Wilpena Pound - Day 2

A walk into the Pound

Today we set off for a walk into Wilpena Pound destined for Hills Homestead and Wangarra Lookouts. It is stated that there are two ways to see Wilpena Pound, one from Wangarra Lookouts and the other by flying over Wilpena in an aircraft or helicopter.

We bussed it into Sliding Rock from the Resort initially. On the way we were shown the Wilpena Spring that feeds all the Wilpena Resort with water without ever lowering its level. This is one very good reason that Fracking not be allowed in Australia. It will contaminate all of our Artesian water basin!

Once at Sliding Rock we set out on foot to walk into Wilpena some 3.3 kilometers. The walk that followed the creek bed was beautiful and tranquil. Many large gum trees together with the ever present Australian Cypress. The walk was steep in parts but very comfortable generally.

Part of Wilpena Spring

Fallen trees on the way in remind us of severe storms.

On the track walking in.

On arrival at Hills Homestead it was apparent that the Hills had invested heavily establishing the homestead and the other yards and farming land in Wilpena. It is said that a stockman by the name of Chase found the way into Wilpena in 1851. It was not until 1888 that the Hills took on the lease. They first lived in a "pug and pine" shepherds hut whilst they were clearing land for farming in Wilpena Pound. It was not until the early 1900's that the Homestead was built of stone, timber and corrugated iron. The Homestead as it stands today was fully restored in 1995 as it had fallen into disrepair.

Hills Homestead.

The Hills found it extremely difficult to maintain the homestead and farm due to drought, floods and poor returns due to the need to over stock and over crop in an attempt to meet high lease payments. 

Behind the Homestead there is interpretive signage telling the story of Aboriginal Dreamtime. Yurlu was a semi human creature that created the Pound with all its creeks, gorges and mountains. Yurlu's creation also included the massive coal field in the adjacent Leigh Creek.

Art and the Dreaming Story at the beging of the climb to the lookouts.

After viewing this area we ascended the tracks to the first a second Wangarra Lookouts. The first one is 300 metres from the Homestead up a steep rise. The second lookout is some 600 metres above the first. The views are fantastic and well worth the climb. We also ventured to the edge of the second lookout which provides views down the valley we entered the Pound through out to the plains around Rawnsley Homestead.

Some of the rocky outcrops climbing to the lookouts.

The outer lookout down the valley.

The view down the valley we walked into Wilpena.

A view of about 1/4 of the Wilpena Pound rim in the distance.

After lunch we set off to visit the old Wilpena Homestead at the entrance to the Wilpena Resort. This was a self guided tour that was very interesting but lacked information from locals.

Old Wilpena Homestead.

The Blacksmiths workshop at Old Wilpena Homestead.

Dinner tonight was bar-b-q Scotch Fillet Steak done on the Tuba Cooking Pot!

Late in the day we had word from Wilpena Resort Management requesting a camp tidy up. They wanted all campers to undertake an Emu Pared to clean up. Next thing, low and behold, we had an Emu Parade at our very campsite door step! What service.

Emu Parade at our camp doorstep!