A diverse and rugged land means that South Australia has some truly extraordinary formations across it. Both below and above the ground, with a little exploring you can have an experience that makes you appreciate how diverse Australia is. We’ve put together a list of our favourite rock formations in SA.
UMPHERSTON SINKHOLE – MT GAMBIER
The Umpherston Sinkhole was created when one of the many caves around the Mount Gambier region had its limestone roof collapse. The owner of the land, James Umpherston, decided to make it into a garden that members of the public could enjoy.
After his death the garden became dilapidated until it was purchased by the South Australian Woods and Forests Department in 1949. It was cleaned, new flowers and shrubs were planted, the infrastructure was repaired, and it once again became a beautiful space for the public to enjoy.
The Umpherston Sinkhole has become a popular destination for the public, especially as it’s a free attraction. Visitors walk down a number of stairs to reach the bottom of the hole, and from there can enjoy the beauty of the garden and the formations that make this sunken space such a unique experience. At night time a number of possums come out looking for a sweet treat, so if you arrive at dusk you might be met by some curious critters hoping you’ll have a slice of apple to give them.
More visiting information can be found here.
KELLY CAVES – KANGAROO ISLAND
The Kelly Caves were originally discovered by a horse named “Kelly” who fell into them in the 1880’s. Since then they’ve been explored and lit up, offering a fantastic experience for visitors.
The caves themselves feature some incredible rock formations. Visitors can view the stalactite and stalagmite formations and book a tour to explore the caverns further. The tour guides are consistently commended on their enthusiasm and knowledge of the caves, and you’ll be able to get a good understanding of how the caves were originally explored.
The Kelly Caves are located 90 KM south west of Kingscote, not far from Flinders Chase National Park. Visitors can opt for just a tour of the caves (where you can see the formations and learn from the tour guide) or choose to go on an “adventuring” tour, where you’ll be able to journey further down into the caverns (where there’s some squeezing and twisting through tight spots involved). Children must be over 8 years of age to go on an adventure tour.
More visitor information can be found here.
WILPENA POUND – FLINDERS RANGES
The Flinders Ranges are an incredible formation of mountains located approximately three hours north of Adelaide. Often the most popular destination for travelers is Wilpena Pound, a large natural amphitheatre which has the range’s high peak (St Mary Peak).
The Pound has a rich history, and visitors can learn about the first inhabitants of the land, the Adnyamathanha people. There are cave paintings, rock engravings and other artifacts to be discovered while learning about the rich indigenous history that surrounds the area.
There are a number of walks and hikes that can be taken in the pound. If ground exploration gets tiring there’s also the option to view the ranges by plane, with aerial tours available.
More information on visiting can be found here.
MURPHY’S HAYSTACK
Located between Streaky Bay and Port Kenny on the Eyre Peninsula, Murphey’s Haystack is a group of amazing pink granite rocks that have been wind worn for hundreds of thousands of years.
The name of the formation was coined when a visitor (from afar) was shocked by how high the property owner had managed to get his “hay bales”. The farm was owned by a man named Murphy, and as such the name “Murphy’s Haystack” stuck as the name for these amazing rocks.
The rocks are on private property but open to the public to view. An honesty box is set up at the gate, which requests $2 per person or $5 for a family. There are toilets on site, and this small amount of money no doubt goes towards maintaining them. The rocks themselves have been described as “eerie”, with one traveler commenting that they gave him a similar feeling to visiting Hanging Rock in Victoria.
More info on visiting Murphy’s Haystack can be found here.
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