Flinders Ranges & Adelaide

As we headed north from Port Lincoln, we decided that, rather than go straight to Adelaide, we would keep on driving and have a few days in the Flinders Ranges. We had missed the outback flavour of the beginning of our trip and felt we needed one last taste before heading home.

Approaching storm.

We stayed for 2 nights at Wilpena Pound, breathtakingly scenic, and quite unlike any of the countryside we had experienced thus far. The majority of the vegetation was native pine trees, which made it feel like we had landed in the middle of grizzly bear country. The campground was in the middle of a pine and red-gum forest, and the kids occupied themselves for hours making bases and cubbies in the trees (ie the trunks, they were so old ).

Our first day was spent on a 4WD adventure - Skytrek - a 6 hour drive through a huge working sheep station, up and along the ridges of the ranges. We questioned whether the kids would last the distance, considering how much time they had spent in the car lately, but it was brilliant. We started off by having a tour of the workings of the farm including watching the sheep shearing. We were then given a map telling us how many km to each point of interest, things to look out for, gates to open and close, flora and fauna to spot, which made it feel like an adventure car rally and kept everyone entertained and interested. The track was also rather exciting - as it was very steep in parts, with sheer drops, so there was great excitement around if and when we were going to plummet to our deaths! (In no way exacerbated by the fact I was driving) The best part of the journey were the spectacular panoramic views from the top. Just gorgeous.



Willow Springs Station, Flinders Ranges

Skytreks 4WD track

It seems to have become a tradition!

A wedge tailed eagle we spotted

Trish and Chris very kindly minded the kids for us the next day so we could experience hiking at adult (not 4 year old) pace. Even though it started pouring on our way back and we got drenched, we so enjoyed the beautiful scenery and the chance to have some very rare time to ourselves.

Explorer John

Wilpena Pound adventure playground

Abandoned 1800s homestead

I've always had a thing for dead trees! Very sculptural.

Inspired by our friends the Wheatleys, our next stop before Adelaide was a night in the Clare Valley, one of the many wine growing areas of South Australia. We spent the day exploring the Riesling Trail - a 34km cycleway that follows an old railway line, past verdant countryside and, not surprisingly, vineyards. James and Tom did so well - their stamina far surpassing ours. But then what's new! 

Clare Valley - Riesling Trail

It was then on to Adelaide, a gorgeous city with beautiful old stone buildings (not all of them churches!), expansive squares and lovely parks. We only had a couple of days there, but enjoyed boating on the river, a trip to the zoo and a tram ride to the seaside at Glenelg for an afternoon with the Brewers, where the kids had a ball on the water slides and at the beach (whilst we had a fabulous dinner reliving trip highlights and watching the sunset).

Georgie, always ready with a pose!