It was tempting to go to the Bute place but we opted for Port Pirie.

The alpaca forecast was accurate with cold wet conditions for most of the day.

Port Pirie is an old town on Spencers Gulf founded in 1846. The main road lead us to this place – the Nyrstar Lead Smelter that has been in continuous operation for more than 130 years, employing over 800 people and 300 contractors. The plant is one of the world’s largest multi-metal smelters, producing lead, silver and by-products such as sulphuric acid. The chimney at 205 metres high is South Australia’s tallest structure.

Port Pirie Railway Station built in 1902 in the grand Victorian style.

The heritage-listed Port Pirie Post Office was built in 1880.

The pig and sheep both thought they deserved the prime central position. The grudge has lasted 158 years.

Thomas and Gordon teased Port Pirie after its debut that went off without a hitch.

Abandoned by Dorothy years earlier, the Tinman now spends his time making a heartless appeal to use the local motel at the Mobil Napperby Servo just north of Port Pirie. Though he will give you the drum about the local area.

Grey Nomad Wisdom: “Don’t take life too seriously. You’ll never get out of it alive.” – Elbert Hubbard

Mt Remarkable National Park is in the Southern Flinders Ranges. Its western section explores the creeks that run from the range to Spencers Gulf. Mambray Creek is the main node to explore this part of the park.

Crested pigeons looking a bit crest fallen in the rain.

“Let’s just paws here for a moment.”

Huge river red gums line the rocky creek

A trail goes up into the gorge

There is no such thing as lousy weather, only lousy choice of clothing. The author dry in a Mont rain jacket.

Cypress pines are a common tree in the park.

Common bronzewing

Wattle add colour to a very cold wet day. Storms bring hail in the afternoon.

Noisy miner

In some places the gorge narrows. Like a scene from a matinee western, we seem surrounded by the local fugitives.

Feral goats have the high ground. We stand no chance.

The reddish-orange colours of the escarpment

We take a different track that skirts the escarpment.

A young Wallaroo

At one point, a fallen river red gum forms a natural bridge over Mambray Creek

Baroota Ruins in Mount Remarkable NP. Built in the 1850s, Baroota Homestead was a six-roomed Callitris pine paling house with plastered ceilings and a cemented veranda. It became the head homestead for the Baroota run of 17000 hectares.

Pug and Pine was a common technique for building houses and huts when the first settlers arrived in the Flinders Ranges. The trunks of Callitris pines are cut for the uprights and the gaps filled with wet earth and plaster to form a solid wall.

Wind power near the Horrocks Gap Road. I’m a big fan of green power.

The Southern Flinders Ranges from the highway south of Port Augusta

The wet weather eases as we approach Port Augusta to spend a few nights at one of our favourite motels in Australia – the Crossroads Ecomotel – always excellent.