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TRAVEL IDEAS FOR PEOPLE HEADING TO THE BIG RED BASH

VIA THE 500 MILES OF MUSIC EVENT

Are you heading to the Big Red Bash and looking to include some of South Australia’s most iconic tracks and places of interest on your way? Sampling wine in the Clare Valley, exploring the Flinders Ranges, driving part the Oodnadatta and Birdsville Tracks are all things you can do while attending some or all of the newest music tour in South Australia: 500 Miles of Music: Wombat Flat to William Creek.

Here are some suggestions for things you could include on your trip:

Concert 1 The Barn At Wombat Flat June 26

Plan to arrive in Eudunda, closest town to Wombat Flat, on July 4 or 5. There are some great caravan parks nearby ( Eudunda Caravan Park, Riverton CP, Kapunda Tourist Park, Big 4 Barossa Tourist Park)

Things to see while here:

  • The Eudunda Gardens
  • Kapunda is the oldest copper mining town in Australia and has some great local museums.
  • The Barossa Valley is close by with many great wineries to check out like Wolf Blass on the Sturt Highway or Yalumba just out of Angaston.

Concert 2 Wilmington Rodeo Grounds July 27

This Concert is at 3pm, so not a lot of time to sight see on the way to Wilmington from Wombat Flat. But the Wilmington toy museum is a must see for anyone that like a bit of history and train sets, plus a great collection of old cars.

The suggested route though is via Burra , Hallett, Jamestown, Melrose

Concert 3 Leigh Creek oval June 28

From Wilmington you will have all day to venture through the magnificent Flinders Ranges on your way to our third show at Leigh Creek the next night.

  • From Wilmington you will have all day to venture through the magnificent Flinders Ranges on your way to our third show at Leigh Creek the next night.

  • First have a look at old Railway Station in Quorn , grab a coffee in one of the many coffee shops.
  • Kanyaka Ruins, just 25 mins from Quorn towards Hawker is a place full of history and well worth the look around the many old buildings.
  • Next, stop at Jeff Morgan’s Gallery in Hawker called Wilpena Panorama just 20 mins from Kanyaka. This has two huge panorama paintings plus several other large displays as well as an amazing rock collection that could be the largest in Australia, it’s not to be missed.
  • From Hawker you can take two choices.
  • 1. Drive to Wilpena Pound for a visit then onward to Blinman, Blinman you will find The North Blinman Hotel, and great stop for lunch , or if your a bit early, perhaps take part on a underground mine tour. can take the scenic drive thru Parachilna Gorge to Parachilna.
  • Parachilna to Leigh Creek is just 40mins North.
  • 2. Head straight to Parachilna, vist the Parachilna Hotel, you can also turn right and take a short drive to Angorichina Tourist Village, there are some fantastic short walks here, particularly the pools walk.

Concert 4 and 5 William Creek June 30 to July 1st

  • Lyndhurst will be the next town after Leigh creek and here is where Talc Alf lives and is a very interesting man, he has tours on demand and is well worth a visit. A short drive from Lyndhurst heading toward Marree you will see the sign to Ochre Cliffs, very worth while looking here, as the natural colours of the earth here is amazing.

  • Farina is also an interesting place and had an old underground bakery that will hopefully operating as we all pass thru.
  • Marree has many old and interesting things to look at such as the old Mosque, even a Yacht Club! The Marree Outback Roadhouse also the last place to get fuel before William creek.
  • William Creek is just over 200km of dirt road further on and the start of the Oodnadatta Track. Its a rough old track in places and we recommend a speed no greater than 80kph to reduce the chance flat tyres. There are many interesting things to look at on this track:
  • 52km Mutonia Sculpture Park. There are old planes and metal sculptures to see here.
  • 91 Km, Lake Eyre viewing.
  • 100 km Curdimurka siding
  • 131 km Coward Springs - an old rail siding that has an in-ground spa using the natural spring water bubbling from the ground!
  • 136 km The Bubbler and Blanche Cup. Here are a couple of mound springs, which is a great sight to see in the desert landscape.

After the concerts, on July 3, head to Marree for The annual Camel Cup with another great music on the night after the cup. From there it’s a day trip up the Birdsville Track to Birdsville and The Big Red Bash!

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