Fly Back In Time - Wilpena Pound, Flinders Ranges

(From David Hill – Owner VH-FJF)

A visit to Wilpena Pound, nestled in the South Australia Flinders Ranges, gives you the opportunity to

travel back in time to a geological period over 800 million years ago. With its spectacular, rugged

landscape and abundance of wildlife, Wilpena Pound is a great fly-in destination for a long weekend

getaway, or stop over whilst exploring the outback.

The Pound is a huge natural amphitheatre formed

from a surround of commanding mountains, with the

only access through a narrow gorge called Wilpena

Gap. The highest point is St Mary Peak, which at

3831ft is also the highest point of the Flinders Ranges.

You can fly to Wilpena Pound from Richmond

comfortably in a day. Broken Hill makes for a good

stopover to refuel and lunch from the Café at the

Airport Terminal.

The local Aero Club also has some low cost accommodation that you can book if you would like to

stay overnight and hire a car to explore Broken Hill. In particular, a trip out to the historical ghost

town of Silverton is recommended. YBHI is a security controlled airport, so don’t forget your ASIC.

From Broken Hill, it is only 150 nm to Wilpena Pound. There is a private airfield at Wilpena Pound

that is limited to use by local operators.

However, there are several other ALA’s

nearby to choose from. I have flown into a

few of these over the (many) years, and

found the condition can vary depending on

recent weather conditions and how well they

have been maintained. The airfield at

Rawnsley Park (YRYK) located 21 km south of

the Pound is used regularly by local air tour

operators, and so tends to be kept in good

condition. The white gravel airstrip

orientated 03/21 is easy to find, 1100 metres

long, with an elevation of 1,398 ft.

There is a choice of accommodation available at Rawnsley Park Station, located only 1.5km from the

airfield, or at Wilpena Pound Resort approximately 20 minute drive to the north. Both resorts will

pick you up from the airfield by prior arrangement at the time of booking. Note that mobile phone

coverage at the field is poor to non-existent, so best to arrange pickup prior to departure.

Rawnsley Park offers a broad range of accommodation from

Holiday Units to luxury self-contained Eco Villa’s, with

spectacular views of Wilpena Pound. The luxury Eco Villa’s

even have a retractable ceiling offering night-sky viewing from

the comfort of your bed! Alternatively, you can book the

Arkapena Homestead, or the Bunk House which will sleep up

to 48 people (If you arrived in a Herc )

Accommodation in the Wilpena Pound

Resort offers various motel style rooms, or

the option of “Glamping” in luxury Safari

type tents.

Both resorts have excellent restaurants,

with good choice of dining.

There are a variety of activities including bush walking (either by self

or guided), mountain bike trails, and 4WD tours. A walk through the

Pound along the trail to the original settlers hut, Hills Homestead,

provides an insight into the history behind the early settlement of

the area, whilst offering breathtaking scenery and views, with the

opportunity to get up close with local native wild life. Red & Grey

Kangaroos, Wallaroos (called “Euros”), and Emus roam prolific in

their natural habitat.

The 4WD guided tour to Brachina Gorge is

highly recommended. The Flinders Ranges

started to form about 800 million years

ago, and a large part of the sediment

deposits representing the sequence of the

history of the formation of the Earth have

been exposed along the Brachina Gorge

Geological Trail. The 20 km gorge has

exposed rocks and sediment that provides

a geological history that progressively

becomes older up to a period 650 million

years ago, allowing you to take a virtual journey along a “corridor through time”. Features along the

trail include “Stromatolites” representing some of the earliest evidence of life, products of the

ancient ice age, debris from a large meteorite impact 580 million years ago, and evidence of some

of the oldest animal life that started to form 540 million years ago.

The Flinders Ranges yield some of the most spectacular sunsets, so it is definitely worth also

considering joining a 4WD Sunset Tour.

Make sure you allow time for a scenic flight around the Pound either on your arrival or departure. It

is advisable to check with one of the local scenic flight operators for current procedures so as to fit in

with their operations and to get any tips. When I was there last, the normal route was to fly

clockwise around Wilpena Pound and Brachina Gorge. Early morning or late afternoon when the sun

is low will give the best view. Remember to also look out to the west where you should be able to

see the vast expanse of Lake Torrens.

You can go home via Broken Hill again, or use Wilpena Pound as a stepping stone to explore other

interesting (relatively) close destinations such as Parachilna (Prairie Hotel), Andamooka, Arkaroola,

White Cliffs etc

Considerations:

 Fuel: There is normally no AVGAS available for sale at Rawnsley Park. Nearest fuel is either

Broken Hill (East), Leigh Creek (North), or Port Augusta (South).

 Pickup from airfield: Remember to arrange your pickup from Rawnsley Park airfield prior to

your departure.

 Tie downs: Bring a tie down kit for your aircraft. Visitor parking at Rawnsley Park is south of

the shed.

 Camera: This is one trip where you do not want to forget your camera!

 ALA’s & Unsealed Airfields: Check with the CFI for approvals for operations of club aircraft

into ALA’s. Take care with propeller speed to avoid stone damage. Sweep any loose stones

away from beneath the prop prior to starting. (A small broom can be useful)

Contacts:

 Rawnsley Park – For booking at Rawnsley Park Resort, airstrip details and permission.

www.rawnsleypark.com.au. Tony & Julie Smith, 08 8648 0030, info@rawnsleypark.com.au.

 Wilpena Pound Resort - https://www.wilpenapound.com.au/