yesterday we headed off to a place called Willow Springs. Chris was talking to a young couple and they couldn’t say enough about it. So we decided to head out over there to have a look. We also had another couple join us, Ross and Elaine, in their Toyota Landcruiser.
Willow Springs Station has 70,000 acres of ground in the beautiful Flinder’s Ranges. They opened they’re property up in 1995 for those who enjoy four wheel driving. The track takes roughly six hours to complete, so you need to remember to bring some food and water with you. There is a fee that you pay at the Caretaker’s house, and you’re given a map to follow the trail around the property. So we passed through the gate and headed out.
The roads at this stage weren’t too bad as we followed the ravine with the large white gums.
Because this is a working station, you come across herds of sheep in between gates on the property. Number one rule, is to remember to shut the gates!
Moxan’s hut. Before the current family bought this property in ‘52, there used to be a permanent sheep herder living in this hut. Dirt floors and mud filled walls, and camp beds. There was even a fire place for cooking with a meat storage locker close by. Notice in the back ground the out house?..this is still available for the public.
And of course, in the bush, there’s abundant wildlife. Here is an eagle’s nest. We could some a couple of them flying high on the updrafts, but there wasn’t anybody home today.
The mountains ran along each side of us as the trail snaked it’s way through the ravines and valleys.
And as we made our way out of the canyon, the road turned into a “serious” off road experience. The road became a bed of rocks that looked more like a goat track.
We climbed to the top of the mountains where the vista was magnificent. The only thing to spoil the view was a lack of sun to bring out the spectacular colour display that you would normally see.
Even though the weather turned in the afternoon, this track was extremely fun. We all as a group, decided that this was a place to be revisited, except on a SUNNY day next time.
For those who enjoy some serious off roading? THIS is TRULY a wonderful and magical place.
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