Autumn Leaves Stroll

Have a few photos from a short stroll in the Dandenongs on Sunday. The autumn leaves are stunning and it is still ok to go and see. But, don't forget to check this out early May next year.

Dandenong Range NPs - Sherbrooke

Wilpena Pound Circuit, Flinders Ranges, SA

Continued on from Elder Range Daypack, 24th August (see blog archive)

Tuesday 25th and Wednesday 26th:  St Mary Peak – Wilpena Pound circuit (18km) ; the classic Flinders Ranges walk, taking in its highest point (1170m), with stunning views across Wilpena Pound and north to the ABC and Heysen Ranges. 

Location map for Wipena Pound

En route to Wilpena Campground

Chapman's "Bushwalking in Australia", p.136-141

The 5 km walk from Wilpena to Cooinda Camp via Wilpena Pound was easy and flat and we were provided with a pleasant experience of stands of native vegetation including native flowers, native pines, and many river red gums.  

The first two kilometres of the track was on an old forest road and a homestead could be seen at the end of the road.  The walking track started from here and it continued on for about half of km to a junction.  Here, we ignored the Heysen Trail turn off to the left.

Red gums

We arrived at the campsite before noon.  We pitched tents up, ate lunch and went collecting water from a rockhole which is located near Edeowie Track and about 600m away.

Cooinda Camp

After we had returned from the rockhole, we set off again and this time was for tackling St Mary Peak, the highest point in the Flinders Ranges, that was about  260m climb and took about two hours.

Rockhole, our water supply for two days

St Mary Peak from the track

Flowering wattle on the climb

 Sunset St Mary Peak on the return trip

Second day: Side trip to Edeowie Gorge (see Wilpena Pound Circuit continued)

Elder Range - Flinders Ranges National Park - SA

Continued on from Mt Remarkable National Park (see blog archive)

There was a change in the itinerary.  Elder Range day walk was on Monday 24th, instead Monday 31st.

Monday 24th:  Elder Range (13km); a return walk, starting from the Moralana scenic drive south of Wilpena Pound, ascending to a 730m peak on the Elder Range. Excellent views north to Wilpena Pound and Lake Torrens to the west.

Both of the Flinders Ranges walks are full-day “medium-hard” walks that take in the best features of the area, however there are plenty of shorter, easier, alternatives depending on people’s preferences at the time. 

Camp at either Wilpena Pound or continue on to Hawker. 

Location map for Elder Range and St Mary Peak hikes

Elder Range - Flinders Ranges NP
"The Moralana map"

Easy start in Moralana valley with clear and blue skies

 Panaromic views of the Heysen and ABC Ranges

Have a rest before the climb

Group photo at a 730m peak

Back down along the rocky ridge 
with a magnificient edge-on view of the Elder Range