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The Tours
The Flinders is a beautiful location for mountain biking and walking. There are sensational ridge top tours with views across to the sea and distant ranges. Whether you like to go for a serious cross country adventure around the mountain or a ramble through the foothills, there is an option available for everyone. The experience is that much more unforgettable when you do it with OTE and their knowledgeable kilted guides.
There are great singletrack rides around Jamestown and the Bundaleer Forest, Wirrabara through the Wirrabara Forest (much of this is virgin native Forest Reserve, i.e. natural scrub as pristine as any National Park), Melrose foothills of Mt Remarkable, Bartagunyah (5km south of Melrose - cellar door and a myriad of trails winding through 2,400 acres of isolated hills). There are some maps too available at OTE in Melrose. There are over 55km of single-track and more constantly being developed.
You should definitely contact OTE to book personalised tours ranging from half to multi-day adventures on the contact details at the bottom of the page. Below are some examples of the tours we provide. However, we are riding all the time so if you are after a morning or evening ride around the local traps and secret spots, come in and see us and join us for a ride.
Walk 1: Day Walk - “The Mount Creek Gorge”
This walk does not exist in any guide books or trail maps. Much of this hike is through
Mount Remarkable National Park where 500-700 year old River Red Gums line the creek
beds. Sights include: lost lichen-covered dry stone walls in unbelievably steep gullies
used by the original pioneers, and historical old shepherds huts built from the local
stone; disused copper mines that started the settlement of Melrose in 1845. Flora and
fauna; including wild flowers, the rare white box gum, kangaroos, wallabies, goanna’s
and an assortment of bird life such as the wedge tailed eagle.
“Bartagunyah” aboriginal for “bardie grub camp” is a historic pastoral property with
vineyard. It offers the opportunity to observe general running of the station including
sheering, lambing and mustering at certain times of the year. Enjoy a yarn and a taste of
local farmers, Rob and Christine Smart and their renowned Bartagunyah wine together
with a gourmet picnic.
Time – 5 hours
Fitness required – Medium
Km – 8
Cost - $190 pp
Walk 2: Overnight Walk - “The Mount Creek Gorge”
This epic journey over the Mt Remarkable Ridge and parts of the Heysen trail, includes
camping out in serene wilderness where our only companions are the kangaroos and
mopokes. We’ll be woken not by the traffic but by the laughing kookaburras and the
smell of the Australian bush. We will summit the stunning Mt Remarkable (995m) before
heading down the western slopes to the campsite at the historic ruins of Gray’s Hut. On
the final day we will pass through spectacular gorges and visit the old Spring Creek
Copper Mine with its beautiful stone ruins. This hike is the “Aonach Eagach” of the
south, even down to the guide adorned with swinging kilt!
Time – 2 days, 1 night (8 hour walking per day)
Fitness required – Medium to High
Daypack only required – we will transport your sleeping gear to the hut.
Km – 22km
Cost – $325 pp
MTB Ride 1: Medium Level Ride “Bartagunyah Station”
This mountain bike tour takes us through stunning creeks lined with 700 year old River
Red Gums where there is an incredible abundance of kangaroos within a few minutes of
leaving Melrose. The winding single trail mixed with fire trails is a challenge for the
practiced rider. Encompassing 2,500 acres of private land, there is space to burn. We
will encounter sweeping views of the Spencer Gulf, local historical ruins and the odd
sheep or two. Our choice of serene settings for a gourmet picnic lunch. “Bartagunyah” is
one of the most historical farms in the region and is home to the finest red wines. After
a spectacular pedal, quench your thirst with a little shiraz before coasting back into
town.
Time – 5 hours
Fitness required – Medium
Km – 20km
Cost - $190 pp
MTB Ride 2: Experienced Level Ride - “Mt Remarkable Roundabout”
This is an adventurous circumnavigation of the stunning Mt Remarkable only for the
hardened rider. On a mixture of both fire trails and single tracks you will encounter
amazing rock outcrops in the form of Gibraltar Rock and Goat Rock waterfall, historic
ruins, old copper mines and an abandoned tree-covered railway track. We gain exclusive
entry to ride a mix of singletrack and old fire roads on private land where there are kangaroo’s, wedge tailed eagles, and other wild life abounding. There is stuff out behind the mountain that few people ever see... mainly because few people ever get out behind the mountain..
Time – 5 hours
Fitness required – High (Black Diamond)
Km – 40 km
Cost – $190 pp
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