Wilpena Panorama Australia - New panorama project 'Arkaroola'

Text by Jeff Morgan
Last October Miriam and I decided to go ahead with another Panorama next to the existing Wilpena Panorama. The New one is to be almost twice the size as the original one that we built just over 10 years ago. The new panorama will be of a scene found in the far northern Flinders Ranges at the amazing Wilderness Sanctuary of Arkaroola.

Unlike most panoramas that are usually painted and viewed as from a high vantage point this one will be painted and viewed as if the viewer is standing in an almost dry creek bed surrounded by the beautiful Arkaroola hills and Gum trees, it will also include the Arkaroola Flora and fauna. The concept of viewing as if you are down in the scene has worked well with the 15 metre Ron’s Creek painting that is also part of the Wilpena Panorama complex. The three existing sections and the new 360-degree panorama will be all connected so that the viewer can walk from one to the next to increase the pleasure of the experience.

We have already sourced the great piece of linen canvas from Gerriets in Hamburg Germany. The size of the one piece is 60 metres x 6 metres without any seams. This was the only company we could find after extensive research over two months all over the world that could supply this size without any seams and heavy enough and of a good enough quality to be used for our new Panorama.

We have finally had planning approval to remove the old shopping centre and with the help of two of my Sons Brady and Terry demolition work is well under way.