Yunta, Peterborough, Flinders Range

The road to the border is still a high dry saltbush plain and follows the railway. Across the border (no quarantine!)  then to Olary pub. Was going to stay but not very inspiring and used Wikicamps to check Yunta. Looks much nicer so stopped there instead.  Some healthy looking goats around and a few horses sheep and cattle. Much healthier looking emus around here. The o/n camps have no road signs which is annoying – just the truck stops. Yunta is a nice spot with a 24 hour BP stop as well. Went to the pub for a chat, drink and fish n chips for dinner.

The quarantine station is 20km out of Peterborough – and not manned when I went through but I am told it is sometimes so not worth the risk. More saltbush plains but the hills getting nearer now. Then in to GRASS finally. Got fruit and veg in town then back to the camp east of town. Nice spot but near the railway. Trains ok though. Tried to get TV but only sbs so listened to the game on radio – 51-20 win – yippee. Would loved to have seen it!

Very foggy in the mornings around Peterborough. I do like this part of the country.

Headed towards Flinders. The country has been lovely rolling green – grass and grain crops, and gentle rolling hills. Then towards Craddock it becomes quite brown. The hills turn into cones of polkadot saltbush – almost wonder if it has been planted. Much drier and brown - but not like drought stressed grass - more of an alpine brown grass.  Stopped at Hawker for fuel – thought about staying but Wipena is only another 40 km. The ranges tower over you on the west and rolling red rock range on the east. Gentle rising all the way.  Very pretty along the road – back into river gums along dry stony river beds.

Then the land changed and into gorgeous confers with bright green grass under them! Excellent road all the way from Peterborough – nice change. Wilpena $10 = 10 day park pass and $8 p/n to camp (consession rate) – more if you want power. Large area with many trees and plenty of facilities. Big group of kids turned up - much excitement but quiet by 10 pm - thank goodness.

Headed north and was going to Bunyeroo Gorge but after 4km decided the road was too rough so carried on up the main road. An excellent road too. Stopped at Dingly Dell - lovely camp, then took the dirt road to Brachina Gorge - 20km. Was ok but not somewhere to be after rain as the road follows the river beds in places and there are many streams that cross it. After talking to people who had come in from the south I decided to be brave and take the road back to Bunyeroo and then to Wilpena.
It was fine most of the way but had to go slow. Surprising the number of cars on the road also.