Flinders Ranges & Outback - Great Australian Road Trips

JAMESTOWN
Map ref: D6 p25
In the heart of some of the best farming land
in South Australia, Jamestown is a mecca
for railway enthusiasts and eco-tourists
alike. Jamestown Railway Station National
Trust Museum features an impressive array
of memorabilia including an ambulance/
accommodation carriage, an historic Furphy
water carrier and machinery from the local
“Emu Factory” that opened in 1878.
Bundaleer Forest Reserve, nine kilometres
south of town, dates back to 1876 and was
the nation’s first experimental tree plantation,
dedicated to finding which trees would be best
for commercial production. The practice of
raising young trees in bamboo tubes began at
the forest, and led to the current technique
of plastic tubing. Walking and bike trails from
1.5km to 4.6km run through the reserve;
it’s ideal for picnics and especially beautiful
in autumn and spring.
Jamestown is a key town on the RM Williams
Way. (see page 65) It’s wide, leafy streets are
home to a host of shops and striking historic
buildings including the National Australia
Bank (1885), the Belalie Hotel (1877) and the
Commercial Hotel (1877). Picnic tables in the
beautifully manicured centre strip are a perfect
place to admire the view, while visitors can also
get a great feel for the town on a self-guided
tour (look out for mentions of Dr J Cockburn
– the one-time Premier of South Australia who
helped to secure wages for politicians and votes
for women).
Jamestown’s monthly sheep sales (the third
Thursday of each month) are the largest sales
north of Adelaide and make fascinating viewing,
and also worth a visit are the annual race
meeting and country show, held during the first
weekend in October.
In odd-numbered years Jamestown plays host
to the increasingly popular Bundaleer Weekend
Arts Festival in March and every three years
to the Jamestown Fly-In & Air Spectacular
in October.
Other highlights are the Old Belalie Farm House,
12km north of Jamestown, offering light meals,
regional tastings and animals, and the evergreen
Jamestown Caravan Park, set next to the
Belalie Creek.
28 www.southaustralia.com
KOOLUNGA
Map ref: C8 p25
Settled in 1869, Koolunga shot to prominence
in 1883 with three bunyip sightings at the local
waterhole. Charges of dynamite were twice
thrown into the depths in a bid to capture the
creature (reportedly scaly and about the size of
a sheep) but it remains at large today. The 45minute
River Walk takes visitors along the banks
of Broughton River, while other town highlights
include abundant trout fishing, river canoeing,
meals at the Koolunga pub, the relaxing
surrounds of Bunyip Park, and the new Bunyip
Way tourist route linking Koolunga and Redhill.
NORTH BUNDALEER, JAMESTOWN
Internationally Acclaimed Hosted Indulgence
This gracious restored pastoral homestead on 400
acres of native bushland and farmland offers secluded,
friendly & lavish hosted accommodation, including
gourmet dinners and open bar. 35 minutes to Clare,
Burra & Port Pirie, 5 minutes to Bundaleer Forest,
Heysen & Mawson Trails.
North Bundaleer, RM Williams Way, Jamestown
Ph: (08) 8665 4024 Fax: (08) 8665 4080
Email: stay@northbundaleer.com.au
www.northbundaleer.com.au
From left to right: CJ Dennis statue, Laura.
LAURA
Map ref: C6 p25
Laura has positioned itself as a national folk fair
capital, attracting thousands of people for an
annual two-day celebration of music, food and
the arts. But visitors at other times of the year
don’t miss out, thanks to the town’s increasing
reputation for superior silversmithing, art
galleries, pottery and cottage crafts. Silversmith
Richard Ivey manufactures opal, silver and gold
jewellery for global export, while regular art
exhibitions are held at the 1880s courthouse,
now home to the local historic and art society.
Golden North ice-cream has been produced
in Laura since the 1920s. Tours and tastings
are available in the main street. And it must
be mentioned that poet and writer CJ Dennis,
of Sentimental Bloke fame, spent part of his
childhood here. On Mondays and Fridays,
walking tours of the town are conducted from
the visitor centre and self-guided walks are
available everyday.
2 day Street Fair, free admission. Approx. 100 art, craft,
hobby & food stalls. Free family entertainment includes
bands, singers, dancers, story-tellers, bush dance, fi reworks
and more. Competitions: literary, art, ice cream eating &
whip cracking. Great family weekend!
Laura is nestled into the eastern slopes of the Southern
Flinders Ranges, approx. 220 km north of Adelaide.
PO Box 18, Laura SA 5480
Ph: (08) 8663 2221
www.laurafolkfair.com
NORTH STAR HOTEL
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JAMESTOWN COUNTRY RETREAT
CARAVAN PARK
Accredited AAA Park Rating
103 Ayr Street, Jamestown SA 5491
Ph/Fax: (08) 8664 0077
JAMESTOWN - KOOLUNGA - LAURA
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North Star Hotel
Ph: (08) 8666 2110 Fax: (08) 8666 2108
www.northstarhotel.com.au
Nott Street, Melrose, Southern Flinders Ranges SA
www.flindersoutback.com
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