State of South Australia Things to Do Tips by hennanights Top 5 Page for this destination

Semaphore beach front

In front of Semaphore beach there is a large grass section with bbqs, seats, playground, tourist train and toilet facilities.

Protecting the penguins

Granite island is an important penguin rookery. Little penguins are the only penguin species known to breed in Australia. They stand approximately 35cm and weigh about 1.2kg. Little Penguins are the worlds’ smallest penguin species. Unfortunately like all small things they get picked on. They have so many predators. There are their natural ones which include sea eagles, fur seals, goannas and snakes. But they also have to fight off introduced ones as well. Those include dogs, foxes, cats, rats and of course us. All of these predators are a major threat to the Granite Island penguin colony.
A penguin management plan has been formulated to best protect the penguin colony and their habitat. Guide tours have been put in place to stop such things as people shining torches at penguins causing them to become disorientated. Or getting in the way of them returning to barrows. Hopefully with good ecotourism practices things will continue to improve for these little creatures.

Directions: Granite Island Nature Park
depart daily at dusk; $10

Phone: 08/8552 7555

Para Wirra Lake

The lake is a good spot for a BBQ. It has several picnicking areas that are well shaded and look over Little Para Wirra lake. There are normal a duck or two swimming around. Its also a good place to spot a kookaburra
There are also several walking trails that loop the area, most are easy going and make for a good way to see the surrounding countryside.
This area also has toilets.

Directions: Para Wirra National park
40 kilometres north-east of the City centre

Bush walking in Wilpena Pound.

For a little slice of one of Australia's most beautiful wildness parks head to Wilpena Pound. The park offers many walking trails from the very easy to challenging. There are 13 in total and you can get a guide leaflet from the headquarters. The park, covering over 8000 hectares, consists of ragged red low mountain terrain, flat plains and lush bushland that plays host to many birds and wildlife. The gum trees alone are worth the visit. Majestic gum trees tower above you, many twisted in unusual shapes. This large gum pictured had fallen across a river bank and my daughter found it a little hard to resist. Her and her Dad balanced there way to the other side. Being scared of heights myself I let out a sigh of relieve when they had finished their fun.

Directions: Located 429 km north of Adelaide, Wilpena Pound lies in the heart of the north Flinders Ranges

Phone: 1800 633 060

Website: http://walkabout.com.au/locations/SAWilpenaPound.shtml

Sign on the road to the Flinders Ranges

Stop at Kanyaka and the Death Rock aboriginal site. Today it is on the heritage list. Kanyaka means "a piece of rock" Walk along the path to you come to a small cluster of intresting shaped rock formations. This is a great place to strech the legs and take a few photos. This area is teaming with flies so dont forget the insect repellent! Just a short walk further is the Kanyaka Waterhole.

Directions: Once at the main highway turn left towards Hawker. It is 5kms to Death Rock

Down a cold one at the Blinman Hotel

Bilnman is a small town in the Flinders Ranges. Its Hotel was built in 1869. Its a great little Aussie pub with a good atmosphere and interesting decor. The walls are covered with business cards from all over Australia and the world. When we were there they were in the middle of the outback cook off which pitches contestants against each other to see who makes the best meal over a campfire.
The Hotel also offers accommodation.

Directions: Just 60km north of Wilpena Pound on the northern fringe of the Flinders Ranges National Park.

Other Contact: Email: admin@blinmanhotel.com.au

Phone: (08) 8648 4867

Website: http://www.blinmanhotel.com.au/

Animal watching in the Flinders Ranges

The Flinders has an abundance of wildlife. We saw a variety of lizards, eagles, parrots, both grey and red kangaroos, bower birds, emus, and of course being a rural area there where lots of sheep. Take care when driving at night as Kangaroos frequently jump in front of on coming cars as you will see by the many poor victims that line the sides of the roads.

Take a drive to the Flinders Ranges

The Flinders Ranges are about 220kms out of Adelaide. The region offers a spectacular outback experience. In a few hours of driving you get an ever changing view. Flat arid paddocks, rolling hills which are home to large birds of prey, dense bushland, gorges with huge ghost gums and tiny wildflowers. The main attraction however is majestic cliffs that glow at sunset. There are a host of things to do but the best way to see all the area is by 4WD. There are many dirt tracks that lead to great attractions such as Razor back lookout, Appealinna Ruins, Cazneaux Tree, The China wall, and not to be missed Brachina Gorge. But if you dont have a 4WD there are many tour operators in the area who offer a range of ways to get around. There are bus tours, plane flights, tag alongs, camel and horse treks or you can hire a vehicle to self drive. If you are visiting the area in just a normal car you wont miss out as most major attractions such as Wilpena Pound are accessed by bitumen roads.
Take care to stick to public roads as farmers dont take to kindly to tourists stomping around their land but having said that some do offer access with a fee attached. Most landowners who offer this service advertise it so look for fliers or brochures at such places as the Wilpena Pound visitors centre and at shops and petrol stations.
There is a variety of accommodation in the Flinders from 5 star resorts, or homestead stays, to bush camping within the park itself.
You will have to pay an entry fee to visit the national park which varies depending on your length of stay. For a day pass its about $7AUD. Look for the registration points at the entrances to the park.

Emergency numbers
All Emergencies 000
Police (Hawker) (61 8) 8648 4028
Hospital (Hawker) (61 8) 8648 4007
Ambulance 132 962
Department for Environment and Heritage After-hours Emergency 0408 378 28

Address: Flinders Ranges National Park

Directions: Flinders Ranges National Park is located in the Flinders Ranges between the townships of Hawker and Blinman.

Flinders Ranges National Park
PMB 22
Hawker SA 5434
Australia

Other Contact: Fax: (61 8) 8648 0092

Phone: Phone: (61 8) 8648 0048

Website: http://www.parks.sa.gov.au/flinders_ranges/index.htm

Visit the Uley cemetery

Monument to Moses Bendle Garlick who built, In 1851, the Baptist church known as Uley Chapel at a cost of 400 pounds. The Uleybury School was built in 1856 due to the efforts of Moses Bendle Garlick and he was also a soldier who served in the peninsular campaign.

Visit the Uley cemetery

Some of the stones remaining in the cemetery.

pic 1. Guy aged 7, died 1899
pic 2. Edna aged 17, died 1883
pic 3. Annie aged 50, died 1879
pic 4. Mary died 1915
pic 5. Spencer, who died in 1880 while rescuing another from drowning.

Directions: Uley rd
In the northern suburbs of Adelaide.