Port Augusta 
Iron Knob 
Kimba 
Wudinna 
Minnipa 
Poochera 
Wirrulla 
Streaky Bay
Smoky Bay
Ceduna 
Denial Bay
Penong 
Cactus Beach 
Nundroo 
Yalata 
Head of Bight
Nullarbor 
Border Village
Eucla 
Mundrabilla 
Madura 
Cocklebiddy 
Caiguna 
Eyre
Bird Observatory
Balladonia 
Norseman

BACKGROUND:

Aboriginal people of the Kukatha tribe were the first inhabitants of the Wudinna area. For the Kukatha people the numerous granite domes dotting the area ensured that there was always water available in granite pools and soaks at the base of rock formations that are common within the area. Robert Standley was the first European settler to the area and in 1861 he was granted a 10 square mile lease at the base of Mount Wudinna. Early European settlement of the area was enabled by collecting and conserving water runoff from the numerous granite domes within the area. Water was conserved by construction stone water runoff channels around the base of granite domes. The granite structures in this area of Eyre Penuinsula are known to be a part of the Hiltaba suite of rocks within what is known as the Gawler Craton. The fertile soils that formed around the base of eroded granite soil also proved a boon to early settlers who relied upon wheat cropping and grazing acticities within the Wudinna district. Other major industries within the Wudinna area include granite mining and tourism within the nearby rugged Gawler Ranges. Today Wudinna is a friendly town of some 650 people. Wudinna also acts as a major service centre to the surrounding district.

 

Wudinna Hotel

FACILITIES:

Wudinna is definitely well serviced from the point of view of the traveller. Located on the Eyre Highway at the northern end of Wudinna is a Tourist Information Bay that has a number of display boards describing the local history of the area, points of interest, the geology of the area and its associated granite landforms.

Within the information bay is a barbecue site (operated by 20 cent pieces) and 2 undercover picnic tables. Nearby are public toilets. The Wudinna Tourist Information is a pleasant place to stop and have lunch.

Situated along the main Eyre Highway is the Caltex "Granite Country" Roadhouse which is open from 8-00 am to 7-00 pm Monday to Friday, and 9-00 am to 7-00 pm on weekends. Within the Roadhouse is a dining area and toilets are located outside. Also located on the main Eyre Highway is the Wudinna Mobil Roadhouse which is open between 6-30 am and 10-00 pm 7 days a week. The Mobil Roadhouse has EFTPOS facilities and accepts Mastercard and Diners Club Cards. Outside the Mobil Roadhouse is a Coke vending machine for after hours use. Located nearby is a public phone box. On the main highway is the Wudinna Laundromat.

The Gawler Ranges Motel and Caravan Park is also located on the main Eyre Highway and is situated near the Caltex Roadhouse. This motel accepts Bank Card, American Express cards and has EFTPOS facilities available. The Gawler Ranges Motel offers deluxe, standard and family units aswell as units for disabled people. Facilities available also include an indoor pool, heated spa and conference room. The Gawler Ranges Caravan Park also offers powered sites, tent sites, on site caravans, and barbecue and laundry facilities. Pets are allowed.

The main shopping area for Wudinna is located behind the silos. Located on Burton Terrace is the Wudinna Newsagency, a public phone, a coffee shop, clothing store, Wudinna Post Office and associated Commonwealth Bank Agency. Wudinna Trading Company also offers a bus booking service for the Stateliner Bus that travels between Adelaide, Streaky Bay and Ceduna each night. The State Bank of South Australia also offers EFTPOS facilities but does not have an external ATM card machine for travellers. Wudinna Hotel is also located on Burton Terrace within the heart of Wudinna. Opening hours for the Hotel are 11-00 am to 12-00 am Monday to Friday. Opening hours for Saturdays are 10-00 am to 12-00 am and Sundays are 11-00 am to 8-00 pm. Counter lunches are served between 12-00 pm to 2-00 pm and 6-00 pm to 8-00 pm. with the prices of meals varying from $8-00 to $15-00.

Behind Burton Terrace is Ballantyne Street. Here you can find Wudinna's Foodland supermarket. Wudinna's Supermarket accepts EFTPOS transactions. The supermarket opening hours are 8-30 am to 6-00 pm on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Wednesday opening hours are 8-30 am to 7-00 pm, Friday 9-00 am to 11-30 am and Saturday 9-00 am to 11-30 am. Foodland is closed on Sundays. Nearby is the Water's family Wudinna Bakery. Here you can buy freshly baked bread, cakes, pies and pasties - and I might add they are pretty good too. Wudinna's Bakery hours are 9-00 am to 5-30 pm Monday to Friday, and 9-00 am to 11-30 am on Saturday. Opposite the Bakery are public conveniences. Also located on Ballantyne Street is Wudinna pharmacy where you can buy gifts and camera films.

Within Wudinna is a 26 bed hospital that has the services of an on call Doctor. Once a fortnight a Dentist practises surgery in Wudinna. For emergency Roadside services the RAA can be contacted on (08) 86802383.

View from Ucontitchie 

THINGS TO DO:

Wudinna is located within the heart of Granite Country. Around Wudinna are a number of interesting granite outcrops including Ucontitchie Hill, Mount Wudinna and Turtle Rock. Ucontitchie Hill is located 30 kilometres south of Wudinna and can be reached by travelling along a well maintained dirt road. After 30 kilometres you will need to pass through 3 farm gates before reaching the Hill which can be observed from the main road. When passing through these gates please leave them as you found them, that is to say, if the gates were closed then please close them. Ucontitchie is an inselberg of international geological significance and exhibits many fine examples of weathering structures.

 

Sheet structure Ucontitchie

For the Nullarbor traveller perhaps the Mount Wudinna Recreation Reserve is more accessible. Mount Wudinna Recreation Reserve can be accessed by heading down "Route 63" which is a well maintained dirt road travelling past some significant local granite formations. Along Route 63 are roads that access Turtle Rock and the Mount Wudinna Recreation Area. Within the Mount Wudinna Recreation area the traveller will find an exceptionally well maintained Bush Camp site. The Bush Camp site has FREE camping, FREE Gas Barbecues, public toilets, a water tank and a comfortable picnic area. If you are travelling around Australia on a shoestring this is definitely the place to stay! Throughout the Recreation Reserve are a number of short bush walking tracks. It is also an easy walk to ascend Mount Wudinna which is Australia's largest monolith after Uluru (Ayer's Rock). To be fair it is only 260 metres tall compared to Uluru's 335 metres however the views from the top are still quite magnificent. For the long distance traveller I would also recommend the Recreation Area as a nice place to have a picnic for an hour or 2 before continuing your journey.

 

View of farmland from Ucontitchie

Wudinna is also located within an hour's drive of the Gawler Ranges. For advice on local attractions and road conditions in the Gawler Ranges it is recommended you visit the Le Hunte Council Offices in Burton Terrace. The Council Offices will update you on current road conditions and offer you information brochures of the area.

Tafoni Structure Ucontitchie

 

TRAVEL TIP: If you are travelling at night between Ceduna and Port Augusta there are no 24 hour fuel services. Accordingly plan your fuel stops in advance, particularly if your vehicle's fuel tank has a limited range.

Click to go to Ucontitchie Hill

  A good time
 Down Under!