Red Mallee

Bits Of Geography Of Flinders Ranges

When it comes to continents, people seem to want to explore them all, but even though we live in the age of airplanes and traveling is easier than it has ever been, Australia is still too far for everyone. Since there are people ready to travel half the planet to see something really nice, this article is meant for them. Australia is the smallest of all continents, but still has a long history and many things to offer to visitors.

One of the most fascinating things about it is its nature and the history of it. Those who are tired of visiting crowded holiday resorts and want a different kind of vacation should come to explore this beauty. One of the most fascinating things about Australia, is a national park set in the south, the Flinders Ranges. Before it became a national park, which is an area of natural land owned by government, where all the development is usually forbidden and serves for human recreation and preservation, Flinders Ranges were just a mountain range.

This mountain range begins about 200km away from Adelaide and stretches about 430 km. Its impressive length has many things to offer. One of the first things one will hear about the geography of Flinders Ranges is the sickle shaped Wilpena Pound. It is nature’s amphitheatre which covers the area of almost 80 square kilometres. The highest peak of Flinders Ranges is also there. It is St. Mary’s peak.

Flora and fauna of Flinders Ranges are one of its most impressive characteristics. The climate of Flinders Ranges is semi-arid, so all the flora species such as cypress pine, mallee, sugar gum and black oak are all well adapted to it. The area of Wilpena Pound is moist, so there are plants like Liliaceae, Guinea flowers and fern. There are also many springs and waterholes in the area, and there grow sedges and reeds. Animals characteristic for the area are western grey kangaroos, euros and red kangaroos. Dingos are, luckily for many, eradicated from the area, so the population of previously mentioned species has increased.  Yellow-footed rock wallaby was at some point facing extinction, because Europeans were hunting it when they settled, and they were also fox’s favourite snack. However, the situation is now under control.

Flinders Ranges can be geographically represented as an array of landscapes. They offer literally ‘one of each’. There’s outback, there are rugged peaks f mountains, there are numerous lakes and waterholes, the climate changes from place to place. The geology of Flinders Ranges is also a very interesting chapter in their story, and some parts are still more than challenging for geologists.

This part of Australia has a story to tell, a story people should listen to. It was born, it grew and changed over the time, and left a long heritage history, geography and geology wise. You don’t have to be a scientist to find this area more than amazing.

Flinders Ranges aren’t just a national park where one can come, walk around and go home. There are interesting and challenging guided tours and for those willing to learn, this will be a once in a life time experience. It is a sanctuary of history and beauty, and a great inspiration for many.

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