Welcome to Life Images by Jill

Welcome to Life Images by Jill.........Stepping into the light and bringing together the images and stories of our world. I am a photographer, writer and multi-media artist.
Focussing mainly on Western Australia and Australia, I am seeking to preserve images and memories of the beautiful world in which we live and the people in it.

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Sunday 23 March 2014

South Australia trip - Part 8 - Exploring Wilpena Pound, Flinders Ranges National Park

Last week I continued our South Australian trip and blogged about our overnight camp in Brachina Gorge in the Flinders Ranges. If you missed it, you can click here – South Australia trip Part 7 - Brachina Gorge
 
Re-fuelled by that enormous burger in Hawker, and after replenishing our supplies, we climbed back into our 4WD and headed north again into the Flinders Ranges National Park to Wilpena Pound. 


Wilpena is very popular with people visiting the Flinders Ranges and as we arrived latish in the day we couldn’t get a powered site, but we were not really worried as we have solar panels that charge up our camper batteries.  We could select our own site, which were not so crammed together as the powered sites (another bonus) and chose one sheltered by some trees and overlooking a rehabilitation area. Nice. We could see kangaroos grazing amongst the trees only about 30 metres from our camper. We put up our full annex as we booked in for 3 nights – it gives us a bit more private space and the wind had come up strong during the afternoon. 
 

 We woke up next day to a fine clear morning, and put a load of washing into the washing machine before breakfast, and got organised to go for a bush walk. We had studied our guide the night before and worked out what we wanted to do while we were here.
 
There are 18 walk and hiking trails in the Flinders Ranges, some of which are easily accessed from the Wilpena Pound camp ground. Once the washing was on the line we drove to the Arkaroo Rock Hike about 17km south of Wilpena. Here there is a 3km return walk to see some Adnyamathanha aboriginal rock paintings under a rock overhang which are best seen in morning light. These ochre and charcoal drawings depict aspects of Ura Muda (dreaming) for Ikara (Wilpena). They have been enclosed in a wire enclosure to protect them from graffiti. Sad that this has had to be done, but at least they are now being protected and preserved. The Adnyamathanha people are the traditional custodians of the Flinders Ranges. 
Hubbie likes taking photos of lizards - you can see one in the collage below...



After lunch, we followed a 116km scenic loop drive through the Ranges which brought us to some lookouts with magnificent views and we checked out a few of the bush camping sites. 

 We also visited Aroona Hut built in 1925 from typical pine and pug construction. The Australian landscape artist, Sir Hans Heysen’s used to often come to paint. You can see his inspiration in the magnificent river gums and the Flinders Ranges.

Parts of the long distance Heysen walk trail meanders through the Flinders Ranges. 

On the way back from camp we saw lots of emus with chicks in the grasslands by the roadside.
Our second night was very cold and the wind was up so we put on our thermals and were in bed by 8.30pm. A bit different to the heat we’d had on the Oodnadatta Track! 


 Next morning we rose early and were on the 7.8km return Wangara Lookout Hike by 8am. This trail starts near the Wilpena camp ground. It was a lovely cool morning for walking. The first part is easy going and it was very pleasant walking on the flat trail beside the creek under the Red River Gums and I was delighted to be able to take some wildflower photos. 



The trail takes you to the old stone-built Hills Homestead built in the early 1900s by early settlers, the Hill's family. As well as the history of farming in the area you can learn about the creation of the Flinders through aboriginal dream-time stories.


From here there is a rocky path to the lookout. There is a lower lookout 300 metres from the homestead, and an upper lookout 300 metres further up. Both lookouts give you magnificent views over the Wilpena Pound, known as Ikara by the Adnyamathanha people.  The Pound itself is a huge natural amphitheatre 11km long and 5km wide. Surrounded by ranges, the highest point is St Mary Peak, 1170 metres high and the highest peak in South Australia. 
My photos certainly don't come close to portraying the grandeur of Wilpena Pound. 




A shuttle bus can take you the first 2km along the trail if you wish, but it is an easy walk. We decided that we didn’t need to do the more strenuous St Mary Peak walk to see the Pound and views of the Flinders Ranges. 22km and 9 hours, you would need a reasonable level of fitness to do this hike. 


After lunch we drove out to Stokes Hill lookout about 20km north east of Wilpena where you have magnificent 360 views over the rolling green hillsides at the base of the Flinders Ranges. We took quite a few photos in the changing light.  Surprisingly I thought it looked a little like an English countryside postcard.  Here there is a base relief sculpture which gives you a good perspective of the Ranges. 


Along the way we stopped at Cazneaux Tree. This magnificent River Red Gum was first made famous by photographer Harold Cazneaux, who won first prize at an International Photographic Exhibition in 1937 with his photograph of the tree, which he entitled “The Spirit of Endurance”. You can see my pic below! 



 On the way back we viewed the Artists of the Flinders Art Exhibition at the old Wipena Woolshed. (Sadly all the paintings I would have bought had already been purchased – not that I would have known how we were going to transport a painting for the rest of our trip!)

I hope you have enjoyed this brief look at Wilpena Pound. You could spend months exploring the Flinders Ranges. Unfortunately we only had time to scratch the surface.  However we really enjoyed our short stay and could have easily stayed longer to do more of the walks. From here we will head south to Burra via Hawker, Quorn, Cradock and Carrieton, and then to Clare wine region, and the next part of our trip through South Australia. 

 Some info: ………..

  • The Flinders Ranges National Park is one of South Australia’s iconic destinations. It covers 95,000 hectares of the central Flinders Ranges, approximately 450km north of Adelaide. 
  • Camp sites at Wilpena Pound are suitable for tents, camper trailers, motorhomes and caravans.  You can buy basic supplies, drinks, snacks, and souvenirs from the shop adjacent to the Visitor Information Centre.
  • You can enjoy a meal at the Wilpena Pound Resort restuarant.
  •  Walks and hikes range from 500 metres to 31km, including guided walks and challenging overnight treks. Please refer to brochures and information boards regarding distances, level of fitness required and degree of difficulty.
  • The long distant Heysen walking trail stretches 1200km from the tip of the Fleurieu Peninsular in the south to Parachilna Gorge in the Flinders Ranges. The 900km Mawson mountain bike trail runs from Adelaide through the Flinders to Blinman. 
  • Best time to visit: April to October 
  • Park pass and camping fees apply. 
  • Pets not permitted. 
  • Another caravan and camping park close by to Wipena is Rawnsley Park Station - www.rawnsleypark.com.au 
  •  
  • For more information about the Flinders Ranges please click here www.parks.sa.gov.au 
  • www.wilpenapound.com.au 
  • Flinders Ranges - An Adventurer’s Guide by Ron and Viv Moon is an excellent guide book - www.guidebooks.com.au 
This is one of our wattles - truly the most recognizable of all Australian flowers. 

 If you missed any of my previous posts about our South Australia trip you can catch up by clicking on the links below -

Thanks for stopping by. I value your comments and look forward to hearing from you. Have a wonderful week.
I am linking up to Mosaic Monday, Travel Photos Monday, Our World Tuesday, Wednesday Around the World, Travel Photo Thursday, What's It Wednesday, and Oh the Places I've Been. Please click on the links to see fabulous contributions from around the world - virtual touring at its best!

Mosaic Monday  
Travel Photo Mondays  
Our World Tuesday  
Wednesday Around the World  
What's It Wednesday    
Travel Photo Thursday
 Oh The Places I've Been





41 comments:

  1. Jill, what an amazing place to visit and hike.. The views and the wildflowers are beautiful. I would love the seeing the lizards and wildlife.. It is a shame the fence was erected but if it saves the drawings from the graffiti, it must be done..Wonderful post, thanks for sharing your trip! Enjoy your week ahead!

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  2. What lovely scenery! I hope to make it to Aussie sometime in the next few years and see your great country for myself!

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    1. I too must come to New Zealand - so close and yet so far! It is on my list so one day I am determined to get there.

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  3. You document this trip so well, and each photo is just fantastic..Love the wildflowers~

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  4. What an amazing trip and your photography is just beautiful.

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  5. Another one of my fave spots in SA. We attempted the Peak walk, but soon decided it was going to be too much. You got great shots, and the wildflowers are so pretty!

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    1. you can see a lot without over exerting and getting yourself into trouble. We would have loved to have stayed longer to see more.

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  6. There's something quite beautiful about the Australian countryside. Magnificent wide open spaces, rolling hills, gum trees and best of all...stunning wildflowers. What an incredible drive you've done!

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  7. Exactly... I'm amazed by this beautiful post of yours! I'll come back to read and learn more about such lovely places! And hope (who knows...) that one day to really see them! Thanks so much for sharing with us! Have a great week and a Happy Spring!

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    1. I am glad I have encouraged you to read and learn more about Australia. There really is so much to see and explore. It is a land of contrasts. And it is happy autumn here!

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  8. Absolutely magnificent Jill! You took me right into Wilpena Pound. As usual your photos were amazing and I particularly loved the wildflowers. I only glimpsed the Flinders Ranges as we drove to Port Augusta from Port Pirie and I have to admit they did look remarkable. Maybe next trip I will get to go there and see it for myself.

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    1. oh you were so close Kathy! I do hope you get to go there sometime. I understand time constraints thought.

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  9. The wild flowers look wonderful, must be fun hiking to all those amazing vista points and see these beautiful and wild blooms everywhere Jill.

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  10. What wonderful views, what beautiful wildflowers, what an amazing trip! I would love to do those hikes.

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  11. Great shots from your trip. Love that vibrant wattle!

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  12. Wow...this is definitely one place I want to go. I love the varied landscape in Australia...it's so beautiful and so amazing! There's still so much to see. I'm bookmarking your site for sure...it's giving me some great ideas for future trips. I'm going to Tasmania at the end of the year to walk the Overland track. Have you been there?

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    1. Tasmania is gorgeous, we have only been there once and I would love to go back and spend more time exploring. No I haven't done the Overland Track. Well done you - it would be amazing!

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  13. Nice post - the rocks look like the Grampians in western Vic (which happen to be one of my favourite places!)

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

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  14. Wow what a journey and all so rustically beautiful. It so very much reminds me of our journeys to Arizona and the Southern parts of Utah and Nevada here. Your images are so amazing that I can just about feel the air upon my face. This is such a treat to share life this way. Thanking you and have a wonderful remainder to your week Jill~

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  15. What an amazing adventure in such a wide range of landscapes! From the mountains to the forests and the grasslands, and all those beautiful flowers to brighten your mood and build up your stamina for the remaining trek, your south Australia trip sounds spectacularly invigorating and and tranquil, at the same time. Love the mosaic of those adorable floral lovelies! Thanks so much for sharing, Jill!

    Poppy

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    1. and not so much further north and you are into the desert. Australia really is a land of contrasts.

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  16. Jill, these images are just stunning...love the roads and flowers the best!

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  17. Such a wonderful trip! Love seeing these images of a part I have never visited. I did a work trip to Brisbane 10 years ago, and didn't get to see much.

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  18. I would love to go on that hike. :) Hiking season is almost over here, as the weather starts to get warmer.

    I love the photos of the wildflowers!

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  19. Beautiful place!! :)


    http://pienilintu.blogspot.fi/

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  20. You had a awesome trip! I wish I could go to Australia too :)

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  21. i've been to Australia 7 years ago and i miss all that nature! great trip!!

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    1. thanks for stopping by. it was great to meet you. I am going to try your Granola Bars recipe.

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  22. I was just saying on a Twitter chat the other day how it's been a while since I've gone camping… Your outdoor pictures remind me of the crisp air and reconnecting with nature. I miss that so much!

    -Maria Alexandra

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    1. yes I need to get out and go camping again soon too. Just waiting for the hot weather to cool and the flies to disappear!

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  23. There is really some beautiful country there. Thanks for these play-by-plays.

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  24. What an amazing trip, lucky you for experiencing it

    Mollyxxx

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  25. I love arriving at your blog site and being welcomed by those daffodils - and the lovely photos of the Australian Bush which you showcase so well.

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  26. THis is a beautiful area of Australia, Jill! It reminds me of where I live in Colorado in the US. We ahve the same red rocks and foothills and rolling grassy hills. It is still too early in spring for wildflowers, but our area also gets many. I like the yellow wattles --all your wildflower photos were so beautiful!

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  27. Another beautiful piece of what will surely become social history one day. I love the way you weave history and nature and your own personal pioneering exploits into the story, along with absolutely beautiful photos. A post in a series to treasure.

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    1. perhaps I should put all my travel blogs into a book - or books one day..... one for SAust, one for south west WA, north west WA etc.....hm.mm.....something else to add to my list!

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  28. How absolutely beautiful, Jill. You've really captured the serenity equally as well as the lovely flowers.

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  29. Beautiful landscape shots! Sound a nice place to visit..
    thanks for sharing an interesting trip experience with us...
    Have a great weekend....

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  30. Hi Jill! You definitely worked off the burger! The scenery is gorgeous. I'd never get too far with all of those stunning flowers to photograph!

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  31. Great Content.I have appreciate with getting lot of good and reliable information with your post.......
    Thanks for sharing such kind of nice and wonderful collection......again, beautiful :) I love reading your posts. They make me happy . . I know something information, to know you can click here
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  32. I was sure this was Sedona before I found your headline :) Btw just followed you on Twitter as well - looking forward to connect! Torsten @ MightyTravels

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