Carrieton | Paula's Livin' the Dream

Black Rock Campsite – Orrorro – Eurelia – Carrieton – Cradock – Hawker – Parachilna –Beltana Roadhouse – Leigh Creek – Lyndhurst – Strezlecki Track to Murnpeowie Station (Mumpy)

I left Black Rock Campsite headed for Orrorro – the streetscape has a great kangaroo sculpture and an impressive entrance sign. The RM Williams Way is dotted with small towns and some spectacular scenery. The Flinders Ranges are simply remarkable – blue hued mountains flank the road interspersed with dry creek beds with huge gums. I was thrilled to find the Walloway Train Crash Site and Memorial as we had heard the story at the Steamtown Light show in Peterborough. As it was only one kilometre from the highway I decided I couldn’t miss it. The memorial has the story of the crash and a picture of the wreckage beside the railway line.

I went into Hawker to have a look around – found the hotel and had a coke – then looked at the Historic Railway Station and Ghan Restaurant before heading for Parachilna and a lookout for lunch. The Flinders feel so close here and I am overawed at the majesty. Beltana Roadhouse is just off the highway but I didn’t go in – the signs leading up to the turnoff were clever marketing for the campsite – every hundred metres or so another service was offered – made me keep looking for the next one.

I needed to get fuel at Leigh Creek but not before photographing their impressive welcome sign – two massive truck tyres with the town’s name on each. Leigh Creek is the gateway to the Gammon Ranges, Lake Eyre, Oodnadatta, Birdsville and Strezlecki Tracks. It is a mining town which is privately owned by mining companies –outside companies tender for businesses in the town. I headed for Lyndhurst after getting fuel – arrived about an hour before Joyleen came in from Mumpy. It was so good to see her. We had to go back to Leigh Creek for stores and then back to Lyndhurst to house the bus in Joan Murray’s backyard. The Strezlecki Track has just been graded so the road is quite good – Livin’ would have been fine coming here – but the road will deteriorate because of the amount of trucks this week so I’m glad I didn’t drive. It great to arrive at Mumpy – I’ve wanted to visit for ages. (Talked till very late)