Walk through the Pound Gap into Wilpena Pound, and up to one of the Wangara Lookouts for panoramic views into the inside of Wilpena Pound. The walk begins from the trailhead at the Wilpena Visitor Centre. The start of the walk is through the Pound Gap, following Wilpena Creek through tall river red gums and pines. After crossing Wilpena Creek and passing the water hole, the trail road ends next to an info shelter. At this point you can choose to continue along the walking trail, which is easier, or along the dirt road which climbs above Sliding Rock - watch out for kangaroos and echidnas.
The walk continues past Hills Homestead, where you can read about the original inhabitants of the cottage and their struggles with the harsh Australian conditions. There are toilets and picnic tables here. From the homestead, the trail continues past an Adnyamathanha sculpture, climbing up the pound edge. The first lookout is 150 metres up the trail, with the second upper lookout a further climb and another 450 metres up the trail. Both lookouts have viewing platforms.
Grade 4 (Hard) -
Challenging Walks for Experienced Walkers: Grade 4 on the
AWTGS signifies challenging walking tracks. Bushwalking experience is recommended for these tracks, which may be long, rough, and very steep. Directional signage may be limited, requiring a good sense of navigation. These walks are suited for experienced walkers who are comfortable with steeper inclines, rougher terrain, and potentially longer distances.
Total distance: 6757 m
Max elevation: 683 m
Min elevation: 543 m
Total climbing: 229 m
Total descent: -229 m
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Before you go, complete a trip intentions form and share it with a trusted contact. Agree on a Late-Back Time and ask them to call 000 (Police) if you have not checked in. A clear trip plan is one of the simplest and most effective safety steps you can take.
Download the hiking preparation and safety checklists before leaving home to help you think through your plans. They help ensure important considerations are not overlooked and support safer decision-making on the trail.
Getting to the trailhead: Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park.
Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park is located approximately 450 kilometres north of Adelaide in the central Flinders Ranges. To reach the park from Adelaide, take one of several routes to Hawker, then follow the signs to Wilpena. If traveling from Leigh Creek in the north, head south to Parachilna and enter the park from either the north or the west. Alternatively, you can head east from Leigh Creek towards Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park, then follow the signs south to Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park. From Broken Hill, turn north at Yunta on the Arkaroola Road and follow the signs to Blinman.
The main road through the park and into Wilpena Pound is sealed, but unsealed roads with changing surfaces are common throughout the park and may be affected by weather conditions. All public roads are accessible by two-wheel drive vehicles, caravans, and trailers. Please drive slowly and respect other road users.
Need a rental car to get you to the hike? Find one here.
Find accommodation close to the trailhead including hotels, cabins, and campgrounds. Use the interactive map to explore available options in nearby towns.
Nearby towns: Beltana, Blinman, Copley, Cradock, Hawker, Leigh Creek, Parachilna, Quorn, Wilpena Pound
Ancient and rugged mountain landscapes, peaceful tree-lined gorges, and a seasonal wealth of wildlife combine to make Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park one of South Australia's iconic destinations. Covering approximately 95,000 hectares, the park includes the Heysen Range, Brachina and Bunyeroo Gorges, and the vast amphitheatre of mountains known as Wilpena Pound. Visitors can experience native wildlife, rich cultural heritage, impressive geological features, and a range of activities including bushwalking, four-wheel driving, birdwatching, photography, and mountain biking. Mild temperatures from April to October make this period the most comfortable for bushwalking and cycling, while summer temperatures can range from 30ºC to 45ºC.
Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park has a rich and complex cultural heritage, combining Aboriginal and pastoral history. The park is co-managed by a board consisting of Adnyamathanha and Department for Environment and Water representatives. The Adnyamathanha people, meaning "hills or rock people," are the traditional custodians of the park, with a connection to the land that stretches back thousands of years. Visitors can view ancient rock paintings and engravings at Arkaroo Rock, Sacred Canyon, and Perawurtina Cultural Heritage Site.
Rugged mountain ranges, dramatic gorges, peaceful creeks lined with river red gums, and abundant wildlife are just the beginning of what awaits at one of South Australia's most popular tourist destinations.
Looking for more walks in or near Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park? Try these trails with a similar difficulty grade.
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