quorn
Some may call us crazy, but we decided to travel inland during January, the hottest month, right in the middle of summer! The gateway to the Flinders Rangers, this stop was a pleasant surprise with our warriors asking to stay longer!
Okay, so hear us out! We know you are probably thinking we are absolutely mad for heading up the guts of Australia during summer, but it was something we wanted to do. To put ourselves out of our comfort zone for a few weeks, which will buy us some time for the crowds to leave the coast in South Australia before we returned. And to be honest, it was actually cooler than some days that were forecasted for the east coast of New South Wales! We left Wauraltee and stopped into Port Pirie for lunch, then Port Augusta to pick up our Woolworths order. It was an easy drive with the landscape reminding us of something from the scenes of Coyote and Roadrunner, then changing to red, rocky rangers.
When we arrived at Quorn Caravan Park, our paperwork was sitting for us on the bench as we were the only visitors checking-in. The owner was very friendly and mentioned that we were one of four bookings staying at the park. He said that although some attractions are closed during the summer, he believes that we were travelling in the best season. He also mentioned once the temperature hit 35 degrees, that anything hotter all feels the same! The caravan park was brilliant with a fantastic camp kitchen, clean amenities and a laundry where we caught up on all of washing. We camped up on site 37.
When we arrived at Quorn Caravan Park, our paperwork was sitting for us on the bench as we were the only visitors checking-in. The owner was very friendly and mentioned that we were one of four bookings staying at the park. He said that although some attractions are closed during the summer, he believes that we were travelling in the best season. He also mentioned once the temperature hit 35 degrees, that anything hotter all feels the same! The caravan park was brilliant with a fantastic camp kitchen, clean amenities and a laundry where we caught up on all of washing. We camped up on site 37.
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This heritage town had a fair bit to offer. Quorn is home to the Pichi Richi Railway. Although it wasn’t running during our stay, we could still follow the track from Port Augusta, past Devil’s Peak and into Quorn where you can explore the heritage station. We loved exploring the history of this town by following the heritage walk that took us past all of the heritage buildings including the Transcontinental Hotel, reputed to have the best ventilated billiard room in the north. Quorn is also famous for the bush tucker fruit, the quandong. the flavor has a sour and sweet peachy flavour with a hint of aniseed. It has twice the amount of Vitamin C than an orange! We couldn’t leave town until we stopped past the Quandong Cafe and tried the quandong smoothie, scones with quandong jam and the quandong pie! The Pithie (bark dish) Kawi (water) Bush Tucker Trail allows you to explore bush tucker and bush medicine plants as well as plants used to make bush tools.As the temperture was sitting on 38 degrees by the afternoon, we made the most of the local swimming pool, Quorn and District War Memorial Swimming Pool. There is a path behind the caravan park that leads you through the bush tucker trail and ends at the swimming pool.
quorn silo light show
At dusk, the Quorn Silo Light Show projects local stories including Aboriginal storylines, tales of living in dry terrains, the history of the CWA and the importance of steam locomotives to the area. This was our highlight! We packed our camp chairs and some snacks and thoroughly enjoyed the show. The display went for approximately 45mins and then photos from local photographers are shown afterwards. The sound comes from the shed located next to the bench seating made from railway sleepers. The silo is found inside the railyard of the Pichi Richi Railway, just down from the station. Check the website for showing times.
We thank the Nukunu People for sharing their storylines with us and acknowledge that this land continues to be Nukunu Country. There is so much living culture and heritage celebrated in this town. We only stayed the one night but would of been happy to stay longer! It was time for us to continue our trek to the Flinders Ranges.
Peace + love,
Peace + love,