MEMBERS of the combined Probus Club of Whittlesea set out on a Flinders Ranges tour early in October.
The group found the vast expanses of the territory providing a history lesson and insight into modern living, particularly how communities have accepted change and encompassed tourism.
First stop was Blinman, the highest town in South Australia at 615 metres above sea level. The copper mine was exhausted early in the twentieth century; but now the pay dirt comes from tourists. Most days in the season the number of visitors exceeds the regular population.
Visitors gain an appreciation of the lives of the Cornish miners who settled in Blinman, but also of the determination and dedication to the town’s folk who operate the new industry.
Farina was the next stop for the group. Settled in 1878 by optimistic farmers, the town was the railhead until 1884 before the line was extended to Marree.
During the wet years of the 1880s, plans were laid out for a town with 432 quarter acre blocks.
It was believed that it would be good for growing wheat and barley, however normal rainfall is nowhere near enough to grow these crops and the town was abandoned.
At Wentworth the travellers saw the fast-flowing confluence of the Darling and Murray Rivers. On their way back to base camp later in the week storms and the road was blocked due to flooding.
The base camp for the Flinders Ranges exploration was the town of Hawker. In the town is the Jeff Morgan Gallery. The artist has brought the ranges inside with the Wilpena Panorama. It is 3.5 metres high and 33 metres in circumference and took 4,000 hours to complete.
Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary was the halfway destination, but due to road closures from recent rains the travellers were confined to barracks.
Those taking an air flight and internal four wheel drive experience were the exception.
From the air the terrain was visible, and the unexpected collection of water on roads and other holding basins was evident.
At Broken Hill planned visits were also not possible. But excellent substitutions were the Royal Flying Doctor and the visit to Bell’s Milk Bar the last of the traditional 1950’s meeting places. The usually desert like historic Silverton was also different. Instead of dust and flies it was drizzle and puddles, which the resident donkeys did not mind.
All good things come to an end and the travellers headed for home via Ouyen to sample the award-winning vanilla slices and pastries. An excellent luncheon break at Ballarat Golf Club with time to chat drew the trip to a close.
