Wilpena Pound Resort Flinders Ranges South Australia
The Warm Heart of South Australia's Flinders
Ranges
Amidst the vibrant colours of the 800 million-year-old quartzite
and limestone outcrop that is the Flinders Ranges lies Wilpena Pound,
a natural amphitheatre 17km long and 7km wide. Shaped by the weathering
and uplifting of land over time, this place has strong significance
to the indigenous Adnyamathanha people.
Located just to its east, you’ll discover Wilpena Pound Resort, the
perfect base for exploring this diverse and fascinating region.
Wilpena Pound Resort is built on the banks of Wilpena Creek just
outside an entrance to Wilpena Pound. In this natural bush setting,
native flora and fauna abound. With just 60 rooms, the resort blends
well into the landscape and provides comfortable accommodation for
exploring the Flinders Ranges.
Upon arrival, the resort swimming pool appears as a welcome oasis
in the bush. It is solar heated and enjoyed by guests all year round.
Reception is open from 7.30am – 7.30pm to attend to guests’ needs.
The Visitors Centre, open daily from 8.00am – 5.00pm, has a wide choice
of maps and information about the area. Tours and activities can be
booked here.
The Restaurant is open for breakfast and dinner daily with a variety
of dining options on offer. Choose from a light continental to a hearty
country breakfast. In the evening, the menu offers a choice of modern
Australian cuisine with a touch of the Outback.
Poddy Dodger’s Bar is open from midday to late daily for drinks and
refreshments, serving bistro-style meals and light snacks during the
day. In the evenings, this is the hub of the resort where tales of
the day’s activities are shared.
Accommodation at the resort is in four different room types, all of
which were refurbished in 2009 to a 4-star category. Brachina and
Aroona Rooms suit individuals and couples travelling together, whereas
the Heysen and Edeowie Suites are larger with more extensive facilities
suitable for families or people needing a little more space than a
traditional hotel room.
The table below provides a summary of features and
facilities in the each room type
Activities and experiences
For years the Flinders Ranges have drawn visitors from far and
wide. The appeal is the unique beauty of this landscape with its indigenous
history, ancient geological formations, rich colours and textures,
open spaces, clear air and abundant wildlife. The Flinders Ranges
are home to nearly half of South Australia’s 3100 plant species, more
than 120 bird, 86 reptile and 20 mammal species. The vibrant colours
of the 800 million-year-old quartzite and limestone outcrop that is
the Flinders are truly spectacular.
At the heart of all this is Wilpena Pound, a natural amphitheatre
17km long and 7km wide shaped by the weathering and uplifting of land
over time. Ikara, as the local Adnyamathana people call it, is a significant
place of many sacred Aboriginal rituals, and their Dreamtime stories
tell of its creation by huge serpents. From the rich indigenous history
to the stories of the first European farmers to the region, this place
has a diverse and fascinating history of human interaction with the
landscape.
Visitors to Wilpena Pound Resort have access to many tours and activities
to explore the extraordinary landscape. From scenic flights, walking
trails, 4WD tours and mountain bike hire, there are plenty of ways
to explore the region.
4WD tracks
Much of the Flinders can be accessed by road. Brachina Gorge is
one of the most popular and spectacular destinations for visitors;
its exposed rock walls have evidence of the evolution of this area
over thousands of years and is today shelter to the rare and endangered
yellow-footed rock wallaby. There are several vantage points offering
views over the Flinders, such as Huck’s Lookout that has an excellent
view of Wilpena Pound, and Stokes Hill Lookout that offers a spectacular
panorama of the surrounding ranges.
4WD tours depart daily from the resort. These include your guide and
morning or afternoon tea.
Mountain Tops Spectacular
An exciting morning tour that takes you on a journey through a working
sheep station where you will see traverse mountain ranges affording
magnificent views of Wilpena Pound and the Elder Ranges. This is truly
a great 4WD experience.
Corridors through time
This afternoon tour takes you on a geological journey through the
Flinders Ranges National Park. You will enjoy the beauty of Brachina
and Bunyeroo Gorges and the Aroona Valley, see views that have inspired
artists such as Sir Hans Heysen and observe the wildlife in their
natural habitat. If you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of the
rare yellow-footed rock wallaby.
Scenic Flights
A great way to see Wilpena Pound is from the air. This puts it
into perspective and enables you to appreciate the vastness of its
formation. Scenic flights operate daily from the Wilpena Pound Airstrip.
Flight 1: 20 Minute Flight
Wilpena Pound, Arkaba Station, Elder Range, Edeowie Gorge, Lake Torrens,
Heysen Range, St. Mary’s Peak and the Pound Gap.
Flight 2: 30 Minute Flight
Wilpena Pound, Arkaba Station, Elder Range, Edeowie Gorge, Heysen
Range, Lake Torrens, Bunyeroo Gorge, Brachina Gorge, The Backbone
of the Flinders, St Mary’s Peak and the Pound Gap.
Longer flights – available on request
Note - A fuel levy may be applied to the above prices if an increase
in fuel costs deems it necessary
Mountain bike hire
Several trails around the resort are suitable for cycling. Mountain
bikes are available for hire from the Visitor’s Centre on a full-
or half-day basis. You could ride part of the famous Mawson Trail,
which runs from Adelaide to Blinman passing behind the resort campground,
or ride to Old Wilpena Station before taking the self-guided walking
trail around the old buildings.
Walking trails
Walking is one of the most popular activities in the Flinders
Ranges and there are many trails allowing for varying levels of fitness
and experience. These range from the leisurely hour-long Drought Busters
Trail highlighting native plants to full-day return walks to St. Mary
Peak, the highest point in the Flinders, or Edeowie Gorge and Glenora
Falls. The famous Heysen Trail stretching from Parachilna to Cape
Jervis, south of Adelaide, also passes through this region.
Pick up a Flinders Ranges bushwalking map and trail brochure at the
Visitor Information Centre or ask about one of our guided tours.
Old Wilpena Homestead
(Duration: 2 hours - Walking distance: 3 kms - easy)
Nestled between the ABC Range and the northern ramparts of Wilpena
Pound is Old Wilpena Station, one of South Australia’s oldest and
best preserved pastoral settlements. Walk along Wilpena Creek past
magnificent stands of river red gums with stunning views of the Pound
wall in the distance. As you pass through the station gate you’ll
step back 150 years to the early days of pastoral runs.
Explore a world of improvisation, dogged with self-sufficiency
and a powerful instinct for survival. Learn how the land changed with
European settlement and how present-day pastoralists and park managers
are dealing with those changes. Enjoy a cuppa and cake on the verandah
of the old Homestead or “Government House” as the early homesteads
were known.
Champagne and Shadows
(Duration: Approx 2 hours - Walking distance 1.5kms - easy)
A leisurely afternoon walk to Old Wilpena Station provides the best
there is to see at this outstanding heritage-listed site. Described
in 1856 as “the prettiest place in the Far North”, Old Wilpena Station
will not disappoint. Follow the Interpretive trail with your guide
and explore the evocative interiors of the outbuildings, among the
oldest and best preserved of their type in South Australia.
Be silenced by the extraordinary beauty of the great river red
gums backlit by the receding sun. As the evening approaches, gather
near the Homestead and enjoy the magical last light of the day with
a glass of bubbly and nibbles. A memorable afternoon walk to one of
South Australia’s most charming heritage places.
Remarkable Reds
(Duration: Approx 2 hours - Walking Distance: 2 kms - easy)
Red is the signature colour of inland Australia. Red sand, red soil
and red rocks define more than half of the Australian continent. Join
your guide for an exploration of the Flinders Ranges reds – red gums,
red kangaroos, red sandstones and red sunsets. Marvel at the majestic
red gums and discover why these giants are icons of the inland. As
you watch them grazing in the late afternoon light, learn about the
different species of kangaroos in the Wilpena area.
Ponder the awesome geological history of the region as you watch
the walls of Wilpena Pound change colour, warmed by the dying sun.
Over a glass of South Australian red, enjoy the special charm of a
Flinders sunset as it reduces the Pound wall to an exquisite silhouette.
Guided Walk into Wilpena Pound
(Duration: Approx 2 hours - Walking distance: 2.5kms return -
easy)
A leisurely walk along Wilpena Creek into Wilpena Pound and on to
the Old Hills Homestead where you can learn about the hardships the
Hills family had to face at the turn of the century. There is an optional
hike up to Wangarra Hill lookout offering panoramic views of Wilpena
Pound. Be silenced by the extraordinary beauty of the great river
red gums as you nibble on cake and coffee by the Old Homestead.
Holidays and Short Breaks
Holidays and Short Breaks
10 day Adelaide Kangaroo Island Flinders Ranges holiday
Great Ocean Road self drive holiday Melbourne to Adelaide
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