Published: June 2025 / Read Time: 4 Minutes
Stunning yet secluded outback bush camps, endless ridgetop views, and mild-to-wild 4WD tracks all within 4 hours of Adelaide? Bendleby Ranges might just have it all…
Offering that true outback getaway experience while still being close enough for a quick long weekend trip, Bendleby has become a favourite of many recently – and for good reason.
Bendleby Ranges is actually made up of two parallel ranges, with the main homestead situated in between the two. On the western side of the property is the Bendleby Ranges, which features most of the property’s camping areas along with a good variety of scenic drives and four-wheel-driving. Opposite, on the eastern side, are the Hungry Ranges. This side is more rugged, not just in landscape but also in track difficulty. This is where you’ll find most of the “extreme” tracks, including notorious ones like Billy Goat Ridge.
From Adelaide, head north for roughly 4 hours to Orroroo. (Consider topping up with fuel at Orroroo or Jamestown.) Just on the other side of Orroroo, take a right onto Johnburgh Road for the 50 km stretch of gravel into Bendleby. Follow the signs and you’ll soon be making your way to the main homestead and check-in office. Stop here to sign in and get your map from the friendly team.
When it comes to camping and accommodation, Bendleby Ranges has just about everyone covered. Bendleby runs a booking system which means you can pre book your sites and know that you’ll have a great campsite even on busy long weekends.
My personal favourite camping option at Bendleby? The remote camping options. Choose carefully and you can score a private spot in a secluded creek bed or gorge. This is something Bendleby nails—they don’t cram campers in and ruin the experience with overcrowding. There’s plenty of space here for everyone.
A Recent trip with the crew from Norweld made for a great weekend getaway. Image courtesy of Norweld
For larger groups, there are more wide-open camping areas available to book. These are also well set up, allowing the group to spread out within the area.
Need a little more? Campgrounds near the homestead offer access to showers and power. Alternatively, cottages spread out across the property are also available to hire.
It’s important to note that Bendleby Ranges consists of two distinct areas—the Bendleby Ranges and the Hungry Ranges. The Bendleby side offers most of the camping, with more scenic drives and a few tougher tracks, while the Hungry Ranges is more rugged and geared toward serious 4WDing with plenty of challenging tracks to test your skills on.
A few highlights on the Bendleby side:
A nice scenic drive through ancient pines. A good warm-up track – nothing too technical, just a few tight spots that might earn you some pinstripes.
One of the newest tracks at Bendleby and one of my personal favourites. It kicks off with a steep, dusty climb to the ridgetop, where you’ll wind along and take in (arguably) the best views on the property. If you can, time your drive for late afternoon to really catch those Flinders colours lighting up.
Short and sweet, but the toughest track on the Bendleby side. Perfect if you don’t want to make the trek out to the Hungry Ranges. With steep climbs and big washouts, it’s a fun one to play on. Choose your line well and it’s reasonably smooth sailing to the top.
A few highlights from the Hungry Ranges side:
The most renowned track at Bendleby—and according to some the hardest in SA. Every year it gets rougher and more eroded. I’ve been to Bendleby half a dozen times in the past decade each year it gets more challenging.
Dusty, rocky, and steep – the Hungry Highway is a cracking track that’ll have your passengers hanging onto the grab handles whilst peering over the edge.
Named after 4×4 icon Pat Callinan, Pat’s Peak is a brutal climb that goes straight up the side of a mountain and then straight down the other side, with barely any margin for error. It’s a real nail-biter and guaranteed to get the adrenaline pumping.
Bendleby caters to most vehicle setups. Most of the main access tracks have been built or maintained with general accessibility in mind. Many campsites are accessible via easier tracks that require minimal technical driving skills. The harder tracks are avoidable if your setup doesn’t allow for them. If you’re unsure, give Bendleby a call and let them know your vehicle’s setup and they’ll give you solid advice on what’s possible. Bendleby is their backyard and they know these tracks like the back of their hand.
Whether you’re escaping the rat race for a long weekend or passing through on your Big Lap, make sure you stop in at Bendleby Ranges for a true Flinders experience all within 4 hours of the big smoke.
“From being thrown in the 4WD when I was three for a lap around Aus, all the way through to today, I’ve spent most of my life exploring hard to reach corners of Australia and doing my best to capture them through my lens.”
