Day 33 (3/10 Sunday) – Mount Remarkable

Another 6.30 am awakening! Was keen to do the 18 km Hidden Gorge walk (at least I was keen before yesterday’s walk, unlike himself), but we erred on the side of sanity and walked up to Mount Sugargum lookout (8 km easy grade along Mambray Creek with last 800m or so being quite a steep uphill – bit of an understatement really!). Toiling up the last steep slopes, were ever hopeful of a fantastic vista to greet us and make it all worth while. Unfortunately the vista was pretty ordinary and the bugs were keenly in attendance so not sure it was worth that last effort. Nice walk along the creek though and ran into some emus on the way back. One of them was wandering straight down the track towards us and only detoured off briefly (accompanied by much deep rumbling and grunting) when we vacated our section of track. Back in camp by ~2.30, ready for a good going laze around. Really restful sitting in the sun (yes the weather seems finally to have turned in our favour) reading a novel, occasionally taking in the changing light on the hills. Finally got around to the Davey’s Gully walk ~ 6 pm. Fantastic walk! Gentle stroll through gullies and up around open hillsides, wildlife and wildflowers galore, particularly euros and their babies, and the sun setting over Spencer Gulf in the distance. A fitting end to our time in this great place. Just a taste of the Flinders Ranges. Would love to see more of them, particularly further north. Maybe next time!