Originally known as Beautiful Valley, Wilmington is nestled in a lovely part of the southern Flinders Ranges, surrounded by highly productive rural holdings. Formerly known as Beautiful Valley, the town was officially named Wilmington by Governor Sir Anthony Musgrave in 1876, perhaps after Wilmington in Delaware or Wilmington in North Carolina, in the United States.
White settlers arrived here in the 1850s and called the locality Beautiful Valley. The settlement grew around an inn (built 1861) which became a Cobb & Co. staging post. Very little has changed in the town from those early days.
Location: 292 km north of Adelaide.
Wilmington Toy Museum is a popular place to check out, particularly is you grew up in the 1960s or 70s, the era in which most of the items on display were made and played with. For them, childhood memories are guaranteed to come flooding back. The museum houses just about every toy you can possibly think of from Meccano sets, to board games, Matchbox cars, and toys we didn't even know existed. Location: 32 Horrocks Highway, Wilmington.
Sansouci Puppet Museum & Gallery is another place that is worth a look. A gold coin entry feee gives access to collection of rare and unique puppets, some of which are over 100 years old. Location: 17 Main North Road, Wilmington.
Hancock's Lookout
Hancock's Lookout: 11 km from Wilmington, on the Port Augusta Road, Hancock's Lookout rewards the visitor with panoramic views of the coastal plain and Spencer Gulf. Access is via a 7km drive off the Wilmington/Port Augusta road on a well-maintained unsealed road, but can get a bit tricky to negotiate after rain. Limited facilities.
Photo: AllTrails
Mount Maria Walking Trail
Mount Maria Walking Trail is a pleasant 5 km out-and-bavk walk, well signposted pointing out various sites of interest. A popular attraction experienced by visitors to Wilmington. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 h 30 min to complete. This trail is great for hiking, running, and walking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. This is a spectacular trail with an ascent that will get your heart pumping. Witness the panoramic views over Wilmington and its surrounds as you climb to the summit of Mount Maria.
Mambray Valley and Sugar Gum Lookout
Explore this 8.0-km out-and-back trail near Wilmington. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 3 min to complete. This is a popular trail for hiking, running, and walking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. The best times to visit this trail are April through October. You'll need to leave pups at home — dogs aren't allowed on this trail. Vehicle entrance fees are required for all who visit Mount Remarkable National Park.
Alligator Gorge
Alligator Gorge, within the Mt Remarkable National Park, offers some of the most spectacular and colourful rock formations in the Flinders Ranges. Visitors can easily walk into the gorge along a short walking trail or take longer hikes. Toilets, a picnic area and barbecue facilities are provided.
You can stay overnight at Alligator Lodge which sleeps eight to ten people. It is near the northern entrance to the park. The lodge has three bedrooms and gives you stunning views of the surrounding bush. There is solar power, gas appliances, hot water and a combustion heater. Bookings are essential and you can book online. Other accommodation is available in Melrose and Wilmington. You can also stay in the park at Mambray Creek where there is a campground and a cabin. Entry fees and bookings apply.
Beautiful Valley Aussie Relic Museum: telling the region's history, this museum is well worth a visit. The name comes from the fact that Wilmington was once known as Beautiful Valley.
Heritage features: Police station (1880); Old Coaching Station (1880); historic buildings at Carrieton (56 km north east); Aboriginal rock carvings (5 km); The Globe Hotel (Wilmington Hotel, 1876); Coaching Stables at rear of Wilmington Hotel (c.1850)
Gladstone to Wilmington Railway
The 51.5 km long Gladstone to Wilmington railway line on the South Australian Railways network opened from Gladstone to Laura on 2 June 1884. It was extended from Laura to Booleroo Centre on 13 April 1910, and to Wilmington on 20 July 1915. There were proposals to extend the line towards Port Augusta either through Horrocks Pass or via Quorn, but neither plan was acted upon. The line had attended stations at Gladstone, Wirrabara, Booleroo Centre and Wilmington, and unattended stations at Laura, Stone Hut and Yandiah. All had crossing loops except Booleroo Centre, which had a Triangle spur.
With the conversion of the Port Pirie to Broken Hill line from narrow to standard gauge in 1969, the line became an isolated narrow gauge railway. Passenger services ceased at this time, with the line formally closed on 13 March 1990.
