So, on Easter Sunday, we decided to visit Arltunga Historical Reserve. The trip to get there was an adventure in and of itself (see previous post), but we persevered and after lunch headed off on a couple of walks.
Arltunga Historical Reserve
From the visitor guide: Arltunga was officially central Australia's first town, born out of a gold rush after alluvial gold was discovered in a dry creek bed in 1887. Fortune seekers had to travel 600km from the Oodnadatta rail head, often on foot to find their fortune. Arltunga once supported around 300 people. The Visitor Centre gave an introduction to the reserve and mining era, through a cultural and historical museum displays and self-operated slide show of which offered insight to the past and informed us about the Reserves attractions. You could even try your hand at panning for gold in the courtyard display. The visitors center also offered a picnic and barbecue facilities with shade shelters and toilets. So this is where we set up and had a picnic lunch.
I ventured down into one of the mines, but didn't make it very far. There were so many gnats that it sounded like a bees nest. I had a net over my head, but it was still wet, buzzy and dark. My little torch just wasn't bright enough. I did go just far enough to get this picture, though.
Coming back up out of the mine, you can see the gnat swarm in the blue part of the picture.
The second walk we did at Arltunga was to the old police station and jail. If you look closely on the corner of the roof, you can see a goanna. There's a better picture of him in the critter gallery.
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One tired little boy. |
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