Flinders Ranges: Flora

It was a surprise to see so many plants flowering in the Flinders Ranges. Mostly it was the perennials not the annuals that were in bloom - the small shrubs. You don't see the flowers when you're driving the roads admiring the geology and beautiful landscapes. It's only when you walk that you see the colour of the flowers. The wildflowers must be very beautiful in spring, but there are so many Pattersons Curse plants that the hills will be beautifully purple with the weed.

Flinders Ranges: Fauna

Some of the fauna we saw in the Flinders Rangers. Of note were the hundreds of kangaroos of several species (Western Grey, Red and Eulo) feeding at all times of the day.

Our campsite on Willow Springs was next to dry creek bed lined with River Red Gums and Callitris grew further up the rocky hillsides. We were pleased to share the site with Red-capped Robins, Yellow-rumped Thornbills, Grey-crowned Babblers and Australian Ravens. We were a hop and a skip from Stokes Lookout which is a favoured spot to find the elusive Short-tailed Grasswrens but the time of year and the atrocious weather defeated my attempts to find any in residence.

We also saw a huge feral cat creeping its way up a rocky hillside. One of many in the Flinders I imagine.

Flinders Ranges: Geology

Internet access at last. While we were exploring the Flinders Ranges we had no mobile phone access at all. We're at Leigh Creek, plugged in to power, washing and drying, catching up on emails, warming up. The last few days have been a bit torrid, with gale force bitterly cold winds and driving rain - but I think we were better off than most of south-eastern Australia. We stayed at Willow Creek Station and it was a good choice. They know how to set up campsite facilities and there is the bonus of natural beauty as well.

Despite the weather we managed to get out a bit to see the outstanding scenery and geology.