Tour Day 5:
Once more we were up before the sun and headed out to our
first destination: Dutchmans Stern. We had three hours to walk up and back,
roughly the same amount of time we had spent at kings Canyon but this was a
very different walk. As we walked to the base of the hill we saw a fabulous
sunrise which was much appreciated as we had missed out at Uluru and Cooper
Pedy. The walk to the top of the hill was a steady climb though thankfully at a
lower incline than the start of the Kings Canyon walk. As I climbed I saw some
spectacular views in the occasional instances when the trees cleared. We were
all walking at our own pace and as my friend had hurt her ankle she urged me to
go on ahead. I quickly fell behind the majority of the rest of the group and
enjoyed the peace and tranquillity the solitary climb allowed me. I was also
pleased to stop and take photographs without feeling like I was holding up the
group. I was worried that I would take too long to reach to top but in the end
I was there in plenty of time to enjoy it with the rest of the group, I was not
even the last one to the top. Sadly my UK friend didn’t make it all the way to
the top but she assured me she enjoyed the part of the climb she was able to
manage with her sore ankle. I enjoyed my moor walk last year and knew before I
came out here that I wanted to do more walking and this walk confirmed it. The
views were spectacular once more and the feeling of achievement of having
climbed the hill to see them was very satisfying. Not to mention that the walk
itself was most enjoyable. Having said that I’m not sure how a bundled up walk
in the cold Scottish highlands will compare to a walk in the sunshine in my
shorts and t-shirt! After enjoying the view we retraced our steps back to the
bottom of the hill to our bus.
Our next stop was the Wilpena Pound national park but since
none of us needed to return to the camp we were able to take the back road and
visit the grave of Hugh Proby; the first man to try settle Kanyaka Station
which though only 150 years old is now a historic ruin. However between the
death of Hugh Proby and its current state it was at one time one of the largest
stations in the district making it an interesting historic landmark. Our next
pit stop was at the first telegraph station where we lined up and were able to
hear as the people at the front and back of the line tapped out messages directly
on the old line. On the way along the road our guide stopped occasionally to
point out the lizards sunbaking beside (or sometimes on) the road. We even saw
a Brown snake from the safety of the bus as we were instructed most
emphatically not to leave the bus, I for one didn’t need telling twice.
We made it to Wilpena Pound an hour and a half before lunch
and were told to take our time climbing to the lookout point. The trail we were
on would give us an excellent view of the hills that surround Wilpena making it
perfect for keeping goats in one place back in the early days of settlement. Once
again the views were stunning. The area is well forested and though we were
told Echidnas had been spotted I doubted I would see anything as the landscape
looked so busy with vegetation. I was right and I didn’t but I did see some emu’s
running around on my way back. There were three little ones and two larger. I
stayed well back enjoying watching their interaction then continued back
towards the bus. Though I saw little wild life I still enjoyed the spectacular
views the natural basin provided. I was the second last person back and the
other were impatient to be off for lunch so we decided I would wait for my
friend who was sensibly taking her time due to her sore ankle. I enjoyed
waiting in the peace and quiet and hoped that a wee Echidna might even think it
was safe enough to venture out. Sadly it was not to be and my friend soon
arrived followed closely by the next tour bus. The guide was with the same
company as ours and told us she would take up to our lunch spot to save our
guide a trip. In my hurry to get going I am ashamed to admit I left my precious
camera behind, a fact I only realised after lunch when we were clearing up in
order to move on to our next destination.
Our next but by no means last destination of the day was the
ruins of Kanyaka Station farmhouses. It was sad to see the place in such
disrepair but interesting to see how the first settlers would have lived nonetheless.
We didn’t spend too long at the farm house as there wasn’t much to see and
there was more to do before our day was done. Our next stop was another lookout
point which had a scaled model of the Wilpena landscape allowing us to see the
whole formation. We made a quick stop at Yourambulla Caves where some of our
group took a short walk to view some Aboriginal rock paintings before heading
to our final destination before heading back to the hostel. This was Warren
Gorge where we had a quick stroll through peaceful surroundings in the hopes of
seeing a Yellow Footed Rock Wallaby or two. We actually about half a dozen and
I was gutted not to have my camera on me. I did have my phone but it isn’t anywhere
near as good. However I felt privileged to see these once elusive creatures
especially as they were ever so cute. After another full day it was now time to
head back and make dinner for both groups.
Once back it was all hands on deck to chop veggies and get
the preparation underway and before long dinner was well underway. Once our
help was no longer necessary some of us settled in to watch the second half of
the Rugby world cup. I was please when New Zealand won as I think they deserved
it the most though it was a close game, especially at the end. Rugby over it was
time for dinner and a relaxing drink. We had clear up duty as well as we had
done nothing the previous night so once everything was cleaned all that was
left to do was to sit outside with our drinks and enjoy the rest of our
evening.
Tour Day 6:
Having managed to fit all but one activity into our second
last day all that remained was to get on the bus and head to Adelaide via the
Clare Valley and a few wineries. Our first stop was a quiet winery who’s name I
forget so therefore I assume their wine wasn’t worth remembering either. It was
a short walk from the winery to our lunch area where bacon wraps and sarnies
were the order of the day, very exciting especially as the bacon was nice and
crispy. Our next stop was Annies Lane who I think do a rather nice Chardonnay
not to mention there distinctively interesting Rose (of which I purchaed a
bottle for my friends in Adelaide) and our last stop was the Taylor winery
where I preferred the Semillon Sauvignon Blanc from their white Jaraman range
and, surprisingly for me, their Jaraman Shiraz. Once we were all feeling
slightly tipsy and happy our guide wisely handed out the evaluation forms and
it really was the end of the tour. Within a few hours we were in Adelaide and
checking in to our respective hostels. It wasn’t quite over yet though as we
decided to meet up for one last meal at a nearby pub. It was a lovely way to
end the tour and though most people bailed two of us did make it to the casino.
It was the first time I have been in a casino for over three years and I am
pleased to say I did my man proud by coming away with more than I went in with
(I am sure he was giving me a little help along the way!). All in all it was
fitting end to a fabulous week and I can honestly say I would recommend that
anyone who is spending time in Australia do this tour. It was expensive but our
guide made sure we got out moneys worth for sure. Five stars, two thumbs up and
big smiles all round. Epic.
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