Tanderra Saddle walk (Saint Mary Peak/Ngarri Mudlanha)

Starting near the Wilpena Pound Resort at the end of Wilpena Road, Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park, this walk leads to Tanderra Saddle, just before the summit of Ngarri Mudlanha (Saint Mary Peak) and back via the Outside Trail. Ngarri Mudlanha is the highest peak (1,171m) in the Flinders Ranges and the eighth highest peak in South Australia. For the Adnyamathanha People, Ngarri Mudlanha means ‘dizzy thoughts’. Walkers are asked by the Adnyamathanha People not to climb the summit out of respect for the deep cultural significance the peak has. They explain two Akurra (dreaming serpents) who entwined to form the amphitheatre of Wilpena Pound, this peak is formed by one of the Akurra heads. From the other peaks and saddles, you will get breathtaking views of the Flinders Ranges, Aroona Valley, and the salt plains to the west. Wilpena Pound is spectacular for its geology and wide variety of flora and fauna, and is home to Sturt's desert pea, river gums, mallee, acacia and casuarinas. The wildlife includes the red kangaroo, the euro, the yellow-footed rock wallaby, 18 species of snakes, 60 species of lizard, dingoes, emus, galahs and wedge-tailed eagles. This hike has steep climbs and rugged terrain and is suited for enthusiastic bushwalkers who enjoy a rewarding challenge. Let us begin by acknowledging the Adnyamathanha people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

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Warning
This journey requires significant bushwalking experience, specialised equipment and navigation skills.
Please ensure you and your group well prepared and equiped for this journey.

Safer Bushwalks Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.

Getting There Transport options and directions

Start	(-31.5270841,138.6056354)
Mode	Car
Directions	From Augusta Highway, Stirling North. Turn on to Range View Road then drive for 33.1 km Turn left onto Railway Terrace and drive for another 66.4 km Turn right onto Wilpena Road and drive for another 50.9 km Turn left onto Wilpena Road and drive for another 3.8 km Keep left onto Wilpena Pound Road and drive for another 10 m Keep right and drive for another 160 m

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
Start from the back deck of the Wilpena Pound Visitor information centre and IGA, just off Hawker-Wilpena Road. Walk down the timber steps and veer left, walking past the sheltered 'Walking Trail Information' signs. Follow the yellow/black arrow along the wide trail. Cross the sealed road using the pedestrian crossing, then after nearly 200m you come to an intersection and turn right, following the yellow/black arrow. After another 70m veer left following another yellow/black arrow along the wide trail for another 150m to come to another intersection with another set of sheltered walking track information signs. Turn right here following the light blue 'St Mary's Peak - Outside Track' sign leading behind the main signposts to continue along the rest of the walk. ....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. There is a toilet (about 60 m back from the start). Find the car park at the start.
	After another 50 m continue straight. After another 125 m come to the "Wilpena Pound Campground" (20 m on your left).
	After another 60 m turn right. After another 35 m cross the ford. After another 40 m come to the "Wilpena Pound Resort Campground" (80 m on your right).
	Turn left.
	After another 130 m (at the intersection of Outside Trail & Pound Gap Track) turn right, to head along Outside Trail (a walking track). After another 600 m (at the intersection of Outside Trail & Heysen Trail) continue straight, to head along Outside Trail. After another 4.7 km come to the "Tanderra Saddle" (about 30 m ahead).
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. This side trip leads to the summit of Ngarri Mudlanha (Saint Mary Peak). Although you are legally allowed to climb the peak, the Adnyamathanha People do ask visitors too not climb the summit out of respect for the deep cultural significance of the peak. The peak is a significant part of the creation by two huge serpents who entwined to form the mountain range. If you choose to climb be mindful that there is a significant amount of rock scrambling and the direction arrows are faded in places. To start this optional side trip turn right here. On returning from this side trip turn right when you get back to this intersection. Details below. (at the intersection of Inside Trail & Outside Trail) Continue another 20 m to find the end. Then turn around here and retrace the main route for 5.7 km to get back to the start.

This side trip leads to the summit of Ngarri Mudlanha (Saint Mary Peak). Although you are legally allowed to climb the peak, the Adnyamathanha People do ask visitors too not climb the summit out of respect for the deep cultural significance of the peak. The peak is a significant part of the creation by two huge serpents who entwined to form the mountain range. If you choose to climb be mindful that there is a significant amount of rock scrambling and the direction arrows are faded in places.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	At the intersection of Outside Trail & Inside Trail Start heading along Outside Trail (a walking track). After 45 m come to the "Tanderra Saddle" (35 m on your right). After another 1.5 km come to "Saint Mary Peak".
	Continue another 0 m to find Saint Mary Peak at the end. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 1.5 km to the main route.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Tanderra Saddle walk (Saint Mary Peak/Ngarri Mudlanha)

Grading

	Class 5/6 Very challenging
Length	11.5 km
Time	5 h to 6 h 30 min

Quality of track	Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
Signage	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure	No facilities provided (5/6)
Experience Required	Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)
Weather	Foretasted & unexpected storms and severe weather may impact on navigation and safety (4/6)

Some facilities on route

Camp site: There are 2 on route, on average they are 3.8 km apart with the largest gap of 11.2 km.

Toilet: There is one -62 m back from the start.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Toilet	-62 m	[toilet]
Camp site	210 m	Wilpena Pound Campground
Camp site	345 m	Wilpena Pound Resort Campground

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Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Hawker Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed
  
  Thursday 5 December
  
  38°C
  Mostly sunny.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Sunny morning. The chance of a thunderstorm during this afternoon and evening. Winds east to northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h tending north to northeasterly in the morning then tending east to northeasterly 15 to 25 km/h in the early afternoon. Daytime maximum temperatures 36 to 41.
  
  Fire Danger Rating: Moderate
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 8:50am to 5:30pm, UV Index predicted to reach 13 [Extreme]
  
  Friday 6 December
  
  26°C → 33°C
  Shower or two. Possible storm.
  70% chance of rain
  0 → 10mm
  
  Partly cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely from the late morning. The chance of a thunderstorm. Winds east to northeasterly 15 to 25 km/h tending northwest to northeasterly in the morning then tending northeast to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h in the evening. Overnight temperatures falling to the mid to high 20s with daytime temperatures reaching the low to mid 30s.
  
  Saturday 7 December
  
  22°C → 32°C
  Shower or two. Possible storm.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 3mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the morning and afternoon. The chance of a thunderstorm. Winds northwest to northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h tending northwest to southwesterly 15 to 25 km/h during the morning then tending south to southwesterly 30 to 45 km/h during the day. Overnight temperatures falling to the low to mid 20s with daytime temperatures reaching 29 to 34.
  
  Sunday 8 December
  
  15°C → 30°C
  Sunny.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Sunny. Winds south to southeasterly 20 to 30 km/h tending east to southeasterly during the evening. Overnight temperatures falling to between 11 and 18 with daytime temperatures reaching 27 to 33.
  
  Monday 9 December
  
  17°C → 32°C
  Partly cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy.
  
  Tuesday 10 December
  
  20°C → 30°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Possible shower.
  
  Wednesday 11 December
  
  17°C → 30°C
  Mostly sunny.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- South Australia NPWS
  When planning and before starting your trip please check South Australia NPWS closure website for anything that may impact on your plans.

Weather Forecast

Alerts