Mt Remarkable National Park – we return to the Flinders Ranges
As we returned to the Mt Remarkable National Park, in the southern Flinders Ranges of South Australia, we realized that it was nearly three years to the day since our first visit. We had loved it then, and wondered now how it would seem after so much travel in the interim.
Driving into the park, we noticed new growth on all the River Red Gums. ‘Had there been a fire?’ we pondered. No, in fact it was just new growth after bucketloads of rain in 2010.
We returned to the Mambray Creek camping area, and were thrilled to set up camp again at our very same site of three years previous. We looked around. The trees were healthy and strong, the hillsides were covered in Christmas Bush in full, sweet scented bloom, Mambray Creek was flowing strongly, and birds were everywhere.
We had forgotten just how enormous were the River Red Gums around the camping area and along Mambray Creek. To walk along the creek is to feel awed by nature, dwarfed by ancient trees hollowed out by time and fire. At their base are wildflowers, while the burbling of the creek and the song of birds fills the air. Euros (wallaroos) stare quizzically as you walk by, or bound off into the dense undergrowth. Higher up the hillsides are grass trees and native lilies, and views across to Spencer Gulf.
We stayed for four wonderful days, walking, climbing, generally re-exploring and falling in love once again with the area. To cap off a perfect stay, we were blessed to see the colony of Yellow-Footed Rock Wallabies in the park.
Never was a national park more aptly named than Mt Remarkable.
Peter
19 January 2011
Next blog: our stay at Scotia Wildlife Sanctuary
Yes it truly is a remarkable place. Have been going there with my family for years. The children love camping there.
Beautiful photos.
John