Right.. I did indeed get a 'sorry, no' from the chief pilot at Wilpena resort. I really couldn't see the issue when flying over after staying at Rawnsley. You'd have to be a bit of an idiot to mess it up there in a 172, but they are out there, and fair enough, their perogative.
Rawnsley fitted the bill nicely, though I'm now wishing I'd gone and stayed at wilpena after the melrose place comments
We DID have prior permission, and called before leaving Port Augusta to confirm the lift, but they still managed to forget us. However the pilot arrived about half an hour after us, and DID give us a lift up to the station. It was only a half hour walk in any case.
The woolshed restaurant was great - food was good, and had a right laugh with the proprietor, a definite recommendation. No pilot serving, nor present in uniform, and yes, most of the other residents were about twice my age - but I was there for the scenery; I'll head to airlie beach for the other sort of scenery
Thanks for the response, and to the pilots at both strips.