Flinders Ranges Trip August 2010 - Day 5 and 6.

It was a very chilly morning, Brett's external thermometer was showing -1.6, so we slept in a bit until the sun warmed things up a bit. We packed up and headed off to do the Skytrek 4WD track at about 9 am. The original Skytrek was based  on the Willow Springs station and  on The Bunkers Conservation Reserve, however since earlier in the year The Bunkers section could no longer be accessed. The Willow Springs people created new tracks on their property to cover the loss of the previous track. It is relatively expensive $65 and you need a key to get through a locked gate but as we spent most of the day driving, looking around and taking photos, I think it was worth it. There are historical sights, both aboriginal and later settlers, natural views and of course a bit of 4WD'ing. Although, the 4WD'ing is not too tough with the roughest parts belonging to the newly formed tracks which are still bedding in. The following photos don't really do justice to some of the scenic views available on this track.

We finished the track about 4 pm and headed off to Wilpena Pound campground to camp for the night. After setting up camp we walked back to the shop and for a bit of fresh fruit and vege shopping since we weren't allowed to take fruit and veg into SA. While at the shop the freezer full of Magnums managed to override my better judgement and force me to have one. Yum. On the walk back to our campsite about 40-50 school girls arrived in several buses and luckily they weren't camping anywhere near us, although they did do a bit of a night walk around the campsite, we could hear them or more particularly their giggling as they passed our campfire. There was a good 3G connection so we could catch up with email, facebook, etc., however it was going to be a cold night again so we went to bed relatively early to keep warm.

The next morning was a chilly one as well and we took awhile to get up and get going, however we were packed and ready to go for a walk at 9 am. We chose the Wangara Lookout walk which was about 7.5 km. Most of it was fine however the last half a kilometre was pretty steep and uphill. The views from the lookout were superb. 

When we got back to the cars we had a shower and headed off to Blinman via the back roads. Along the way we found a few steep hills just off to the side of the main road and driving up them gave us a great view of the surrounding area. We got to Blinman but didn't stay long as we were going to come back the following morning to go on the underground mine tour, so we headed off to find a camp site in the Parachilna Gorge once again via the back roads. There were a large number of great campsites along the creek but unfortunately there was a pretty strong wind blowing and it took awhile to find a spot that had a bit of protection. The wind died down a bit while we set up camp and had dinner around the campfire but it started to pick up again later in the night. We made sure that the fire was well and truly out before we went to bed and not long after a freak gust of wind tried to flatten my little tent, luckily it sprung back up and suffered no damage. Brett didn't seem to notice it in the penthouse on top of his car.