The Flinders Ranges begin approximately 200 km north-west of Adelaide, and are the largest mountain ranges in South Australia. The discontinuous range stretches for over 430 km from Port Pirie in the south to Lake Callabonna in the north-east. Its most characteristic landmark is Wilpena Pound, a large, sickle-shaped, natural amphitheatre covering nearly 80 square kilometres and containing the range's highest point, St Mary Peak, found within the Flinders Ranges National Park.

Many areas in the Flinders Ranges are protected as National Parks or conservation areas. These include the the Mount Remarkable National Park in the south, the Flinders Ranges National Park in the central ranges, and the Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park and Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary in the north. The epic 1,200 km walking track, the Heysen Trail, and the 900 km bike track, the Mawson Trail, run along the ranges providing scenic long distance routes for walkers, cyclists and horse riders.