More in the Flinders and further north

Our drive further north from Copley takes us to the Ochre Pits just past Lyndhurst which was the end of the bitumen and the start of the Strezelecki Track.  These pits have been used by the aboriginal people of this area for many years. 

The information board tells us that the ochre was used for trading for axe heads etc with the tribes from the coast as well as used for body painting for ceremonies and art.  The colours are just wonderful to see and we were surprised to feel the softness of the ground as we walked around the top of the pit. 

Further on we came to Farina where the town’s ruins are being enhanced for display to passing travellers. 

underground bakery

Bath time??

gangers' cottage

The town was established in 1876 with 2 hotels, post office, police station, general store, underground bakery (unusual?), butcher, railway station, gangers’ cottage and many homes.  Information boards are being placed at some of the various ruins to provide explanation of that particular building.  One of the hotels was bought by Sidney Kidman for use as accommodation for his travelling stockmen instead of the shearers’ quarters they had previously been using.

Heading on towards Marree (well-maintained dirt/gravel road) we are leaving the Flinders behind.  The countryside is covered with saltbush which is said to be quite nutritious for the cattle and sheep.  We see more emus off to the side and the occasional kangaroo.  Marree is a small village with the obligatory pub, a garage and general store, a few houses  and not much else.  There is an air strip here and you can take sight-seeing trips to the southern end of Lake Eyre either by small plane or helicopter.  Marree is also the start of both the Birdsville and Oodnadatta Tracks so of course we had to do a short drive out of town along each of them.  These will be a trip for another time when we don’t have to detour to collect mail. 

Back at camp we are taking advantage of the nightly campfire and used our camp oven for a chicken and vegetable stew and of course I cannot resist making damper twists each night.  Dough cooked after being wrapped around a stick and then having golden syrup poured down into the centre is just yummy.  We were joined each night by different travellers staying in the park and it was interesting to chat and hear their stories, hints and good places to visit.

We also visited the Aroona Dam built in 1955 just south of Leigh Creek.  This supplies water for both townships and the site was chosen due to the shale base and the natural surroundings which would help lessen evaporation during the hot summer months.  The dam is full and is approx 270degrees in shape.

flowering gum at the dam

tortoise swimming in the dam

Finally it is time to head back south for that mail pick up so a final few photos of the Flinders are necessary.  We stopped in Quorn for lunch and to admire the old buildings there.  The Pitchi Ritchi steam train runs between here and Pt Augusta a few times a week (but not today).  The track criss-crosses the road a few times and the trip looks as if it would be quite scenic through the various cuttings etc.  Our destination is reached, mail collected and cupboards restocked.  I even managed a haircut so after a couple of days we are ready to head off for the journey north (hopefully to some warmer weather).  The past few days in Copley however have been cloud free and quite enjoyable but the wind and clouds returned a bit now we are back down here closer to the coast.    

goodbye to the Flinders for now