Flinders

From Innes NP we cruised North (no choice really, as South would have landed us in the Southern Ocean!!).  We visited multiple coastal towns including

Port Pirie….an industrial city with the worlds largest primary lead smelter.

Port Germein…known for once having a jetty 1.7 kms long/alas much has been lost through the passage of time, still a pretty little town which has no diesel/petrol for sale….oops not good!!!  This was valuable lesson # 2.

Port Augusta…the crossroads of Australia due to the fact that roads from Sydney to Perth and Adelaide to Darwin all pass through.

Then onto Mt Remarkable National Park.  Our favourite campground so far…..Mambray Creek at the foot of the Mount itself.  As part of my fitness program (designed by Ms Natasha Davies) we climbed up to Sugar Gum Lookout (3 hours), and through Hidden Gorge (7 hours)!!!!! Yes I was tired after these adventures but was kept awake at night by the goanna with his head in our water bucket and the emu knocking over all our empty beer cans!!!

We then travelled up to the Northern section of the Flinders ranges, where we camped at Brachina Gorge and Wilpena Pound.  

The pound is probably the centerpiece of the entire Flinders Ranges with a natural ampitheatre measuring 8kms by 17kms.  

There is a spectacular view from Mount Ohlsen Bagge (of course she made me climb this (4 hours)!!!

We biked, walked (and at times I thought crawling may occur due to exhaustion) around the Brachina Gorge geological trail and Bunyeroo valley. 

 

Now I am no rock guru, but for the first time in 120 years a new geological period was discovered called the ‘The Ediacaran era’.  It is the oldest period and dates back to 630 million years ago based on the rocks discovered along this trail…..Now that’s impressive!

These are the views from our lounge room, and you can see how these have inspired many artists including the famous Australian landscape painter Hans Heysen.

Having no internet/phone access for over a week gave us much time to ponder our travel plans.  Consequently we are going …..NORTH (and not West after all).  This will include maximal sunshine and minimal rain (well this is the plan!!).

Next stop is noodling for opals at Coober Pedy……