A journey to Dare's Hill

William Dare was the first white man to stand on a high and craggy hill known later as Dares Hill in the northern Flinders Ranges. Near the foot of the hill he built his homestead among dense woodland by the Piltimittiappa Creek.

Our journey to this interesting part of the mid north began last Tuesday when we "Travelled in Goyder's Footsteps" .After visiting the superbly preserved historic town of Mintaro, we entered  the Clare Valley through Sevenhill and Clare then a small detour to Spalding, Gulnare and Gladstone.

At Laura we found the statue of C J Dennis (the Australian poet who was born in Auburn, and spent much of his boyhood in Laura), was missing from it's usual place outside the Dick Biles Gallery. It has been moved to the median strip in the main street and now welcomes visitors entering the Town from the Gladstone side.
We later learned that it was Dick Bile's wish the statue be relocated in the main street, and he was able to see this come true a few days before he passed away.

On to Appila, and although the main street was closed for road widening, we were able to see the excellent murals on the CFS building next to the Hotel.

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One of the great things about touring is finding the unexpected!
It was nearing lunch time, and we were on the lookout for a quiet place to stop, and we found it at Appilla Springs, a short distance out of Appila on the Tarcowie Road.

The local people have done a fantastic job in putting picnic facilities there without disturbing the natural beauty and tranquility of the place.

At  Pekina, we made a detour to Magnetic Hill, and yes! - it still works, and the vehicle was seemingly rolling backwards up the incline to the large "magnet" positioned near the roadside.

Arriving in Peterborough, we had time to settle into our motel before dinner,then at around 8.15pm went to Steamtown to see the Laser and Light show from an historic Transcontinental carriage, now transformed into a viewing car and placed on the 85 foot long turntable. This magic light and sound spectacle tells the story of Steamtown and the creation of Peterborough, about Railways in South Australia and the history and personal stories associated with it.

This is a fantastic attraction, and definitely worth a visit. During the day there are guided tours of the workshop and locos.

Before commencing the Dares Hill drive out of Terowie, we detoured to Hiles Lagoon.
An aticle in the February edition of the Terowie Enterprise, mentioned that one outcome of the recent rain event was the filling of Hiles Lagoon. According to local, Bob Fisher, this is the first time since 1969 that the lake has looked so good, having been dry for many years. It was in days gone by, used by the locals of Terowie for their recreation, boating and picnics.
We were keen to see "the lake", and took the Munjibbie Road to venture close to it.

There is a very good publication published by the Regional Council of Goyder, and available through the Burra Visitor Centre. It is titled "Travel in Goyder's Footsteps", and apart from comprehensive notes on the Northern and Southern Tourist Driving Trails, it has a distances and a very clear map for the Dares Hill drive.
Although the directions start from Burra and travel to Terowie, there is no problem in reversing the route.

We had a morning tea stop at Ketchowla Station, and followed the road through Mallet and Piltimittiappa to Mt Bryan East and the cottage of Sir Hubert Wilkins.




Not wishing to take the sealed through Hallett, we continued through  Mongolata to the back of Burra.
A great trip with great company!!