Mena Mora Station has been our home for the past three days. It is owned by the Fels Family and we make ourselves known to them because two of the Fels family (there were thirteen) moved from this area in South Australia to Julia Creek many years ago. We spend some time with one of the family members talking about the Fels family history.
There are three scenic drives in this area of the southern Flinders Ranges and after a discussion with one of the staff members it is suggested that we take a full day and drive the Brachina Gorge, Bunyeroo Valley, stop in Wilpena for coffee and then circle back to Mena Mora via the Moralayna Scenic Drive.
We don’t leave early as there has been a little rain overnight and the morning is very cool. During the day the clouds (and rain) come and go but it no way detracts from some of the most beautiful drives we have ever driven.
It was a full day and we didn’t arrive back at our camp until 4pm. It’s hard to say what my favourite part of the drive was because it was all so spectacular. From the soaring rock formations of Brachina Gorge to the changing landscape and heights of the Bunyeroo Valley. It was such a diverse drive. The road is all gravel but well maintained. We cross several dry creeks that can be very rocky with some very big rocks that Philip avoids with his expert driving. We stop at Scree Slope where there are dozens of Andu (Yellow Footed Rock Wallabies). Their big bushy tail, almost catlike, intrigues us.
In Bunyeroo Valley we climb an enormous height to reach Razorback Lookout where the views are stunning.
We call into Wilpena Pound for a cup of coffee and muffin and take advantage of mobile coverage that we don't have at Merna Mora. I really don't like being out of mobile coverage! I am a researcher on our journey and miss Mr. Google.
We do of course walk all the pathways that we can find but when we stop at the Old Bullock Cueing Yards on the Moralayna Drive and Philip wants to walk to the top of the hill I almost renegue but then decide to attempt the very steep trek to the top of the hill. It was steep....very very steep, and as I am walking to the summit I am thinking how the hell am I going to get back down without stumbling! Fortunately my hiking stick was once again invaluable.
The rain starts tumbling down as we reach the final section of the Moralayna Scenic Drive that brings us right back to where we started. It is very windy and cold so we are relieved to be home and make ourselves a warming cup of tea. Tomorrow we drive the Parachilna Gorge and return to Brachina Gorge to finish a section that we didn’t complete today.
**UPDATE**
We didn't have any mobile coverage at Merna Mora so this post is a couple of days old. We are now at Leigh Creek Caravan Park and tomorrow (Sunday) we leave the van parked here and will drive around 150km along a gravel road to Arkaroola Wilderness Resort where we will stay for two nights. Arkaroola is in the northern Flinders Ranges that I am assured are even more spectacular than the southern end. I'm hoping that I can update the blog while we are there at the lodge, but I am not sure of how good the mobile coverage will be.
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