Days 6 & 7. Peterborough to Port Augusta. 17 - 18/05/2015

Departed Peterborough with sunny skies on the horizon.  Excellent drive towards Wilmington where we found the scenery quite different to what we had seen in the past couple of days.  Undulating landscape,  fertile and with more stock in the paddocks.  After Wilmington we had a steady climb through Horrocks Pass (wonder if any significance to Rod?).  Quite suddenly we were thought the pass that was very picturesque and had our first view of Spencer Gulf.  Set up in Port Augusta, had lunch, did some laundry and then shopping.  A rest day for us.

18th May
First cloudy day in almost a week but a very mild temperature this morning. Our first tourist stop was at the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Gardens set on the shores of the Spencer Gulf with spectacular views to the Flinders Ranges.  The gardens showcase an amazing array of arid zone habitat set on more than 200 hectares.  Took some photos of some very pretty trees and of course the state symbol of South Australia the Sturt Pea.  Purchased some Sturt Pea seeds to take home to plant in our front community garden.  Hope they survive!
Did a short walk to the historic Matthew Flinders Red Cliff Lookout where Matthew Flinders rowed to the top of the Spencer Gulf in search of an inland sea.  The ranges were first discovered by Flinders in 1802.
We then took a stroll down the main street of town that featured very pretty vine covered verandahs in front of historic buildings and lovely flowering gums lining the street.
Tomorrow, Rawnsley Park Station in the Flinders Ranges.  Can't wait!