Located in the heart of South Australia’s Flinders Ranges, Quorn is a charming heritage town brimming with character, history, and natural beauty. Once a bustling railway hub, today Quorn SA, offers travellers a unique blend of scenic landscapes, vintage railway experiences, and warm country hospitality. Whether you’re hopping aboard the iconic Pichi Richi Railway, exploring nearby gorges and hiking trails, or simply soaking up the outback charm of its historic streets, Quorn is the perfect base for your Flinders Ranges adventure.
Step Back In Time On The Pichi Richi Railway
No visit to Quorn is complete without a ride on the iconic Pichi Richi Railway. Operated by dedicated volunteers, this beautifully restored heritage railway takes passengers on a nostalgic journey through the picturesque Pichi Richi Pass. Travelling in vintage steam and diesel trains, you’ll wind through ancient rocky outcrops, dry creek beds, and stunning outback scenery.
The railway has been a part of Quorn’s identity since the late 1800s and today offers an unforgettable way to experience the timeless beauty of the Flinders Ranges while learning about South Australia’s rich railway heritage.
When planning your trip through Quorn, check the dates when the trains are operating from Quorn. There is a timetable online of the trips and dates for the year ahead. If having a ride on one of the steam trains is something you wish to do, then book your ticket for when you will be staying in Quorn or Port Augusta. We did not get to go on one of the train rides, as there were none operating at that time.
Start Your Journey At The Quorn Visitor Information Centre And Station Museum
Housed in the beautifully restored Quorn Railway Station, the Quorn Visitor Information Centre is the ideal place to begin your exploration of the region. The friendly and knowledgeable staff can help you plan your visit with maps, local tips, and advice on walking trails, scenic drives, and upcoming events.
While you’re there, take time to explore the Railway Station Museum, which showcases Quorn’s fascinating rail history through a collection of vintage photographs, memorabilia, and interpretive displays. The station itself is a living piece of history. Once a vital stop on the Old Ghan route, and now a treasured landmark connecting past and present.
Explore Quorn’s Historic Heritage Walk
Quorn boasts a fascinating self‑guided Heritage Walk, ideal for history lovers and casual strollers alike. Starting at the Quorn Railway Station and Visitor Centre, the approximately 1.6 km loop takes around 90 minutes to complete.
Along Railway Terrace and First Street, you’ll encounter around 30 significant heritage buildings—from elegant sandstone hotels built in the 1870s, to the old flour mill, court house, post office, bank, and Salvation Army hall, most constructed between 1878 and 1890.
Each building is marked with signage or described in the brochure, which is available from the Visitor Centre and offers historical context about the town’s heyday as a major railway junction. The walk provides a compelling glimpse into Quorn’s role as the crossroads of north–south and east–west rail travel in early 20th-century Australia.
War Memorial Quorn
At the Quorn War Memorial, a series of striking life-sized wire statues stand as a moving tribute to the servicemen and women from the region who served in times of war. Crafted with intricate detail, these transparent figures capture the quiet strength, resilience, and sacrifice of those who went to battle.
Set against the backdrop of the memorial and township, the statues evoke a ghostly presence—reminding visitors of the individuals who once walked these streets but never returned. The installation adds a powerful, artistic layer to the memorial, encouraging reflection and a deeper appreciation of Quorn’s wartime history.
The Old Flour Mill — From Industry to Icon
Built in 1879 for John Dunn & Co, Quorn’s three-storey flour mill at 2 Railway Terrace was once at the heart of South Australia’s wheat processing industry. As Quorn flourished into a major railway junction, the mill supplied flour, bran, and pollard to pastoral stations stretching as far as Queensland’s Channel Country.
After its industrial use declined, the building had a varied life, as a bakery, chaff mill, grocery, and even a private residence. Before sitting vacant for some years. Today, the lovingly restored site operates as a boutique motel with gallery and museum spaces, preserving its heritage while offering visitors a unique stay in an iconic landmark.
Other Things To Look Out For On Historic Heritage Walk
Quorn Silo Sound And Light Show
Located along Railway Terrace, Quorn in South Australia’s Flinders Ranges, the Silo Light Show is a nightly spectacle that transforms ordinary grain silos into a vibrant storytelling canvas. From sunset each evening, the silos come alive with a rich multimedia “son et lumière” display crafted by Illuminart, featuring community‐co‑created animated narratives weaving together the history, heritage, and ecology of the region.
From Pichi Richi Railway lore and bush tucker tales to wartime troop trains and Nukunu welcome stories. After an hour of animations, it transitions into a continuously looping exhibition of stunning photographs and artworks contributed by residents, all presented under the starry Outback sky.
Born from the constraints of being located in a heritage‐listing precinct (which prevented painting the silo directly), the projection innovatively brings the structure to life without altering its physical form. Garnering national acclaim, the installation was awarded Gold in the Best Mega Mural category at the 2022 Australian Street Art Awards. Cementing its status as both a beloved community treasure and a standout outback cultural attraction.
A free, immersive experience, it’s best enjoyed by arriving about 20 minutes before showtime, tuning your radio to FM 87.6 if watching from the warmth of your car. If sitting out to watch the show, bring a chair, snacks, and perhaps a torch and insect repellent for a memorable evening under the stars.
The complete show goes for three hours. But the first hour is about the history of Quorn, narrated by different locals. It is fascinating learning about Quorn and the Flinders Ranges. The next two hours feature artwork and photos by different artists.
Enjoy A Walk Along The Pinkerton Creek
The Quorn Bush Food Walking Track is situated off Silo Road, near the caravan park. We started the walk from the back of the caravan park, but you can access it from the local swimming pool.
It is a gentle walk along a wide concrete path. Dotted along the track are informative signs that highlight the cultural significance History of the area. You will cross over the Pinkerton Creek and walk alongside it. Keep an eye out for the native birds in the trees and flying around.
Behind the swimming pool is where you will find the Pithi Kawi Bush Food Garden. There are three areas of bush foods used by the Nukunu people for generations. Each with an information board explaining the different plants and bushes found in that area. The plants are named for you to identify what they are. There is an undercover picnic area with a BBQ.
- Bush Medicine
- Native Bush Food
- Bush Tools
The walk is both relaxing and enlightening, with views of rugged hills, dry creek beds, and native vegetation providing a real sense of connection to the land. Whether you’re a keen bushwalker or simply curious about Australia’s rich Indigenous heritage, this trail is a rewarding experience.
Lions Park
As you continue around the walking track, you pass the Lions Club Park. If you are interested in taking a look at the sheds that have old machinery and horse carts. This is also a good area for a stopover for a break, or there is free camping here as well.
Continue walking along the trail along the creek, which comes back to a bridge at the back of the caravan park. The loop continues on and in town.
Warren Gorge Loop Walk
Warren Gorge is a 23km drive from Quorn along a sealed road. It then becomes a dirt track leading to the camping areas and access to the walk. There is a box at the entrance where you can pay a charge, depending on whether you are camping or just visiting for a day trip.
We started on the walk anticlockwise, which was quite difficult when we started to walk up the rocks on the side of the gorge. Having a couple of stops to catch our breath before continuing on. Meeting others along the way, said it was easier to walk clockwise along the track.
As we walked down the other side of the trail, it was easier, and we were walking beside little streams and crossing over some. It was a nice, peaceful walk, and we took the opportunity to eat our picnic lunch beside one of the streams.
The Warren Gorge Loop trail is marked along the way with the km’s you have walked on posts beside the track. It is rated as a medium walking track, taking 1 and a half to three hours. With at least three stops and taking time to enjoy the views and the streams, it took us just under 3 hours. This walking trail is well worth doing.
In some of the camping areas, there were drop toilets. There were a lot of spots beside the gorge for camping, and areas to have a campfire.
Buckaringa Scenic Drive And Lookout
When leaving Warren Gorge, if you turn left instead of going straight back to Quorn, and head to the Buckaringa Scenic Drive and Lookout. This road is unsealed, but it is still a good road to drive along. There are some low gullies to drive through, but most of them were dry. The ones that had water, it was just a trickle. It was a nice lookout at all the ranges.
Quorn Caravan Park
Quorn Caravan Park is a welcoming and peaceful base for exploring the Flinders Ranges, offering a relaxed atmosphere and beautiful natural surroundings. Nestled at the edge of town, the park is shaded by majestic gums. There is a range of accommodation options, from powered sites to comfortable cabins. The camp kitchen is a good spot for cooking a BBQ and sitting down to eat a meal.
We enjoyed the convenience of being close to Quorn’s main attractions while still feeling immersed in nature, with birdsong in the mornings and clear starry skies at night. The park’s friendly hosts and well-maintained facilities made our stay comfortable and enjoyable. A perfect spot to unwind after a day of sightseeing.
Wrapping Up Our Stay At Quorn SA
Our stay in Quorn SA was a memorable blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. From exploring the charming heritage streets and discovering local stories through art and walking trails. To learning about native bush foods and paying our respects at the moving war memorial, every moment offered something unique. The History of the Pitchi Ritchi Pass and the trains.
The peaceful setting of the Quorn Caravan Park made it the perfect base to relax and take in the surrounding Flinders Ranges. Whether you’re a history buff, nature lover, or simply looking for a quiet escape, Quorn is a destination that truly leaves a lasting impression.