The Amazing Flinders Ranges

We have had a wonderful time exploring the Flinders Ranges and all the little rural towns.  The scenery is spectacular.  One definite highlight was riding on the Pichi Richi Railway from Port Augusta to Quorn and back again.  We spent time hanging out of the windows and hanging over the rails at the back and front of the train.  Once we got to Quorn we had two hours to look around the town before getting back on and going back to Port Augusta.  By the time we got back to the caravan we were covered in soot from the Engine but it was a great day!

Another highlight was finding the sheep farm where Peter spent time as a 9-10 year old.  He has always had fond memories of the place and would often relate stories of what he and his brothers would get up to on the sheep farm.  He wasn't quite sure where it was, only that it was between Spalding and Booborowie.  We went to Spalding and found the school he went to but nothing jogged his memory as to which way the farm might be so we called into the Post Office and asked for some local knowledge.  As it happened, the lady behind the counter and a customer were long time residents, so with a bit of information from Peter, they pointed us in the direction that it could be.  We traveled down a few dirt roads into the middle of no-where and nothing looked familiar to him but then in the distance we saw some trees and a shed and he said "That's it!"  We found a gate and drove in and it just happened that the owner was there and he was thrilled to show us around.  Peter would say: 'there used to be a fuel tank over by that shed' - and it was still there!  He remembered all sorts of things and where they used to be and they were still there!  The place hadn't changed in 46 years!  He had a wonderful time reminiscing and the current owner was so accommodating.  It was a very warm and fuzzy experience.  

Side Note: - I couldn't get over the size of the Rams balls - sorry, but they were HUGE! 

For the next week or so we will slowly meander through the Clare Valley before coming home for Renee's 30th Birthday Party.  It's a masquerade party so I wonder if anyone will recognise us!!!  

Cant wait to see everyone!  xxxx  After that, we are off to Western Australia.

The sun setting on one of our camp sites in the Flinders

Darn it - no phone reception

Another camp site on the edge of a large but dry river

This looks like a road but it is a very dry river

Beautiful scenery

Stunning

Quorn Railway Station

The Pichi Richi Railway in Quorn

All Aboard!

We had lunch here and the shop has all the original counters, shelves and 'Flying Fox'

It is a tea room now and it is like stepping back in time.  Good food too!

About to go across one of the bridges

Standing between the carriages is my favorite place

We were covered in a fine film of soot by the end of the trip

We are back in SA and you can get Villis!

The Jetty at Port Germein

This is where the gas line ruptured, leaving Port Pirie and Whyalla areas with no gas

Inside the shearing shed on North Bungaree Station

The sheep pens outside the shearing shed

Peter at the wool table where he and his brothers used 

to throw the freshly sheared wool

The Dam wall where Peter and his brothers would ride their billy cart

The house they lived in at the Station

Peter and his brothers would drive across the paddocks in an old car to catch the school bus

This is the shearing shed.  Apparently it started life as a hospital in Broken Hill until it was dismantled and trucked to the Station in 1929 where it was converted to a shearing shed and pens for the sheep going to the sale yards.

Do you recognise it, Allan?

  

We visited Jamestown where my dear friend Jean grew up

A cool statue of C.J Dennis, in Laura

Hit the Track, Jack

Work is done and dusted, for now.  What a great experience!  Great people.  We had a farewell get together back at the Farm a few days later where we had a photoshoot with all the workers and machines.  They put on a huge amount of food and drinks and we partied until late.
The next two days were spent reveling in not having to get up at 5am, getting cleaned up and ready for the road, then the next two days were spent socialising and chilling with fellow workers in the Caravan Park and then we were ready to Hit the Track, Jack!
Our first day took us through Mildura and Wentworth and we spent the night 64 ks out of Broken Hill.  We were back to the outback skies and the stars were amazing.  The next morning we drove into Broken Hill (Easter Friday)  and had the town pretty much to ourselves!  The Visitor Centre was open so we grabbed some information and set off on a self guided walking tour of the town - it was raining and cold - something we hadn't experienced for a while so we rugged up and grabbed the brollies.  The weather cleared up as we made our way around town and visited some of the Art Galleries etc.  By lunch time the sun was out but still a bit brisk and more people were out and about.
We drove out to Silverton and looked around and stayed the night in a bush camp there.  From there we drove along the Barrier Highway back into SA and on our way to The Flinders Ranges.
Tomorrow we plan on visiting Wilpena Pound and some of the other fascinating areas in this wonderfully beautiful part of our great Country.

On our way for the photo shoot

Good luck to the Cameraman trying to get this unruly group to co-operate!

Some of our team

Peter and me next to my Sweeper No. 8

Pete and Marty with a V-Sweeper

After the photoshoot, we were presented with T-Shirts commemorating 

the first Almond Harvest by GFMS

time for a BBQ and Beer

We all left the park going in different directions

Before and After cleaning my boots

The Junction of the Darling and Murray Rivers

Wentworth.  They have made a garden on a hill and it copies the streetscape behind it.

eg  the roofs are on real houses behind the garden

See, the tree of the garden follows the tree of the street behind it - 

and the electricity pole and palm tree etc

Broken Hill from the top of the old mining lode 

I told you he was a child!

Miners Memorial to pay tribute to the 800+ who lost their lives at the mine

Miners Memorial and Restaurant on top of the old mine lode

Mad Max Museum.  This film was made around the Silverton area

A stage setup in Silverton 

The famous Silverton Hotel.  

Many movies and TV commercials have been filmed here

Over the border to SA!

Olary Hotel, just over the border in SA

Yunta Hotel.  We had Bangers and Mash here and stayed 

the night in a free camp across the road

Peter driving the train in Peterborough

This Giant Gum Tree is about 500 years old and has a 10 metre circumference!

And it looks so healthy and vibrant, near Orroroo

Our camp, 10 kms from Hawker, at Sunrise

The really long coal train.  

We have heard it can be up to two kilometres long

The old Railway Station at Beltana. 

 The Ghan stopped going through in 1980

On the road to Beltana Station and old Beltana Township

A convoy of campers leaving after the Easter weekend

Part of the old Beltana Township, complete with ruins and only 

dirt roads leading to far away towns.  People still live here

The Hotel ruins in Beltana township

The Entrance to Beltana Station.  It's so windy the big metal sign is flapping!

It's still a working Station but they welcome visitors and have a museum set up in the old shearing shed.  We had yummy scones here.

View of the Flinders from Beltana Homestead

The railway leading to Maree

An Emu on the stroll at Lyndhurst

I've always wanted to do the Strzelecki Track!

We did 10 ks along it and 10 ks back.  It goes all the way to Innamincka

Had to visit Talc Alf in Lyndhurst

He is definitely a character

The ghost town of Farina.  

A volunteer-run restoration program is underway 

here and they are doing an excellent job.

Pete found some new wheels - except there were no wheels