Discovery Resorts – Wilpena Pound

The tent cabin was just right as it was, and the on-site store and gas station were handy. There was also a bar, with breakfast, lunch, and dinner available. We stayed two nights during a week of heatwaves, but still had a great time. It was probably the most relaxed stop of our trip. There’s a Telstra tower nearby, so we had full bars and uninterrupted data streaming. I think autumn, winter, or spring might be better, though summer can be lovely too. We’ll check in again next time we’re heading up or down the centre of Australia. 👍

Getting to the Wilpena Pound trailhead meant walking over 2 km each way for the bushwalks we did. A shuttle was available, but only ran twice daily, and the stops and signs weren’t clearly explained. We also had a frustrating time trying to get a Do Not Disturb sign. Reception said they’d ask housekeeping, then housekeeping said they’d ask reception, but the sign never arrived. We were told the tours were fully booked even though the resort seemed almost empty, which made me wonder if it was short staffed. Breakfast was another mix-up: we’d paid for the buffet, but it was closed. Ordering from the regular breakfast menu worked out fine, though nobody had explained that clearly. The rooms were a decent size, but felt like they were getting minimal attention. The beds had mismatched mattresses and seemed randomly placed, and the wine glasses didn’t match. Light from outside came through the blinds beside the main bed, which wouldn’t close all the way. They also use lots of plastic water bottles, with no replacement water option to cut down on waste. The restaurant’s food and prices varied from one meal to the next, and the prices felt high given its monopoly in the area. The resort itself was adequate, but very expensive for what it offered, about what I’d expected.

Aurelie at reception was so helpful in planning our stay and helping us make the most of it. The rangers were friendly too. We loved camping here in summer, especially having the pool to cool off in on hot days. It’s well placed for the walks and trails, and we enjoyed the restaurant and bar. The food and drinks were tasty, refreshing, and comforting. Shout-out to the chef, and thanks so much!

The flight and a couple of tours were well worth booking. Young Samuel drove and guided us, and he was great, with loads of knowledge. Trey took us on the half-hour flight and was informative, funny, and helped us feel relaxed while he flew. We stayed in the Edeowie room, which was spacious and clean, with a TV, small fridge, microwave, stovetop, and all the dishes for self-catering. We also ate at the restaurant and really liked the food. Everyone on staff was friendly and helpful. Thanks for a great stay, from Joan and Ari.