Rawnsley Park Station Wilpena Pound Day Walk

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A full day on foot inside Wilpena Pound with a local guide from Rawnsley Park Station: about 12 km on the Heysen Trail past Hills Homestead and Wangarra Lookout, across the floor of the Pound and up to Bridle Gap for lunch with views to the Elder Range. Morning tea, a packed lunch and 4WD transfers are included.

Days

About 7 hours

Group size

Small group, max 7

Start / finish

Rawnsley Park Station / Wilpena Pound / Rawnsley Park Station
Rawnsley Park Station, after a 4WD pick-up at Black Gap

Return

Rawnsley Park Station, after a 4WD pick-up at Black Gap

Transport

On foot, with 4WD transfers to and from the walk

Meals

Morning tea and packed lunch

Route

Map of Rawnsley Park Station Wilpena Pound Day Walk

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Included experiences

Heysen Trail — walk into Wilpena Pound with a local guide
Hills Homestead — ruins left by the early pastoralists
Wangarra Lookout — views across the Pound
Bridle Gap — lunch facing the Hills of Arkaba and the Elder Range
Black Gap — walk down to the 4WD pick-up

Rawnsley Park Station Wilpena Pound Day Walk

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Itinerary

Map

EARLY MORNING: RAWNSLEY PARK TO WILPENA POUND

The day begins at Rawnsley Park Station with a short 4WD transfer to the Wilpena Pound Visitor Centre, where you set off on foot with your guide and morning tea. The track is the Heysen Trail, which runs about 1,200 km from Cape Jervis to the northern Flinders Ranges. Wilpena Pound, known to the Adnyamathanha people as Ikara, the meeting place, is a ring of ridges about 17 km long. Your guide explains how it began as the floor of an ancient sea, was pushed up into mountains, and wore down into the bowl you are walking into.

MORNING: HILLS HOMESTEAD AND WANGARRA LOOKOUT

Inside the Pound the path reaches Hills Homestead, home of the Hill family, who grew wheat on the floor of the Pound in the early 1900s until a flood in 1914 washed out the only road and they left. Your guide tells their story among the ruins and the old fences. A short climb above the homestead brings you to Wangarra Lookout, the best view across the inside of the Pound, its native pine and its ring of peaks.

MIDDAY: ACROSS THE POUND TO BRIDLE GAP

From the lookout you walk across the floor of the Pound, through open woodland, then make an easy climb to Bridle Gap, a notch in the western wall. This is the reward of the day and the lunch spot. Your packed lunch comes with a view out of the Pound to the rolling Hills of Arkaba and the jagged line of the Elder Range, another ridge of the same old sea-floor rock standing on its own to the west.

AFTERNOON: DOWN TO BLACK GAP

After lunch the trail leaves the Pound and drops for about 75 minutes to Black Gap, where a 4WD is waiting. That makes around 12 km on foot for the day, all one way, so you never retrace your steps. The drive back to Rawnsley Park finishes about seven hours after you set out, in time for a shower and a sunset over the ranges.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Rawnsley Park Station, on Flinders Ranges Way, 35 km north of Hawker and about 430 km north of Adelaide.
Departure time: Around 8am from Rawnsley Park Station; summer start times can change with the weather.
Finishes: Back at Rawnsley Park after the 4WD pick-up at Black Gap.
Duration: About 7 hours, with around 12 km of walking.
Fitness: Moderate. The climb to Bridle Gap is easy, but it is a long day on foot.
Please note: The itinerary depends on weather and track conditions and can change at short notice. Children 2 and over pay a child rate; you bring your own child seat.

What to bring

A day pack (required)
Plenty of drinking water
Sturdy walking shoes, a hat, sunscreen and protective clothing
Your own child seat for the transfers, if travelling with a young child

What is included

Experienced local walking guide
Morning tea
Packed lunch
4WD transfers between Rawnsley Park, Wilpena Pound and Black Gap

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.