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Pichi Richi Tourist Railway: In the1870s, the South Australian Government embarked on an ambitious project to build a railway line from Port Augusta to Alice Springs. The route chosen for the first section was through the Pichi Richi Pass in the Southern Flinders Ranges. The Pichi Richi tourist railway travels the first section of the line, opened in 1879, between Port Augusta and Quorn.
Melrose: A small township at the foot of Mount Remarkable, Melrose is like a charming snapshot of early South Australia. The town's long history is reflected in its many colonial era buildings: three heritage listed hotels, Jacka's Brewery ruins (1878); 'Willow Springs' Woolshed (c.1850); a wattle and daub cottage (c.1860); Bluey Blundstone's blacksmith's shop; Post Office (1865-66); Court House and Police Station (1862) to name a few. A walking path across the surspension bridge leads to the top of Mount Remarkable, as well as copper mine workings, the Spring Creek mine ruins and its smelter chimney.
Kapunda: Just 80 kms from Adelaide between the Clare and Barossa Valleys, Kapunda has a rich history and mining heritage. Once the largest town outside of Adelaide, its grand stone buildings are a reflection of a thriving and prosperous era when Australia's first commercial copper mine was in production here. Mawson, Heyson and the Kidman Riding Trail all converge at Kapunda offering nature enthusiasts the opportunity to cycle, walk or ride the countryside.
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Magnetic Hill near Orroroo
Peterborough District: A child of the Iron Horse that has always been synonymous with steam locomotives and growing diesels, Peterborough is the last major town in the mid north before the Barrier Highway viers in a north easterly direction towards Broken Hill. Peterbrough replaced Terowie as the break-of-gauge, becoming one of the few places in the world to pssess a junction of three gauges. The town's railway heritage lives on at Steamtown, a railway museum from which a steam tourist railway operates.
Terowie, to the south, once a vital railway centre, stands almost abandoned yet largely unaltered since its heydey. Wepowie Creek Historic Reserve near Orroroo contains Aboriginal engravings. Taking your vehicleDrive on to Orroroo and Magnetic Hill if you want to experience something that is just a little bit different from anything else. Park your car on the side of the hill and watch it role uphill.
Martindale Hall: one of South Australia's best known historic houses and notable pastoral homesteads. Built on gently rising ground near the village of Mintaro, it commands a wide view across the countryside. This 19th century Georgian manor 'starred' as Appleyard College in the award winning Australian film 'Picnic at Hanging Rock'. It offers visitors an experience of life in another era.
Mount Remarkable National Park: A popular destination for bushwalking and camping, the park's dramatic gorges, walking trails and diverse wildlife is just the beginning of its appeal. The park features the 960m high Mount Remarkable Summit which can be reached along the Mount Remarkable Summit Hike from Melrose, providing panoramic views of Willochra Plain and Spencer Gulf.
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| Visiting The Region: The Facts |
Regional Centres
Towns: Barossa Valley
Towns: Clare Valley
Towns: Wheatbelt/Copper Belt
Towns: Southern Flinders Ranges
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How to Get There: to visit the coastal regions, drive north from Adelaide along Port Wakefield Road via Gepps Crossing, towards Port Augusta.
To visit the Barossa Valley, take Great North Road at Gepps Crossing, passing through Elizabeth and Gawler to Hewett. At Hewett, take Sturt Highway Greenoch, Nuriootpa and Truro. Alternatively, take Barossa Valley Way at Gawler to visit Lyndoch, Tanunda, Angaston and Nuriootpa.
To visit the Clare Valley and towns in the Wheatbelt and Copper Belt, continue on the Main North Road at Hewett and follow the signs to the towns you wish to visit.
At Giles Corner, take the Barrier Highway to visit Burra, Hallett, Terowie and Peterborough. Alternatively, continue on the Main North Road to the Clare Valley wine region and towns in the northern Wheatbelt/Southern Flinders Ranges.
By bus: LinkSA operates coach services to and through the Barossa Valley, Murray Bridge, Mid Murray and the Adelaide Hills regions.
Great Southern Rail operates Barrosa Valley Escape, a 5 day/4 night tour from Melbourne the the Baro0ssa Valley region. More >>
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Best Time To Go: The climate is typically Mediterranean with cool winters May to August ranging through 10-18 degrees, and warm to hot dry summers November to March ranging through 24-35 degrees. Coastal areas tend to have minimum winter temperatures that are several degrees warmer than those recorded by the inland regions, whereas in summer the opposite occurs.
Autumn to spring is the best time to visit when the weather is mild and vegetation and wildlife thriving. Summer visits can be rewarding, too, provided your activities are tailored to weather conditions and extra care is taken in preparation.
Walks
Tourist Railways
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| Regions of South Australia |
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