Wilmington SA 5485 (Pop 250)  

Wilmington is a picturesque lower Flinders Ranges township located 305 km north of Adelaide. White settlers arrived in 1850s and named the area BeautifulValley for its lushness and scenic surrounds. Despite local protests, the fledgling town’s name was changed to Wilmington which today has retained much of its historic and old world charm. Night Rodeo (Jan).

Tourist Attractions & Info:
Historic Wilmington includes Wilmington Hotel (1876), former police station (1880). Mount Maria Walking Trail (2 km in length).

Nearby:
Horrocks Pass and Hancock’s Lookout (8 km west) Pass was first crossed (1846) and named after explorer, John Horrocks with the lookout at the highest point offering panoramic views to Spencer Gulf. Mount Remarkable NP (13 km south) 18 000 ha park within the Southern Flinders Ranges offering stunning scenery, diverse flora and excellent camping and bushwalking including the Summit Hike (12.5 km, 5 hours, 960 m, medium difficulty). A highlight is stunningly beautiful Alligator Gorge. Winninowie Conservation Park (26 km s-w) features a prolific birdlife, creeks and samphire flats. Hammond (26 km n-e) historic ghost town.

Accommodation:
Wilmington has a hotel and a couple of caravan parks. Visitor Information Centre: Wilmington General Store, Main North Rd. Tel (08) 8667 5155.

Airport:
Port Augusta Airport (PUG), off Eyre Hwy. (47 km n-w).

Hospital:
Port Augusta Hospital, Hospital Rd. Tel (08) 8648 5500. (43 km n-w).