Day 53: Thu 06 Apr 23 - Streaky Bay to Wudinna

Thu 06 Apr 23 - Streaky Bay to Wudinna (Towed 136 km)

18 Deg overnight, passing thunderstorms around midnight and heavy rain for a couple of hours before dawn meant we had a sleepless night. Thankfully the rain cleared and it was a beautiful clear morning when we woke to pack and hit the road. We drove away from Streaky Bay aiming to reach Wudinna early enough to secure a powered site before the Easter Weekend rush arrived (First in best dressed - no bookings). It was a very pleasant drive along excellent road with very little traffic, and we arrived as planned by 1000, just in time to grab one of three remaining powered sites. 6 more vans pulled in behind us as we were unhitching, and it looked like a few of them drove away again. After setting up, we had our morning brew outside in the beautiful warm sun (and no wind). We then went for a leisurely walk around town, calling into the Visitor Information Centre on the way, and also found a craft store on the way where we placed an order for some macrame which the lady 'Gitch" offered to make for us to collect in the afternoon. We returned to the van for lunch, and as we approached we heard our Smoke Alarm going off again. Thankfully no smoke or fire, but others parked around us had been looking for us, one couple even drove around town to find us and let us know. I disconnected the sensor and checked the battery again; still good, so I can only assume the sensor is faulty. I rode around town looking for someone who might have a replacement, but to no avail, so it will have to remain disconnected until we can get hold of a replacement, hopefully in Port Augusta on Saturday. By now the wind was getting stronger, and it continued to build throughout the afternoon, reaching gusts of up to 58km/hr then it dropped completely again by the evening. We decided to go for a drive out of Wudinna, along a dirt road on the edge of the Gawler Ranges where I climbed to the top of a couple of large granite rocks - Polda Rock and Mount Wudinna. Polda Rock has a hand made stone wall wrapped around it to channel water runoff from the rock into a reservoir, and once supplied water to the Wudinna township. A quick look around the top, which had good views around the region, then we continued on to Mount Wudinna, a much larger and higher rock. Noel stayed behind while I made my way to the top of this monster. It was steep, but not too difficult, but the wind had picked up significantly and a few times I felt like I was going to be blown over the edge. At one point, I had to sit down it was so strong. It did have amazing views across the region,  but I didn't stay for long, making my way back down the other side which was protected from the wind. On the loop back to town, there were a couple of other rocks, but we decided to give them a miss given the strengthening winds. We returned to the van via the craft shop collect the macrame, then it was dinner and a night of watching the football - unfortunately not a good night for Noel with Collingwood's first loss of the season.


Wudinna Showgrounds - One of very few powered sites left at 1000 - There were plenty of unpowered sites if we missed out. Only $15/night for powered and $10 for unpowered.

Wudinna - The Australian Farmer granite statue celebrating the spirit of Australian Farming communities from the pioneering days to the challenges of rural living today 

Wudinna - Very pretty native flora (unfortunately also contributing to the high pollen levels and us both suffering bad hayfever today)

Wudinna - 'Gus' a chainsaw sculpture from the 1997 Wudinna Show

Wudinna Wall Mural

Wudinna Wall Mural

Wudinna Wall Mural

Wudinna Wall Mural

Wudinna Wall Mural

Wudinna - Climbing up Polda Rock, 6km East of Wudinna 

Wudinna - Polda Rock. 

Wudinna - Great view from the top of Polda Rock - but very windy

Wudinna - Great view from the top of Polda Rock

Wudinna - Gnammas (shallow basins or rock pools that collect water) on top of Polda Rock 

Mount Wudinna 261m above sea level

Climbing up Mount Wudinna - much higher and steeper than it appears in this photo 

Climbing up Mount Wudinna - much higher and steeper than it appears in this photo 


Climbing up Mount Wudinna - Almost at the top 


At the top of Mount Wudinna - the wind was terribly strong

At the top of Mount Wudinna - Great views, although very windy

At the top of Mount Wudinna - Great views, although very windy


On the way back down Mount Wudinna


On the way back down Mount Wudinna

On the way back down Mount Wudinna

On the way back down Mount Wudinna

Mount Wudinna from the other side

Wudinna - Supporting the local community in a craft store. 'Gitch' (not sure of correct spelling) was a gem. She was a very bubbly and cheeky lady, and loved to chat. 



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