20230518 SA Wilson Ruin to Parachilna

On our way to Wilpena Pound in the Flinders Range unfortunately it’s almost smoky like covering the range and not good for photos, the area is very rugged and dry and it’s obviously good sheep county, the land is rich red soil and very rocky. In the distance we could see what looked like smoke or a long row of wirly wind or is it a mirage, shit its just a 4 wheel drive on a dirt road. We entered an unfenced area so we both have our eyes glued to the road watching for cattle, I was surprised to see a train track in the distance and wondering if it was still in use. We just passed some cattle and were surprised at how fat they are.  Travelling along the B83 - The Outback Hwy towards Hawker, it’s flat land all the way as we follow the Flinders Rang in the back ground, I found it similar to the Hay planes only without the mountains. I watch in ore of the desolation and the scatted homes that appeared in the distance as we get closer to the Range. Just passed Probes grave and a few ruins then stopped at the Wilson’s Ruins just off the road known as A Waterless Place.

It was in 1881 that settlers rushed to the Flinders Range following a decade of excellent rain to take up wheat growing blocks that unfortunately were outside of the Goyders Line (no rainfall).

The rooms were small and certainly no built in wardrobe’s but every room had a fire place.

The well at Wilson and it seem to be just as dry today a it was in the 1800’s, as the local newspaper had suggested, "about as waterless a place as they could have picked". 

This was once a dug out water tank from the 1800’s and I must say it’s in rather good condition for its age, but there’s still no water. The lack of natural water supply at Wilson plagued the town's further development and water from the town's well was limited with the next closest source was 5km away. 

The settlers who moved to this are in the 1800’s struggled farming this rugged land but sheer determination kept them going until it got so bad they were forced to move.

Our plan was to head to Wilpena Pounds so I set my nave and off we went, past Hawker and my nave said to turn right, that’s not right said Des it’s a straight road all the way so we kept  going.

We found a camp at Nooltana Creek Rise Rest Area right on top of a ridge with an 180 degree view, it’s strange how a lot of nothing can be so beautiful.

We had a lovely night chatting to a couple of fellow travelers while drinking our favourite ale, what a real character he made us laugh but it was bloody freezer and Des is shaking so we retired to the warmth of our Van and settled in for the night but not before I take a photo of this awesome sunset, just beautiful.

20230519 We left heading to Wilpena Pound, or so we thought, it wasn’t until I spotted the sign that said LC, meaning Leigh Creek, that can’t be right and Des pulls over to check the map and sure enough we’ve taken the wrong road and have gone over 100ks out of our way, see you should have listened to my nav. We turned around with a few choose words flying and called into a town we just passed, if you can call it a town. While Des tries to find out where we went wrong I grab my camera and walk the grounds.

Parachilna was first surveyed in 1863 due to its closeness to a government water well, then when the railway passed through the area in 1881 the whole town was moved 10 km so the population could be closer to the railway siding.

The Leigh Creek-Port Augusta coal train makes its way slowly past Parachilna every day.

Photo opportunity, these interesting displays line the fence out the back on the railway line.

Parachilna these days is nothing more than a railway with a few railway outbuildings that have been turned into backpacker accommodation.

Now this is roughing it but I’d sure like to check out what they look like inside and I’m sure the backpackers would love this.

A sign promoting the Prairie Hotel's menu of "feral food" - kangaroos, camels and emus - and they are all apparently delicious.

In 1876 Paririe Hotel in Parachilna was first licensed and the following year Walter Buntin opened an eating house then in 2000 the surrounding countryside was used as the setting for Phillip Noyce's Rabbit Proof Fence.

Well the bad news is we can take the 30ks dirt road back and that will get us on the right track or, head back the way we came, what to do, but after driving about 100 yard on the dirt road Des quickly turned around and headed back to Hawker, our Des was not happy.

The Flinders Range, rugged and beautiful.

Lost on the Range