Wilpena Pound - Fast Facts

Wilpena Pound
One of Australia's most famous landmarks and an area of excellent bushwalking
There's a postcard of Wilpena Pound, a magnificent aerial view of this almost perfectly formed geological bowl, which declares: 'Did you know - An aerial view of Wilpena Pound, the floor of which is 200 metres higher than the surrounding country. The highest point is St Mary's Peak which is 1188 metres above sea level. The pound is 17 km long and 8 km wide and contains 8960 hectares.'

Located 429 km north of Adelaide, Wilpena Pound lies in the heart of the north Flinders Ranges and is a remarkable natural amphitheatre covering nearly 8000 hectares. It is a huge flat plain covered in scrub and trees and totally surrounded by jagged hills which form a rim. From the ground it looks like a rugged low mountain range which can easily be traversed. When you reach the top you look across the plain and can clearly see the hills around the edges. From the air it is a remarkable sight. It is claimed that the word 'wilpena' means 'place of bent fingers'.

Wilpena Pound is basically for bushwalkers. Certainly it is true that the road to the 'pound' traverses some of the most beautiful country in the whole of the Flinders Ranges (this was where Hans Heysen found the inspiration for some of his most famous gum tree paintings) but when the traveller arrives at Wilpena Pound there is nothing to do but walk. That is not a bad thing. But it is the reality of the experience.

Tourist Information

Flinders Ranges & Outback Information

Wilpena Pound SA 5001
Telephone: 1800 633 060
Facsimile: (08) 8223 3995