Friends of the Flinders Ranges National Park

Want some adventure of a different and

rewarding kind?

Do the Flinders Ranges hold a special place in your heart? Do you have a love and appreciation for their wild expanses and spectacular beauty? Would you like an opportunity to give something back to this amazing area and to help preserve its unique diversity for future generations?

Then why not join the Friends of the Flinders Ranges National Park group on one of their monthly working bees in the Park, to find out what it's all about, and what YOU can do to help ensure that it not only survives, but flourishes.

The Friends group works on a wide variety of projects in the Park, including:

• Restoration and stabilisation of historic buildings and ruins
• A special charter to maintain and care for the garden at the restored Old Wilpena Homestead
• Seed collecting
• Tree planting
• Weed control
• Park photography
• Herbarium creation of the Park's diverse vegetation
• Roadwatch area duties
• Obtaining grants for special projects within the Park

The Friends work in co-operation with the helpful and friendly Rangers and other Park staff. They also sometimes work on special projects with local landholders.

It's not all work though! The Friends also take part in special familiarisation tours through areas of the Park not generally open to members of the public. They enjoy BBQ's, picnics, and other social enjoyment of these beautiful surroundings.

They also have an opportunity to take part in various training courses, such as First Aid, chainsaw operation, volunteer co-ordination and other topics which are useful to their work within the Park.

The Friends group is also responsible for organising and co-ordinating the Seasonal Events program (spring and autumn) in the Park, which consists of interesting and educational events run during the SA school holidays.

These activities are offered by enthusiastic volunteers, including some of the Friends themselves, as well as local landholders and tourism operators. The local Aboriginal community also provide activities which give visitors a glimpse into their fascinating history and society.

Working bees are held on the third full weekend of the month, from March to November. Due to the summer heat, and possible bushfire dangers, the Friends do not work in the Park during this time. The AGM is held in Adelaide in February.

A limited amount of free accommodation is usually available in the Wilpena shearers quarters, which has a recently remodelled, fully equipped kitchen, a lounge area, and newly renovated bathroom. There is reverse cycle air conditioning in the living area and bedrooms. Bedrooms have bunk beds with mattresses, mostly sleeping up to 4 people per room. Families and couples are usually allocated their own room, however singles may need to share.

Booking is always required for these rooms, and they are allocated on a first come, first served basis. There is also room for some campers/caravans or tents in the vicinity.

If the shearer's quarters are full, or volunteers wish something more upmarket, the Wilpena Pound Resort offers motel accommodation, along with great campground facilities.

Rawnsley Park, 20km back towards Adelaide, has a good variety of holiday units and also a campground.

These other options are, however, at the volunteer's expense.

Travel to the Park, which is 5-6 hours on good sealed roads from Adelaide, is also at the volunteer's expense.

Membership of the Friends of the Flinders Ranges National Park is $10 per year, for either a single of family. This includes a monthly newsletter, which can be viewed online or posted, and which updates members on what's been happening and upcoming events.

Members are also covered by insurance while taking part in working bees.

If you would like more information on the Friends of the Flinders Ranges National Park:

either contact us here at Barinya

or visit their site http://www.friendsofflindersranges.org.au/