Wilpena Pound

Wilpena Pound is as great as the brochures had promised. There was a turn of good luck with the weather as it was sunny and warm(ish) the entire stay. The initial plan was to stay two nights but we extended to three nights because there is so much to see and do, with superb facilities and camping grounds.

The first day involved a scenic flight around the Wilpena Pound in a Cessna 172. Apparently the planes had been grounded for a week due to rain and low cloud, so it was more good fortune with the weather. The air was calm and the flight was very comfortable, which was great because these little planes can get bumped around when the wind is gustier. No barf bags were necessary and I got plenty of fantastic aerial photos.

After lunch we bushwalked up to Wangara Lookout. This is supposedly a moderate walk but I almost carked it halfway up the mountain. I eventually made it the whole way to the summit and the views were well worth the 5 years I knocked off my lifespan. Dave was keen to do one of the difficult walks so I told him to go for it, because I was retiring to the resort's bar for a beer.

The following day was a 4WD tour up to Brachina Lookout to see geological formations and fossils. I was still a bit ginger after the previous night's effort in the bar and the jolting of the landcruiser wasn't helping matters. I enjoyed the tour despite concerned comments from fellow tourists that I looked slightly green. The fossils - the ancient rocks, not my fellow tourists - were a highlight of the day.

I haven't figured out if it's because they're on holidays as well, or if it's because we're away from the city, but people are very friendly and talkative. Everybody wants to discuss travel plans. The gray nomads are a wealth of knowledge regarding places to visit and sights to see. We even achieve minor notoriety in the camping ground as the "mad bastards" on bikes. It's a welcome change from the cold indifference of Melbourne.