What is Wilpena Pound?
Wilpena Pound, known as Ikara by the Adnyamathanha people, is a huge natural amphitheatre of mountains in the Flinders Ranges of South Australia, about 17 kilometres long.
From the air, the pound looks like a giant bowl surrounded by a ring of steep ridges. It formed as layers of rock were folded and then eroded, leaving the hard outer rim standing above the softer centre.
The only easy way into the pound is through a narrow gap beside Wilpena Creek. Walking trails lead to Hills Homestead, an old farmhouse inside the pound, and to Wangarra Lookout.
Hiking and flights
St Mary Peak, on the rim, is the highest point in the Flinders Ranges at 1,171 metres. The climb is a long, challenging day hike.
Scenic flights from Wilpena Pound Resort reveal the shape of the pound clearly. The resort is run in partnership with the Adnyamathanha people.
Wildlife includes yellow-footed rock-wallabies, emus and wedge-tailed eagles.
Campgrounds, cabins and a visitor centre at the resort make it the main base for exploring Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park.
Did You Know?
Settlers once tried to farm wheat inside Wilpena Pound, but floods and drought defeated them.