South Australia's Wilpena Pound Resort will be among the beneficiaries of a new $10 million state government program designed to develop regional tourism across one of Australia's most iconic mountain ranges.

The Remarkable Southern Flinders Ranges initiative is aimed at establishing the region as a world-class adventure tourism destination.

Wilpena Pound Resort Chair Darren Godwell said the announcement by Premier Steven Marshall, who recently visited the venue along with Environment and Water Minister David Spiers, was encouraging news for the resort as the largest employer in the Flinders Ranges and also as a leader in the employment of Aboriginal people.

At a glance: 

• The South Australian Government has announced a new $10 million ‘Remarkable Southern Flinders Ranges’ program to develop regional tourism in the state. 
• Premier Steven Marshall and Environment and Water Minister David Spiers both recently visited the Wilpena Pound Resort, which is set to benefit from the initiative.
• Wilpena Pound Resort opened earlier this month following a period of forced closure due to COVID-19.

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The view from one of the scenic flights conducted in the area. Source: Wilpena Pound Resort

“We’re lucky to have our employees back on board after a challenging three months and like fellow South Australian businesses, we also look forward to welcoming visitors once again," he said.

The announcement comes as the iconic Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park reports an increase in bookings following the COVID-19 restrictions ease.

Mr Godwell said the preceding closure period had allowed the resort’s team to consolidate its forward-planning projects, which included a tourism masterplan.

“Our cultural experiences are designed, developed and operated by local Adnyamathanha people who also hold positions right across the accommodation and retail arms of the resort,” he said.

“The ensuing development of the masterplan will mean that Wilpena Pound Resort has a broader stake in the visitor economy and therefore a broader capacity to improve social outcomes, which is a key part of our charter.

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One of the Safari tents at the Ikara Camping site. Source: Wilpena Pound Resort

“We look forward to working with the Marshall Government to further build the Flinders Ranges as the leading Aboriginal cultural destination for South Australia.”

The masterplan includes more than $10 million in upgrades which will see revitalised visitor facilities, while also building on the resort’s proximity to the significant Sacred Canyon site and draw on access to local knowledge exclusive to Adnyamathanha guides.  

Wilpena Pound Resort is located some 430km north of Adelaide in the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park.

Wilpena Pound is a spectacular natural amphitheatre spanning 17km in length and 7km in width, shaped by the weathering and uplifting of land over time and holding important cultural significance for the Indigenous Adnyamathanha people.

The resort comprises a 52-room hotel, Ikara Safari Camp with 15 tented pavilions and a large campground with state-of-the-art visitor facilities. 

Click here for more information regarding Wilpena Pound Resort.

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