Friends' Tips: Ikara-Flinders Ranges

Geoff is president of the group, a dedicated team of volunteers who work side-by-side with the National Parks and Wildlife Service SA to help care for this vast and ancient landscape. From restoring heritage spaces, to keeping campgrounds in top shape, they’re doing incredible work to protect and enhance the park for both people and wildlife.

We had a chat with Geoff to get his top tips for visiting, learn about some hidden gems, and hear what inspires him to keep coming back.

Download before you go: discover the park with an award-winning app

If you’re heading to the Flinders for the first time, Geoff reckons the best way to explore is with the “Discover the Flinders Ranges” app.

“Our members developed an app which contains GPS-guided tours, plant, bird and animal identification, historical information and general useful details for self-guided travel within the park,” says Geoff.

“Since internet connectivity is very limited, it can be downloaded and stored – and accessed by simply entering the required site. One can download it at home and use the information to plan one’s stay in the park.”

Off the beaten track: Geoff’s hidden gems

Looking to go beyond Wilpena Pound? Geoff shared a few lesser-known but unforgettable spots worth visiting:

• Aroona and the mound springs – Aroona was one of the old settlements. “This is where Sir Hans Heysen once prepared his sketches for many paintings” says Geoff. “The springs once watered sheep, and now support the yellow-footed rock wallaby population.”
• Appealinna ruins – Explore the remnants of early mining and pastoral life, including the dugout hut, which was recently re-roofed by the Friends group, bringing the past to life.
• Golden Spike – A significant geological marker just a short walk from Trezona Campground, “marking the transition from the pre life rock strata to the fossil bearing rocks of early life forms.”
• Fossil experience at Nilpena - “It’s well away from the main part of the park, but absolutely worth a visit to round off your understanding of the region’s significance in the story of life on Earth…spectacular and extremely educational.”

Restoration with heart (and heritage approval)

From rebuilding flood-damaged stone walls to reviving gardens and huts, the Friends group puts in serious work to preserve the park’s historic charm.

“We’ve restored many of the buildings in the Wilpena precinct,” Geoff says. “We completely rebuilt an old shepherd’s hut, known as Guide Hut, and just finished underpinning the Hill’s Homestead near the Pound. We also re-roofed a dugout miner’s hut at Appealinna.”

They’ve even tackled invasive species like cactus, and keep the homestead garden looking its best – no small feat in arid country.

Got just one day? Here’s Geoff’s pick.

“If I had only one day in the park, I’d drive along the Brachina Geological Trail to visit the Aroona mound springs, then on to the scree slope where a colony of yellow-footed rock wallabies lives,” Geoff suggests. “Then return via the Bunyeroo Track with its spectacular scenery.”

If the weather’s not ideal? Try this:

“Visit the Appealinna ruins, have lunch at Hills Hut, then enjoy a stroll around the Wilpena precinct buildings.”

Join in on the Ikara-Flinders Ranges Friends of Parks action!

For Geoff, being part of the Friends group is as much about people as it is about place.

“My favourite thing is the challenge of developing new skills and passing them on to members to improve the visitor experience,” he says. “We enjoy each other’s company and take pride in learning about the historical context of the area in which we work.”

Want to join your local Friends of Parks and Nature Group?

The Friends of Ikara-Flinders Ranges is one of 150+ Friends of Parks and Nature groups dedicated to protecting various areas within our beautiful state. With over 5,000 members, consisting of all ages and backgrounds, these groups care for native plants and animals, maintain walking trails, restore habitats and help look after parks across the state. If you'd like to get involved with your community, find your local Friends group here!

Park of the Month

Throughout July, Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park is being celebrated as the National Parks and Wildlife ServicePark of the Month. There are lots of events and activities to get involved in, find out more.