Dates : 14th Jun - 18th Jun
The drive from Broken Hill to Wilpena Pound is a massive 6 hour trip. So we broke it down staying in Crystal Brook for two nights.
The drive down from Broken Hill was over 400km, and with the cost of diesel at the moment was about the same cost of as a flight down to South Australia - pretty sad actually.
There isn't very much to see on the road down from Broken Hill. But Michelle loves stopping at run down ruins of old homes - South Australia had plenty of these to look at in the red dirt though.
Crystal Brook, South Australia
Weather - low of 8c to 19c, mostly cloudy with some rain
Total Distance Travelled - 3050km
Staying 2 Nights, Crystal Brook Caravan Park
We drove south west from Broken Hill, crossing into South Australia. About 4 hours later we reached Crystal Brook Caravan Park, where we setup for 2 nights. Not too much to see in the town, so we drove to Port Pirie (S.A.'s 2nd largest port) for the evening to check it out (another sunset and full moon). After sundown, we went to the church for dinner (literally)!
Next day was an opportunity to drive around the Clare Valley. First stop was Lake Bumbunga, a pink salt lake, at Lochiel. We also visited 3 silo art displays - Bute, Snowtown & Farrell Flat.
Highlight of the day was a wine-tasting session at Taylor's Wines in Auburn (yes). As we were the only customers at that time, we got to taste quite a few reds - from pinot to cab. sav, and also winery only editions. A few might be getting delivered!!
Onto the Pound
Ikara–Flinders Ranges National Park
Weather - 3c to 17c (our first frost on the 2nd morning)
Distance Travelled -3130 km
Staying 3 Nights, Wilpena Pound Resort
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3 hours driving north, and we entered the national park and our destination, Wilpena Pond Resort, after a few lookout stops on the way.
Yes we are staying in the resort, but oh no we are not in the luxury of rooms. We are still staying in our camper trailer but wanted the luxury of power and hot showers 🤣🤣🤣🤣; this is our upgrade from no-power no-shower national park camping - we're not quite ready for that in winter!
The resort is 50% owned by the local Adnyamathanha people, one of whom gave a welcoming ceremony the afternoon we arrived, Following that, we raced up to Stoke's Lookout to check out another sunset (not worth the rush).
One of the highlights of the stay at Wilpena was the wildlife on display- plenty of grey kangaroos & yellow-tailed rock wallabies, and a family group of emus that hung around close to the resort. (click arrows to see pics or click to enlarge photos)
Apostle birds were abundant (and noisy) in the resort - they were like an alarm clock every morning, We also saw plenty of ringneck parrots. Saw a fleeting glimpse of a wedge-tailed eagle whilst driving.
On day 2 in Wilpena, we decided on a scenic drive on the Bunyeroo Gorge 4wd track. The gorge winds through grassy plains with native pine forests. The Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park formally Flinders Ranges is stunning - it's the largest national park in SA, cover, Wilpena Pound is a natural amphitheatre inside the park with the highest peak St Mary Peak (1,170 Meters), the different rock layers on the mountains making patterns, but the area has lots of different minerals.
Michelle took this panorama image from the Razorback Lookout (no drone allowed in the national park all camera)
Next day we were feeling energetic, and did one of the many walks available from the Wilpena Visitor Centre - a short 8km return hike to the Hills Homestead & Wangara lookout, following Wilpena creek. Late afternoon a drive to more ruins for drone/camera photos and one more lookout - Hucks Lookout were we saw the ringneck parrot feeding on the grass-trees.
Another camera panorama from Wangara Lookout overlooking Wilpena Pound.
Thoroughly enjoyed Wilpena Pound - will come again to do the long walks, just not enough time this trip.
We are off to Seafood Frontier of Australia for a seafood odyssey see you next time.
Cheers,
Mike & Michelle
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