Parks & Gardens of the Flinders Ranges.

Water is a scarce commodity in a dry area like the Flinders Ranges Council. As a result we do not have the number of gardens that we would like but still a number of attractive parks are maintained. The water supply comes from two sources. One is from run off when the heavy rains come but these are not reliable and the other source from underground has to be used a great deal of time. Even that source is not all that permanent as we are being told that already one of the three bores supplying the town of Quorn has faltered. The quality of water from these bores is somewhat high in mineral salts and can be hard on gardens. Fortunately in 2002 another bore has been successful in finding more water of better quality so Quorn has a much improved supply today. In Hawker the bores are extremely high in mineral salts and gardens are often watered by water from the railway dam which collects the runoff from the town streets when it rains..

Quorn Lions Park

This is a multipurpose park as it contains many pieces of old farming equipment. The Quorn Lions Club maintains it with the occasional help of the Flinders Ranges Council when needed. A large number of trees have been planted, some paths laid and Red Bottle Brush shrubs planted along these. In spring when these shrubs flower it is a beautiful sight indeed. The old farm machinery ranges from single furrow horse drawn ploughs to six and eight furrow stump jump tractor drawn units. There are some old seed drills used to sow the wheat and a number of stump jump cultivators used to work the land over prior to planting the seed.

Some of the old tillage machinery.

You will also find a number of pieces of old harvesting equipment like headers and harvesters along with some old strippers. The wagons used to cart wheat and wool feature as do binders to cut sheaved hay, mowers and balers for baled hay. An old Fordson tractor is on display and an old two ton caterpillar tractor is being obtained. This particular old tractor was used in 1932 by two brothers to sow 1,000 acres of wheat out on the edge of the Willochra Plain. They worked day and night with only two wick operated kerosene lamps as light. One hung over the wheel of the seeder and one hung on the front of the tractor. At the same time their father and older brother planted 700 acres of wheat with horse teams back home in the hills. As 1932 was a good season after a run of 4 or 5 years drought they were lucky and reaped nearly 12,000 bags of wheat between them.

Stump jump and single furrow ploughs

A few hours spent here will prove very worth while to the traveller who may never have seen some of this type of machine. Looking at this display one wonders where it is all going as these machines look like toys alongside the equipment used on farms today. Reminds me of how my father used to tell of what his grandfather said when his father purchased a new six foot cut harvester. Great Grandfather told him he was mad as it was not possible for one man to look after that much machine. He of course had been used to only four or five feet cut strippers. Today they are using up to 36 feet cut headers.

Early Wheat Harvesting Machine

This Quorn Lions Park is also a picnic area and has available both gas and wood fired barbecues.

Thompson Memorial Playground at Quorn.

Situated on Railway Terrace this area is currently undergoing a major upgrade. New playground equipment has been installed and the remaining pieces relocated. A large number of old Pepper Trees remain in this park. This is almost the only link left with the large quantity of Pepper Trees that used to line the streets of Quorn. It is planned to provide an area with shade cloth over lawn to use as a picnic site on warm days. Two gas barbecues with shelters have been installed by  hotel social clubs. Plenty of off street parking is available so this is a very popular place with visitors as well as the locals. Further development is envisaged by the planting of a lawned area with rock garden.

Entrance to Thompson Memorial Playground

Other Public Gardens at Quorn.

A number  of small gardens are established along Railway Terrace and they bring relief with their trees and small lawns. The rose garden at the side of the Quorn Town Hall has a lovely display of colour and native plants help break up the large area in front of it and the court house.

First Street has a wide strip down the centre on both ends which have trees and some lawn planted. An effort is being made at present to rejuvenate this area and it will look very nice again once completed. The hospital has some very well maintained gardens.

Hawker Parks and Gardens

Due to the lack of good quality water Hawker has found it difficult to maintain large areas of garden. A number of small areas are established and some of these have been decorated with very interestingly shaped rocks and some talc carvings. Blue Burt Park in front of the Hotel is being watered constantly and shows green in an otherwise harsh environment. Much use of native shrubs has been made here and they have added to the character of the town.

Blue Burt Park

Near Blue Burt Park just opposite the Hawker Hotel will be found this unusual sandstone rock. Note how the water and wind over the years has carved it out like a chair.

Natures chair at Hawker.

[ FRC Area ] [Escaped Secrets] [ Quorn ] [ Hawker ] [ Accommodation ] [ Facilities ] [Tours] [ Information ] [Maps ]
[Have some Fun] [Picnic Areas] [Scenic Drives] [Parks and Gardens]