{"id":30090,"date":"2019-04-02T08:40:10","date_gmt":"2019-04-01T22:10:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/?p=30090"},"modified":"2022-11-07T13:24:45","modified_gmt":"2022-11-07T02:54:45","slug":"outback-guide-gawler-ranges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/outback-guide-gawler-ranges\/","title":{"rendered":"Outback Guide to the Gawler Ranges"},"content":{"rendered":"

The sprawling Gawler Ranges are somewhat smaller and understated compared to the Flinders Ranges, their bigger and more popular sibling. But what they lack in ruggedness is more than made up for with picturesque rolling hills and magnificent ochre sunsets that you can have all to yourself at (almost) any time of year.<\/p>\n

\"Blue<\/p>\n

Blue sky and red dirt – a typical Gawler Ranges scene.<\/em><\/p>\n

How to get there<\/h2>\n

The Gawler Ranges are located north of Minnipa at the very top of the Eyre Peninsula, signposted off the highway after a seven to eight-hour drive from Adelaide via Port Augusta and Kimba. Of course, access on the unsealed roads is more comfortable in a 4WD vehicle, but the family sedan will get around most of the park on the Old Paney Scenic Route without any trouble.<\/p>\n

As long as you time your trip to avoid heavy rain, which turns the clay tracks in the park to slush, going in late winter or spring is a great time to see the area burst into colour with wildflowers and bird life.<\/p>\n

\"While<\/p>\n

While known as a 4WD destination, the family Commodore or soft-roader should have no problem in dry weather.<\/em><\/p>\n

On the way in, it\u2019s worth stopping off at Pildappa Rock. This is an enormous granite outcrop with an interesting scramble to the top and great views to the North of the Gawler Ranges. Keep an eye out for what looks like mysterious rock ruins all around the northern boundary; these are the remains of gutters which were part of a water harvesting scheme in the 1920s.<\/p>\n

An alternative entry to the park is via Wudinna and the National Park Headquarters at Paney Homestead.<\/p>\n

\"Man<\/p>\n

Pildappa – an unusual granite intrusion, worth a stop.<\/em><\/p>\n

Heritage<\/h2>\n

The area has a rich pastoral heritage, with several pastoral stations amalgamating since the 1860s before finally being set aside as the Gawler Ranges National Park in 2002. The relatively recent declaration of the park is evident, with native vegetation and grasslands still regenerating after a few hundred years of grazing by sheep and kangaroos. The park is currently co-managed with the Gawler Ranges Aboriginal Corporation.<\/p>\n

\"Viewing<\/p>\n

Encounter with Skippy…again – some would say there are now too many Kangaroos in the Gawlers.<\/em><\/p>\n

The old Pondanna Outstation, located a short drive from Yardea Road on the Loop Track, is a substantially built stone house with plenty of interesting heritage. We had a good nose around the garden and sheds and spotted where the vegetable patch would have been. We also saw the well and underground water tank system, various agricultural implements and even the vintage (and possibly still in use) dunny.<\/p>\n

There are information boards with details of the families who lived here and station life. It\u2019s fascinating to think about being here a hundred years ago when \u2018luxury\u2019 goods like soap and leather boots were sold by a travelling pedlar who only visited a few times a year. The house has now been fully restored by the Friends of the Gawler Ranges and it\u2019s possible to book and stay here by contacting the Friends on 0437 586 725.<\/p>\n

\"Pondanna<\/p>\n

Pondanna Outstation – 50km to the nearest highway, imagine living here in the horse and cart days of 1849.<\/em><\/p>\n

What to do<\/h2>\n

The park offers plenty of activities in the way of natural and geological heritage, and most of the points of interest are accessed on short walking trails.<\/p>\n