Australia So Much to See

The extensive ruins of Kanyaka Station, once an almost self supporting village. This expanse does not include the shearing shed and shearers quarters, which is to the left of the buildings shown in the photo above.

Fifteen kilometres south of Hawker, there are a few stone ruins of a historical settlement of Wilson. When Wilson was established during the 1880s, it was expected to grow into the largest town north of Port Augusta, as this was during the wheat boom years. Now only a few remnant buildings remain, and sheep graze where wheat once grew.

By June 1883 the railway siding was very busy with wheat shipments. About 3,000 tons from Wilson and the surrounding area was loaded despite a crippling drought. A lack of water also hampered the town’s growth, with the town well only having a limited supply, and the next nearest source was five kilometres away.

Undaunted by these and other problems the residents petitioned leading milling companies to establish a flourmill in their town, rather than at Hawker. It now had a number of offices and a goods shed on the western site while the station master's house and additional offices as well as sheep yards on the eastern site of the line.

By 1887 the population of Wilson had grown to 70, occupying 18 houses. The early 1890s had some good seasons and 1893-94 gave a record harvest. This resulted in additional men taking up farming.

By 1933 the town population had declined and as a result both the post office and general store closed. A serious drought in 1939 did not help to improve the situation. During 1942 both the school and hotel closed. In 1947 the last wheat crop was sown and the last resident in left in 1954. After almost 75 years of hope and much disappointment, Goyder was proved to be correct and Wilson had ceased to exist.

Above right show the old sheep loading race to rail, with further ruins in the background.

Around eleven kilometres south of Hawker, Yourambulla Caves used to offer a fine display of Aboriginal rock paintings, however this was closed to the public in 2014, and all signage from the highway has been removed.

The Wilson former Station Master's House is an impressive structure and maintained in good order.

From the homestead, a short walk across the creek goes to the Kanyaka cemetery.

Twenty five kilometres south of Hawker, turn into Kanyaka ruins. The station was once an expansive collection of cottages which housed at its peak seventy families. There was also a large homestead.
The homestead had a substantial wall (below).

Only the stone chimneys remain from the worker's cottages (above left), which must have been constructed from timber.

Above right is the ruins of the cart house, which was near the homestead..

Kanyaka

An old stone water tank and scant remnants of a water trough are in the parking area (above).

A ruin on the other side of the road has a small dwelling close by, which appears to be currently lived in (at right).

Floor plan (above) shows the expanse of the homestead.

Resources

Signage at sites

South Australian History – Wilson

Hawker Visitor Information Centre, referencing Quorn and District centenary book Kanyaka

South Australian History – Kanyaka

Above left was the Men's Kitchen - I presume a venue for workers to have their meals. Above right is the Overseers cottage, which had been basically a two roomed cottage. There were fireplaces in each room, so it must have been a cold climate in winter.

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