In the leadup to NAIDOC (National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee) Week, Indigenous-owned and operated Wilpena Pound Resort in the heart of South Australia’s Flinders Ranges has revealed its program of fun and informative activities for guests, led by its own Adnyamathanha guides.
The week-long NAIDOC celebrations will run across the country over the dates 4-11 July 2021, offering a chance for First Nations people to share their knowledge and culture. This year’s theme, ‘Heal Country’ calls for stronger measures to recognise, protect and maintain all aspects of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and heritage.
At Wilpena Pound Resort, the NAIDOC festivities kick off across the park on July 4, heading up a swag of daily-changing activities led by Adnyamathanha guides with highlights including a live Indigenous music session in the Ikara Lounge with Indigenous canapes and drinks served and an Indigenous Cookup with kangaroo and emu cooked according to the Traditional Owners’ methods, with damper making also on the menu.
There’s a special NAIDOC Week Yura bushwalk, a fascinating walk to the homestead showcasing the land’s traditional stories with insights into bush foods along the way and a NAIDOC Sunset Spectacular, a 4WD tour to Stokes Hill Lookout see the sun set over the ranges with an hour’s dedicated story time about Country with Indigenous canapes and sparkling wine served.
There are also dedicated damper making classes as well as special Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Parks-designed events at Old Wilpena that include boomerang making, art classes and damper cooking, while a Parks NAIDOC lunchtime barbecue will feature kangaroo steaks and emu sausages.
All NAIDOC week activities can be booked by guests at the park and visitors to the Flinders Ranges region. A nominal charge applies for all special NAIDOC Week activities, and advance bookings can be made at the Visitors’ Centre onsite or at the resort reception.
Wilpena Pound Resort Manager Mitch Gawthorn said the whole team was looking forward to celebrating NAIDOC Week and sharing their culture with visitors to the Ikara Flinders Ranges.
“This year’s program is the largest NAIDOC Week we’ve planned to date at Wilpena Pound Resort and we’re all proud to be working with the team at Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Parks to bring a uniquely Aboriginal perspective of the region for our guests,” Mr Gawthorn said.8
Wilpena Pound Resort is located some 430km north of Adelaide in the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park. Ikara Wilpena Pound is Adnyamathanha Yarta or Country. Located in the heart of the National Park, Wilpena Pound Resort offers visitors guests a first-hand, personal experience of the ancient landscape, delivered through the perspective of the region’s Traditional Owners, the Adnyamathanha people. The resort comprises a 60-room hotel, Ikara Safari Camp with 15 glamping tents and a large campground. South Australia’s largest mountain range, the Flinders Ranges dates some 800 million years and is recognised worldwide for its geological history and impressive Ediacaran fossils. A state-led bid to have the Flinders Ranges inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list is currently underway.
For more information and bookings, visit www.wilpenapound.com.au or call 1800 805 802.
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