OODNADATTA HERE WE COME - 1st June

OODNADATTA HERE WE COME – 1^ST June

Flinders Ranges

Yesterday we loaded up with grub, water, fuel etc and we are off. It is a glorious day and we have just come through part of the Flinders ranges which are wonderful. They look as though they have been folded with large soft corrugations running down the length of them.

We wended our way through little valleys and emerged onto a flat plain just short of Quorn.

I am typing as we drive – the advantage of a little netbook. We are planning to stop Just out of Hawker, for lunch.

Kanyacka ruins

We pulled in to look at a ruins called Kanyaka and had lunch at the site. As you drive in and look down at the large number of derelict  buildings of what was a large homestead established initially by HughProby, third son of an Earl, who was drowned crossing a swollen creek just a year after taking up the holdings. A Mr Phillips actually built the homestead along with his partner. They ran 50,000 sheep until a drought wiped out 20000 of them.

The site is very impressive and gives you pause to think what life would have been like back then. It was a flourishing station which also handled the post and one year handled 23000 letters. It was an experience we are glad not to have missed.

Moving along the highway which runs along the rugged flinders ranges with very scenic outlooks scattered with numerous old stone ruins. There is a camp area just outside of Hawker which is walking distance to a site of several ruins where you could camp overnight.