Around Quorn

A runway on the highway

We spent the last two days of our trip in and around the village of Quorn where we stayed in dorms set up beside this old mill. But before we got there, we did have a long day of driving from Coober Pedy.

We did stop a couple of times along the way. Our guide pointed out the runway on the highway used for emergency trips by the Flying Doctors organisation. Local police then come and block the highway off for the landing, and departure.

We also went to another salt lake, just off the Ghan tracks. It actually had a bit of water in it with the rain and all that. We had fun taking pictures there.

The Ghan track

The Salt Lake seen through a rusty hole

The tip of the old jetty

Sunset from the highway

We had an early first night in Quorn and had to be awake and in shape for the next day’s hike. Once again, we had a mouse in our room. I guess it was nice and comfy. It stayed away from my wrapped food but did decide to taste Rachelle’s apples.

The walk was up to Mount Ohlssen Bagge at 923 metres. It’s located in the Wilpena part of the Flinders Ranges National Park. The 6.4 km return trip was a bit steep but quite manageable when one stops often for water, snacks and picture taking! And as it was overcast, not too much sweating either. Speaking of the weather, it’s quite a bit cooler down in these parts and it definitely dropped below zero during the night. So I think my shorts will be taking a small break in my last weeks in Australia.

On top of Mount Ohlssen Bagge

After our walk, we had lunch with the kangaroos. Clearly, someone hasn’t been reading the – do not feed the animals – sign and they become quite aggressive when trying to have your food. But my heart still went ooh and ahh for the mother and her joey. Actually, we saw some more aggressive kangaroos in our way in and out of the park, they were fist fighting! It was quite entertaining to watch, though there was no clear winner.

Photo par Gosia

The sun came out in the afternoon and we stopped briefly at the Kanyaka Homestead ruins built when no one really wanted to come and venture life near the Flinders. The light and empty window frames were a delight to photograph!

We then headed for a camel ride. It wasn’t really included on our tour, but we had time, and $25 for a half hour ride sounded just right. Here’s a brief camel history taken off the wall of another camel placed we stopped at on our first day. “ The first camel in Australia was imported from the Canary Islands in 1840. Yhe next importation of camels was in 1860, when 24 camels were shipped to Australia from Karachi along with camel handlers for the Burke and Wills expedition. (Those two failed at their quest to get to the north of the country from Melbourne, and died on the way.)

The first Australian camel stud was set up in 1866 by Sir Thomas Elder at Beltana Station in South Australia. Imports continued until 1907 from India and Pakistan. An estimated camels were imported into Australia between 1860 and 1907 and were used as draft and riding animals by people pioneering the dry interior. Central Australia used camels in the construction of the Overland Telegraph Line, the supply of goods to Alice Springs, cattle stations, missions and aboriginal communities. Camels hauled wagons loaded with wool to the railhead of at Oodnatta, pulled scoops and plough in the construction of dams and they were also used as a mode of transport by outback police, mail men and priests.

Most of the camels were released in the mid 1920’s when motor vehicles began operating in the central areas of Australia. They established free-ranging herds in the semi arid desert areas of Australia. ”

Tobias and myself on Myrtle

So the farm we went to belonged to a 4^th generation cameleer. He has gone to the Middle East to break in camels, or should we say dromedaries, and now has settled with his family running these tours and still keeps on breaking in new ones. So we set off for our ride a bit before sunset. Tobias and I were riding Myrtle who really enjoyed finding grass to eat, not really noticing the branches above about to hit us. Luckily, Isak, on the camel in front of us helped pull Myrtles ropes to keep us safe. Our leader also had fun making the file gallop a bit. Some of the girls were hurling, while I focused on sitting up in the stirrups to avoid having too sore a bum. Alas, the ride ended too quickly but it was definitely a memorable one.

That night, after what was our last dinner as a group, we exchanged pictures and emails and packed for our last day.

Devil’s Peak

Our last activity before hitting the road to get to Adelaide was to climb Devil’s Peak. While not as high as the previous days hike at only 697 meters high, it was a much steeper climb. My favourite part was at the very top where I had to push myself through the crack to reach the slanted table top with the fabulous view. From the top, we could see Quorn, the Southern flinders Ranges, the Horseshoe Range, Pichi richi Pass, Port Augusta, Upper Spencer Gulf and the Central Flinders ranges where we had been the previous day. According to the sign at the bottom, this mountain’s dominant rock features are composed of 700 million year old hard weather resistant Pound Quartzite. One thing is certain, the view was breathtaking! 

Mushroom?

That's where we're heading

It's a long way down

Wonder if it'll make it to the top

Coming down also meant the end of this part of my travels. We got to Adelaide around dinner time, went out for drinks and I personally then headed to the local swing dancing night. I have a day’s break before a new three-day adventure to Melbourne.

Almost in Adelaide