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Wilpena Pound, South Australia Holidays

Flinders Ranges is a locality in the Australian state of South Australia located in the mountain range of the same name, about 380 kilometres north of the state capital of Adelaide, about 86 kilometres north-east of the municipal seat of Quorn and about 131 kilometres north-east of the centre of Port Augusta in the state’s Far North region. Flinders Ranges consists of the part of the mountain range between the ‘town centre’ of Hawker in the south and the 'town centre' of Parachilna in the north, as well as some land to the west of the range.

Wilpena Pound Holidays

Ride the rails back in time on one of Australia's best-known steam train journeys. Operated by passionate volunteers, the Pichi Richi Railway runs beautifully restored steam and diesel locomotives and timber carriages, including the century-old steam train nicknamed the Coffee Pot that's a favourite of trainspotters and believed to be the last of its kind in the world. They run on the last remaining operating portion of the historic narrow-gauge Ghan railway line. Built in the 1870s, this section of the line runs through deep rock cuttings, stone wall embankments and spectacular iron bridges. Trips depart from Quorn and Port Augusta. 


From the air, Wilpena Pound looks like a crater, a massive bowl almost 100 kilometres (62 miles) wide that stands above the surrounding plains. But the rim is actually made up of the stumps of huge mountains, believed to have been as high as the Himalayas, that have been eroded over millennia. There's only one way in: through a gorge 11 kilometres (seven miles) long and eight kilometres (five miles) across. It was called a pound by the early settlers in the 1850s – they thought it looked like a traditional sheep pen. The best way to see the distinctive shape is on a scenic flight from Wilpena Resort inside the Pound. It offers a range of accommodation from motel-style rooms to glamping as well as a campground and Aboriginal cultural walks and 4WD tours. You can also trek inside the Pound and climb up over the rim.
If you've never tasted kangaroo, emu or even camel, Parachilna’s famous Prairie Hotel is the best place to try some.

One of the outback’s most iconic hotels, the Prairie is an authentic pub with an innovative menu, best known for its creative use of native foods. The Feral Mixed Grill of emu, kangaroo, goat and camel is the hotel's signature dish, but make sure you try the quandong pie, made from a wild native peach – it's tart but delicious. Stay overnight in one of the stylish rooms out the back. 

 

Wilpena Pound Tourist Attractions:

• Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park

• Heysen Trail

• St Mary Peak

• Ikara

• Brachina Gorge Road

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