60th Birthday: Flinders Ranges May 23,24,25 & 26 2008.
G'day All
I have been to the Flinders Ranges, in the Wilpena Pound area, and checked out the accommodation and activity options.
Activities available, at this stage, include Skytrek ( a private ,as most in the area are, 4wd route set on Willow Springs Station, a 70,000 acre sheep property, 21km north of Wilpena Pound www.skytrekwillowsprings.com.au for more info.) ,a cost is involved, & the Land Rover Register of South Australia has a course at Blinman we have been invited to use, for a per car donatio to the Land Rover Register of South Australia. This course can be altered to vary difficulty and damage levels.
Accommodation has 4 options that would suit our needs:
1. Bush Camping. Advantages = cheap (You pay an entry fee to the national park and a $10/night (at this point in time) camping fee. Isolation.
Disadvantages = No open/ camp fires.
2. Rawnsley Park Station. A caravan park with camping/ powered sites/ on-site vans / cabins and "luxury Eco-villas" that are about 2 km away from the main park.
Advantages = Facilities, at hand, of a caravan park. Will allow open fires. Shop including fuel (diesel @ $1.50/l on the 8/12/07 $1.43 metro av at time)
Disadvantages = Cost: 2 person/ night camping (no power) $19, powered site $27, onsite vans $50, park cabins $78, Deluxe en-suite (incl linen) 1br $108, deluxe en-suite (incl linen) 2 &3br $122. Luxury eco-villas 1br $320, Luxury eco-villa 2br $360.
See www.rawnsleypark.com.au
3. Willow Springs Station. A little, working sheep station, of only 70,000 acres (hence Shearers Quaqters are not available 23 - 26 May) and home to Skytek 4wd journey.
Advantages = Will allow open fires, facilities.
Disadvantages = Cost. 2 people / night $90 at the Managers residence (8 people min) the former home of the owners, Overseers Cottage 2br (up to 4 peeps) & Jackaroo's Cottage 2br (up to 5 peeps). There is also Moxons Hut (15 km east) at $45/ night.
See www.skytrekwillowsprings.com.au for more info.
4. Wilpena Pound Resort. As the name says it's a resort but does offer camping and powered sites. Has 4wd tours, scenic flights, bars & bistros.
Advantages = facilities+++. Will allow open fires.
Disadvantages = cost 2 person/ night: unpowered site $19, powered site $26 ( both of these subject to price rise 1/3/2008), Brachina Motel Room (3 star. up to 4 peeps) $135, Aroona Motel Room (3.5 star. Up to 5 peeps) $185, Heysen Deluxe Unit (4 star. up to 5 peeps) $200, & Edeowie Deluxe Unit (4 star. up to 6 peeps) $210.
See www.wilpenapound.com.au for further details.
So there you have it
Of course still open to suggestions but the timing means accom is filling fast.
Cheers.
David.Did you think I would leave you crying,
When there's room in my D3 for 7,
Climb in here Joe we'll soon be flying,
I can go just as fast with 7.
2005 TDV6 S with Terrain Response (& all that entails), Tasmods (gorn). 2008 TDV6 HSE (gone). A Dark Side umbrella (here) & car (here).
Sorry poll should also have Wilpena Pound Resort as an option but only 3 options can be used.
Please leave a posting if You vote for Wilpena Pound.
Edit: Wilpena has been added to the pole. (thanks Slimer). Did you think I would leave you crying,
When there's room in my D3 for 7,
Climb in here Joe we'll soon be flying,
I can go just as fast with 7.
2005 TDV6 S with Terrain Response (& all that entails), Tasmods (gorn). 2008 TDV6 HSE (gone). A Dark Side umbrella (here) & car (here).
Last edited by White Disco on 11th Jan 2008 9:28 am. Edited 1 time in total
7th Jan 2008 12:53 am
TDMP
Member Since: 16 Jul 2006
Location: South Gippsland
Posts: 511
hi david - hope the trip went well - any isues with the D3?
Are you proposing that we all stay at the one accom venue? If so, as I am not fussed which way we go, I will be happy to go with the majority.Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent.
Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent.
Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil?
Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?
(Epicurus BC 341-270)
All at the one venue I think would be ideal but not compulsory. I will arrange for one central meeting place and the various venues said that they don't mind visitors to the main group on a day basis.
Apart from doing 4,926km in 6 days and only seeing 1 other D3 ,who didn''t wave . Only the balsa wood cruise control was a problem. Everything else in comfort, style and accompanied with a permagrin . Average fuel consumption on the entire journey was 9.2 l/100km. Avg speed was 72.9 kph.
The geologist in me went birko when I got my first close up look of the ranges. They are awesome I went about my business on the first day there in wonderment and almost a reverend, almost silent awe of all around.
Going to & seeing the Flinders Ranges must be on everyones 100 things to do before I die list.Did you think I would leave you crying,
When there's room in my D3 for 7,
Climb in here Joe we'll soon be flying,
I can go just as fast with 7.
2005 TDV6 S with Terrain Response (& all that entails), Tasmods (gorn). 2008 TDV6 HSE (gone). A Dark Side umbrella (here) & car (here).
Member Since: 16 Jul 2006
Location: South Gippsland
Posts: 511
have had a look at all the links you posted. Wilpena Pound Resort = bar Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent.
Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent.
Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil?
Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?
(Epicurus BC 341-270)
(my personal pick FWIW).Did you think I would leave you crying,
When there's room in my D3 for 7,
Climb in here Joe we'll soon be flying,
I can go just as fast with 7.
2005 TDV6 S with Terrain Response (& all that entails), Tasmods (gorn). 2008 TDV6 HSE (gone). A Dark Side umbrella (here) & car (here).
Member Since: 07 Feb 2007
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 219
Well,
I just voted, and when I looked at the results it said 100% were in favour of
bush camping
7th Jan 2008 3:17 am
IanR
Member Since: 28 Apr 2007
Location: Daleys Point
Posts: 99
Towards the end of a 3 week trip towing our Ultimate off-road camper up Googs track, across to the Gammon Ranges and then into the Flinders Ranges we spent a night Bush Camping at Willow Springs Station (not in the Station accomodation) - pit toilet, open fire, showers at homestead a 5 minute drive away.
The next day we went round Skytrek - good drive, good views.
Unfortunately we won't be able to attend as in late May our wanderings will probably put us in the Bungle Bungles - now that would be a really great venue!!
Hope you all have a great Birthday bash'S' TDV6, Air suspension, Terrain Response, Active rear diff, Safari Snorkel, Opposite Lock rear wheel carrier, OL drawer system, Cargo Barrier, Dual batteries with Rotronics isolator, GME 3440 UHF. Codan NGT HF, Asus UMPC running TrackRanger. Cooper LT245/70R17 STTs when off-road. Tow Ultimate off-road camper.
Thanks Slimer. Did you think I would leave you crying,
When there's room in my D3 for 7,
Climb in here Joe we'll soon be flying,
I can go just as fast with 7.
2005 TDV6 S with Terrain Response (& all that entails), Tasmods (gorn). 2008 TDV6 HSE (gone). A Dark Side umbrella (here) & car (here).
Member Since: 10 Apr 2006
Location: batemans bay
Posts: 1605
Dave
Great work
Wilpena Pound Resort or Rawnsley Park sound good
PeterPete
8th Jan 2008 6:39 am
TDMP
Member Since: 16 Jul 2006
Location: South Gippsland
Posts: 511
Any idea on what date will be the "oficial" celebrations day?
As I will be heading off around the Simpson straight afterwards, I am trying to plan how much time I will have.
I am thinking I will head up Oodnadatta track to Dalhousie (perhaps via Coober Pedy), then west/east over the French Line to Birdsville and down the Birdsville track to Marree. Not sure if I will then go around past Olympic dam and home via Port Augusta, or just straight back past the Flinder's Ranges...
...anyway, as you can see, I've got a bit of planning to do Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent.
Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent.
Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil?
Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?
(Epicurus BC 341-270)
11th Jan 2008 6:27 am
catweasel
Member Since: 05 May 2006
Location: Bundaleer
Posts: 4805
My personal preference would definitely be Rawnsely park miles ahead of Wilpena pound. the park is smaller and more personal and crowd control is far better than the times I have been at Wilpena and you can get together better as a group IMO. it has just as much to offer probably even more as far a views etc go and I feel safer leaving my stuff there than I do at Wilpena.
plenty of camping spots
nice mornings
and views
crowded isn't it
but I might be biased
11th Jan 2008 3:39 pm
norto
Member Since: 10 Apr 2006
Location: batemans bay
Posts: 1605
If you know the area and thats what you suggest
then its good enough for me Pete
11th Jan 2008 10:15 pm
RetiredBob
Member Since: 23 Feb 2006
Location: New South Wales
Posts: 183
We stayed at Rawnsley Park in Sept 06. You had to book well in advance to get in during that time as it was SA School Hols. The Pound was booked out also.
Rawnsley Park from the air
Click image to enlarge
We enjoyed our stay at the Park and it was not as busy as the Pound also it was more central for our trips in the area.
The May time fame should not be as busy but I would recommend booking in in advance.
When will the dates be finalised??
Although we have done the Flinders pretty well, we will use the get-together as a stopping point on our way up north.
Regards
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,who didn''t wave 
. Only the balsa wood cruise control was a problem. Everything else in comfort, style and accompanied with a permagrin 
