Later in the afternoon after getting setup Sandra, Di, and I drove and walked up to Jarvis Lookout near Hawker. Short walk but rough and steep. Di didn't quite make it to the top but the view was spectacular.
Tuesday May 31st saw the six of us go for a drive into the Flinders National Park. What a beautiful part of Australia! This area is a definite no miss on any trip around Australia. We have taken hundreds of pictures which you can find in our linked photo album. We could have taken hundreds more if we had stayed longer as you just can't get enough of the sites you will see. Although there are many nice photos they really don't do justice to the real thing. For anyone that hasn't been there do yourself a favour and make the journey some day. We had numerous photo stops but our first major stop was Wilpena Pound. Sandra and I did a 9 KM walk to the Wangara Lookout (others went as far as the homestead) . We then continued on North in the park and took the Bunyeroo Gorge which led onto the Brachina Gorge which eventually led back to the highway which runs north to Maree. The Gorge road were about 50KM of dirt track preferably with 4WD and are spectacular. Would be one of my highlights of our week there. I will attach a few pictures but you really have to drive it to fully appreciate. Canyons, river bed crossings, Huge trees, Wildlife and so many beautiful colours!
We completed the Gorge drive and travelled approximately 80KM back to Hawker. Late afternoon after a long but great day. Had a few drinks around fire and retired early. Other four of our group were checking out in the morning to go to free camp but we were staying as we had a special flight booked for Wednesday.
Wednesday morning saw Sandra and I on a bush plane which flew over the Flinders Ranges including Wilpena Pound then north over Lindhurst, Leigh Creek (and huge coal mine) and Maree. We then continued north over the corner of Lake Eyre South and to the middle of Lake Eyre North. From there we proceeded west to Anna Station the world's largest station and landed at the historic Williams Creek. We had lunch at the famous Pub (Check out the Burger below) before boarding the plane and returning to Hawker over Lake Torrens, Roxby Downs and the Flinders again. This trip was quite costly but is unbelievable. I have attached a number of photos but just sum it up with WOW!!! So many different landscapes and colors in such a relatively small area. This is one excursion that is a must do if you ever win lottery. I can't even say which part is my favorite although Lake Torrens and the Wilpena Pound were amazing from the air. Outback colours are probably the biggest surprise and also a definite hightlight. We didn't return to campground till 4pm and had a nice quiet dinner and night by ourselves.
Thursday morning we travelled the 20 KM north to join the rest of our group at Hokina Rest Stop. Beautiful free camp spot. No facilities but wonderfully quiet and near river bed and a numer of homestead ruins and cemetary. We enjoyed some great campfires, wonderul meals, and beautiful sunsets in the 3 nights we spent there. On the Thurday we set up camp and Di joined us for some more sightseeing for the rest of morning and afternoon. We journeyed North along Highway to Parachilna then East along dirt roads to Blinman. We took a 4WD track via the Glass Gorge to get part of the way. Great drive with more great scenery. Enjoyed a quick picnic lunch in Blinman which is a quaint old town before jouneying South to Flinders National Park again. Beautiful old buildings along the way. Highlight of this section was the Great Wall of China lookout. Incredible! We then turned West again to complete part of Brachina Gorge that we hadn't completed on our first day of touring. Some of the Gorge was a repeat but it is an incredible drive that can be enjoyed over and over again. We had numerous stops to take pictures of trees, rock formations, homestead ruins, and wildlife. Lots of Emus, Kangaroos, Wallabys, and birds. Highlights of our trip were the endangered Yellow Footed Rock Wallaby and some beautiful Wedge Tail Eagles. We arrived home late and just in time for a baked dinner (camp ovens) prepared beautifully by Carol, Stephen, and Terry.
Friday morning Sandra and I joined Stephen and Carol on a drive through another scenic area. We proceeded East along Moralana Road for 28KM which joins with Flinders Range road near Wilpena Pound. Another beautiful drive with lots of scenery and wildlife. Had a break at Wilpena Pound before taking dirt road into Sacred Canyon (13KM) Short walk into Canyon was well worth the effort . A number of Aboriginal Carvings in wall of Canyon and wonderful rock formations and colours. From there we journeyed South to Hawker for afternoon break and internet access before returning to campsite in late afternoon. Another wonderful day.
Saturday saw us enjoy a quiet relaxing day around the campsite preparing for the next leg of our journey. Sandra and I enjoyed a walk to the cemetary in the morning and a short walk along the river bed in the afternoon where we saw some remnants of the original Ghan Railroad. Had another lovely dinner and a good night around the campfire getting rid of the rest of our collected firewood. Tomorrow morning we are off to Port Augusta. Cheers!
No comments:
Post a Comment