Destination Wilpena Pound, in the Flinders Ranges, South Australia
Wilpena Pound, in the Flinders Ranges, South Australia was our destination ( from Melbourne). The weather was very hot (40+ degrees) most days with a rainy day at the start and end of our trip. This was our first camping trip by ourselves ( at age 50+ we have only just discovered that camping is fun! ) and we had an absolute ball. I was concerned that it was going to be too hot camping in Wilpena Pound in the Australian summer. It was very hot however we just did lots of driving in the air conditioned Jeep – to some of the many interesting places nearby.
Where did we stay along the way?
We drove from Melbourne to Pinneroo and stayed one night, then to Wilpena Pound for 4 nights, and back via Hahndorf for 2 nights and Mount Gambier for 2 nights.
Itinerary of our Melbourne to Wilpena Pound (Flinders Ranges) 4WD & Camping Trip
Below is a summary/itinerary of where we were and what we got up to each day on our trip from Melbourne to the Flinders Ranges, South Australia.
04 Jan 2017 – Day 1 | Melbourne to Pink Lakes and Pinnaroo
| Highlights – Lake Tyrell, Murray-Sunset Pink Lakes, Pinnaroo Pub ( relief from the summer heat)
05 Jan 2017 – Day 2 | Pinnaroo to Wilpena Pound and first rookie mistake
| Highlights – Late lunch at Mount Bryan Hotel, Wilpena Pound Camping Ground
06 Jan 2017 – Day 3 | Wilpena Pound to North Blinman & the best burger ever
| Highlights – North Blinman Hotel ( beef, cheese and bacon burger), Parachilna Gorge, Heysen Trail, First water crossing in our 4WD ( The Jeep), Brachina Gorge, 7pm Flight over Wilpena Pound
07 Jan 2017 – Day 4 | Sacred Canyon and Moralana Scenic Drive
| Highlights – Sacred Canyon aboriginal engraving site, Moralana Scenic Drive, Finding the general store in Hawker, Dinner at Poddy Dodgers Wilpena Pound
08 Jan 2017 – Day 5 | Wilpena Pound to Arkaroo Rock
| Highlights – Arkaroo Rock aboriginal cave paintings, Lunch at Woolshed Restaurant Rawnsley Park Station, The Cazneaux Tree, Stokes Hill lookout on an overcast day, refreshing swim at Wilpena Pound Resort pool
09 Jan 2017 – Day 6 | Wilpena Pound via Historic ruins to Hahndorf
| Highlights – Wilson Historic Ruins, Kanyaka historic site, Hahndorf soft green grass level campsite, Hahndorf (Hahndorf Hills Pinot Grigio at the pub)
10 Jan 2017 – Day 7 | Hahndorf, Mount Lofty and crazy bike rider
| Highlights – Stroll along main street in Hahndorf, lunch at Otto’s Bakery, Hahndorf Hill Winery, A Visit Haigh’s Chocolate, Mount Lofty and Visitor Centre, Waterfall Gully track, Handorf fruit and vege market
11 Jan 2017 – Day 8 | Hahndorf to Mount Gambier via 42 Mile Crossing
| Highlights – Salt Creek general store, 42 mile crossing – 4WD beach drive for 2 hours and reaching “The Granites”, Beachport (wow!), finding a campsite to put our tent up in Mount Gambier
12 Jan 2017 – Day 9 | Blue Lake & Wineries in the Coonawarra Region
| Highlights – the Blue Lake in Mount Gambier, Umpherston Sinkhole, a drive to the Coonawarra Region in South Australia, Ottelia and a late lunch Fodder ( The ricotta gnocchi with sage and burnt butter sauce), wine tasting at Hollick
13 Jan 2017 – Day 10 | Mount Gambier to Melbourne
| Highlights – Ballarat to see some friends, finally arriving home after a long day of driving in the wet!
