Gawler Ranges National Park - right through the Eyre Highway to Ceduna and Fowlers Bay

Viewed from a map, the Gawler Ranges are very distant and isolated.  Yet, they are not difficult to visit and showcase some wonderful country and quiet camping areas.  The birdlife was so prolific and unique.

Wouldn't it be lovely to fly.

Looking back at the Gawler Ranges in the distance, we hit hundreds of kms of beautiful crops - canola, wheat, lentils, peas, broadbeans, lupins.  We just hope the weather holds and our farmers get justified rewards this year.

Ian spent a lot of time tracking down birds for photos.  A lovely one of a red-capped robin. 

We drove the Eyre Highway to Ceduna.  The port of Thebanard - graced by the cormorants on the rocks.

Flowers, what else can I say.  Such colour and texture.

What can showcase beauty more than flowers.

Pildappa Rock - free Camping area north of Winnipa on the Eyre Highway

We planned to camp here at the Pildappa Rock, however it was a little too windy, so we drove on to Ceduna.  Spectacular views and easy to climb to the top of the rock.

Pildappa Rock - great free camping area - the rock is amazing.

Easy to climb the Pildappa Rock, interesting views.

Great views on top of Pildappa Rock

The distance views feature the Gawler Rangers - see next blog.

Mt Ive Station near the Gawler Ranges - another for the Bucket List

Reasons for putting Mt Ive on the bucket list:

Fantastic 4WD tracks
Access to Lake Gairdner -and speed week

Historical houses and buildings

Great Camping

Lake Gairdner - you should see the cars lined up on this lake for speed week.

Lovely climb up for fascinating views

Typical roads

Yes, they were really growing on the roads

Roxby Downs, Andamooka, Woomera

Amazing to drive out of the desert (well one filled with flowers) and see a large, newly made large town of Roxby Downs.

Andamooka - wow such an interesting town.  Mountains of dirt after it has been shifted for opals.  No building codes here - the town just popped up.  Jack Absolom's father lived in a tiny cottage here (see pic).

Woomera - sad.  Mountains of great housing and buildings with no one living in them?  What to do?

Camping at Andamooka, Mounds of Dirt (no opals?) behind us.  So enjoyed it here, the town  and people were very interesting and friendly.

Cook out at Andamooka - was really great fun.  And lovely food.

Flowers in the desert.

Flowers went forever

Annual yellowtop

Galahs up on the huge diesel outlet of water station.  They were almost black - think they must be addicted to the fumes.

Sculpture Park in the desert out of Maree

Bitumen - what is that?  Haven't seen much of this lately - Roxby Downs to Woomera.

Woomera

Muloorina Station (north of Maree near Lake Eyre)

Muloorina has a wonderful camping area on the Station.  Beautiful waterhole.

Camping on the waterhole at Muloorina Station

Our lovely neighbours, settling up their house.

How is this for a front door view?

Some neighbours with problems with their scrubbed out tyres - Ian helped them to change them. 

Birdsville to Maree

We really are into the isolated areas - fascinating. Maybe see one other car per day :)

Off into the unknown - fancy travelling these areas before 1900s - very isolated even now.

Back into South Australia (and colder weather).  Should have stayed in Bedourie in the spa haha.

Gypsum on the road, the whiteness is very hard on the eyes.

Tom Kruse's old trucks at Mungeranie (just north of Maree)

Tom Kruse's trucks with his name painted on the door

Walking down the lookout which gave great views over Lake Harry just before Maree

Russell our best man lived at this police station when his father was the Sargent at Maree.  Russell used to go out on the truck with Tom Kruse.

Lake Eyre Sailing Club House!

Old Ghan trains at Maree

You can see forever!