Sunday 26 August
My phone alarm woke us at 5:30am … the first of many early morning awakenings. After showering, dressing and organising our bags we headed out to the local McDonalds for breakfast. It was Sunday and most breakfast places definitely were not open until at least 7 o'clock which was too late for us.
The streets were busy with taxis and people who had been out all night … some the wrost for wear!
Our pickup was between 7 and 7:30 and we were duly met by our guide, Wes, who bounded into the foyer of the Stamford with a welcoming grin and then collected by the bus being driven by our other guide, Andrea. After a couple more stops to collect other groupies (there were 7 in our party) we headed out of Adelaide.
The first part of the drive passed through large greenhouse holdings, cropping areas (wheat and canola), olive groves and vineyards. The countryside was a brilliant green. There were numerous wind turbines lining the ridges.
We stopped about 100km out of Adelaide for a loo break and coffee and then on to Quorn, passing the Spencer and ? Gulfs. At Pichi Richi we were fortunate to see the steam train which was doing its Sunday run up from Pt Augusta.
While Wes and Andrea prepared lunch we strolled around the centre of Quorn. The town boast many old style buildings and has often been used as the backdrop for films such as Gallipoli.
The train line running through Quorn is part of the original Ghan line which was decommissioned around 1980. We were still in Quorn when the Pichi Richi steam train arrived.
Lunch was salad, breads, dips and cold meats followed by tea and coffee.
Back on the bus we headed out to Devils Peak.
The top of Devils Peak stands starkly out of the surrounding landscape and the notice board indicated that it was a challenging climb. We both made it to the summit. There were times when needed to scramble (using hands as well as feet) and the final ascent required us to edge up a crevice in the rocks. It was worth the effort. The views were outstanding and the geological formations stunning.
I had carried the pack up leaving Trevor with just the camera. He actually did very well and was not the slowest in our party.
The top of Devils Peak stands starkly out of the surrounding landscape and the notice board indicated that it was a challenging climb. We both made it to the summit. There were times when needed to scramble (using hands as well as feet) and the final ascent required us to edge up a crevice in the rocks. It was worth the effort. The views were outstanding and the geological formations stunning.
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| An example of the geological formations on Devils Peak |
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| View from the summir of Devils Peak |
I had carried the pack up leaving Trevor with just the camera. He actually did very well and was not the slowest in our party.
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| Sitting on the summit of Devils Peak. Left to right: Penny, Lorraine, Andrea, Judi, Barbara, Terrie, Wes and Paul |
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| Trevor on the summit of Devils Peak |
The descent from the summit started with getting down through the crevice which was the most challenging part of the return.
After descending Devils Peak we drove back through Quorn and on to Warren Gorge where we were able to see Yellow Footed Rock Wallabies. What gorgeous creatures they are. Trevor got some great photos and I'll add them once I am able to download them.
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| Yellow Footed Rock Wallaby with joey in pouch |
We stayed at the Austral Hotel in Quorn.
After showering and changing we went to the bar and joined some of our party. We then moved to the dining room where Wes and Andrea laid on entree: grapes, cheese and crackers. They provided a briefing of the plans for Day 2 … leaving at 7:30 after breakfast and lunch making.
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