Exploring the Flinders Ranges national park we took a gravel road through Bunyaroo Gorge which was beautiful. The scenery leading to it was amazing with the view from Razorback Ridge down through Bunyaroo valley worth the stop to get out and have a look. The hills looked as though they had been pushed up with ridges of rock running up them like ribs.

The gorge itself would have been an ideal camping spot, although I wouldn't trust it if there was any rain around. The Brachina Gorge was an interesting geological drive with different rock types from different periods all running throughout the Gorge drive. We could see where the yellow footed wallabies made their homes in the rock walls but we didn't see any.

We had a quick look at Blinman an old copper mining town, the highest in SA. Then headed to Parachilna for lunch. The change in landscape as we came out of Parachilna Gorge into flat plains with the mountain range behind us was striking. Nothing like the rolling hills leading into the ranges on the Southern side.

Lunch was interesting with a stop at the Prairie Hotel, Parachilna for a feral feast. The little ferals didn't want anything too adventurous from their menu but we shared a feral mixed grill of Kangaroo, Emu, camel and bacon. The beer was good too with the local Farghers Larger.

After a very quick look around Leigh Creek (not much to see except a very large coal mine) we felt we had enough time to continue north and see how far we could get before dark.

Learning Opportunity of the Day: The youngest finally learnt to keep her mouth closed while eating. Those pesky SA flys are just a little too friendly!

Just when we were planning the end of our day and working out if we'd camp at Farina Station or get to Maree because the road conditions were so good, the car coming toward us took a bend too fast and ended up on its roof off the road. We quickly rushed to help a young teacher drag her student from the upturned car. The girls sister was in shock but unhurt.

Shortly after us 2 4WD's stopped and one had a satellite phone to call emergency services and thank goodness a nurse whose first aid kit was much better equipped to deal with this than ours.

Before long the stretch of outback road was chockers with 4WDs, caravans and three trailer loads of camels heading to the Maree Camel Cup. I was quite impressed with how many people there were on such a remote stretch of highway and how willing everyone was to help. The Teachers Principal showed up shortly after and knowing he would be able to transport the teacher and student to accompany an ambulance when it arrived we decided there was nothing more we could do and agreed to keep moving on before it got dark.

The rest of the trip was pretty uneventful but it was a good lesson in driving to conditions on gravel roads.

At Marree we looked at a free camp option at the Hotel which was filling up fast due to an influx of campers in town for the Camel Cup. We ended up at the racecourse with the camels, great views, plenty of room and lots of campers already setting up in preparation for tomorrow's race.

Easy dinner of pasta and pasta sauce followed by a walk to see the competitors. I picked big red or brown Camel to be in the best form.

Roasted marshmallows for dessert finished of another day in the Flinders.