Wilpena Pound SA

June 26, 2018

Sacred Canyon

Once settled in Wilpena we drove out to Sacred Canyon. At the end of the bumpy ride we arrived at the River bed and parking area for Sacred Canyon. As we alighted one chap walking out of the river bed urged us on by saying there is a lot more to see so just keep walking upstream. The river bed area was beautiful and we walked on taking photos of trees, fauna and other flora as every turn opened to a new vista. As we walked we were getting higher up the river bed and suddenly we found ourselves in this beautiful gorge albeit named a canyon.

Although dry you could imagine the waterfalls and ponds if the water way was running. Suddenly, on some of the cliff and rock faces the etched circles and other figures appeared on the walls of the gorge. We climbed higher and still more etchings appeared. Next, the gorge opened into a large cave. I had seen similar in Port Davey Tasmania named the ochre caves but this was much larger.

We climbed a little further and decided to turn back. On our return we kept finding what appeared to be small native orchids in the rock crevasses. On our return to Wilpena we checked with one of the indigenous guides and he had not seen the flora specimen before but promised to follow it up.

Walking into Sacred Canyon

Some of the terrain including the Australian Cyprus Pine

The Cyprus Pine growing alongside the
River Red Gum

Some of the Aboriginal etchings in Sacred Gorge.
The circles represent the deep water holes in the gorge.

Climbing higher into Sacred Canyon.

Near the top of the climb

More Aboriginal etchings

The cave similar to the Ochre Cave we found in Port Davey.

An etching near the cave entrance

The small orchid type flower emerging in the crevasses.

One of the interpretive signs

Wilkawillina

The next day we decided to drive out to Wilkawillina Gorge. This was a considerably longer drive that the previous one to Sacred Canyon. We crossed many river beds and flood crossings but all were dry. This area is in severe drought and has not seen much rainfall in many years.

Probably about half way in to Wilkawillina we encountered one of the largest wedge tail eagles feasting on a roo road kill. On approaching the wedgie took off and its wing span would have been all of 8 ft wide. Dallas was successful in photographing this incredible species.

The wedge tail eagle in flight

The same eagle at rest watching its quarry.

We drove on to the end of the 28 km drive to the car park and walk into the Wilkawillina Gorge. We were the only car at the park and commenced the walk into the Gorge. Crossing the river bed and walking along the southern bank of the river on the high side over what appeared to be sandy clay banks using the well marked trail. Nearing the end we decided to take a track to the river bed area itself and continue into the gorge from the river bed.

As we entered deeper into the gorge we encountered several Yellow footed wallaby, a very unique wallaby specie to the area. They have a distinct yellow marking on the feet but also a very distinct ringed tail marking similar to the Tassie Tiger. We did not reach the water holes we had read about but put that down to the drought. So returned to the car along the river bed. Later we read that if we had ventured another 750mts into the gorge we would have found the elusive water hole. However, we returned to camp and cooked a lovely baked meal of rib eye on the bone from Ruglesses Butchers new IGA Brighton store. With this we had all of the baked vegie trimmings and a lovey mushroom sauce. Camping does not prevent having a good meal.