Australia So Much to See
Brachina Gorge Road to Hawker
With the wind strength somewhat reduced, in the morning we headed southwards to Hawker, where we planned stop early in the day.
As it was still windy weather, driving and sightseeing were not pleasant. Low cloud obscured the peaks of Wilpena Pound
and other ranges.
Established in 1880, Hawker was once a thriving town on the Ghan railway. As a rail head servicing adjacent agricultural areas, in the 1880s Hawker had two flour mills, with bags of what arriving by rail.
The first railway station burnt down in 1884,
and the replacement built in 1885 is still standing, now heritage listed. In 1989 the disused station was restored to become
the Old Ghan Restaurant and Gallery.
Resources
We stopped at the neat and flat Hawker caravan park (above left). This is an older park, and we had trouble finding a site large
enough for us. There were plenty of vacant sites, although a lot more caravanners came in by late afternoon. Only three
long drive through sites which were unpowered. Being an older park, shower cubicles were small but well maintained, and there
was no disability access bathroom. Rainwater tank for drinking water. There was a swimming pool. Cost was $32 whether
powered or unpowered. There were plenty of vacant sites, although a lot more caravanners came in by late afternoon. Only
three long drive through sites which were unpowered.
From the caravan park, there were views to the distant ranges. Some cloud still hung low over them (above right).
