Ikara-Flinders Ranges 24 August 2024 – 12 September 2024
Attendees:
Penny and Spence – Landcruiser 76 + Ultimate
Steve and Sue – D-max + Caravan
Eric and Chloe, Patricia and Athena – Prado + camper
Peter and Malou – Landcruiser 76 + Caravan pop top
Nick and Kerry – Colorado + camper
Keith – Ranger + camper
Travelling to the Flinders Ranges
We met at The Lakes except for Nick and Kerry who were met that night at camp. Dave and Cindy were also there on their way to the Dowerin Rodeo. Camped at Londonderry. Pizza night, Nick commissioned a new fire pit. After great weather and driving conditions the next night was at Caiguna bush camp just in from the blowhole. Beautiful evening with a clear sky with a nice fire, a shooting star landed behind Burgos caravan, but could not find it.
Cool night, checked out the two rehabilitated wedge tail eagles at Cocklebiddy and proceeded on to our camp at 52 k peg close to cliff top. Keith, Nic and Kerry detoured towards the Eyre Bird Observatory, but were unable to get there towing campers on a deteriorating track. Magnificent sweeping ocean views that night with a great camp fire framing the setting sun. The strong easterly winds overnight caused a few heart flutters as vans and campers were buffeted on the cliff precipice.
Next day stopped at Nullarbor and Nundroo and onto Fowler’s Bush Camp. Keith, Nic and Kerry went beach swimming and later explored the ruins of a stone building taking night shots.basic. Plenty of wombat holes and old vehicle relics around the site.
Departed for Ceduna for some camping accessories and continued to Poochera park beside the grain silos for leg stretch and park play. Night camp was at Kooma View Station – an abandoned house left open as a museum, was like stepping back to the 50s and 60s including assorted farm machinery. Keith and Nic again pursued their night photography with old farm vehicles. 
Again cool overnight, travelled onto Quorn CP for two nights. Leisurely walk through the historic town and topped up our provisions. Pub meal at the TransContinental Hotel then enjoyed a video projected onto the grain silos highlighting the history, flora and fauna of the region using local artists and photographers.
Next day embarked on a moderate 5.2 km loop walk in Warren gorge. 
Flinders Ranges
Departed for Death Rock (the story goes that local Aboriginal people once placed their dying kinfolk here to see out their last hours) and Kaynaka Station ruins before arriving at Skytrek Willow Springs for three nights. Beautiful secluded camp site, visited nearby Stokes Lookout for a beautiful sunset panorama.
Visited Great Wall of China rock formation, Aboriginal carvings outlet, travelled the stunning Parachila gorge and Glass gorge roads and then onto Blinman pub for a Father’s Day lunch and sampled the local Quangdong pastries. Some attended the Blinman Mine Tour (a fascinating and remarkable historic underground copper mine that employed Cornwall coal miners for their tunnelling expertise in dangerous conditions from 1862 to 1907) and visited the Appealinna ruins. 
Peter, Malou and Kerry embarked on the 12.5 km circuit station walk with beautiful scenery, well worthwhile. Lunch at Wilpena Pound, visited the well preserved Wilpena Homestead ruins and the Harold Cazneaux Tree (photographed in 1937 by famous photographer Cazneaux who was the grandfather of Australian explorer Dick Smith. Significant tree number 239 on the National Trust of South Australia list, river red gum).
Travelled to Hawker, Farina ghost town and onto Muloorina Station bush camp. Huge site with a long drop loo and nearby hot springs. Some soaked in the hot springs,others relaxing in the afternoon. Clear night for some more night astrophotography.
After obtaining supplies at Leigh Creek moved onto the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary via a 130 km gravel road for two nights. Met Russ/Caz who were working there. Some walked (8 km Mason Sprigginia track), had a cold pool swim, went for the 4.5 h Ridgetop 4WD Tour, or attended the Observatory Tour. Observed the yellow footed rock wallaby feeding.
Early packup as many did not sleep well with the strong overnight winds. Departed for Leigh Creek then Parachilna pub for brunch and on to Edeowie Station bush camp for two nights.
Took the beautiful Branchina gorge drive, observed the GPSSC golden pike plaque in the Bunyeroo gorge river bed strata marking the interface between the Ediacaran and Calambrian geological periods. Close by was found a geo-cache to which Nic made a modest contribution. Stopped at the Razorback lookout and took the Moralana scenic drive back to camp. Beautiful sunset again and light rain overnight.
Returning from the Flinders Ranges
Departed for drive through Hawker, Quorn, Port Augusta and onto the Iron Knob community camp. Arrived early so Peter arranged an impromptu town tour – visitor centre outside museum, No 7 Marion Electric Shovel, historic cemetery, shuttered pub (for sale, bargain) and old streets filled with rusting vehicles and mining relics. Great camp ablutions and communal kitchen.
Departed for Pochera then the Penong (windmill museum) CP where all enjoyed an excellent pub dinner.
Travelled to Head of Bite for whale watching, 52 k peg for lunch, through WA border control and onto the Jilah Rockhole camp site.
Peter and Malou left directly for Perth while the main group carried on around the south coast of WA.
Story by Peter.
