Intrepid White's Travel Adventures: NAVIGATING THE COVID MAZE

OVERSEAS CANCELLATIONS = LOCAL TRAVEL Blog 2

Within a short time after our arrival home from Cairns our International Borders were shut with severe restrictions on coming into and out off the country. We were planning and had pre booked our next overseas trip to Ireland the UK and Europe for the mid year. After navigating the cancellations we decided to embark on a road trip to Darwin, across to Broome, Perth, Esperance and Eyre Peninsular planning for the same dates as the overseas trip. No sooner had I started planning the shutters came down on the NT & WA borders. Luckily I had only booked to Darwin via Uluru. More cancellations. Over this period Covid was playing havoc across the nation and closer to home our neighbouring area of the Barossa Valley fell victim to a major cluster thus being declared a 'Hotspot'. Sadly a death resulted from this outbreak. All was put on hold and with Ngaire working locally in aged care and me working in the cluster zone, apart from work, we were on tight restrictions Fortunately the all clear was given after 28 days of no new cases so back to planning.

With interstate borders closed local travel was on the agenda. Destination, the Flinders ranges & Tumby Bay (Eastern Eyre Peninsula) June 2020.

Rawnsley Park

Rawnsley Park Station was a sheep station situated in the Flinders Ranges on the southern edge of Wilpena Pound. The owners first ventured into tourism in 1968 combining cabin accommodation with sheep shearing demonstrations. The tourism venture developed to the point whereby today it is the sole operation offering 3 levels of cabin accommodation, eco lodges and caravan and camping. The old shearing shed is now the restaurant. We first stayed here over 10 years ago and noticed the expansion on this, our second visit.

Rawnsley was our base to explore the Northern Flinders and venturing as far as Maree, a once important stop on the old narrow gauge Ghan line to Alice Springs and the Junction of the start of the Birdsville and Oodnadatta tracks.

Entrance to Rawnsley Park

Rawnsley Park from the surrounding range

Hiking & Views at Rawnsley Park

The Northern Flinders, Farina & Maree

Farina

Farina was settled by optimistic farmers in 1878 and was the railhead from Pt Augusta for the transportation of produce out and supplies and equipment for the town. The line was eventually extended to Maree and then to Alice Springs with the passenger service known famously as the 'Ghan'. The town is being resurrected by a dedicated band of volunteers and is located just south of Maree. Worth the visit.