St. Mary Peak is the highest peak in Flinders Ranges. The post describes the hike to the peak via Wilpena Pound.
St. Mary Peak (Ngarri Mudlanha) situated in Wilpena pound, has a height of 1180 m. In Aboriginal culture Ngarri Mudlanha means “dizzy thoughts”. Wilpena Pound/Ikara, is a formation that creates a natural amphitheatre covering 80 square km.
Adnyamathanha people inhabited the range for tens of thousands of years. The area is of geological and palaeontological significance, with the discovery of the oldest fossil evidence of animal life.
St. Mary Peak Loop
The hike starts at Wilpena Pound visitor centre and follows the Wilpena Creek for 300m. At the information centre turn right and follow St. Mary peak Outside Trail for 4.5 km through native pine forest.
Then you start climbing a rocky section, challenging at times, but with breath-taking sceneries until you reach Tanderra Saddle. Here you can take a break, before attempting St. Mary Peak climb for 1.8 km.
Climbing St. Mary is a rough section with a lot of rock climbing and hoping. However, it is all worth it and at the peak you are rewarded with stunning views. Retrace your steps to Tanderra Saddle, where you can choose to return via Scarpa Trail 7.6 km steep or the longer and safer option via the Pound trail 13.6 km. We choose the longer route as it was rainy and slippery. First 5 km took us through a rocky winding path and the last 8 km was easy flat through the forest.
450 m after meeting the Heysen trail we reached the Hills’ homestead built in 1888, now restored.
From 1899 the Hill family grew inside the Pound until severe floods in 1914 destroyed their access road.
From here, there is only 3 km left before reaching the start of the trail again.
The hike is rated hard, with the total distance of 21.7 km, 9 hours.
Hiking tips
You need 3L of water. Also don’t forget to log in and out in the register at the Wilpena Pound.
Off the trail you might choose to drive and see Cazneaux Tree, Appealinna ruins, Great Wall of China on the way from Wilpena Pound to Blinman.
The loop walk is also described in Walk SA published by Advertiser Enterprise in 2006.
Other hikes in Flinders Ranges:
https://aussietrailwalker.com/flinders-ranges-blinman-pools-walk/