Been to the Outback lately ?

There’s something about rugged landscape, dry interior, tough grasses, stringy shrubs that gives Australian Outback its stark beauty …

Where is it

Few words can describe Mother Nature’s creation – magnificent mountain range, visible along Stuart Highway; vivid colours, occasional kangaroo, wallaby, emu, out foraging or just taking a peek at nature …

Flinders Range, a discontinuous range, 430 km (265 miles) long, stretching north-south direction; about 200 km (125 miles) north of Adelaide, South Australia. The Adnyamathanha people have inhabited the range for tens of thousands of years.

Composed largely of rock sequences, folded and faulted sediments, layers over layers – forming myriad of colours from mineral deposits, years of erosion, resulting in relatively low ranges today.

What to see

Most popular spot is Wilpena Pound/Ikara, large sickle-shaped natural amphitheatre covering 80 sq. km (31 sq. miles), characteristic landmark lies within the range; with highest peak, St. Mary’s Peak, 1,171 metres (3,842 ft); adjoins the Ikara-Flinders Range National Park. Accessible via sealed road, pending weather conditions. Aerial view being most awesome.

Several small areas in the range have protected area status – always enquire before venturing out for bush walks, hikes or camping.

Lots of trails, routes and camp sites for scenic long-distance hikes for walkers, cyclists and horse-riders.

Semi-arid climate of hot dry summers and cool winters, erratic rains causing instant billabongs (ponds) after heavy showers … uncommon to be stuck in muddy, slippery tracks …

Breathtaking gorges … magnificent lookouts, sharp-toothed ridges … Aroona Valley flanked by Heysen Range – picture perfect landscape for artists, photographers, naturalists …

Places to visit

Martindale Hall

Of sheep farming origins, family immigrated from Lake Districts, England; Edmund Bowman Snr bought 9,159 acres around Mintaro, named it Martindale Station after one of their sheep stations in England. He later established what was to become a merino sheep stud.

Martindale Hall – Georgian-Italian styled sandstone mansion built in 1879 – 1880 for Edmund Bowman Jr. has 32 rooms and large 7-room cellar. Unique experience of a living museum … of gracious living … large pastoral estate … rumoured to have had 14 servants, 4 of which lived in the Hall … on call 24/7 … looked after needs of 2 people … extravagant upper-class lifestyle of wealthy pastoralist.

Burra
Pastoral centre, historic town lies on Burra Creek … humble beginnings of single company mining township; by 1851 supplied 89% of South Australia’s and 5% of world’s copper for 15 years … saving economy of struggling new colony of South Australia.

The Burra-Burra Copper Mine, established in 1848 attracted people from Cornwall, Wales, Scotland and Germany. Upon exhaustion of copper, population shrank and today supports pastoral and agricultural communities, being one of best-preserved towns, historic tourist centre of Victorian era in Australia.

Rawnsley Park Station, foothills of Flinders Range

Nothing can take away the magnificent sunsets at foot of Flinders Range, especially when Mother Nature decides on potential downpours … threatening skies of deep purples and greys … heavy clouds moving swiftly across the plains … completely mesmerised … What a treat !

And waking next morning to incredible cloudy blue skies … rising sun over shrubs and valleys … deep shadows over red soil … unforgettable, visual feast to cherish …

Conclusion

Whist most of Australian interior is semi-desert scrubland … unmistakable red soil … stunted bushes, stringy trees, dry grasslands scattered here and there …

It is one of the most beautiful landscapes on earth … uniquely Australia … stark, harsh, colourful; enticing you to visit – with caution; in the Outback … we also have some of the deadliest reptiles and insects in the world.