Wilpena Pound Resort Flinders Ranges South Australia
- Overview
- Accommodation
- Activities
- Location
- Details
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
Accommodation at the resort is in four different room types, all of which are 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
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Ikara Safari Camp
A ‘glamping’ experience with 15 luxury Safari Tents.
Our 2 person Ikara safari tents are suitable for singles or couples wanting a luxury 'glamping' getaway. Each tent has a modern ensuite bathroom, a luxe King bed, reverse cycle air conditioning and it's own private deck and fire pit. Our two family safari tents sleep up to 4 people and have all the luxuries of the couples tents, with an annex added for the extra people.
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.
Please click here for a location map or for a full screen map click here
GPS: -31.529131, 138.602912
This accommodation is available as part of one of our Custom Itineraries or holidays, please visit our home page to learn more about how we can help you with your holiday.