FLINDERS RANGERS TRIP - 3.05.13 to 17.05.13.

Day 1. 3.05.2013.
We are Leaving for the Flinders Rangers Friday 3.05.13.
Up and about early, hit the road 8.30am first stop Macca's Wendouree for breakfast, 9.30 back on the road, quick stretch at Donald. Lunch at Ouyen 1.30pm don't go to the cafe in the Main Street of Ouyen, they don't use gloves, yuk.
Arrived Mildura 3.30pm all set up in The Big 4 Cross Roads Holiday Park. One night here, then off to Broken Hill in the morning.

Day 2. 4.05.2013.
Up and about 8am, left Mildura 9.15, a short stop at Wentworth, then on to Broken Hill 297km, good trip very flat country side saw plenty of wild emus and goats, to close to the road for my liking, stopped at the BH sign for photos, then on to The Lakeside Caravan Park, we managed to get an ensuite site, lucky us, booked in for 3 nights. Buggar, the park is on a hill, all sites are on an angle, but all good, we got the van LEVEL.
Off the Tourist Information Centre to see whats to see here. After a drive through town, we did a quick groceries shop, we went to the Line of Lode Miners Memorial, look out, which looks over the town, we stayed till sun set, took some amazing photos. Back to our van for tea, nite…

Day 3. 5.05.2013.
Bacon n eggs for breaky, yum. Off to Silverton today, checked out all the galleries and artie places, and of course The Silverton Hotel, took lots of photos. Went for a drive to Umberumbreka Reservoir about 10km past Silverton.
We are off to Living Desert Sculptures to watch the sunset. To much cloud for a good sunset, took photos of the Sculptures, we left just on dark, now chilling in our van, nite…

Day 4. 6.05.2013.
Lots of noise in the park this morning with people packing up and leaving, so up early, went for a walk to check it all out.
Went for a walk up and down the main street of Broken Hill, very quiet we reckon!
Checked out Andrew (Ando) Anderson Gallery were we saw 100m of art work very very good.
Then on to Albert Kersten Mining & Minerals Museum, where we saw the Silver Tree, and lots of rocks and minerals out of the Broken Hill Mine.
Off to check out Pro Hart Gallery, we arrived late, but got to see it all.
Fueled up for tomorrow, we leave the Flinders Rangers also picked up some supplies in case it is expensive there, back at the van relaxing…

Day 5. 7.05.2013.
Up and about early, on the road 8.15am, bye Broken Hill. Flinders Rangers here we come!
First stop Yunta cheap fuel cheaper than home 141.9. Now at Peterborough stopped for lunch. Fueled up again at Hawker 161.2 not sure of the price in the rangers. Arrived Wilpena Flinders Rangers, 4pm caravan park heavy treed, no Optus or TV reception, fuel, 158.5 cheaper up here!!!

Day 6. 8.05.2013.
Up at 7am, on the road to check out the park, first stop Sacred Canyon, then on to Hucks Lookout, Stokes Hill Lookout where the sunset photos are best we've been told. On to a rough dirt road now to see Slippery Dip, Teamasters, Brachina Gorge, Bunyeroo Gorge, Bunyeroo Valley and Razorback Lookout all fantastic to see, loads of photos, we even drove down & up dry river beds.
Now relaxing, then back to Stokes Hill Lookout for the sunset. The sun set was great, took some great shots, nite…

Day 7. 9.05.2013.
On the shuttle bus 9am on our way to Wilpena Pound first stop Hills Homestead, then on to Wangara Lookout which looks over part of the pound, two lookouts one 400m higher than the other, pics taken.
Back at the van for lunch.
1.15pm on the road for a drive to Wilkawillina Gorge, pics taken, saw the Short-beaked Echidna crossing the road on the way out, video of Loz trying to encourage him off the road, lol. Back at the van for tea and a DVD, tomorrow we leave Flinders Rangers.

Day 8. 10.05.2013.
On the road 9.30am first stop Hawker to have a look at Wilpena Panorama, well worth the visit, Loz bought a print.
On to Quorn stopped for lunch, then a drive to Warren Gorge, took some pics.
Arrived Port Augusta 3pm, Big4 Caravan Park, we managed another ensuite lucky us, all set up. Picked up some supplies, now kicking back watching the Cats and the Bombers, go Cats… big winners round 7 undefeated, Cats by 28, 113 to 85. Nite...

Day 9. 11.05.2013.
Checked out the main shopping area and the water front wharf area, buffalo grass and green as very soft to walk on.
Then on too Wadlata Outback Centre, very very good, that good that we had to leave cos they closed at 4pm, but we got a pass out to come back tomorrow. We went for a drive to Water Tower Lookout which over looks the city and the southern part of the Flinders Rangers, also went to Mathew Flinders Lookout.
Back at the park, laundry to do tonight, yuk

Day 10. 12.05.2013.
Happy Mothers Day.
Back to Wadlata Outback Centre to finish our visit.
Fish n Chips at the water front for lunch, Yum.
Checked out McLallen Lookout, then out to the Arid-Lands Botanic Gardens, very good also saw the Sturt Desert Pea again, a good looking plant, I like it!!! Pics taken.
Bangers and mash for tea, a great favorite.

Day 11. 13.05.2013.
Bye Port Augusta, hello Whyalla arrived 10.30am!
Checked into Discovery Holiday Park Whyalla.
Went to the Whyalla Maritime Museum very interesting, went on a tour on the HMAS Whyalla, built here and back here to rest.
Checked out the Flinders & Freycinet Lookout and the Hummock Lookout, good views. Went and saw The Loaded Dog, in front of a vets of all places!! Back to the lookout for the sunset, but it was too cloudy, no good.

Day 12. 14.05.2013.
Eggs for breaky, turned cold now and a bit wet, time for a jumper but still in shorts!!
Went to Mt Laura Homestead Museum, interesting old place with heaps of history. A quick look at the shops for Loz, then a drive to a town called, Iron k*** what the? A mining town, but very sad to drive through everything so very old, left and smashed, sad place.
Back to Whyalla for a walk along the beach and out the peir, back in the car and off to Point Lowly Lighthouse for a look, still operating as a lighthouse, cool. Back to the van for an early evening for tomorrow we are off to Adelaide.

Day 13. 15.05.2013.
Left Whyalla 9am, first stop for lunch Snowtown, yep, the bodies in the barrel town, I reckon we found the old bank. Very showery black heavy rain most of the way to Adelaide.
Arrived Christies Beach Tourist Park 4.30pm, all setup, still wet, but not that cold.
Hyundai is running like a dream. Going to surprise Carl & Tanya now, cheers… Surprised them good and proper, Carl's brother Paul is out from the UK nice to meet him, a good evening chating…

Day 14. 16.05.2013.
Went for a walk along Christies Beach, found many pebbles, Loz loved them. Checked out the caravan park, very very clean tidy park 9/10.
Went for a nice drive to Port Adelaide along the the coast, walked out the pier and the main street area.
Back at the van, tidying up for tomorrow we leave for home.
Out for tea at Christies Beach Hotel, then on to the Scally's for the evening…

Day 15. 17.05.2013.
Up and about 4am. On the road 5.20am, first stop Bordertown for a bite to eat, best bakery around we reckon.
A quick fuel stop at Stawell, then home here come, arrived home 3.15pm, until our next trip cheers……

No hiccups at all, 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe and 2001 Windsor Streamline Pop-top Caravan both ran like a dream.

Total 3574km.
Total 476.25lts. $693.55.
7.5LPK. 13.32LP100. 21.19MPG.