South Australia for the Week

We landed in Adelaide, the city with the most churches and free settlers, and soon we were on our way north heading to our destination for the day Port Augusta. The flat arable land is all cultivated, wheat, barley, oats, wild rape borders these massive fields, interrupted by spreads of purple flowers. It's so rich and fertile. It is also the only place in Australia which has such an abundance of wind farms and solar farms and where over 30% of their energy is provided by renewables. This is so good to witness. 

We see Two wells - a small town named so because there were separate wells for white people and aboriginals. Anyone want a scorpion ? See the sign for the pet shop across the road.

We headed on to Crystal Creek and find a cute little heritage Museum and an old sign for good Pickles. 

Along the way the scenery changes. We are moving from arable land to pastures with lots of sheep and cows, piggeries, chicken farms and wind farms. 

Coming into Port Augusta we explore the lovely Botanical Garden for Arid plants. Many plants surviving in poor soil, sometimes sand and little water. They are incredibly beautiful and unusual. I am drawn to the many eucalypts and the gum nuts.

Port Augusta was once a central meeting place for different Aboriginal groups to trade goods and knowledge. More recently it has become a vital train link. You can take the Pichi Richi steam train through the Flinders ranges. We watched the Ghan moving along the track - all 35 of its carriages chugging along. 

Port Augusta is also home to the Flying Doctors since 1928 servicing the needs of many people living in regional Australia.   

Our home for the night is Standpipe an old motel which is where cameleers would stay many years ago as they moved their herds across the country. Now it is run but a great Punjabi family serving tasty curries to Aussie travellers.