Gawler Ranges
Eyre Peninsula
The Gawler Ranges are a range of mountains in the Eyre Peninsula formed around 1,500 million years ago by volcanic activity. The region was first explored in 1839 by Edward John Eyre, and by the late 1850's was surveyed and turned into pastoral holdings. Found within the Gawler Ranges is the 166,000 hectare Gawler Ranges National Park. The national park originally started out as the Paney Station, one of the earliest pastoral holdings in the region, and in January 2002 was proclaimed as Gawler Ranges National Park.
The best time to visit the Gawler Ranges is in the Spring (September to October) as the ranges come alive with a carpet of wildflowers covering the landscape. It was within the Gawler Ranges that the first recorded sighting of the Sturt Desert Pea, South Australia's floral emblem, was made by Edward John Eyre. The Gawler Ranges National Park is now home to a number of rare and threatened species including the yellow-footed wallaby and the southern hairy-nosed wombat.
The Gawler Ranges are located about 550 kms North West of Adelaide. The roads throughout the Ranges are unsealed, and although you can drive on many roads with a high clearance 2WD vehicle, it is recommended to have a high clearance 4WD. Access to Gawler Ranges National Park is via gravel roads from Kimba, Minnipa and Wudinna.
You do require day and camping passes to visit the Gawler Ranges National Park and these are available from self-registration bays within the park itself.
A good place to base yourself for a few days is Mt Ive Station. Here you can find fuel and a basic shop, as well as accommodation. The staff there will be able to answer all your questions and provide you with a map and point you in the right direction to start exploring.
Gawler Ranges Attractions
Lake Gairdner
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At over 160 kms long, 48 kms wide and with salt over 1.2 metres thick in some places, it is little wonder this massive salt lake has been used to break world speed records. The lake is the 4th largest salt lake in Australia and very rarely holds any water.
Once a year the Dry Lakes Racers of Australia club has an event on the lake (weather permitting) where you can race your vehicles. For more information see their website.
www.dlra.org.au
If you want to explore Lake Gairdner then the only public access is via a 34 km station track from Mt Ive Station. On your drive out to the lake there is an organ pipe rock formation at Kath's Castle and the old embankment (built in 1892) which are worth a exploring. You have to climb over a few rocks to get to the organ pipes at Kath's Castle, so if you prefer not to do this there are easier places within the national park to see other organ pipe rock formations.
Peter's Pillar
Also found on Mt Ive Station is Peters Pillar, a section of narrow red rectangular rocks that form an unusual rock formation. This is best visited in the late afternoon when the shadows are enhancing the colours of the rock.
Old Paney Homestead
Paney Station was one of the earliest pastoral holdings in the Gawler Ranges and operated as a sheep station. Today the homestead has been restored to its former glory and is open for tourists to have a look through.
Pildappa Rock Information
On the Western side of the Gawler Ranges is Pildappa Rock, a wave rock that rivals the famous Wave Rock in Western Australia. Pildappa Rock is about 18 kms North of Minnipa, and the best spot to see the rock is on the northern side where there is a picnic area with a gas bbq, toilets and water facilities. From Pildappa Rock you will get great views across the surrounding farming land and the Gawler Ranges. Pildappa is also known for its deep gnamma holes which ensure a virtually permanent water supply, and like many granite outcrops around Australia it has an elaborate gutter system surrounding the base of the rock.
Other Gawler Ranges Attractions
Other sites if interest within the Gawler Ranges National Park are the Policemans Point Precinct, Kolay Mirica Falls, Stone Dam and Pondanna Outstation, a restored homestead where agriculture was attempted early last century.