Testimonials
2004 - 2010

July 2010
This is a delightful place where we enjoyed the quiet, serene and peaceful surroundings and comforts to absorb at leisure. We thank Carmel and Brendan for their hospitality Where else could we find such a paradise? While there are many places in this world of great interest, Willow Springs demonstrates some of the essence that is purely Australian in character. It is a true gem! It is often rare to find somewhere that is not well trodden, beaten down, reshaped or reconstructed in this world but this Eden allowed us to see how our nature may be preserved. Thank you Carmel and Brendan.
Lisa and Doug, Melbourne
4th January 2010
What a top spot. One of the best we've stayed in anywhere and there's been a few over the years! And to top it off we even found the grass wrens - in two places: Stokes Hill and Appealinna track. Now to work out how and when we can come back!
Mike and Jenny Ashton, Darwin
6th November 2009
We have had a magical time here, landscapes, birds, stars and tranquillity. Many thanks for all your help and guidance. It is a truly wonderful place.
Pat Jacquas and Chris Newbold, United Kingdom
12th October 2009
Great place. Loved it. Pity it is so far away from Scotland.
George and Valerie, Scotland
2nd October 2009
We had a great stay in a well appointed cottage. The cliff face backdrop during sunset is particularly beautiful and afterwards we enjoyed a campfire while watching the full moon rise over the cliff. Thanks for a great stay.
Anonymous
October Long Weekend 2009
I just wanted to thank you for the fantastic time we had over the October Long Weekend. We were traveling through Central Australia for 6 weeks and knew some friends of ours were staying in the Flinders Ranges over the long weekend. They used to live in Sydney and the children used to go to school together before they moved to Adelaide.

We drove up to Willow Springs as our friends had told us they would be there and that they thought there would be room us as someone in their party had pulled out. Not have mobile range we headed to your reception where the lady was so helpful in helping us to locate where our friends were camping.

We camped up there for 2 nights with them and we all had a great time. The children all loved exploring the area where we were camping and having little imaginary adventures. On the Monday we did the Skytrek as our friends had done it on the Saturday and had said how fantastic it was. Skytrek was amazing. We all loved it, even our 2 year old. The interpretative notes on the guide were both interesting and very informative and both the older children took turns reading it to us. We enjoyed seeing the spectacular scenery of the Flinders Ranges but also the workings of the farm.

Thank you for opening up your farm to people like us to enjoy, it was a weekend we will never forget.
Alison Withford, Sydney
21st August 2009
Terrific accommodation and facilities for a group. Fantastic pavlova from Carmel and main meal from Epicurean Tucker Box Blinman. Thank You
Australian Ornithological Services
8th August 2009
Ciaran from Dublin aged 15 - I thought the Skytrek was deadly because I got to see a lot of things I didn't think I would see. Thank you for having us here.

Gabriel Miltenoff from London aged 14 - The 4WD Skytrek was killer fun and the views were awesome. The kangaroos and emus are amazing creatures. I will remember this trip for a long time. Thanks to Willow Springs Homestead.

Jody and Greg Miltenoff loved showing the boys this part of Australia - What a fantastic adventure with both the accommodation, stay on the station and driving the Skytrek.
Jody and Greg Miltenoff, London
7th June 2009
My idea of heaven. Alone at last to paint, photograph/walk, carve, read, write and no-one to interrupt. Others off doing other things.
Rosemary Galatis, Adelaide
7th June 2009
I fondly remember my stay here at Willow Springs as a school teacher in Blinman 38 years ago. Your mum and dad welcomed me then and the hospitality has not changed. I have great memories of my time so long ago when you were just a kid out of school Brendan and myself just a kid - 24 years old on a new adventure in my life.
Ray & Meg Klecko, Hillcrest, South Australia
10th May 2009
We came, we saw, we conquered. Skull Rock - home of 'The Phantom' was amazing
Newbery's and Adamson's, Adelaide
6th March 2009
We set out to explore The Outback, Flinders Ranges, Wilpena and more. Two 4WDs, 8 people and booze. Lots of laughter and fun, and no time to snooze. We travelled the highways, dirt roads and saw lots of country - some we had never seen before.

After a long day exploring and seeing beaut things we arrived at our haven, to rest at Willow Springs. Through Bunyeroo and Brachina, the Nissans drove like beasts to The Prairie for hearty feral feast.

Then back at 'The Homestead' we're an excited bunch as we head off on Skytrek with our packed picnic lunch. The time has gone quick, the last drinks are poured. 4 days at Willow Springs have not been a bore.
The McHalharen Mob, South Australia
20th January 2009
Sorry our visit was so short but we are loving the friendliness and hospitality of the Flinders.
Chris and Sue Peters, United Kingdom
November 2008
What a wonderful place from which to see the majestic "Flinders Ranges". We witnessed a magnificent sunset form Stokes Hill Lookout. We were amazed by the Pound and we were taken back in time at the Wilpena Homestead. We finished our trip with a cold beer at the Prairie Pub. Nights were spent with a gold beer, a nice bottle of wine around an open fire. The shearing shed here is well worth a look at. Overall a wonderful experience and would come again.
Helen and John Hawkridge, Perth & Rod Lapidge, Adelaide
October 2008
This felt a very long way from England, refreshingly so in everyway. The silence, the champagne air, the beauty of the landscape and the company of good friends: What could be better?? And a taste of the local culture at the Blinman Gymkhana too! Thankyou so much for such a lovely accommodation for a memorable stay.
Ashen & Julie James, Norwich, England
September 2008
Thank you Carmel and Brendan we have thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Willow Springs. We have packed a lot into too short a time - Skytrek - fantastic, drive through the gorges, scenic flight over Wilpena Pound. What amazing scenery and wonderful weather! Thank you for your advice and hospitality.
June and John, Auckland, New Zealand
August 2008
Idyllic and serene. The experience that will linger on. Friendly hosts that we would like to see more. A glass of red and a guitar under the veranda. Heaven!! And a shooting star!!
Detlef and Christa Wenzel, Australia
17th July 2008
Just a quick email to thank you very much for being so hospitable to my son Nic and his friends who camped at Willow Springs. They had a fantastic time and it will be a trip they remember for the rest of their lives. It was great to hear of the care that Carmel in particular took of them, particularly recognizing their inexperience in driving on dirt roads. Thanks again and kind regards.
Margaret Cross, Australia
20th March 2008
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay, the experience on the Skytrek and the walk you recommended, which took about 4.5hours. We especially liked the little stories at marker posts. Very peaceful and relaxing. Thank you very much.
Beak and Luke, Lobethal, Adelaide Hills
9th February 2008
That's our second stay at Willow Springs. It's hard to leave and we place to come back. It feels like being in the midst of Flinders Ranges National Park but without all the people. The walking tracks on the property are very interesting and we had them all to ourselves. This is also a good place for bird watching. When we come next time we would like to find still sheep on your property, so we keep fingers crossed for the rain.
Grit & Jochen, The Hague, Netherlands
11th November 2007
Quiet and romantic place in rugged country. Excellent Skytrek. We will recommend to our friends.
Terry and Barbara, Adelaide
26th October 2007
Skytrek, bike riding, beautiful scenery, peace and quiet. The perfect holiday. Thanks
Peter and Heather Harland, Australia
18th September 2007
Have thoroughly enjoyed the painting trip – accommodation great for a group and home away from home – the hosts have been excellent especially with the help to get more paint and taking us to the Hawker Art Show- there’s nothing quite like a stay in the Country.
Marion Art Group, South Australia
5th November 2006
Beloved Brendan, Carmel and Family. A part of me is always here, it is not only you beautiful people and the land but very much the significant energies that are here. The Eight pointed STAR Medicine wheel, the TRINITY Labyrinth of Purification and more. You are wonderful caretakers of a very special part on Earth.
Krista Sonnen, Morphet Vale, South Australia
4th November 2006
Thank you for a very comfortable stay and for making us welcome. We were photographing birds and were fortunate to get some great shots of the furtive short-tailed grasswren - a bird that only occurs in spinifex in the Flinders Ranges! Hope you get some rain soon.
Andy and Gill, Devon, England
2nd November 2006
Spent two nights at Moxans Hut in October... second visit... will not be the last... you have the world's best backyard... the view from the second scarp of the valley should be a must do for everyone
Terry Opitz
29th October 2006
Thank you Brendan and Carmel for an enjoyable stay in the Overseer's Cottage. We slept so well in the quiet cool night - better than any other place we have stayed. The Skytrek is fantastic and we managed to spend 7½ hours including breakfast and lunch during the tour. Next time we will bring our mountain bikes and try the tour on them - just try!!
Aisha Hara and Jens Hygaard, Copenhagen, Denmark
14th September 2006
Jackaroo's Cottage is a really wonderful 'home away from home' and we would like to stay longer if we could. Maybe we will return one day. SKYTREK is great and has the added advantage of a Natural Wonder 'Skull Rock' at its end. Carmel, Brendan and family are wonderful hosts and made our stay more enjoyable. The history of the property is amazing and you get an insight of the 'early days' as you make your way around Skytrek.We wish the Reynolds family a bright and prosperous future. Loved little 'Macca' the apprentice sheepdog.

David, Julie, Bernadette and Cora, South Australia
13th September 2006
In the week we lost Colin Thiele, Peter Brock and Steve Irwin, we have discovered a place that we are sure would have inspired all three great and special Australians. The poetic beauty, the wildlife and Skytrek. Wow! Crikey we are smitten. What a privilege to spend time here. Thank you Carmel and Brendan.
Heather and David, McLaren Vale, South Australia
15th April 2006
Great first 4WD outing. An awesome drive and fantastic country
Chris Wade, Kenilworth, England
13th September 2005
This years Sacred Sights 4WD Tour delivered some spectacular and breathtaking views of the Flinders Ranges. None so more spectacular than those experienced on the Reynolds Family’s tourist attraction known as Skytrek. We were fortunate to be the guests of Brendan and Carmel Reynolds at "Willow Springs" Station right in the heart of the Flinders Ranges. Skytrek is encompassed within the stations boundaries of some 283 square kilometres and ultimately runs through and along the top of the Flinders Ranges.

If anyone wanted to capture one of the best examples of what outback South Australia can offer, you must drop in and see the Reynolds family. The organisation was first class, the well marked journey is both informative, engrossingly interesting and provides a range of scenery to capture the hearts and minds of today’s modern 4WD enthusiasts.

The 70 odd kilometre journey takes around 6 to 7 hours depending on your desire to stay on top of the world when the dizzy heights of some of the mountains highest peaks are reached. The day our intrepid Sacred Sights Tourers hit Skytrek, we were fortunate to have a day with some cloud that allowed the heat shimmers to disappear and give 360 degree views for around 200km in any one direction. It’s hard to believe that you can sit on top of Mount Caenarvon situated on "Willow Springs" and see Lake Torrens to the west, Lake Frome to the north east and the ranges of Broken Hill to the east. Wow!, was this something to behold.

Put this day’s activity on the "must do" journeys in some of South Australia’s most spectacular country side. Beware you can only make this journey in a 4WD so get prepared and take someone that you would like to impress. There is no doubt that you will leave them with a lasting impression. Our sincere thank to the Reynolds Family for there outback friendly hospitality. We think they are very close to taking some major tourist awards for their unique asset. Once this happen, you will undoubtedly be fighting for a spot on this truly memorable trip. Put this on the calendar NOW!!

Brendan attended Sacred Heart College as a Boarder from 1967 to 1970 and their children have attended SHC as well.

Roger French JP, Director of Development
Sacred Heart College and Marymount College Foundation Inc
20th April 2005
A rare experience for urban dwellers, peace and serenity. The local gorges are stunningly beautiful. It was great to get away from electronic jabber for awhile. We’ll be back!!
Sue Turner and Mick Fleming, Adelaide
29th March 2005
Thank you to you and your family for opening up your property to the traveling public. Skytrek was fantastic and you have some magnificent views around your property. The guide sheet was easy to follow but more importantly very informative. The facilities were fantastic. We were both quite surprised when walking into the amenities that you have gone to so much effort.

We enjoyed our trip and you helped to make it a success.

Mark and Derani Keenan, Pakenham, Victoria
18th October 2004
Could have spent much longer here. You have a 'wee' piece of heaven.
Arthur and Chris Crouch, Northern Ireland
17th October 2004
We have spent a wonderful few days here and would love to return. The accommodation was great for us and we enjoyed our early morning walks on the property. Thank you for your hospitality.
Pauline and Rod Cox, Braedwood, New South Wales