Wilpena Pound walks: a Flinders Ranges visit guide

Wilpena Pound walks in this guide range from an easy two hour return walk to hikes that fill a whole day. The Pound is a natural rock formation: a level valley floor with high rock walls. With its ranges, the Pound is about 17 km long and 8 km wide. It is in Flinders Ranges National Park, which National Parks South Australia places 450 km north of Adelaide.

The park's bushwalking brochure sorts its trails into easy walks and moderate or hard hikes. It was printed in June 2011. The park page on the National Parks South Australia site still linked to it in October 2014.

Sources for this section: Bushwalking in Flinders Ranges National Park brochure, printed June 2011; National Parks South Australia, Flinders Ranges National Park; National Parks South Australia, Wilpena Pound.

The main walks at a glance

The brochure says the park has four walks and fourteen hikes. It says walks suit people of all ages and fitness levels and have well-defined, even surfaces. Hikes need some experience and a reasonable fitness level, because some sections can be quite steep and uneven. All the trails below start at the bushwalking trailhead at the Wilpena Visitor Centre complex. The figures are for the round trip.

The brochure says to allow extra time for resting and sightseeing.

Sources for this section: Bushwalking brochure.

Hills Homestead and Wangara Lookout

The Hills Homestead Walk follows Wilpena Creek into the Pound. Signs titled 'If the walls could talk' tell the story of Jessie Hill, daughter of the first pioneer family to live in the homestead.

The Wangara Lookout Hike includes the Hills Homestead Walk, so its distances cover that walk too. The lower lookout is 300 m past the homestead, and the upper lookout is another 300 m on. The brochure grades the hike moderate, which it describes as having some moderate inclines and a loose, uneven surface. It says the hike gives spectacular views inside the Pound.

Sources for this section: Bushwalking brochure.

Mount Ohlssen Bagge

The brochure grades the Mount Ohlssen Bagge Hike as hard. It describes steep, rocky inclines followed by rewarding views of Wilpena Pound and the surrounding area. It says the hike includes excellent reptile habitat.

The hike is 6.4 km return and the brochure allows four hours. That makes it the shortest of the hard hikes in the brochure's table by distance. The brochure describes a hard hike as one with some steep inclines and a loose, uneven surface. It says hard hikes need an average level of fitness and some hiking experience.

Sources for this section: Bushwalking brochure.

St Mary Peak and the Adnyamathanha request

St Mary Peak rises 1,171 m above sea level and is the highest peak in the Flinders Ranges. The brochure also uses the name Ngarri Mudlanha for it. It says the peak is central to the creation story of the Adnyamathanha, the local Aboriginal people. For this reason, it says, the Adnyamathanha people of the Flinders Ranges would prefer that visitors do not climb to the summit. The resort's walks page makes the same point.

The brochure names a shorter option, to Tanderra Saddle, and says it also gives spectacular views. It lists two routes for the St Mary Peak Hike, a direct route and a loop route, and the table shows their figures. Rangers recommend leaving on this hike no later than 9 am, or 10 am during daylight saving, the brochure says.

The resort says the Adnyamathanha people are the Traditional Owners of the Wilpena and Flinders Ranges area and co-managers of the park. Wilpena Pound is a very sacred place for them, it says, and they ask visitors to respect their beliefs.

Sources for this section: Bushwalking brochure; Wilpena Pound Resort, Bush Walking; Wilpena Pound Resort, Adnyamathanha ownership.

Best months, heat and fire

The brochure says mild temperatures from April to October make that period the most comfortable for walking. It says summer temperatures range from 30 to 45 degrees Celsius, which makes walking more difficult. It also says some walking trails may be closed on days of Extreme Fire Danger. The park page says the park may be closed on days of extreme fire danger.

• Before you go, check weather warnings, the park closures listing and the Country Fire Service for fire bans, says the parks safety page.
• Carry at least 4 litres of water per person on walks of more than two hours, says the brochure.
• Do not rely on tanks or creeks for water, says the park page.
• Tell a responsible person your route and expected return time. The brochure says searches start only if staff are told that walkers are overdue.
• For walks of three hours or more, enter your details in the Bushwalkers Register at the trailhead.
• Wear sturdy shoes, a hat and sunscreen, and allow enough time to finish before dark.

Our advice is to save the hard hikes for April to October. This is general information, not medical advice.

Sources for this section: Bushwalking brochure; National Parks South Australia, Flinders Ranges National Park; National Parks South Australia, Safety.

Planning your visit

Wilpena Pound Resort says it is the only resort inside the park and sits at the very base of the Pound. It lists 60 rooms, a safari camp and a campground. National Parks South Australia says the Wilpena Pound Visitor Information Centre is open 8 am to 5 pm daily. It says the staff can answer general park questions and give safety information. The resort says the centre has detailed maps and bushwalking information.

The park is 450 km from Adelaide, so our advice is to book at least two nights if you want more than one walk.

Sources for this section: National Parks South Australia, Flinders Ranges National Park; National Parks South Australia, Things to do; Wilpena Pound Resort, Bush Walking; Wilpena Pound Resort, Resort facilities.