Before we headed off on our walk today our guides took us to Brachina Gorge, a renowned geological site and trail that has fossils dating back millions of years.
Limestone layers in the surrounding hills of Brachina Gorge.
An unexpected sighting of a wedge-tail eagle.
A dingo. South Australia has a dingo fence to protect it from dingoes in other states. This rogue dog must have jumped the fence. Splendid creature.
Evidence of the stromatolites in Brachina Gorge.
In a dry river bed.....
Wes showed us the changes in the type of rock with each layer of sediment representing millions of years of geological development. Geologists have taken core samples from these strata as they are so significant. Their discovery even warranted a visit from David Attenborough so impressed with the discovery.
We then drove to Aroona Homestead. It was originally established in 1851 when Englishman, David Hayward, established his fortune and sold it in 1862 before the great drought when many lives were ruined. He is one of the only success stories of that era. Aroona homestead, more recently in 1927, was also famous as the site where Hans Heysen set up an artist's camp to paint the spectacular landscape.
We set off on our long walk to Parachilna Gorge. It was a hot, airless day, on rocky creek beds with scrubby landscape and with an abundance of flies.
Rare glimpses of the Heysen Range.
Dry river beds.
There are several threats which are constant dangers to native vegetation and wildlife. There has been a massive effort to remove all trace of prickly pear...unfortunately there is still a way to go.
Over the last few decades hundreds of thousands of goats have been caught or killed as they annihilate any vegetation in their path.
One distressed kid, separated from the herd, bowled us up on the path.
The official end of the Heysen Trail at Parachilna Gorge.
A welcome drink at the Prairie Hotel at Parachilna, run by local entrepreneur, Jane.
Our accommodation was in containers or dongers across the road, called the Overflow. These are often used by film crews as they pub is used as a film set for movies, TV series and ads.
Watching the sunset.
Excellent local fare, despite a power outage. Fabulous rooms attached to the pub.
The restaurant doubles as a gallery of local art.
M&M
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