The region’s endemic Quorn Wattles twinkled, foraging kangaroo nibbled on their breakfast and the bright sky, which eluded me for much of Day 11, mirrored my modified mood-this was more like it.
I spent the morning seeing conservation park through fresh eyes. He had just arrived home after he, too, had spent several days in the wilderness, although he appeared infinitely fresher compared to my dishevelled state.Īfter describing my miserable mornings’ events, he suggested driving me back to The Dutchmans Stern Conservation Park to enjoy the experience that had otherwise eluded me-what a man! This generous offer would save me several hours of gruelling backtracking. The last thing I expected to see was his smiling face popping out of a car window as I trudged toward civilisation (and my first shower) for the first time in five days. Two months earlier, via an email stream seeking assistance along the trail, Norm had kindly offered his logistical expertise when I arrived in the Quorn region. While I walked along the final stretch of uninspiring bitumenised road into Quorn on Day 11, pondering the misery that had befallen me, a waving hand appeared from a parked 4WD in the distance-this warm greeting came from a man named Norm, owner of Pindan Tours and 4WD Training. Through the deepest darkest hours, positive lights tend to shine in the most unexpected places. The Dutchmans Stern Conservation Park is far too picturesque an experience to leave it as I did. But, not before revisiting the scene of yesterday’s deflating journey.
Fortunately, following a rejuvenating night’s sleep at Quorn’s iconic Austral Inn, my head had cleared and my hiking legs were eager to kick on with the trail on Day 12. It was the inevitable lull that had to come.
Inside Quorn train station is the Pichi Richi Railway Museum and also the Flinders Ranges Visitor Information Centre.Heavenly help from a true blue Trail Angel.Īfter almost two weeks of riding adrenaline-packed highs transversing majestic, yet exhausting, terrain, my enthusiasm had finally slumped. Twilight Explorer: runs March and November, relax aboard the Barwell Bull and watch the evening sun paint the ranges in sunset colours. The day includes a welcome drink, canapes and a 3 course lunch and is an unique experience for only 22 passengers. The Coffee Pot: unique Steam Motor Coach No.1, the last operating example of its type worldwide. Quorn to Woolshed Flat, return two hours. The Pichi Richi Explorer: steam train using South Australian railways carriages, some dating from the 19th century. Port Augusta to Quorn (return), six hours including a two hour stop for lunch in historic Quorn, SA Tourism Tiny Tourism Town winner 2022. The Afghan Express: steam-hauled train using timber-bodied carriages built in the late 1920s.
PICHI RICHI FULL
Offering full or half-day trips between Quorn and Port Augusta, this is the last remaining operating portion of the "Old Ghan" railway line. This historic railway line has been progressively restored and operated as a working museum since 1973 by our dedicated volunteers of the Pichi Richi Railway Preservation Society.
Experience the timeless Flinders Ranges aboard the SATourism - Award Winning - Pichi Richi Railway.