Destination Profile - Rawnsley Park Station, South Australia
Originally settled as part of Arkaba Station in 1851, Rawnsley Park, the perfect base for exploring the Flinders Ranges, at the Southern end of Wilpena Pound was established by the Smith family in 1953 for the prime purpose of pastoral production. However in 1968 Clem and Alison Smith realised that tourism could provide welcome additional income to the major grazing activities, and erected and opened the first self-contained cabin for visitor accommodation, using the area's natural beauty and weekly shearing demonstrations as a tourism draw card.
The name Rawnsley comes from Rawnsley Bluff, the southern tip of the pound. This in turn was named after HC Rawnsley who arrived from England under false pretences claiming to be a surveyor. Rawnsley spent three months supposedly surveying from Mt. Remarkable to Wilpena before he was recalled by the Colonial Government. It is unknown if the prominent landmark or the deception of the man was responsible for the naming of Rawnsley's Bluff.
In 1968 the first cabin was erected and sheep shearing demonstrations began. Originally tourism was developed as a sideline to grazing however, changing circumstances have now resulted in tourism being the major enterprise at Rawnsley Park. Accommodation at Rawnsley Park Station includes luxury eco-villas, holiday units, a caravan park and some of the best campsites you'll find in the Flinders
This destination is part of the Discover the Hart of the Flinders Australian Adventure.
Australian Tours
Other Tours and Info