Wilpena Pound is the center of attention for Flinders Ranges. It was considered by many to be the most distinctive geographic feature along the Flinders Ranges due to its crater-like shape. It is located in the state of South Australia, approximately 429 kilometers from the capital, Adelaide. It’s a 3-hour drive from the capital city of South Australia. Local wildlife and trees from the mainland have found their best accommodation in the Flinders Ranges in the synclinal sedimentary rock of Wilpena Pound.
Numerous names are connected with the pound. The natives who once favored the Flinders Ranges lodge within the Wilpena pound called it a “gathering place” termed Ikara in their indigenous vernacular. The title Wilpena is now the recognized name, so it means “place of bent fingers” denoting its cup-hand shape. Many names are also created for the mountain walls of the pound. Five mountains made up the pound. The highest is St. Mary, which is built on the northeast side with an elevation of 3,842 feet. Opposite is the 3822 ft. Pompey’s Pillar. Inside the east side is Point Bonney at 3717 ft. Rawnsley’s Bluff, which has an elevation of 3,116, is the wall of the mountain in the southeastern part.
The pound covers 8000 hectares of sedimentary rocks forming a massive amphitheater. Its width is 8 kilometers and it measures 17 kilometers from north to south. There are numerous theories related to the formation of the Wilpena Pound. Because of its crater-like shape, many people believed that the pound was once a volcano, thus forming a volcanic crater when it erupted. On the one hand, some thought that the place was struck by a meteorite. However, the most important identified concept is that of geologists, who theorized that the formation is caused by rock movements that began about 600 million years ago. The upper limits of the pound are reported to be built with quartzite rocks that are resistant to rock weathering.
Perennial grasses called common sedges and flowering sedges attracted both to their Flinders Ranges accommodation mainly to the saturated and moist soil of Wilpena Pound. Flowering plants such as the lily or lilies, the family Proteaceae called Spider Flower, and the perennial shrub genus Hibbertia also thrive on the site. The most common flowering woodland trees that grow in the area are in the Eucalyptus genus, as are gum tress and mallee. On the cliff of the southeastern part of the pound grows seed trees with cones known as Callitris and cypress pines. It is also a residence for non-thorny flowering shrub trees such as acacia and casuarina.
The wildlife that loved their Flinders Ranges accommodations have feasted on the hearty Wilpena pound. The family of Macropodidae can be found in the kennel, including the larger red kangaroo and the yellow-footed rock kangaroo. The kennel is also freely roamed by a primitive canine called the Dingo, which can only be found on the mainland. It is also home to Australia’s native birds such as the 14-inch Galah Cockatoo, the world’s second largest flightless bird called the Emu, and the Eaglehawk bird prey. Many species of reptiles roam freely in Flinders Ranges Wilpena Pound, including snakes and lizards.
To celebrate the excellent geographical formation of Wilpena Pound, establishments have been built to provide accommodation in the Flinders Ranges for travelers who aspire to experience the wonderful development of Wilpena Pound. In addition to the mystical shape of Wilpena Pound, there are natural attractions in the pound that please travelers.