Port Germein to Quorn SA

Thursday 19th May 2022
Time to check out of our cabin at Port Germein today. David has managed to do some work but we must keep moving.

Today we will continue training for our big hike with a hike near Quorn. We will hike to the summit of Mt Brown along part of the Heyson Trail and Olive Grove Trail. This was a 16km hike going up almost 700m in elevation over 4.5 hours. So a good distance to work out the legs again. It was very scenic with stops at Bald Hill viewpoint, the summit with its lookout tower giving almost 360° views and a couple of more view points on the way back down. The way to the lookout was a continuous uphill climb for 6km where we enjoyed lunch with a view. Thern the return was over 8km with an unexpected uphill climb followed by a gradual down to the end. We had a quick look at Waukarie Falls at the end of the track but unfortunately this was dry.

We had intended doing Devil’s Peak climb as well today but unfortunately finishing at 4pm it was a little too late. We have settled in to our camp at Quorn Caravan Park which is a little expensive for an unpowered site but it is what it is. We had a quick dinner in the daylight again and then headed to the Silo Lightship. This was a little history lesson about the area projected on to the silo. t was quite interesting.

Tomorrow we might hike Devil’s Peak before heading on our way towards Coober Pedy.

: The road to the Mt Brown trailhead.

: The start of the trail to Mt Brown summit looks to impress with beautiful trees..

: ..lovely views in the distance..

: ..and the trail although uphill all the way wasn’t too bad underfoot..

: Using our new mini tripod with remote control for a photo of the 2 of us at the Bald Hill viewpoint. No more risk of falling of a mountain as DB rushes to get in the picture.

: A beautiful grass tree garden as we continue our way up and up and up..

: ..a quick stop at another viewpoint..

: ..big concentration as I negotiate the tree trunk.

: A large fungi on a tree as we continue up and up some more..

: We make the top and sit down to enjoy some lunch. It is quite cool up there, the wind chill factoring in, lucky we have our warm gear with us.

: Some history about Robert Brown..

: ..the first settlers..

: ..the Trig Station..

: ..and some history about the area.

: Views from the lookout tower across the wind farms to the gulf..

: ..then back the other way to the plains. It was very picturesque.

: The unexpected uphill climb after the descent down from the summit.

: About 4 directional poles in 20m just to make sure we go the right way..

: ..the views were fantastic along the way..

: ..gateway through different properties I think.

: ..more beautiful views..

: ..as we start the downhill slope for the next 6km..

: ..another beautiful view..

: ..and some more..

: ..and again..

: The Waukerie Falls at the bottom of the trail. No water falling here today.

: Beautiful sunset colours at the caravan park in Quorn tonight.

: The start of the silo art light show..

: ..it was very informative..

: ..the beautiful Flinders Ranges.

: I think this is Quorn Ralway station but in the dark tonight I am not quite sure. Anyway it looks like a lovely old building.

: From Port Germein to Quorn via Mt Brown summit 108km. A little detour for a walk. We will head back down to Port Augusta tomorrow and then head NW towards Coober Pedy. Maybe. Only time will tell.