Day 6- Gawler Ranges

Sturt Desert Peas were first found in the Gawler Ranges

 Day 6

Gawler Ranges – Friday September 21^st 2012

A bit of a cold night, but we were nice and snuggly in our bed. While Lisa was getting dressed, wearing only knickers and her personality, a copper head

 ( or King Brown) decided to visit the tent. Lisa quickly cleared out of the tent and stood on the running board while Davo used this as a Kodak moment and photographed our visitor. No photos of Lisa, and it was lucky that we had the camp area to ourselves.

Policeman’s Point was our first place for visiting. There is a grave site of a young child as you enter the gorge towards where the first police station was established. The walk was breathtaking, and ended in a sort of gorge with emu, kangaroos and lots of wild flowers.

Back to Old Panney Homestead which was established in the 1860s. There are several grave sites near here as well. Children died often from the harsh conditions.The building is in need of some TLC, but campers can stay in it. There are left-overs of a vegetable garden and various plants.

Morning tea under the spreading gum trees with the ranges as a backdrop.

Plaque about the first owners of the selection

After smoko we decided to head for the big smoke – Minnipa and Wudinna. Lots of granite rock formations – mini Uluru all over the place.

Pildappa Rock was our first vertical challenge. There were several other climbers, including a very friendly dog, but we all managed to scale the mount, with beautiful views from the top.

Driving tour of Minnipa then we continued on to Yaninee and Wudinna. We stopped off at the bakery where Davo’s cousin works, for coffee and cake, also a bit of shopping at the IGA, and the use of flushing toilets (something you take for granted).

Australian Farmer - sculpture of granite in Wudinna

The return journey took in Pygery Rock, another granite outcrop on a farmer’s property. Lots of minor outcrops could also be seen throughout the property – difficult to grow crops.

Davo and Lisa under a rock we called 'Turtle Rock"

Then back to our special camping site for our final night in the Gawler Ranges. Very philosophical thoughts came into our head when we realised that there was no one else camping near us for at least 30 kilometres, as that was the nearest camping site to ours.

A cold night as there were clear skies and many sparkling stars. 

Markers showing where Edward John  Eyre came through the area