We left the Flinders Ranges on Wednesday via Brachnia and parachilna gorges. Brachnia particularly was stunning and ancient- around 650 million years old. We were able to drive through the base of the gorge between the towering sunset hued walls. It had an extraordinary atmosphere, the experiences of the aeons saturating the air. We were very lucky to see a yellow footed rock wallaby as well- these marsupials tend to stay in the one territory unlike the kangaroos who roam over greater distances.
The caravan was not suitable to take through Brachnia, but there was no option when it came to Parachilna as the only way north, the road out to Leigh Creek, passed straight through.
We took an hour to go the 30 kms... but made it with no major mishap. There was only one major water crossing and fortunately it was shallow. Parachilna was not as narrow as Brachnia either but it seemed to go for longer.
Once we rolled out onto the tarmac again, we were in need of a beer and found the very civilised Prarie Hotel in the township of Parachilna. I say township, but to be honest, it really only boasted a railway line that carried the coal from Leigh Creek to Port Augusta on , incidentally, a 2.8 km long freight train, and two other dwellings. The town was apparently much used as a film set, precisely because of its dusty emptiness, I assume. The Prairie had been clever, and smartened up enough to house the visiting crews and in doing so, had made itself into something of a destination. We sat outside and enjoyed a sundowner, whilst watching the long train go by and tow trucks drive in, delivering the vehicles of those unfortunates who hadn't made it through the Parachilna Gorge road.....