Renders: S2 Architects
Construction is now underway on a new collection of contemporary eco-villas at Rawnsley Park Station, one of the Flinders Ranges’ most iconic destinations.
Set on the southern edge of Wilpena Pound, the station has been welcoming travellers since 1968, growing from a sheep station into a celebrated eco-tourism retreat that attracts around 27,000 visitors each year. Its original eight eco-villas, introduced in 2006, have become synonymous with off-grid luxury in the outback.
Now, after nearly two decades, they’re getting a long-awaited evolution. And for owner Tony Smith, this expansion has been a dream in waiting.
“The expansion of the Ecovillas at Rawnsley Park has been on our ‘wish list’ for a number of years,” he says.
A successful grant through the South Australian Government’s Economic Recovery Fund finally unlocked the project, one of just five tourism developments in the state to receive support. The new villas – four one-bedroom and two two-bedroom – are being built on a brand-new site angled towards Rawnsley Bluff and the Wilpena Range, capturing the dramatic colour shifts that guests often describe as the most magical part of their stay.
Rawnsley Park accommodation is defined by sustainable luxury, balancing breathtaking views, modern fixtures and premium amenities with thermal efficiency and low environmental impact. The new additions continue this ethos, leaning further into luxury.
Designed by Amy Smedley of S2 Architects, the villas draw deeply from the surrounding landscape. Where the original villas featured muted interiors, the new ones will be brighter, layered with more personality and finished with an “Outback Inspired” feature wallpaper that nods to the Ranges’ geology.
Furnishings and décor take cues from the earthy palette outside, but dial up colour in an uplifting blend that Smith describes as a crossroads between “magic and pure beauty” and “an overlay of artist.”
Furnishings borrow from the earthy palette outside but turn up the colour in a way Smith calls a meeting point between “magic and pure beauty” and “an overlay of artist.”
Perhaps the biggest drawcard though is the private “Plungie” pool at each villa. Constructed in Queensland and installed by Prestige Pools Adelaide, it’ll offer summer travellers a place to cool off with uninterrupted views of the Ranges.
And despite the higher level of luxury, the entire development remains fully off-grid, powered by 65kW of solar panels, 152kWh of lithium battery storage and a 40kW diesel back-up generator designed by Apex Energy.
The villas have been designed primarily for couples, though the two-bedroom layouts will suit families or friends travelling together. SJM Builders of Clare is leading construction, with completion targeted for August 12, 2026.
While the new villas are a luxurious addition, Rawnsley Park’s appeal extends far beyond the accommodation. The station is run by the Smith family, now in their fourth generation in the Flinders Ranges, whose deep local knowledge shapes experiences ranging from helicopter and light-plane flights to bushwalking, 4WD tours, mountain biking and dining at the Woolshed Restaurant.
Then there’s the Flinders Ranges landscape. The historic region – its red earth, rugged greenery, and expansive rolling ranges – is just magical, even earning it a coveted spot as the only Aussie pick in Lonely Planet’s global Best in Travel 2026. Rawnsley Park has long prided itself on offering a way to experience it gently, with as little environmental footprint as possible.
Construction may still be in its early days, but Rawnsley Park’s villas are shaping up to be the kind of quiet luxury you’ll set a countdown for – and something to keep on your radar (and wishlist.)
Bookings will open from January 1, 2026. Completion slated for August 12.
What: Rawnsley Park Station
Where: Flinders Ranges Way, Hawker SA 5434
For more info, click here.
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