03 June 2008 Y
BLINKBLINK **
During my placement in Port Augusta, I went for a birthday celebration. That night, I met up with some colleagues who were working in Port Augusta, and they told me about the weekend outing to Flinders Rangers and Wilpena Pound. The dates for the outing were 31st May to 1 June 2008. The main organizer was Jennifer Davison, who is a psysiotherapist working in Port Augusta Hospital.
Initially, I hestitated about the outing as I had been there with my 2 other friends 2 years ago However, after much considerations, I decided to go there again. The reasons were:
(1) Able to make new friends
(2) Take a break and have a short holiday
(3) Different experiences with different group of people
(4)Take pictures as memories as none was taken previously
(5) Something out of my normal schedule (staying at home)
Journey to Flinders Rangers
On 31st May 2008 (Saturday), all 8 of us (Jennifer, Alanna, Rebecca, Leah, Natelie, Alison, Elizabeth and I ) gathered at Rebecca's house. We made arrangements for our carpool and left her house shortly at around 9am.
The Copley Bush Bakery & Quandong Cafe
About an hour later, we arrived Copley and went into Quandong cafe and Bush Bakery for our breakky (Aussie term for breakfast). In the cafe, I ordered my breakky which consisted of bacon, eggs, tomato, toasts & a cup of flat white coffee. The total cost was AU$15.00. We departed at ~10.30am aFter our breakky and continued our journey to our accomodation.
Background of the Cafe
The Copley Bush Bakery & Quandong Cafe is a popular meeting place at the gateway to the Flinders Ranges and the Outback Tracks. The Cafe serves gourmet pies and pasties and Quandong pies that are so good they are exported to other restaurants in the Flinders Ranges and Outback region. There are a wide range of quandong products for sale including jams, desert sauce and meat sauces plus fresh baked goods.
Quandong Cafe and Bush Bakery at Copley
Rawnsley Bluff Caravan Park
Prior to this outing, not much details were provided about the accomodation other than the costs and type of accomodation booked for our stay in Flinders Rangers. However, while travelling to our accomodation, I had an extremely strong intuition that I would be staying in the exact same place which I stayed 2 years ago.
I recalled in december 2006, I came with 2 of my friends for our holiday at Flinders Rangers. During our holiday, it was an extremely hot summer with at least 40 degrees celsius. It was so hot that our air-conditioner in the cabin broke down during our stay and we had to tolerate and suffer with such weather for those few days. Additionally, I had sun burnt too though I applied sun-block lotion. I can still recall the scotching burning sensation of the sunlight on my skin.
However, my trip to Flinders Rangers this time is different. The weather is just the total opposite of what I experienced previously. It was much cooler with with a temperature of at least 14 degrees celsius. during the daytime.
Shortly later (at ~10.30am), we arrived Flinders Rangers. I looked around the environment and realized that the place seemed to be very familiar. I pondered for a while until I noticed a sign board (shown below). However, I was still uncertain if I would be staying in the same place as I used to previously. It was only till when we arrived Rawnsley Bluff Caravan Park that it is positive that I stayed there previously.
Sign board of Flinders Rangers
At Rawnsley Bluff Caravan Park, a few of us went into the reception area, we confirmed and paid for our booked accomodations. We were allocated to the 1st 2 cabins. It was such a coincident that I stayed in the second cabin previously too. It was really unexpected for me though.
Anyway, we stayed in 2 self-catering cabins, comprising of 5-in-1 room and 4-in-1 room. The park cabin units each have kitchen facilities and communcal bathroom faciliaries. It was able to accomodate 2 to 6 people in each unit. Each of us paid AU$25.00 instantly at our arrival.
Concurrently, for those who were interested in horse riding, we were required to make payments our 2-hours horse riding session. Therefore, we booked the session to be at 3.15pm on the same day.
There are a different options for the horse riding sessions. However, for this trip, we booked the 2-hours horse riding session which costed $70.0. Previously, my friends and I took applied for the 1/2 day horse riding session. The cost was slightly higher than the 2-hour session.
Furthermore, we were also required to make dinner reservations if we were interested at Rawnsley Bluff Woolshed Restaurant in the reception area. In the end, we booked our dinner reservations at 6.30pm.
Bushwalking in Flinders Rangers National Park
As there was still time before our horse riding session, all of us decided to go for a pleasant and short bushwalk in Flingers Rangers National Park. It last .about 2 hours. While walking, we came across a kangaroo which was relaxing under the sun.
Relaxed kangaroo
After walking for a distance, we decide to stopped at our first checkpoint (Kangaroo Gap Outlook) and snapped some pictures before heading to our next checkpoints.
Checkpoint 1 at Kangaroo Gap Lookout
Rebecca, Alanna, Jennifer, Alison, Dawn, Elizabeth and Leah (squatting in front)
The following are some photographs which we took taken while tracking
Check point 2: Clems Corner Lookout
On our back to the accomodation to prepare for our horse ride
Horse Riding
The receptionist told us that we were required to arrive early for our horse riding session. She told us to be at a place near the Rawnsley Park Woolshed Restaurant. As the instructions provided was a little unclear, we weren't able to find the venue. As I had been there before, I was somehow able to recall the venue. However, the place was slightly different from 2 years, I had to merely use my memory to determine the place. However, to prevent any delay of the event, we decide to check it out with the information centre of the exact venue for the horse riding session. Finally, we arrived at our destination but we were punctual.
At our arrival, a young lady told to sign a consent form and to provide information of our horse riding experiences. She also assigned us to our respective horses. Amongst the 8 of us, Leah, Jennifer, Natelie, Alison, Alanna and I joined the horse riding session whereas Rebecca and Elizabath went back to the accomodation to chill out while waiting for us.
Some of the horses at the stable
The following are the pictures of us and the horses which were allocated to us.
Prior to our trip, we were told that the horses have a certain sequence which they followed during the session. The following are pictures of how the horses line themselves us.
Rawnsley Bluff
The following are pictures which we travelled on our horses.
By the end of our horse riding session, all of us were tired and cold due to the cold weather. Although I wore 2 jackets, I was still feeling very cold during my whole horse riding experience. I reckon the most obvious was Jennifer whereby her lips was quite blueish by the end of the day.
At the end of the day, we had a discussion and concluded that the horses were not well-trained and the young girl who was leading us wasn't really experienced herself too.
Dinner at Woolshed Restaurant
After our horse riding session, we went back to our cabins for a while before heading to the Woolshed Resturant. There was a fireplace in the restaurant and many of us went over to keep ourself warm. Once again, I went in there previous for dinner with my other 2 friends. The restuarant is 2 kilometers away from where we resided during our stay.
Rawnsley Park Woolshed Restaurant
All of us at the table while waiting for our dinner to arrive
My dinner
As I'd been there before, I'd decided to get something which would be different from what I usually eat at home. I ordered Kangaroo Fillet, Soup of the day and shared Winter Creek 2007 Sauvignon Blanc Adelaide Hills. The total costs was $45.00.
Kangaroo Fillet, marinated and served with a red wine jus, rosemary potatoes amd salad (AU$26.00)
This dish is simply delicious. The kangaroo meat is tender and juicy while the potatoes were baked till it was very crispy. I simply love the potatoes alot. How I wish I could have it now. Simply mouth watering.
Soup of the Day - Homemade sweet potato (AU$9.00)
This soup had cream served together with it. However, I forgot to take the picture prior to stiring the cream in. The dish was very pleasantly presented unlike this picture which is shown here. The taste of the food is good too. Very thick and sweet soup. You should try it if you have the chance.
The wine which we shared was simply fantastic. I will get one bottle of that wine myself at the end of the year. It is a sweet wine. The taste is simply balanced. Not too sweet for me nor was it sour at all as compared to other 'sweet' wine.
Damper
This damper tasted really good. I simply love it alot. It is a traditional food which the Aboriginal people eats. I reckon maybe I should learn how to make it one day.
At the end of the day, we gathered in our cabins and chatted throughout the night till bedtime. I really enjoyed myself that day though I was very quiet there most of the time.
Anyway, I shall end here today. I will tell you about my experiences in Wilpena Pound in my next entry. It is getting late now. Hope all of you enjoy reading my blog. See you.
Initially, I hestitated about the outing as I had been there with my 2 other friends 2 years ago However, after much considerations, I decided to go there again. The reasons were:
(1) Able to make new friends
(2) Take a break and have a short holiday
(3) Different experiences with different group of people
(4)Take pictures as memories as none was taken previously
(5) Something out of my normal schedule (staying at home)
Journey to Flinders Rangers
On 31st May 2008 (Saturday), all 8 of us (Jennifer, Alanna, Rebecca, Leah, Natelie, Alison, Elizabeth and I ) gathered at Rebecca's house. We made arrangements for our carpool and left her house shortly at around 9am.
The Copley Bush Bakery & Quandong Cafe
About an hour later, we arrived Copley and went into Quandong cafe and Bush Bakery for our breakky (Aussie term for breakfast). In the cafe, I ordered my breakky which consisted of bacon, eggs, tomato, toasts & a cup of flat white coffee. The total cost was AU$15.00. We departed at ~10.30am aFter our breakky and continued our journey to our accomodation.
Background of the Cafe
The Copley Bush Bakery & Quandong Cafe is a popular meeting place at the gateway to the Flinders Ranges and the Outback Tracks. The Cafe serves gourmet pies and pasties and Quandong pies that are so good they are exported to other restaurants in the Flinders Ranges and Outback region. There are a wide range of quandong products for sale including jams, desert sauce and meat sauces plus fresh baked goods.
Quandong Cafe and Bush Bakery at Copley
Rawnsley Bluff Caravan Park
Prior to this outing, not much details were provided about the accomodation other than the costs and type of accomodation booked for our stay in Flinders Rangers. However, while travelling to our accomodation, I had an extremely strong intuition that I would be staying in the exact same place which I stayed 2 years ago.
I recalled in december 2006, I came with 2 of my friends for our holiday at Flinders Rangers. During our holiday, it was an extremely hot summer with at least 40 degrees celsius. It was so hot that our air-conditioner in the cabin broke down during our stay and we had to tolerate and suffer with such weather for those few days. Additionally, I had sun burnt too though I applied sun-block lotion. I can still recall the scotching burning sensation of the sunlight on my skin.
However, my trip to Flinders Rangers this time is different. The weather is just the total opposite of what I experienced previously. It was much cooler with with a temperature of at least 14 degrees celsius. during the daytime.
Shortly later (at ~10.30am), we arrived Flinders Rangers. I looked around the environment and realized that the place seemed to be very familiar. I pondered for a while until I noticed a sign board (shown below). However, I was still uncertain if I would be staying in the same place as I used to previously. It was only till when we arrived Rawnsley Bluff Caravan Park that it is positive that I stayed there previously.
Sign board of Flinders Rangers
At Rawnsley Bluff Caravan Park, a few of us went into the reception area, we confirmed and paid for our booked accomodations. We were allocated to the 1st 2 cabins. It was such a coincident that I stayed in the second cabin previously too. It was really unexpected for me though.
Anyway, we stayed in 2 self-catering cabins, comprising of 5-in-1 room and 4-in-1 room. The park cabin units each have kitchen facilities and communcal bathroom faciliaries. It was able to accomodate 2 to 6 people in each unit. Each of us paid AU$25.00 instantly at our arrival.
Concurrently, for those who were interested in horse riding, we were required to make payments our 2-hours horse riding session. Therefore, we booked the session to be at 3.15pm on the same day.
There are a different options for the horse riding sessions. However, for this trip, we booked the 2-hours horse riding session which costed $70.0. Previously, my friends and I took applied for the 1/2 day horse riding session. The cost was slightly higher than the 2-hour session.
Furthermore, we were also required to make dinner reservations if we were interested at Rawnsley Bluff Woolshed Restaurant in the reception area. In the end, we booked our dinner reservations at 6.30pm.
The reception area of the Rawnsley Park Station Caravan Park
Our 2 self-catering cabins
Getting ready for our walk
Our 2 self-catering cabins
Bushwalking in Flinders Rangers National Park
As there was still time before our horse riding session, all of us decided to go for a pleasant and short bushwalk in Flingers Rangers National Park. It last .about 2 hours. While walking, we came across a kangaroo which was relaxing under the sun.
Relaxed kangaroo
After walking for a distance, we decide to stopped at our first checkpoint (Kangaroo Gap Outlook) and snapped some pictures before heading to our next checkpoints.
Checkpoint 1 at Kangaroo Gap Lookout
Rebecca, Alanna, Jennifer, Alison, Dawn, Elizabeth and Leah (squatting in front)
The following are some photographs which we took taken while tracking
Check point 2: Clems Corner Lookout
On our back to the accomodation to prepare for our horse ride
Horse Riding
The receptionist told us that we were required to arrive early for our horse riding session. She told us to be at a place near the Rawnsley Park Woolshed Restaurant. As the instructions provided was a little unclear, we weren't able to find the venue. As I had been there before, I was somehow able to recall the venue. However, the place was slightly different from 2 years, I had to merely use my memory to determine the place. However, to prevent any delay of the event, we decide to check it out with the information centre of the exact venue for the horse riding session. Finally, we arrived at our destination but we were punctual.
At our arrival, a young lady told to sign a consent form and to provide information of our horse riding experiences. She also assigned us to our respective horses. Amongst the 8 of us, Leah, Jennifer, Natelie, Alison, Alanna and I joined the horse riding session whereas Rebecca and Elizabath went back to the accomodation to chill out while waiting for us.
Some of the horses at the stable
The following are the pictures of us and the horses which were allocated to us.
Prior to our trip, we were told that the horses have a certain sequence which they followed during the session. The following are pictures of how the horses line themselves us.
Rawnsley Bluff
The following are pictures which we travelled on our horses.
By the end of our horse riding session, all of us were tired and cold due to the cold weather. Although I wore 2 jackets, I was still feeling very cold during my whole horse riding experience. I reckon the most obvious was Jennifer whereby her lips was quite blueish by the end of the day.
At the end of the day, we had a discussion and concluded that the horses were not well-trained and the young girl who was leading us wasn't really experienced herself too.
Dinner at Woolshed Restaurant
After our horse riding session, we went back to our cabins for a while before heading to the Woolshed Resturant. There was a fireplace in the restaurant and many of us went over to keep ourself warm. Once again, I went in there previous for dinner with my other 2 friends. The restuarant is 2 kilometers away from where we resided during our stay.
Rawnsley Park Woolshed Restaurant
All of us at the table while waiting for our dinner to arrive
My dinner
As I'd been there before, I'd decided to get something which would be different from what I usually eat at home. I ordered Kangaroo Fillet, Soup of the day and shared Winter Creek 2007 Sauvignon Blanc Adelaide Hills. The total costs was $45.00.
Kangaroo Fillet, marinated and served with a red wine jus, rosemary potatoes amd salad (AU$26.00)
This dish is simply delicious. The kangaroo meat is tender and juicy while the potatoes were baked till it was very crispy. I simply love the potatoes alot. How I wish I could have it now. Simply mouth watering.
Soup of the Day - Homemade sweet potato (AU$9.00)
This soup had cream served together with it. However, I forgot to take the picture prior to stiring the cream in. The dish was very pleasantly presented unlike this picture which is shown here. The taste of the food is good too. Very thick and sweet soup. You should try it if you have the chance.
The wine which we shared was simply fantastic. I will get one bottle of that wine myself at the end of the year. It is a sweet wine. The taste is simply balanced. Not too sweet for me nor was it sour at all as compared to other 'sweet' wine.
Damper
This damper tasted really good. I simply love it alot. It is a traditional food which the Aboriginal people eats. I reckon maybe I should learn how to make it one day.
At the end of the day, we gathered in our cabins and chatted throughout the night till bedtime. I really enjoyed myself that day though I was very quiet there most of the time.
Anyway, I shall end here today. I will tell you about my experiences in Wilpena Pound in my next entry. It is getting late now. Hope all of you enjoy reading my blog. See you.