FREEDOM CAMP OF THE MONTH
Now this trip was something special for me. One, mum came along, and two, it is the Flinders Ranges in South Australia, a place I had been wanting to explore ever since I heard about it. Seriously, it did not disappoint, with some of my now-favourite lookouts, drives and freedom camps in Australia!
Most of the camps we came across were station stays and parks in the Ikara-Flinders Ranges, so it was a treat to set up for free at Parachilna Gorge.
There is lovely dispersed camping all along the gorge, and you can walk there – it’ s 1200km from the coast along the Heysen Trail, if that ' s your thing.
Camping extends either side of the Heyson trailhead, running for kilometres along the creek. However, it is dry-weatheronly( though it is mostly dry here anyway!)
We were spoiled with a beautiful night under the blood moon and stars. There are no amenities, just a few firepits, so you must be selfsufficient. Pets are welcome.
The Angorichina shop is just up the road, and you can enjoy a counter lunch at either the upmarket Prairie Hotel in Parachilna or the North Blinman Hotel. Both have loads of character and are worth a visit, and you may want a stiff drink after the narrow and windy gravel roads!
Blinman also has an excellent bakery / cafe that’ s known for its miner ' s pastie, which I had to try. It was a typical pastie except for the fact it had apple in one end! The mining tours were sold out during our visit, so book ahead.
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