A DAY IN SILVERTON - POPULATION: 50

SUN 7.6.2015: Silverton was built by miners in search of fortune. Once a bustling home to 3,000 people, residents began to leave in the 1880s when the nearby mines of Broken Hill surfaced. Many took their houses with them. Silverton offers a thriving art scene, a beautiful landscape and an accessible way to learn about the rich heritage of the region. We had read about "Beyond 39 Dips", but had not fully understood their relevance. From Broken Hill to Silverton there are 39 dips in the road and if you do not slow down when in a motorhome there is a 'rock and roll' effect which equates to one very large mess to clean up - needless to say if was rather a slow trip out!

SILVERTON HOTEL INTERIOR

The film industry is an integral part of Silverton. A replica of Mad Max's V8 Interceptor is parked outside the pub. Most locals had at least a walk-on role in Mad Max II, which was filmed in and around the town in 1981. The odd set still stands today, dotted around the Mundi Mundi Plains. Silverton's unique landscape has drawn filmmakers from around the world. Below are just a few of the films that have been filmed in Silverton over the years.

Dirty Deeds - 2001
Mission Impossible II - 1999
The Missing - 1998
Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert - 1993
Reckless Kelly - 1991
Roral Flying Doctor Service (TV) - 1991
The Water Trolly - 1989
As Time Goes By - 1987
Dirtwater Dynasty (miniseries) - 1987
A Place to Call Home (tv) - 1986
The Blue Lightning (TV) - 1986
Alice to Nowhere (TV) - 1985
Comrades - 1985
The Long Way Home - 1984
Razorback - 1983
The Camel Boy -1983
The Slim Dusty Movie - 1983 

SILVERTON GAOL
BUILT IN 1889

Hostage - 1982
A Town Like Alice (Miniseries) 1981
Max Max II - 1981
The Golden Soak - 1978
The Battle of Broken Hill (Miniseries) - 1971
Girl in Australia - 1970
Wake in Fright - 1970 

FINALLY FOUND A USE FOR DISCARDED BEER BOTTLE TOPS!

RESIDENT ARTIST JOHN DYNON



CUTE!

BUTCHER'S SHOP

"MAD MAX" PEEL!

ST CARTHAGE CATHOLIC
CHURCH 1886

ONE OF MANY VW'S

Our final stop for the day was at Penrose Park, Silverton - as soon as we arrived we knew we should have spent more time here than at Broken Hill. Established in 1937 as a recreation area for the miners and their families - barbecues, picnic areas, mini zoo, playgrounds, cabins and amenities. Many people come for the day to picnic, but you can also camp at the park. You are advised to locate "a yellow box" anywhere and just plug into it. We went off a huntin' and found the yellow box and there we stayed - excellent ($25.00 per night). Passed the 'creek' on the way out - water was down a LITTLE!

BROKEN HILL

KINTORE SHAFT AND HEADFRAME
MINING EQUIPMENT

FRI 5 - SAT 6.6.2015: Having caught up to date with the domestics we ventured out for a look round the town. Broken Hill has been referred to as "The Silver City", the "Oasis of the West", and the "Capital of the Outback". The world's largest mining company, BHP Billiton, has roots in the town.

LIVING DESERT SCULPTURES
(INTERNET PHOTOGRAPH)

Although surrounded by semi-desert, the town has prominent park and garden displays and offers a number of attractions such as the Living Desert Sculptures. We had intended viewing the sculptures, but when we arrived at the gate we were confronted with the rather large "NO DOG" followed by "RANGER and FINES" signage so we thought we might try and avoid another fine!

The Syndicate of Seven is the name given to the original members of the Broken Hill Mining Company formed in 1883, who lodged applications for mining leases along the Line of Lode at Broken Hill. The members all worked at the remote Mount Gipps Sheep station. Each of the seven contributed the sum of £70 each. Final stop at the Joe Keenan Lookout - Joe made a significant contribution to the Trade Union Movement and Civic Affairs in Broken Hill.

BROKEN HILL - POPULATION: 18,430

ON THE WAY TO OLARY - YOU CAN ALWAYS
FIND YOUR HILLS HOIST!

WED 3 - THURS 4.6.2015: The trip to Broken Hill is very reminiscent of the Nullarbor Plains - same sort of scenery with pubs in each of the towns instead of roadhouses. Today we saw a great deal of kangaroo road kill, plus many living emus and wild goats that were obviously a little more street wise! We spent the evening at Thackaringa Rest Area some 37 kms out of Broken Hill.

Made our way to Broken Hill and decided to tackle a few of the chores - first stop the hairdressers. Went to pay for the haircuts and of course asked for the Senior's discount, "it has already been deducted". Judging by the cost, who would have known, not to mention the fact that we paid dearly for probably our second worst E-V-E-R haircuts. We have determined by the length of Sybil's hair that she will not need another cut until the year 2020! Had lunch at the Astra Hotel then quit on the chores and returned to the Broken Hill Top Tourist Caravan Park - certainly squashed in like sardines, however we were in luck as we had asked for a budget site. Cheaper, with electricity and water - the only supposed downfall being that you were near the road. Site turned out to be bigger than the others and the traffic was not an issue.

MANNAHILL - POPULATION: 66

YUNTA HOTEL

TUESDAY 2.6.2015: Look out Broken Hill here we come - we have determined that it will take us two days to make it to our destination. Today was an interesting day in the value of good customer service. Our first stop was at Yunta (population 104), where there is a free camp option, plus a hotel. Had a counter lunch at the hotel and nothing was too much trouble. We later learnt that a week earlier the same hotel had hosted the Variety Bash entrants and no doubt the business would have done well.

MANNAHILL HOTEL

The decision was made to travel a little further before settling in for the evening so we went on to Mannahill - again a free rest area next to the pub. Plenty of room, toilets and trees - all good till we ventured into the pub for the customary wine in payment for our night's accommodation. There were no windows in the pub and all the walls and counter were covered with memorabilia. We finally determined where the female publican was and from then on it was all downhill.

MANNAHILL RAILWAY STATION

There were too many "issues and comments" that took place during the course of us drinking the bottle of wine to note down. After spending five minutes with the publican two potential customers did not even stay to test the waters. SO, in a sentence - the lack of customer service skills had to be seen to be believed, even we were left 'gob smacked' and that normally takes some doing!

PETERBOROUGH - POPULATION: 1,689

MT BRYAN HOTEL

SUN 31.5 - MON 1.6.2014: We woke feeling rested, ready and rearing to break our all time driving record and we did, as we drove the 6kms further on to our next free camp at Mt Bryan (population 137)! Had planned to support the local community, but the pub is only opened on a Thursday, Friday and Saturday. We travelled a little further the next day to Peterborough Rest Area. Peterborough sits on the intersection of the East-West railway linking Port Pirie and Broken Hill, and the North-South railway linking Adelaide eventually to Alice Springs via Quorn. The District Council, with funding from the three tiers of government and recovery of the Eurelia line, have subsequently established the Steamtown Heritage Rail Centre, with SA's first Sound & Light Show.

CLARE VALLEY

CELLAR DOOR

SAT 30.5.2015: Back to the Sevenhill Cellars which was established by the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in 1851, and is the oldest winery in the Clare Valley and the only remaining Jesuit winery in Australia. That was enough to attract us to this winery, but what we found was even better. A walking tour has been established that allows you to understand Sevenhill's religious and historic significance.

THIS IS A CELLAR!

You are provided with a map of the winery and detailed explanations of all the attractions. This is free of charge and you are permitted access to most areas - for us this turned out to be a morning's activity, loved it.

 

ST ALOYSIUS' CHURCH 1875

1848 MADONNA PAINTING

CRYPT - RESTING PLACE
OF 41 JESUITS

"MADONNA OF THE VINES"
"THE MADONNA WALKING THROUGH
THE VINES TO ENSURE GOOD WINES
TO FOLLOW".




 

 

 

WEIKERT HOUSE, BLACKSMITH & DAIRY

 

 

Franz Weikert, a Silesian farmer, led a group of 130 Catholics from Austria to South Australia in 1848. Two Jesuit priests accompanied them. Construction began in 1865 on Weikert House, with completion in 1870 - Sevenhill Cellars are aiming to renovate the cottage. 

ST IGNATIUS OF LOYALA SHRINE 1870
PLACE OF PRAYER AND REFLECTION

VINES PLANTED PRIOR
TO 1860

SLATE TANK ESTABLISHED
IN THE 1850S



"THE WAY OF THE CROSS"

 

 

 

This area provides a prayerful walk with a series of scenarios (or Stations) that recall Jesus' final walk from Jerusalem to his crucifixion site outside the city.

THE MARIAN SHRINE
ORIGINALLY THE SMOKEHOUSE
OF THE JESUIT COMMUNITY

 

Blessed Mary Mackillop's link with Sevenhill began when her brothers Donald and Peter attended Sevenhill's boarding college in the 1870's, staying at Weikert Cottage to be near her brothers and to make a retreat.

MR MICK'S CELLAR DOOR & KITCHEN

Onward to Mr Mick's Cellar Door and Kitchen - Mr Mick is named after K.H. (Mr Mick) Knappstein, a legend within the Australian winemaking industry. One of Mr Mick’s passions in life was to make wines for everyone to enjoy, a tradition his last apprentice, local winemaker Tim Adams continues in his name. Today Tim and his wife Pam are proud custodians of this landmark property. "We feel fortunate that Mary Ann Foster after interviewing Mr Mick, her father, put pen to paper to record a history of the Stanley Wine Company, from the Company’s inception in 1894 to the end of his 57 year wine industry career in the 1980’s. Inevitably this is also a history of the Knappstein family, grape growing and winemaking in the Clare Valley". Wine tasting and lunch - nice!

Stayed at Spalding Junction Rest Area 9kms north of Burra.

CLARE VALLEY - POPULATION: 3,278

FRIDAY 29.5.2015: We have now entered the Clare Valley Region which again offers an abundance of wineries and food options – some 40 cellar doors so that is a good indicator! Vines were first planted in the area in 1851 by the Jesuit priests, but more on that later. We had planned to visit Gawler and the farm buildings involved in the making of McLeod’s Daughters, because ‘Aunty Carole’ wanted to see where Simmone Jade McKinnon (alias Stevie Hall), had spent her time. Alas, the cost of a three hour tour proved too much and there was no opportunity to actually visit the main farmhouse. Next suggested stop was at Simmone’s watering hole – Lyndoch Hotel. Owners are overseas, we were on a roll! Drove through Auburn (1849) - magnificent bluestone buildings, with many listed on the National and State Heritage registers. Due to the size of the town and its architecture, for us, it had a greater appeal than Hahndorf.

Just had to venture out to Maggie Beer's Farm Shop at Nuriootpa. “We encourage our visitors to wander around the shop and take the opportunity to taste all the products; in fact this is the only place in Australia where you have the chance to see and try just about every product we make” – and we did! Many, many people were at the farm and we again tasted wine and enjoyed our platter by the lake! Cooking classes were held during our time at the 'Farm', but we decided not to attend - little above our knowledge level!





 

SO HOPE THERE IS NO TURTLE SOUP ON THE MENU! 

 

 

 

Spent the evening at a rest area outside of Tarlee.