In northern South Australia is a remarkable, spectacular National Park called the Flinders Ranges National Park. One of the most historically fascinating places in the Park is the Old Wilpena Station which was still a working station within until the mid 1980's.
Situated not far from the towering mountains of the Pound itself, and within walking distance from the Resort and caravan park, this area is one of the more lushly vegetated areas of the Park.
But its real charm lies in the relics of past lives and farming in the region. One of the unique aspects of the station is that the buildings are in excellent condition, due in part to the excellent caretaking of its past by the last residents, the Hunt family.
Rather than just demolish old buildings as was done on a lot of country properties, or allowing them to fall into ruin, they kept restoring them as needed and using them as station outbuildings, over the years.
Rather than just demolish old buildings as was done on a lot of country properties, or allowing them to fall into ruin, they kept restoring them as needed and using them as station outbuildings, over the years.
Book-Keepers Cottage
There are also many old items and fittings still present which give a unique insight into the workings and life on an outback property. These include lots of old farm machinery,
blacksmiths bellows, tools and made items, hanging 'mouse proof' shelves in the old store and a fascinating herringbone pattern wooden floor and sack ceiling in the book-keepers cottage.
Mouse-proof Shelves in the Store.
Food and other stores for the shepherds and other station workers were kept here and doled out in set amounts.
The Store Building.
Blacksmiths Workshop
Inside the Smithy
Old tools and items made by the blacksmiths still in situ.
Blacksmith's Cottage
More recently, as the station precinct reverted to National Park, mush renovation has been done on the main Homestead and it is now the Park Headquarters/ ranger station.
The outbuildings and other historical features have also had some restoration at various times.
Visitors to the Park are fortunate in that they can stroll through the Homestead gardens and outbuildings, amongst towering gum trees and the Wilpena Creek nearby.
Emus, kangaroos and various birds are bound to be seen abundantly in the area.
The Homestead and Garden
The gardens are based on "Old English" style gardens, with a number of rose bushes, irises, violets, bulbs and a fruit tree orchard.
The Friends of the Flinders Ranges group maintain the garden, as well as help with various restoration and maintenance issues in the precinct.
A replica of the old swing used by the hunt girls as children has been lovingly created by one of the Friends founding members, Athol Jackson. In a corner near the gate grid is a special little spot... the Pet Cemetery where their beloved cats and dogs are buried, with their own cement monument 'stones'.
Behind the outbuildings is also a small people cemetery where a couple of people who worked at the station are buried.
A 'meat safe' building lies behind the house, as do chicken coops. There's even a more recent addition of a compost heap - courtesy of the Friends.
'Friends' compost heap used for garden green waste, returned to the garden as rich compost.
Some distance from the main homestead area is the old shearers quarters and shearing shed.
The Old Wilpena Station is a good reminder of the simpler more basic ways in which people lived in years gone by. Lives dictated by the seasons and their environment... a harsh unforgiving environment at times.
They grew/produced a lot of their own food, water was taken from the spring, windmills pumped water to the stock and a wind power generator was situated on the top of a nearby hill with power lines running down to the house.
Water is still used from the spring to provide water to the Wilpena Resort and Homestead areas and a large solar power array has provides a portion of the power for both for many years... even before solar became popular in suburban areas- as well as a more recent smaller solar array providing power to the Oraparinna ranger station further north and one at Rawnsley Park station, as the power source for their wonderful Eco Villas.
Solar Array at Rawnsley Park station.
Windmills are still dotted through the area, and on neighbouring stations.
Windmill on Neighbouring Rawnsley Park station.
Reminding us of others who lived simple lives, even more in harmony with the land, is 'Ikara'... the meeting place in Adnyamathanha, the local indigenous tribe of the region... which is a fascinating monument in honour of the traditional owners of the Flinders Ranges.
The 'Ikara" Monument at Old Wilpena station precinct.
There's an almost spiritual beauty about this place... towering mountains, ancient red gums, eagles soaring overhead, days ended with spectacular sunsets.
A visit here will give you a new appreciation for the brave hardy families who made their homes in this wild location.
Tickets of entry are available in the Wilpena Information Centre, near the campground.
Not to be missed if you are visiting the area!
