Day 57: Mon 10 Apr 23 - Port Augusta to Flinders Ranges (Wilpena Pound)

Mon 10 Apr 23 - Port Augusta to Flinders Ranges (Towed 165 km)

11 Deg overnight reaching 23 Deg through the day. It was a beautiful morning and it remained so all day. We packed and drove away from Port Augusta at 0800, and our first stop was a short 42km later at the historic township of Quorn. This was our original destination, instead of Port Augusta, but everything here was booked out over the Easter long weekend. We parked, and walked around town for about an hour and decided we would not have been disappointed to stay here. Luckily our stop also coincided with the Pichi Richi Steam Train tour which was also about to depart on one of its daily tours. Quorn is a lovely town, and we would be happy to return for a longer stay some time in the future - even just for an overnighter, and maybe even a steam train ride. From Quorn, we continued to Hawker - the gateway to the Flinders Ranges. There is not much to see here, so we had a wander around, refuelled to make sure we had a full tank before entering the Flinders Ranges for a week, then continued on our way. 26 km further along the road, we stopped at historic Kanyaka Station Ruins which has an amazing history. Once a thriving and successful sheep and cattle station, the area totalled a massive 945 square km. Established in 1852 initially as a cattle station, it became one of the largest in the area, employing and housing approximately 70 families. The site became an almost self-sufficient village, consisting of a large homestead, workers cottages, stables, workshops, shearing sheds and huts. Next stop not too much further up the road was the Wilson Township Ruins - of particular interest to Noeleene because her maiden name is Wilson. It was a very enjoyable drive into the Flinders Ranges today, and the weather was perfect. We arrived and set up camp in Wilpena Pound by 1430, on another massive site in a great location - we really have been lucky. Our friends Debbie and Dutchy, and their friends Christine and Wozza arrived about hour later, then it was an afternoon and evening of catching up by the fire under the stars. 


Quorn - Old Buildings

Quorn - Old NAB

Quorn - War Memorial


Quorn - War Memorial


Quorn - War Memorial


Quorn - Hotel


Quorn - Railway Station

Quorn - Town Hall

Quorn - Store


Quorn - Art Studio

Quorn - Side Street

Quorn - Main Street

Quorn - Savings Bank

Quorn

Quorn

Quorn - Court House

Quorn - Old Shop Fronts




Quorn - Pichi Richi Steam Train

Quorn - Pichi Richi Steam Train


Quorn - Pichi Richi Steam Train


Quorn  - The Mill Motel

Kanyaka Homestead Ruins

Kanyaka Homestead Ruins

Kanyaka Homestead Ruins

Kanyaka Homestead Ruins

Kanyaka Homestead Ruins

Kanyaka Homestead Ruins

Kanyaka Homestead Ruins

Kanyaka Station Cemetary


Wilson Township Ruins

Wilson Township Ruins


Wilson Township Ruins


Wilson Township Ruins. Window to the Flinders Ranges


Hawker - Gateway to the Flinders Ranges

Hawker - Gateway to the Flinders Ranges

Hawker - Historic Township

Hawker - Historic Township

Driving into Wilpena Pound


Comments

  1. AnonymousApril 11, 2023 at 7:11 AM

    On your way back through Hawker, stop at the war memorial, it is really well done. It’s on the road to Peterborough. We loved Quorn as well. Orroroo is also a quaint little place (well, it used to be). Loving the pics, bringing back some great memories. Keep safe and happy travels. Wendy & Greg

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