12th September
Marree lies at the junction of the Oodnadatta and Birdsville Tracks – and has a really interesting history. It was a great stop, with a cool old pub, and free camping out the back. We had a fun night having a few beers with fellow travellers.
We loved learning about the history of the Afghan Cameleers, the Old Ghan Railway, and Tom Kruse and his story of delivering mail in this remote area in the early days.
In the late 19th century Marree was a major railhead for the cattle industry, and in the 1920s when the railway was extended, it became part of the route of Ghan railway.
In the 1980s the section of railway either side of Marree was closed, when the Adelaide to Alice Springs line was built. These days Marree is mainly just a stopover point for tourists doing the 4WD Birdsville and Oodnadatta Tracks.
Remnants of the old railway can be seen along side the road as you head south.
The railway closure not only had a major effect on the town of Marree. Today, many towns that were busy and bustling hubs in the day of the Ghan are now just a pile of ruins. Farina, to the south, is one of those towns. Many of the building are currently being restored and it was interesting to wander around the old ruins and read about the history.
Further south, Parachilna, a gateway to the Flinders Ranges, was also once an important railhead.
We’ve learned so much interesting history over the past few days along this route! Much better than having taken the tar road from Cooper Pedy to Flinders Rangers. Often it’s the getting there that is as much of the adventure as the destination. This has been on of those times!
The Travelling Dixons 