Kimba and Iron Knob

Kimba

22nd - 23rd August 2017

Well, here we are, halfway across Australia. It's only taken us seventeen months! Kimba is geographically halfway across Australia on the Eyre Highway. Population around 1,000, so not a big town. North from our last stop at Whyalla.

There was enough to see and do to keep us occupied for a couple of days, and the weather was beautiful and sunny!!!

The first point of interest had to be a photo to prove we are halfway.

The next on the tourist route is a picture with the big galah. Stunning hey? No-one seems to know the significance of the big galah, or its relevance.

The town provides a fabulous camp for $5 per night at the Recreation Reserve. Complete with shower and toilets. Not that we need that now we have the The Penthouse 'd move along! Fantastic large area walking distance to town, which I did twice.

This mural on the side of one of the sheds and the reserve.

Silo Art is becoming increasingly popular throughout rural Australia. Kimba's contribution was still being painted. I had a great chat with Cam Scale the artist. The image is broken down into small grids and he has a copy of each grid to work from. You can see him holding the current piece of paper in his hand. Cam said it is quite challenging painting on a curved surface up close. Looks amazing.

Full view, almost finished.

Next was a drive up to White's Knob to get a bird's eye view of Kimba and the silos. We are loving the lush green countryside. Acres and acres of wheat, canola and other grains.

The artwork is quite impressive from the hilltop.

Back on the road after our Adelaide house sit, so back to walking and hiking. This one at White's Knob. Thought I would ease Dezzi back into it gently!

That was definitely worth the 100 metre walk.

A lovely 20 klm drive out from Kimba brought us to Bascombe Rocks. The granite rock outcrops catch water in the pools when it rains, and in the early settlement days this was the water supply.

Apparently there should be tadpoles, but Dezzi didn't find any.

Amazing view. 360 degree vista of undulating countryside.

The spring wildflowers are starting to bloom, too.

These delicate little flowers are everywhere.

So it seems I had worn Dezzi out, so I left him behind and headed off for some serenity at the Roora Walking trail. A leisurely 6 klm return walk.

All set. The walk starts at the Recreation Reserve where we were camped. Easy.

Easy peasy. No hills.

All through the nature trail are fabulous native animal sculptures. They are the work of Ty Manning.

I think they are great!

Love a good bush walk.

This is the Quandong commonly referred to as the native peach. It is very popular in South Australia. Mainly quondong pies (very yummy), jams and relishes.

During all our travels in outback, dry areas, it never ceases to amaze me that delicate little flowers like these can survive such harsh environments.

There are wattle trees in great profusion. One of my absolute favourites. I love their golden flowers, and their fragrance.

At the end of the walk I realised that I had left my sunglasses 3 klm back on the track. Well...I like a good walk, but I wasn't about to do the 6klm all over again. Lucky they were my cheapies, so a brisk walk into town before the shops shut for another pair. Bumped my walk up to 8klm!!!!

We also managed to fit in lunch at the pub, which was great.

Iron Knob
24th-25th August 2017

Iron Knob is also on the Eyre Peninsula immediately south of the Eyre Highway. At the 2006 census, Iron Knob and the surrounding area had a population of 199. The town obtained its name from its proximity to large deposits of iron ore, most notably Iron Monarch which outcropped prominently from the relatively flat, surrounding landscape. Like many outback towns, this one also is dying a slow death. We stopped to do the mine tour, which was very entertaining.

The free camp at Iron Knob. That's us on the far right - lined up with all the other big boys - love it. We are still pinching ourselves and love our new Penthouse 'd move along. To be able to just pull up, unwind the legs and job is done for an overnight stay is absolute heaven. Not to mention how cosy and warm it is on these cold, cold nights.

A couple of the old houses still standing.

The Iron Knob information centre. Off on the mine tour. Well, our tour guide, Frank has been a local for many, many years. It was more a tour of all the falling down homes, surrounded by piles of old cars and various other pieces of junk. His repartee was very entertaining and kept us well amused with stories from his childhood and teen years.

Very attractive front gardens?!?!?!?!?

We did eventually make it to the old mine site. Turns out the only bit of the mine you get to see is from the top of the hill through the fence - ha ha!

Iron Knob began as a housing settlement for miners somewhere between the late 1800's to early 1900's. It is often said to be the birthplace of Australia's steel industry, and the mine is among the oldest still active in Australia.