Sorry for the late post we have been extremely busy usually ending in long working nights and late dinners. Haven’t had the time to just sit down and take a breather.
The story goes something like this...
Dave and I were lucky enough to get a few days off work for the Easter holiday weekend as the station had their seasonal gathering of family and friends. We decided to head directly east of our location to the Flinders and Gammon Ranges but there was one problem; there is a massive salt Lake named Torrens directly in our path. So instead of it taking 150km as the crow flies it took us around 450km down south to Port Augusta then North East from there. Unfortunately, it was the LONG way around. We needed to stock up anyway which was an experience in itself. For example: Dave was filling up fuel when beside us rocked up a brown, very dirty, sedan of some sort with some locals and three kids. The kids were climbing everywhere around the car, screaming and carrying on, when one of the mothers yelled at the top of lungs “SIT DOWN YOU F#%KING C*%T S!!!” It then proceeded with another mother coming back yelling something similar then quickly praising them with chocolates. Hmmm, didn’t really understand that moment, probably slightly scared as well.
We knew this period would be busy so heading off early Wednesday morning gave us a head start into the national park. The sites within the NP are very well maintained with clean toilets, great camp fire pits (plentiful wood), and large individual sites. The area around us was absolutely spectacular with views of both ranges and gorges not far from us. The highlight was the ability to drive through Brachina Gorge having 70m sheer cliff faces on both sides, the sight of 100 year old gums lying flat on the ground from the pure force of rain water, and the great 4WD tracks through them. The photo can describe better than I can.
Friday came and so did the holiday makers, so we headed further north to the Gammon Ranges to escape the mad rush. We based camp at Arkaroola Village which is pretty much a reception building which has all the facilities like accommodation, bar, fuel, general info centre etc. The caravan park was basic which meant I literally had to take a back pack with my shower gear up to the toilets. Along the dry creek bed then up heartbreak hill just to have a shower, it was compensated by the breathtaking views thankfully. We also noticed how vague their driving signs were; something stated as 2WD was instantly recognised as 4WD with lowered tyre pressure. There were many creek crossings which had sharp rocks and vertical climbs which needed the extra traction. It just wasn’t us either; many of the other travellers were commenting on how difficult it was considering what the driving signs were suggesting. All Dave’s driving and my stressing because of the vehicle angles did pay off in the end when little oasis’s popped out with luscious greenery and fresh water gorges.
Dave and I agreed, to anyone that is travelling through South Australia, the Flinders AND the Gammon Ranges are a must! For us it was pretty easy travelling but if there is a localised thunder storm prepare yourselves for numerous creek crossings and low range 4WD. Our friends Tim and Nat were a bit unfortunate to travel these areas in the wet but I’m sure they found special qualities in land from the rain.
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Bit of a yuppie hotel.
I'll soon show you all what a real Outback pub is like! |
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| Easter bunny found us |
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| RMW boots |
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| The Pinnicles - Gammon Ranges |
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| Yellow wild flowers. Growing in their thousands around the area |
We knew this period would be busy so heading off early Wednesday morning gave us a head start into the national park. The sites within the NP are very well maintained with clean toilets, great camp fire pits (plentiful wood), and large individual sites. The area around us was absolutely spectacular with views of both ranges and gorges not far from us. The highlight was the ability to drive through Brachina Gorge having 70m sheer cliff faces on both sides, the sight of 100 year old gums lying flat on the ground from the pure force of rain water, and the great 4WD tracks through them. The photo can describe better than I can.
Friday came and so did the holiday makers, so we headed further north to the Gammon Ranges to escape the mad rush. We based camp at Arkaroola Village which is pretty much a reception building which has all the facilities like accommodation, bar, fuel, general info centre etc. The caravan park was basic which meant I literally had to take a back pack with my shower gear up to the toilets. Along the dry creek bed then up heartbreak hill just to have a shower, it was compensated by the breathtaking views thankfully. We also noticed how vague their driving signs were; something stated as 2WD was instantly recognised as 4WD with lowered tyre pressure. There were many creek crossings which had sharp rocks and vertical climbs which needed the extra traction. It just wasn’t us either; many of the other travellers were commenting on how difficult it was considering what the driving signs were suggesting. All Dave’s driving and my stressing because of the vehicle angles did pay off in the end when little oasis’s popped out with luscious greenery and fresh water gorges. 
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