This impressive rock cairn atop Rawnsley Bluff in the southern Flinders Ranges is not an official trig station, although it was constructed as part of a surveying exercise when the initial pastoral leases were granted in the central Flinders Ranges:
The stone survey cairn was erected by Samuel Parry in 1858 when surveying pastoral runs in the area. A similar cairn is located 7km due south on Yaltaordla Hill.
Rawnsley Bluff was named after a previous surveyor, H.C. Rawnsley, who falsely presented himself as a surveyor to the Governor of South Australia in 1850. He was found to be incompetent and discharged within three months:
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. We will never know if the prominent landmark or the deception of the man was responsible for the naming of Rawnsley’s Bluff.
Rawnsley Park History
The Rawnsley Bluff Trig is sitiuated on the Rawnsley Bluff South Peak at an elevation of 943m; the main peak to the north is 964m above sea level.
There are some great views from the Rawnsley Bluff Trig, as well as from the end of the bluff, over the Elders Range and Chace Range.
Getting to Rawnsley Bluff Trig
The Rawnsley Bluff Trig is reached via the 11km return Rawnsley Bluff bushwalk, a signposted trail which climbs up to the Rawnsley Bluff ridge. It starts from within the Rawnsley Park Station, which is 38km (30min drive) from Hawker or 26min (25min drive) from the Wilpena Pound Visitor Centre.
More information
- Rawnsley Park Station – Rawnsley Park History
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