Inland South Australia

Back in November last year Catherine and I (along with Margaret, her sister) decided to visit Adelaide and outback areas to the north. We started by staying with Pam, an Aussie friend from C's veterinary days. Pam, the perfect hostess, feted us about Adelaide (it really is a beautiful city) and took us out to the nearby Onkaparinga (remember the blankets!) National Park where we all enthused about the wild orchids which were in abundance.

Onkaparinga River near Pam's Place

Orchids in Onkaparinga NP

Finally we joined up with our tour with an evening on the southern coast of Adelaide. Next morning we headed north through Port Augusta ending the day at Wilpena Village and the next day walked into the Wilpena Pound itself - an impressive feature. The distances and structure are huge as we found out the next day when we visited Arkaroola where we gazed, via their astronomical telescopes into the universe - and the following morning when we toured the nearby ranges by 4WD. The geology and land structures were the feature of that day.

Outer Edge of Wilpena Pound

Arkaroola Area

Onwards we travelled - this time arriving at Maree, further west and at 30 degrees, (Celsius and damn near Latitude South 29.6). From here we took a plane flight over Lake Eyre - which was starting to dry-up again but was at an aesthetically impressive stage with patterns of colour and formations of islands, banks and shorelines. Throughout our journey there were flowers blooming at different stages and degrees - very beautiful.

Salty Edge of Lake Eyre

Another long day took us to Coober Pedy - at the end of the day though fields of Parakelia in flower. We stayed in an underground suite and next day toured the mine workings both above and below ground. The afternoon was one of the highlights of our journey when we visited the "drop off" - an area on the edge of the hills where all the colours of the earth are revealed - an artists paradise.

Artist's Paradise at the Drop-off

Our last day back to Adelaide was long with stops at Woomera and a winery for lunch. Large areas of cropping were a feature of the day. Finally a dinner and welcome rest in our original hotel.

Sturt's Desert Pea

Desert Rose

Pam, indeed, had not finished with us - more visits in town to catch up with other friends and to the orchids again which were in even greater profusion. Very good trip.

Spider Orchid

Thelimitra sp.

More trips to come! If we are spared.

Local Sniffing the Parakelia