Exploring the Gawler Ranges

Posted on by Miriam

After leaving the moody blues on the Eyre Peninsula coastline we head inland and begin our adventure in the Gawler Ranges.

Our first stop is Wudinna, pronounced Wuddna, as said a truckie on the UHF radio coming into town. It has a nice vibe, there’s a huge statue of The Australian Farmer, a scenic 30km loop drive that we enjoy on our second day and a great RV park where we nab a powered site with water for just $15 night.

Our night at Pildappa

After a couple of nights in Wuddina we head out to Pildappa Rock, it’s on route to the ranges. This ancient rock and free campground is like a South Australian version of Wave Rock, but perhaps not as well known, as we were practically the only ones there. What an impressive sight it is. By day it’s imposing, those rich reds of the rock. By night it’s dramatic, with the sun seeming to kiss it goodnight as sunset crested the rock. And at sunrise it was surreal and all mine.

It’s easy to climb Pildappa, much easier than it looks. But Doug wasn’t interested so I took off by myself. When I got to the top I suddenly had phone reception so I rang him, rousing him from his nana nap. “You gotta get up here” I said “it’s amazing.” “Where are you?” he said, not sounding overly excited. To which I replied to go outside and look up. When he finally walked up to join me I think he was just as blown away as I was.

The next morning however I didn’t bother. I left him asleep and dragged myself out of bed, it was SO cold. But I was determined to watch the sun rise, so off I went. It was fresh, misty and totally invigorating up there. Amid the silence and the mist, the world felt still asleep.

In that surreal state, between fully awakened and still slightly sleepy, I began to meditate.

This was my meditation, it’s called Sourcing, and it’s super simple. Here’s how you do it.

Rub your hands together to open your heart (your palms are extensions of the heart chakra). Then gently pull your hands apart and notice the subtle energy you have activated. This is your connection with Source. Rest your hands, palms upwards, on your lap, noticing the subtle pulse that has been activated in the middle of your palms.

Now close your eyes and imagine a beautiful channel of white light streaming down from the heavens straight for you. Allow this bright supportive light to fill up your entire being and open your heart. Hand over all your concerns, worries, struggles, goals, hopes, dreams and any darkness to be replenished by the light.

Breath and allow yourself to be supported. Breath and allow yourself to be filled up. Breath and allow yourself to be nurtured. Breath and allow yourself to come home. Breath and listen to the callings of your soul. Breath and allow yourself to light up.

You don’t need to worry about your mind being quiet or sitting still for hours. All you need to do is open your heart, breath and receive the beautiful energy washing over you and into you from the heavens. “. Extracted from Light is the New Black by Rebecca Campbell

When I finished meditating I turned around to look behind me, and this is what I saw.

It was like a rainbow, perhaps a sunbow, a reflection of the suns rays and a light show unfolding before my eyes. I felt tears, closed my eyes in awe, grateful for the moment, feeling encased in love. In that moment I breathed it all in and I sent it all out.

For that hour i was up on the rock I felt a sense of timeless peace and connection to something divine. All alone I watched the sun rise, the mist slowly dissipating and the light filtering through. By the time I walked down the rock, the sun was warming my back, the birds were chirping and the sky was blue. I looked up and noticed the light bow was still there, but fading. The world was waking up.

How often do we truly appreciate the moment, letting go completely of any fear based worry about what the future will bring.

“What if you’re in a vibration of thankful for the moment instead of being scared of what’s going to happen in six months. How much could that change what happens in six months? If you’re constantly in a vibration of Now and not in a fear of something in the future (like, are the lockdowns coming back, am I gonna get sick) screw that.

Get excited about now and leave the fear based energy field. Let go of control. Let life follow you. You’re a magical thing and you’re the source of all this.” Kyle Cease

Pildappa Rock left a profound effect on me but it was time to leave. Still the awe continued within the Gawler Ranges National Park where we spend two nights at Yangdina campground, surrounded by more red ranges, red earth below us and at night a sky filled with stars. We explore the Organ Pipes and the rich vast volcanic landscape of the ranges. It’s peaceful and we’re mostly by ourself, oh, except for the wildlife.

Onto Mt Ive

Our next stop is Mt Ive Station and it’s remote, VERY remote but it’s perhaps my favourite part of our experience in the Gawler Ranges. It really deserves a post on its own. However, in a nutshell this is outback hospitality at its best, an authentic sheep station with great people, camping, quarters, a bar where staff and travellers congregate and some of the best four wheel drive tracks in the Gawler.

These mustering tracks encompass cliff top ridges, red earth, big blue skies and yep, red dust everywhere and we tackled many of them. The Flight Path, Billy Can Drive and the steep crawl to the Mt Ive Summit. We drove out to Lake Gairdner and marvelled at the salt lake colours and contrasts. Our car and van was ridiculously red by the time we left, but we loved our stay here.

Creative and Crafty at Kimba

After our three nights at Mt Ive Station we travelled on to Kimba. There’s a fantastic RV park there and that’s where we head, after we wash the car and van. The RV park is part of the Recreational Centre and it’s huge, wonderfully maintained and free. There’s plenty of room and we snag a great spot with a canopy of shade, a table and full amenities nearby.

The next day the weather turns foul so we head for the Big Galah. It’s grey and rainy but at the nearby laundromat I can get all my washing done and dried. Silver linings!

Kimba is a great little town with a wonderful community spirit. There’s some impressive silo art in town which is lit up at night and during the day there’s a lot to explore in and around the town.

At Kimba’s Creative Quarters, Work Shop 26 I met Carmen Rayner, one of the enthusiastic makers and creators breathing life into this country town. Her Small Town Soap Company is housed together with other artisans in this delightful creative space where “Industrial meets country in an abandoned tractor shed”. Inside it’s a feast for the senses: there’s handcrafted candles, essential oils and home diffusers, pottery, vintage furniture and collectibles. Stop in for a coffee and a browse and I guarantee you’ll be there for ages. It’s a must if you’re visiting Kimba.

Beyond Kimba our trip continues, as we edge our way slowly, ever so slowly, back in the direction of Melbourne. For the moment however we continue to make the most of each and every day.

Sending you much love and light as we continue our journey

Up at the top of Pildappa Rock at sunrise. Everything comes full circle in the light.

“Keep your eyes on the sun and you won’t see the shadows.” Australian Aboriginal Proverb

47 thoughts on “Exploring the Gawler Ranges”

    1. It’s been an amazing, and life changing, trip Brad. We certainly have big decisions to make when we return, with the very real possibility of big lifestyle changes on the horizon.

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  2. Did your “simple sourcing” bring about those “sunbows”? Fantastic shots. What a wonderful experience. “The top of Pildappa Rock at sunrise” is another fantastic photo. Kimba looks like a great little town. I’m loving your adventures.

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    1. Thanks Tim, so glad you’re enjoying reading about our adventures. Did I bring about that sunbow? Well, I can’t be sure, but what I do know is that it was a special experience I’ll never forget. And yes, Kimba is wonderful!

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  3. Dear Miriam, I have no doubt at all that the Sun bow was just for you that morning, what a wonderful experience, and lovely meditation. Thank you also for the reading list. I love Oracle Cards and I see that Rebecca Campbell has a set of Oracle cards to go with her book Light is the new Black. I had never heard of Kyle Cease, so I also looked him up and intend to explore some more. Heading back to Melbourne after such a long trip away will be bitter sweet for you. I take the opportunity to welcome you back. Things have changed, times have changed but Melbourne is still a beautiful place. 🤍

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    1. Hi Barbara, lovely to hear from you as always. Rebecca Campbell has also written another book called Letters to a Starseed which is wonderfully inspiring and relevant to the times we’re living in. And Kyle Cease also has some fabulous messages worth listening to. I think you’ll enjoy. Thanks for your good wishes. Yes, Melbourne is still beautiful, but, as we’ve discovered, Australia is full of amazing places it’s an interesting time for sure! xx

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  14. As always, your photos are amazing! But what I especially appreciated about this post was the advice on exactly how to meditate. Whenever I’ve tried it, meditating didn’t seem to “work” for me because I couldn’t clear my mind. But I tried what you suggested, and it was a totally different experience! These days, it is more important than ever to let go of our fears….thank you for such practical advice on a way to do just that!

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    1. I’m so glad my post was able to help Ann. It’s not always easy to meditate but I think that often people tend to over complicate the process. It really does us no good to hold onto fears and I’m certainly no expert on meditation but having specific practices really does help. Sending lots of love your way. xx

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  15. Oh WOWOW…. words fail me to those spectacular views.. and your words.. well I was in seventh Heaven with you Miriam.
    “Now close your eyes and imagine a beautiful channel of white light streaming down from the heavens straight for you. Allow this bright supportive light to fill up your entire being and open your heart. Hand over all your concerns, worries, struggles, goals, hopes, dreams and any darkness to be replenished by the light. “,,,
    I swear you are creating NEW Earth with your vibration in every place you visit… Totally awesome my friend..
    Oh to greet the morning sun and breathe in its light and peace..
    Your post brought waves of peace and harmony in every word and photos..
    Love and Blessings my friend.. Hope you had a wonderful Easter.. ❤ ❤

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    1. What beautiful, affirming words Sue. Thank you so much my friend. It truly was a magical time up on that rock, greeting the morning sun and feeling the peace. The last day or so, not so much, with up and down moods and intense energies surfacing. I need to go back and ground myself with more of these sourcing exercises. Life is a giant roller coaster of emotions these days isn’t it. Sending love your way. ❤️🙏

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  18. This has truly been an adventure of a lifetime ~ the places you experienced at such a deep level, the thoughts you’ve had along the way, and then those magical times when you were on the rock absorbed in nature all around you, and felt the peace and connection to life. The sunbow photo and your writing made it so easy to imagine this scene. Wishing you a great weekend ahead.

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    1. Thanks so much Randall and you’re quite right, this has truly been an adventure of a lifetime, these past ten months. But then again, all of life is an adventure really isn’t it. Sending you warmest wishes across the ocean for a great weekend.

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  20. What an amazing time you are having on the road, Miriam. Pildappa Rock is stunning. What a lovely sunset you saw, and such an incredible divine moment in the morning after meditating. That’s the universe guiding you right there, you really can’t make things up like this. So divine. Stay safe and make the most of your travels ❤

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    1. Hi Mabel, yes it’s been an incredible journey and my time on top of Pildappa Rock was very special . You’re right, it felt divine. Thanks for your good wishes. Hope all’s well with you. 💗

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  21. You are truly giving yourself a beautiful adventure Miriam! Love your focus on fully enjoying the moment rather than worrying about what might happen! You’ve got it! Knowing you actually bring in your reality! We all just have to continually practice and trust we give ourselves deeper and deeper experiences of love, joy and peace. Beautiful pictures to remember your experience, and now meandering back home. Lots of questions to ask yourselves I believe. Thankyou for your enthusiasm and inspiration Miriam, you’re giving us all quite a spectacular Australian show❤️🌈 Much love to you🥰

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    1. Thank you Barbara, for your kind words. It certainly was an amazing adventure and the trip of a lifetime, with so many memories captured through my posts. And now the adventure continues in a new direction back home. As you said continually trusting in our ability and practice to focus on the present and make the most of every day. Thank you for coming along with me virtually. Much love 💕

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  22. wow Miriam such a wonderful adventure. I’ve missed you and loved this catch up and your beautiful pictures. Your Meditation is so beautiful with simplicity and peace to the core. Thanks for sharing your journey with us . 💖💖

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    1. Aww, thanks so much Cindy. It’s been a busy few weeks for me so not a lot of time for WordPress. But it’s great to see you. Mega thanks for your gorgeous comment. 💗

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