton is a favourite destination for anglers wanting to fish from charter boats. The boat ramp in the sheltered harbour is next to a small pier complex and is popular for small fish including salmon, Tommy ruff,... Find out moreWallaroo 132 km
The small SA seaport of Wallaroo, north of Moonta, offers an excellent base for anglers wanting to catch big snapper, King George whiting, Australian salmon and yellowtail kingfish. Many of the reef systems are close to... Find out moreArdrossan 179 km
Located on the east side of the Yorke Peninsula, Ardrossan is bountiful water just 150 km west of Adelaide, so is a popular weekend fishing destination. Looking out on the long pier at Ardrossan, it’s striking how... Find out moreEco-friendly activities around town
Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden 54 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 moreDiving with cuttlefish, off Whyalla 63 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 moreHeysen Trail 149 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 moreWine-tasting - Nuriootpa and Angaston 197 km
Elderton Wines near Nuriootpa is a carbonneutral winery. Its cellar door is partially solar-powered and the vineyard is using biodynamic methods of production. Yalumba in Angaston has three organic wines and an... Find out moreCycling in the Barossa 201 km
In the Barossa, you can hire bikes from the visitor centre in Tanunda and take the paved 7-kilometre cycle path to Nuriootpa. For a guided, multi-day supported bike tour, sampling the best of the region’s cuisine... Find out moreAdelaide Zoo 235 km
With its catchphrase ‘We exist to save animals from extinction’, this is another of Australia’s excellent zoos. The sea-lion display and walkthrough rainforest aviary are particularly recommended.... Find out moreAboriginal gallery, Adelaide 235 km
The Australian Aboriginal Cultures Gallery at the South Australian Museum holds the largest collection of Aboriginal artefacts in the world. Some 3000 are on display at any one time.... Find out moreMorialta Conservation Park 236 km
One of the most stunning parks in the region and located only 10 kilometres north-east of Adelaide, this has waterfalls and deep gorges, woodlands, koalas, echidnas and southern brown bandicoots. The pick of the walks is... Find out moreSwimming with dolphins off Glenelg 240 km
Since 2002, the eco-accredited Temptation Sailing has offered a ‘swim with the dolphins sail’ on a 17-metre catamaran out of Glenelg, in which the bottlenose and common dolphins reputedly come to the vessel... Find out moreGolf courses around town
The Grange Golf Club (East Course) 230 km
Vern Morcom was working on the final changes to The Grange’s West course redesign when the club announced plans for a second course. Morcom was asked to design it, on 150 acres of adjoining land, and the East... Find out moreThe Grange Golf Club (West Course) 230 km
Melbourne’s sandbelt wasn’t the only region in which golf course construction was booming during the 1920s. Various sites in Adelaide’s western suburbs – Kooyonga in 1922, Glenelg in 1926... Find out moreRoyal Adelaide Golf Club 231 km
In the city of churches, Royal Adelaide is the golfing equivalent of the Vatican. Every visiting golfer should make a pilgrimage to this Dr Alister MacKenzie-designed layout, one of Australia’s top 10 courses,... Find out moreKooyonga Golf Club 235 km
Kooyonga is a thinking player’s golf course. One of the game’s greatest strategists, Peter Thomson, gave an insight into what is required to play well at Kooyonga after winning the 1972 Australian Open... Find out moreGlenelg Golf Club 239 km
Glenelg is to Adelaide what Bondi is to Sydney – the city’s most popular beach suburb. The terminus for the City to Bay tram, a Glenelg icon, can be found where Jetty Rd meets the beach, where you will... Find out moreCafes & restaurants around town
The Old Bakery Stone Hut
What started as an English-style country bakery has blossomed into a must-see destination for homemade and regional delicacies. Delicious chunky steak pies – there are ten flavours in all – are the real hero... Find out moreNearby eco-friendly places to eat
Goodlife 241 km
This innovative restaurant and takeaway not only makes carbon-neutral pizzas, but also places an emphasis on sourcing produce that is organic and local. Takeaway pizzas here even come tied up with string.... Find out moreThe Organic Market and Cafe 247 km
This bustling cafe and organic produce outlet in Stirling was the national winner of the best organic retailer award. Something of an institution in the area, it has delicious antipasto platters and great coffee. About... Find out moreThe Locavore 247 km
The Locavore (‘local eater’) at Stirling in the Adelaide Hills sticks to the ‘100-mile’ philosophy of sourcing food, which in its case includes the Barossa, Adelaide Hills, McLaren Vale and the... Find out moreNearby breweries
Knappstein Enterprise Brewery 118 km
History has turned full circle for the Clare Valley’s Enterprise Brewery, which ceased beer-making operations in 1916, but was revived for its original purpose in 2006. In between time, this gorgeous sandstone... Find out moreCoopers Brewery 230 km
More than any other Australian brewery, Coopers has grown significant market share over the past two decades on the back of increased demand for alternative beer styles. It was established in 1862 by Yorkshireman Thomas... Find out moreBrewboys 230 km
One of the country’s newest craft beermaking enterprises, Brewboys is a partnership between Stephen Nelsen and Simon Sellick, who also operate the contract brewing company Fresh Cellars. At present they utilise a... Find out moreSouth Australian Brewing Company 234 km
Established in 1888, the South Australian Brewing Company became the state’s dominant beer-maker by steadily acquiring competitors like the Kent Town Brewery, West End Brewery and the Walkerville Co-operative... Find out moreAdelaide Hills Craft Brewing 239 km
Located in the former Onkaparinga woollen mill complex at Lobethal in the Adelaide Hills, this brewery/bar is run by Alistair Turnbull and Phil Jones. The pair turned their backs on careers in banking to study brewing in... Find out moreCampsites around town
Melrose Showgrounds camping area
Creekside camping is permitted on the outskirts of the delightful Flinders Ranges town of Melrose, the oldest town in the region. With sites among mighty river gums, this is a convenient base for enjoying the town or... Find out moreSummit Camp (bush camping) 3 km
In an atmospheric bush setting on the high crest of Mt Remarkable, bush camping is permitted 6 km north-west of Melrose on the Mt Remarkable Summit Hike, which is also part of the Heysen Trail. The site is gas/fuel stove... Find out moreThe Racecourse camping area (bush camping) 5 km
This walk-in site is near the junction of the Racecourse and Mungola Hut tracks. A permit is required from the self-registration station and the site is gas/fuel stove only.... Find out moreGoat Rock camping area (bush camping) 8 km
A walk-in bush site (gas/fuel stove only), close to the junction of Woolfords and Racecourse tracks, this camping area requires a permit from the self-registration station.... Find out moreHidden Camp (bush camping) 12 km
This sheltered walk-in site is close to the dramatic ravine of Hidden Gorge, 8 km on foot north of Mambray Creek. The site is gas/fuel stove only, and a permit is required from the self-registration station.... Find out moreSugar Gum Dam camping area (bush camping) 12 km
Secluded walk-in sites are set among the high woodland on the Black Range Trek, 11 km east of Mambray Creek. A permit is required from the self-registration station, and the site is gas/fuel stove only.... Find out moreKingfisher Flat camping area (bush camping) 12 km
Delightful woodland camping is offered close to Alligator Creek. The facilities and ease of access make this a popular base for day walks to surrounding highlights. Situated 4 km south of the Alligator Gorge carpark, the... Find out moreLonghill Camp (bush camping) 14 km
Just 1 km south-west of Alligator, this walk-in camp (gas/fuel stove only) is at the start of the Ring Route Track. A permit is required from the self-registration station.... Find out moreMambray Creek Campground 15 km
The park’s largest and most accessible campground is in a classic creek and river red gum setting. It offers a full range of facilities and ready access to the walking tracks heading east. Signposted access is off... Find out moreFricks Dam camping area (bush camping) 15 km
This elevated walk-in site is close to The Battery, with valley views. On Fricks Track, it is 10 km north of Mambray Creek. A permit is required from the self-registration station and you need to bring a gas/fuel stove.... Find out moreCaravan parks around town
Port Pirie Beach Caravan Park 42 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 moreShoreline Caravan Park 56 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 56 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 moreCrystal Brook Caravan Park 58 km
This is a small, neat council-owned park just on the edge of town. It is a very pretty park with large red gums, a creek alongside, and lawn sites. We find it good value.... Find out moreDiscovery Holiday Parks – Whyalla Foreshore 62 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 morePeterborough Caravan Park 63 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 moreNuttbush Retreat Caravan Park 74 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 morePort Broughton Caravan Park 90 km
A large park on the waterfront at the small town of Port Broughton, this is ideal for a quiet break or for fishing and crabbing. Bookings are required in peak periods, and a minimum-length stay period applies at Easter... Find out moreBurra Caravan and Camping Park 118 km
This picturesque park is situated alongside a creek just two minutes walk from the centre of Burra, a historic mining town. The park has good basic facilities and plenty of large shady trees. It is an excellent base from... Find out moreCowell Foreshore Caravan Park and Holiday Units 151 km
Located on the foreshore at the end of the main street, this park is ideally situated for those who enjoy walking everywhere. Fresh Cowell oysters are on sale at reception. Bookings are required from January to April,... Find out moreHotels, motels & B&Bs around town
Thanks to a radical makeover, the oldest pub in the Flinders Ranges – established in 1854 – has been reinvigorated as a smart boutique-style hotel. Behind its classic stone facade, the hotel’s four... Find out more
Eco-friendly places to stay around town
Rawnsley Park Station 136 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 moreWillow Springs Station, near Wilpena Pound 162 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 moreClarion Hotel Soho 236 km
Completed at the end of 2008, this five-star boutique hotel was designed with many hidden environmental features, such as water-recycling systems, sustainable building materials and airflow and passive cooling to reduce... Find out moreRest areas around town
Murray Town Rest Area 13 km
Middle of town Large area just off the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S32 56.149 E138 14.447... Find out moreMambray Creek Camp Area 14 km
T/O 48 km S of Port Augusta (L) or 47 km N of Warnertown (R) Large campground located in a natural bush setting 5 kilometres east of the highway at the base of the ranges in Mount Remarkable National Park. Good... Find out moreMambray Creek Rest Area 19 km
T/O 48 km S of Port Augusta (L) or 47 km N of Warnertown (L) Large areas just off the highway (on both sides) among the trees. Good shade. GPS: S32 50.765 E137 58.937... Find out moreHancocks Lookout Rest Area 20 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 moreWilmington Park Area 21 km
South side of town Small area just off the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S32 39.11 E138 06.06... Find out moreIppinitchie Camp Area 27 km
T/O at Wirrabara Small campground located 8 kilometres west of Wirrabara in a natural bush setting in Wirrabara Forest Reserve. Good facilities and shade. NOTE: Access road part unsealed. GPS: S33 03.996 E138... Find out morePort Germein South Rest Area 28 km
72 km S of Port Augusta (R) or 23 km N of Warnertown (L) Large area well off the road. Limited shade. GPS: S33 02.738 E138 01.822... Find out moreLaura Park Area 41 km
Middle of town Parking area adjacent to the highway. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S33 10.870 E138 18.000 ... Find out morePoint Lowly Camp Area 42 km
T/O 36 km S of Eyre Hwy (L) or 11 km N of Whyalla (R) Small camp area near the foreshore, 23 kilometres east of the highway. GPS: S32 59.590 E137 46.860... Find out moreFitzgerald Bay Camp Area 42 km
T/O 36 km S of Eyre Hwy (L) or 11 km N of Whyalla (R) Small camp area located on the foreshore, 24 kilometres east of the highway. NOTE: Access road part unsealed. GPS: S32 55.296 E137 44.951... Find out moreWarnertown Park Area 46 km
Near the hotel Small parking area just off the highway. GPS: S33 14.085 E138 07.106... Find out moreGladstone Park Area 51 km
West side of town Parking area adjacent to the highway near the caravan park. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S33 16.119 E138 20.999... Find out moreInformation Bay Rest Area 62 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 moreGeorgetown Park Area 62 km
South side of town Small area adjacent to the highway. GPS: S33 21.634 E138 23.632... Find out moreMount Whyalla Rest Area 65 km
11 km S of Eyre Hwy (L) or 36 km N Whyalla (R) Large area just off the highway among the trees. Limited shade. GPS: S32 43.512 E137 30.577... Find out moreTank Hill Rest Area 66 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 moreOodla Wirra South Rest Area 81 km
3 km S of Oodla Wirra (R) or 31 km N of Terowie (L) Small area among trees. Reasonable shade. GPS: S32 53.957 E139 02.663 ... Find out moreSpalding Park Area 84 km
Middle of town Parking area adjacent to the highway. Good facilities. GPS: S33 29.990 E138 36.435... Find out moreTent Hill Rest Area 89 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 moreIron Knob Camp Area 98 km
T/O 88 km NE of Kimba (R) or 68 km SW of Port Augusta (L) Quiet camp area well off the highway in the middle of town. Good facilities. Limited shade. NOTE: Donation requested. GPS: S32 43.937 E137 09.017 ... Find out moreSnowtown North Rest Area 102 km
62 km S of Warnertown (L) or 53 km N of Port Wakefield (R) Small area adjacent to the highway. Good shade. GPS: S33 44.870 E138 12.577 ... Find out moreMount Bryan Rest Area 104 km
Middle of town Town park opposite the hotel. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S33 33.007 E138 53.532... Find out moreGranite Hill Rest Area 104 km
48 km SW of Whyalla (L) or 59 km NE of Cowell (R) Large area just off the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S33 15.954 E137 12.483... Find out moreLake Lochiel Rest Area 120 km
82 km S of Warnertown (L) or 33 km N of Port Wakefield (R) Small area adjacent to the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S33 54.807 E138 09.791 ... Find out moreYunta Rest Area 132 km
Middle of town Town park opposite the hotel. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S32 34.908 E139 33.749... Find out moreLake Giles Rest Area 135 km
36 km NE of Kimba (R) or 119 km SW of Port Augusta (L) Large area well off the highway in the scrub behind the truck bay. GPS: S33 02.930 E136 46.167 ... Find out moreBurra East Rest Area 135 km
21 km SE of Burra (L) or 64 km NW of Morgan (R) Small area adjacent to the highway. GPS: S33 45.801 E139 07.059... Find out moreBurra Creek Gorge Camp Area 137 km
T/O 16 km SE of Burra (R) or 69 km NW of Morgan (L) Large secluded campground located 11 kilometres south-east of the highway in a natural bush setting on the banks of the creek. Good facilities and shade. GPS:... Find out moreWinnininnie Creek Rest Area 141 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 moreWhat's on around town
Melrose Show: Oct.