13/5/2022 – Friday – 154km

Up early & off on a group drive around the Melrose area with 9 cars in our group. We drive off along on lots of isolated dirt roads travelling the back country. One of the highlights was the Port Germain Gorge, a narrow scenic road twisting down through deep ravines with some magnificent looking gum trees & sheer cliff faces. We then drove along the foot of the ranges, along appropriately named, Scenic Road, with views west to Spencer’s Gulf over Port Germain & Port Pirie with Whyalla on the distant coast. Climbing back up the ranges on more dirt roads we visited Beetaloo Reservoir, built in the 1880s and at the time was the largest concrete dam in the southern hemisphere. The picnic area at the base of the reservoir is very pleasant and we stop for morning tea here. On the road again with a stop at Laura lookout, overlooking Laura & the surrounding wheat farming countryside for miles around.

Down to Laura & onto the bitumen, driving through the old village of Stone Hut, established in the 1850s, before stopping at Wirrabura (est. 1874). The bakery got a heavy influx of customers with two Kimberley drive groups converging on them, around 50 additional customers. They were busy. Tereza & I sampled the pies whilst chatting with some others in the group. Next it was off to see the silo art in town, absolutely stunning painting on the old silos, very well done. The detail on the painting is extraordinary. Back to camp at Melrose, afternoon tea then off to happy hour again.  We cooked some fish, rice & a nice salad washed down with a good wine.  Another great day.