Wilpena Pound camping, Flinders Ranges
General Information
Typical campsite Wilpena Pound
Wilpena Pound is around 5 hours drive from Adelaide. You can access it from 2 directions - via Clare or via Quorn, and either way, the time to travel is about the same. Clare would be the more picturesque of the routes, and on less busy roads.
Wilpena Pound is a privately owned resort within the Flinders Ranges National Park, and therefore fees are different to other National Parks. Check out their website for further details and exact pricing (will depend on what sort of style of camping you want, as there is a great variety on offer, including luxurious camping tents).
Full details of pricing for camping is here.
The campground is very large, covering over 50 hectares. Bush camping spreads a great distance and there are plenty of places where you can set yourself up, but in peak times, such as Easter and Long Weekends, space is at a premium and you will be closer to your neighbours than you might wish to be.
If you are planning to travel at Easter or school holidays, getting there one day before the official start of the break, will help you secure a good location. When we were there at Easter, on Good Friday and Easter Saturday, cars were coming in and driving around and around in desperation looking for a spot - all the good ones had long gone. Such was the need for space, places that probably had never been considered before for camping, were being used!!
Later in winter - non peak times - you will find plenty of solitude. We travelled in winter school holidays, and there were many locations where you could escape from everyone should you desire.
To truly appreciate camping here, we recommend non peak times.
The scenery is vastly different according to the season. In July it was lush and green......but a few months earlier it was dry and dusty.
Campgrounds
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The campsites are not marked by any numbering system, but they are clearly defined because of the popularity of this campground.
They spread over a very large area, and you will find some with grass, others with dirt. Privacy between them will vary, but in peak times, there really isn't much shrubbery to provide privacy - there are a lot of trees, but not the sort that shield you from camping.
The size of the unpowered campsites really depends on where you want to set up and the need for a level site (or not). The sites don't have bollards or chains to keep you confined in one area. This is bush camping. All you will need to do is find a site that matches your needs - drive around the camping area to get an idea what is available and find the right site for you. Unless its peak time, you will have many options on where to camp.
Powered campsites are all relatively close together and have power and water. There is not a lot of privacy between sites and this may be a standard arrangement at most campgrounds, but after all the space provided for unpowered camping, it does seem to be more "squeezy".
As always, do check the trees before you set up underneath any.
Generators are not allowed in the park - one of our neighbours was intent on running his not only at night but during the day. A call to the ranger put an end to that problem. The park staff can be called upon to handle any such issues.
Campsites are frequented by very, overly friendly kangaroos. At night, ensure you put away all food securely. We have woken to hear kangaroos trying to get into our food pantry. During the day, the same rule applies - food put away when not in use!! The kangaroos will come through and go through your bins, eat anything they find (eg. maps) or try to get into tents where food might be, so zip up tents! They do not scare easily. We returned to our campsite to find a family of kangaroos had settled down there for a rest and a nap, and our presence did not deter them.
There are plenty of bins all over the park so there is no reason not to use them.
They spread over a very large area, and you will find some with grass, others with dirt. Privacy between them will vary, but in peak times, there really isn't much shrubbery to provide privacy - there are a lot of trees, but not the sort that shield you from camping.
The size of the unpowered campsites really depends on where you want to set up and the need for a level site (or not). The sites don't have bollards or chains to keep you confined in one area. This is bush camping. All you will need to do is find a site that matches your needs - drive around the camping area to get an idea what is available and find the right site for you. Unless its peak time, you will have many options on where to camp.
Powered campsites are all relatively close together and have power and water. There is not a lot of privacy between sites and this may be a standard arrangement at most campgrounds, but after all the space provided for unpowered camping, it does seem to be more "squeezy".
As always, do check the trees before you set up underneath any.
Generators are not allowed in the park - one of our neighbours was intent on running his not only at night but during the day. A call to the ranger put an end to that problem. The park staff can be called upon to handle any such issues.
Campsites are frequented by very, overly friendly kangaroos. At night, ensure you put away all food securely. We have woken to hear kangaroos trying to get into our food pantry. During the day, the same rule applies - food put away when not in use!! The kangaroos will come through and go through your bins, eat anything they find (eg. maps) or try to get into tents where food might be, so zip up tents! They do not scare easily. We returned to our campsite to find a family of kangaroos had settled down there for a rest and a nap, and our presence did not deter them.
There are plenty of bins all over the park so there is no reason not to use them.
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Powered campsites
Amenities
There are 3-4 shower blocks, all of which have flushing toilets and hot showers. The showers are not timed, and have great hot water and pressure (for us anyway in non peak times. In busy times, there is a drop in pressure when showering). All were clean.
Near the powered sites (which are all very close together and no privacy between them) you will find the a very large toilet block, separated into male and female. There is another large toilet/shower facility to the right of the campground when you first drive in. Peak times, you might have to wait for a shower, but in quiet times, you might just be the only person in the bathroom or toilet, and therefore the facilities remain in an excellent, clean state.
The shower blocks are not modern - they do need updating. After much use, they are looking a bit tired and could do with a makeover.
If you are bush camping, the distance you will have to travel to use these facilities will vary. We were about 5 minute walk from them, which is not too far, unless you have a child that is "busting to go"....and then its a long 5 minute walk or run.
Some of the bush camping spots are a long way from the toilets, and I would recommend having a chemical toilet if you plan to be some distance. The trees are all tall pines, so whilst they provide shade, not a lot of privacy if you plan to go behind a tree!!! You will need to plan your camping location based on your desire to be close (or far away) from these facilities.
Of course, the closer you are to such facilities, the increase in foot traffic by your campsite will also increase.
There are taps scattered all over the campground, so getting water is never a problem.
Camp kitchens aren't really present. There are wash up areas (with no hot water), but there are lights on at all times in this area, which is helpful. Near a section dedicated for buses (we saw no buses using them during our visits), these wash up areas also have tables and benches. The sinks and benches were pretty grotty, so it wasn't that appealing to spend time in. If not in use, and you need lighting whilst you eat, this could be an option.
The Wilpena Visitor Centre, located not far from the campground is a great source of information on the area, plus sells snacks, supplies, souvenirs, alcohol, ice, food and drinks. The prices are not too bad considering your nearest town should you have forgotton something is Hawker (about 45mins drive).
Firewood and fuel can also be purchased here.
There is a laundry with coin operated washers and dryers. You will need to bring your own detergent. Some of the toilet blocks have washing machines outside of them.
If you don't want to cook dinner one night, there is a restaurant on site, near the motel units which are part of the resort. It's about a 5-10 minute walk from wherever you are camping. The restaurant does get busy as there is nowhere else to go but here!! The prices are expensive, but that tends to be typical in some of these remote areas. The quality of the food was better than we expected but the meals were not so much bistro food, but more restaurant style. We would have liked to see a bistro menu and a restaurant menu, with style of food varying between the two (and cost as well).
It wasn't a cheap meal for a family of 4 but it was tasty! Based on the cost to eat there, it was a once-off dining experience. If the menu had more bistro/pub food, then I think campers would be more likely to go there for a meal whilst staying at the campsites.
Near the powered sites (which are all very close together and no privacy between them) you will find the a very large toilet block, separated into male and female. There is another large toilet/shower facility to the right of the campground when you first drive in. Peak times, you might have to wait for a shower, but in quiet times, you might just be the only person in the bathroom or toilet, and therefore the facilities remain in an excellent, clean state.
The shower blocks are not modern - they do need updating. After much use, they are looking a bit tired and could do with a makeover.
If you are bush camping, the distance you will have to travel to use these facilities will vary. We were about 5 minute walk from them, which is not too far, unless you have a child that is "busting to go"....and then its a long 5 minute walk or run.
Some of the bush camping spots are a long way from the toilets, and I would recommend having a chemical toilet if you plan to be some distance. The trees are all tall pines, so whilst they provide shade, not a lot of privacy if you plan to go behind a tree!!! You will need to plan your camping location based on your desire to be close (or far away) from these facilities.
Of course, the closer you are to such facilities, the increase in foot traffic by your campsite will also increase.
There are taps scattered all over the campground, so getting water is never a problem.
Camp kitchens aren't really present. There are wash up areas (with no hot water), but there are lights on at all times in this area, which is helpful. Near a section dedicated for buses (we saw no buses using them during our visits), these wash up areas also have tables and benches. The sinks and benches were pretty grotty, so it wasn't that appealing to spend time in. If not in use, and you need lighting whilst you eat, this could be an option.
The Wilpena Visitor Centre, located not far from the campground is a great source of information on the area, plus sells snacks, supplies, souvenirs, alcohol, ice, food and drinks. The prices are not too bad considering your nearest town should you have forgotton something is Hawker (about 45mins drive).
Firewood and fuel can also be purchased here.
There is a laundry with coin operated washers and dryers. You will need to bring your own detergent. Some of the toilet blocks have washing machines outside of them.
If you don't want to cook dinner one night, there is a restaurant on site, near the motel units which are part of the resort. It's about a 5-10 minute walk from wherever you are camping. The restaurant does get busy as there is nowhere else to go but here!! The prices are expensive, but that tends to be typical in some of these remote areas. The quality of the food was better than we expected but the meals were not so much bistro food, but more restaurant style. We would have liked to see a bistro menu and a restaurant menu, with style of food varying between the two (and cost as well).
It wasn't a cheap meal for a family of 4 but it was tasty! Based on the cost to eat there, it was a once-off dining experience. If the menu had more bistro/pub food, then I think campers would be more likely to go there for a meal whilst staying at the campsites.
Activities
Near Wangarra Lookout, Flinders Ranges
There is a huge variety of walks available, and one to suit every level of fitness.
The walk to the Wangarra Lookout is easy and flat most of the way and for those who don't think they can make it the whole way, a shuttle bus can take you most of the way. There are a couple of pick up points after the visitor centre, and if the bus is full when it gets to your stop, you have missed out!! Time to start walking.......
There are more substantial walks, requiring more advanced preparation and a higher degree of fitness. Make sure you discuss with the staff at the Visitor Centre about what is required, and weather conditions before attempting the long day climbs.
Additionally, there are drives that will take you through other parts of this region - also many are weather dependent. About 1 hour away, there are the scenic drives that take you to Bunyeroo and Brachina Gorges. These are pretty drives though on dirt roads. During poor weather these roads might be closed, so check before you head out there, especially if not in a 4WD. If there has been rain, there are creek crossings and most SUVs will have no trouble with these in fine weather, but check with Park Rangers before attempting these drives.
For more information on this beautiful location, you should check out the Wilpena Pound website for in depth details on what this area has to offer.
Check out this other location in the Flinders Ranges which we love: Click here to know more about Aroona
Overlooking the campground, a short hike at the rear of the camping area.