Heading north from Whyalla (following our tour of the steelworks factory), a large mountain range begins to dominate the distant horizon. It has been quite some time since we’ve come across such a range – all the way back to the Pilbara I think! Sure, there are hills and the like in southern areas of WA, and they are probably classified as a mountain range, but they don’t have that same impact of tallish mountains rising up starkly from the surrounding plains.
Initially, I wasn’t sure what this range was, thinking that the Flinders Range is 100km’s or more to the north. Well, the national park part of it is up there, but the range is a lot bigger than the NP and it was indeed the Flinders Range we were approaching. It’s a pity I didn’t take any pics at this stage, as all later pics showing the mountains are from an already elevated height. Following a stop in Port Augusta for some info, a quick look around, and a bit of shopping, it was time to head off to Quorn – the first town on the range.
The road up to Quorn is quite pretty – its a windy scenic road that weaves it’s way up the mountain. As per most of SA at this time of year, the country side is dry and brown, but nonetheless scenic. A nearby train track followed a similar route up the hill, being rather steeper than most tracks I’m not sure if it is still used.
Quorn itself is a little old town with old buildings. Nice enough, but we didn’t stay long, heading off to the next town Hawker. Having climbed up onto the range, there are a lot of flat plains up here to drive along. However the range still protrudes out from this plain, along the left edge as we head north.
Hawker is another little country town on the plains, the final one before the National Park and the tiny Wilpena Resort that is at its southern end. The terrain becomes hillier as you get close to, then enter, the NP. Continue reading