Notes from the Saddle – Australia Encompassed 2013 – Flinders Ranges to Barossa Valley Back to News List

compexp on 18 September 2013

Update for the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle Tour 2013

Leaving Marree we hit the pavement again, although only temporarily, until we reached the failed townsite of Farina, a settlement form last century and a stop on the original Ghan Railway. We continued onto the famous Prairie Hotel located at the foot of the Flinders Ranges at Parachilna, we sat outside under the verandah having a beer as the sun dipped below the horizon to cap off another spectacular day.

The following day was spent riding the wonderful Flinders Ranges. The group really enjoyed the dirt of the Parachilna Canyon to the old mining town of Blinman where we all enjoyed Quandong Pies. A huge lunch at the woodshed Restaurant located at Rawnsley Park Station saw us hit the dirt for some sensational riding through Bunyeroo and Brachina Gorges. The riding was at times challenging, dusty, wet through creek crossings but always spectacular. Photo op after photo op presented itself as we rode though canyon lands under towering Ghost Gums and along sometimes still flowing creek beds. Exhausted but elated the riders once again enjoyed a few beers as they watched the sun set over Parachilna.

With the temperatures lowering we rode onward through the wine growing districts of the Clare Valley and onto the Barossa Valley to our overnight stay at the wonderful Lyndoch Hill Resort, with the obligatory wine tasting in the adjoining chateau.

In 400ks we had transited from the arid outback into the fertile lands of the wine growing districts of South Australia