P&A GoGoGo: Flinders Ranges - Wilpena Pound & Surrounding

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Flinders Ranges - Wilpena Pound & Surrounding

Wilpena Pound***** It’s the centre piece of Flinder Ranges National Park. Looks like a large crater, measuring 8 by 17kms.The stones around Flinders Ranges dates back 530 million years ago, when it used to be part of the ocean floor. Wilpena Pound itself is thought to be the bodies of two serpents, Akurra, according to the aboriginals.

There is a privately owned Wilpena Pound Resort situated in the area which has caravan and campground facility. So after paying $9 for the NP entry, we just proceed to pay the camping fees at the resort’s information centre.

Costs $21 for unpowered site for the both of us, this is by far the most natural ‘caravan park’ we’ve ever stayed. The park is really big, and we camped among big tall trees. Greeted by many bird species and kangaroos and wallabies =) There is toilet, hot shower, bbq and laundry facilities.

Delicious dinner, BBQ eggplant + Bulgogi Beef

The next morning we woke up early to take on one of the hardest hiking trail around Wilpena Pound, St Mary Peak Hike. The map says it takes about 6 hours return hike for the 14.6km route. Well, we started at 7.30am and reach the peak at 12noon! We stop for pictures now and then and to admire the beautiful scenery. It was a tough hike for the last 2kms, very steep inclines and broken rocks all over. When we finally made it, the view was just breathtaking! Up 1170 meters above sea level, we can see the pound and the many surrounding hills. Even the largest salt lake in Australia can be seen, Lake Eyre.

Hiking up Up UP . . .

There are scenic flights operated by the Wilpena resort, but they are too expensive, can’t be bothered to look at the prices. So climbing this peak is another way to see the ‘whole thing’. The hike is really exhaustive for us. The way back is still alright, took us 2 ½ hours descending and back to the camp.