Saturday 7^th July

One of the reasons for venturing into the Flinders Ranges was to view Wilpena Pound. 

The landmark of Wilpena Pound is a remnant valley floor from an ancient range of mountains that have been eroding away over millions of years. The higher walls of the pound are quartzite, a rock which is very resistant to weathering. Wilpena Pound, including the ranges, is approximately 17km long by 8km wide and covers an area of some 100km. The level floor of the Wilpena Pound is approximately 8km long and 4km wide.

The real meaning of the word 'Wilpena' may have been lost with the Aboriginal people who originally occupied the area. Some suggestions have been 'bent fingers', 'cupped hand' or 'curled up kangaroo skin'. 'Pound' is an old English word that means 'an enclosure for animals', which was how the pound was in fact used by early pastoralists. Today, the Adnyamathanha people translate the word Wilpena as Ikara meaning 'meeting place'.

In order to view the Pound we needed to walk and climb. The retunn walk of about 6 ½  km was easy, however the last 400 metre climb was a bit more challenging.  I did feel older when I saw children about 8-10 years old tackling the climb like an experienced mountain goat.  Never mind – we got there and soaked up the view.

There was a homestead named Hills Homestead just before the climb.  Their interpretive signs were well thought out and written in the 1^st person by the young Miss Hill, which gave the story of the pastoralists life such a personalized slant.

There is obviously a problem with feral goats in the National Park, and the sign just outside the fenced compound illustrated their plight – again from a goats’ perspective.  

A little further along the path was a similar story from a goanna telling the reader about the many animals which are now either extinct or at risk of extinction.  I really enjoyed this “take” on education as it was their reality.

During the afternoon Bob and I rode out bikes out  along a dirt track to view the 70 solar panels which service the resort.

At the end of the day we joined up with another two couples, shared drinks, stories and many good travelling stories.