Wudinna
Is a town in South Australia. The area was first settled in 1861 when Robert George Standley lodged a claim for 10 sq. miles of land surrounding Weedna Hill (‘weedna’ later became changed to Wudinna which may be an Aboriginal word meaning ‘the granite hill’).. It was proclaimed a town in 1916. It is on the Eyre Highway across the top of Eyre Peninsula. The region is known as The granite country for its deposits of granite in the area, with tourists able to travel the granite trail to explore local landmarks. Quarrying of granite has occurred in the local area since the 1990s. Some granite blocks quarried at the Desert Rose Quarry near Mount Wudinna can be up to 8 cubic metres in volume and weigh 20 tonnes, before being cut into smaller blocks for shipping around Australia, or for export to Asian and European markets. This granite was employed in the construction of The Australian Farmer, an 8 metre (26 ft) high statute that was carved in the town as a community project to commemorate the early settlers. Mount Wudinna is Australia’s second largest monolith after Mount Augustus. It is located 12 km north-east of the town. Wudinna is located on Highway One (Adelaide – Perth). The township is a convenient doorstep to the Gawler Ranges National Park and has become an important service centre for the Eyre Peninsula. Wudinna is also located close to impressive granite outcrops including Corrobinnie Hill, Polda Rock, Turtle Rock, Pygery Rocks and Ucontitchie Hill. Mt Wudinna is located just 10km from Wudinna and rising to 261m high, it is one of Australia’s largest granite monoliths.
Corrobinnie Hill Conservation Park
Corrobinnie Hill Conservation Park
30 kilometres east of
Wudinna
South Australia
Australia
Corrobinnie Hill is a large granite outcrop on the outskirts of Pinkawillinie Conservation Park, providing views of the Park and the Gawler Ranges in the distance. The Hill, located approximately 20 kilometres west of Wudinna, is only accessible by four wheel drive and is a popular picnic destination by locals and visitors. Children and adults alike will have lots of adventurous fun climbing and exploring the granite boulders that characterise the Hill. There are no facilities at the Hill and access is free.
Gawler Ranges National Park
40 kilometres north of Wudinna
Wudinna
Gawler Ranges National Park
South Australia
Australia
Gawler Ranges National Park is a showcase of stunning scenery formed by volcanic activity more than 1,500 million years ago. Access the Organ Pipes by four-wheel drive vehicle and discover a series of dramatic, ochre-red, hexagonal volcanic columns. See vibrant wildflowers in spring or camp beneath a starry night sky in the great outdoors. Follow the four-wheel-drive LP Track leading to Pondanna Outstation. Observe some of the parks 140 species of birds or keep your eyes open for Southern Hairy-nosed wombats. Access to Gawler Ranges National Park is via gravel roads from Kimba, Minnipa and Wudinna. Most vehicle tracks are recommended for high clearance or four-wheel drive vehicles only and driving can be hazardous in wet weather.
Lake Gairdner National Park
Gawler Ranges National Park via
Lake Gairdner National Park
Wudinna
South Australia
Australia
See Lake Gairdner, Australia’s fourth largest salt lake and is the site of numerous land-speed record attempts when the lake is dry. Surrounded by brilliant red sand hills, the lakes shimmering surface makes it a photographer’s delight and a popular film location. Indeed, at times the horizon seems to disappear when you stand in the centre of this beautiful and surreal salt lake. The annual Dry Lake Racers event attracts motor enthusiasts from around Australia in March when the lake is dry. Access to the lake is via Waltumba Tank, on the Moonaree Station Road or via Mount Ive Station (private access, enquiries and gate key available from Mount Ive Homestead). Cabins and bush camping are available nearby at Mount Ive Station.
Mount Wudinna
12 kilometres north-east of
Mount Wudinna
Wudinna
South Australia
Australia
Mount Wudinna is located 12 kilometres northeast of the town of Wudinna and is the largest exposed granite monolith in South Australia. It is the most impressive of a cluster of outcrops in this vicinity. The outcrops range in size from flat platforms and low domes to higher domes (example Little Wudinna Rock, Polda Rock, Turtle Rock and Pygery Rock); all dwarfed by the massive structure of Mount Wudinna, which rises to 261 metres. A large area of mallee bushland adjoins the rock and is inhabited by native flora and fauna species. Mount Wudinna is easy enough to climb to view the surrounding plains and provides an interesting walk around the base.
Polda Rock Reserve
Six kilometres east of
Polda Rock Reserve
Wudinna
South Australia
Australia
Polda Rock Reserve is an attractive water reserve that originally supplied the Wudinna Township. Much of the original infrastructure, including the hand constructed stone channel to collect water from the rock and water reservoir, remains intact. A two kilometre walking trail circumnavigates the rock. A very popular reserve for bird watching, short walks and picnics. Open 24 hours, seven days a week. Pets to be left in effective control, in accordance with the Dog and Cat Management Act (SA).
Ucontitchie Hill
Ucontitchie Road
Wudinna
South Australia
Ucontitchie Hill
Australia
Ucontitchie Hill is located 32 kilometres southwest of the Wudinna Township. The hill rises sharply from the surrounding plains. Standing in isolation, this natural sculpture in bare rock can be seen for several kilometres around. Scenically spectacular, the hill is a geographical monument of international significance. Ucontitchie is internationally renown for its display of geological features. There is ample parking located at the site.
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