Prev
search
download PDF
Print
addthis
Rotate
Help
Next
Contents
All Pages
Home
'
Flinders Ranges and Outback Visitor Guide : 2018 Flinders Ranges and Outback Visitor Guide
Contents
35 LEIGH CREEK A popular base from which to explore the region’s natural beauty and its rich Aboriginal heritage. LEIGH CREEK Map reference H4, page 17 . Map reference B2, page 29. Map reference F6, page 45 Situated to the west of the picturesque Northern Flinders Ranges, the modern outback township of Leigh Creek was originally created to house workers from the nearby coal mine but is now a popular base from which to explore the region’s natural beauty and its rich Aboriginal heritage. Many travellers visit Leigh Creek as they drive north towards Alice Springs and beyond. It can also be used as a base before heading out on day trips to Beltana, Copley, Marree, Nepabunna, Iga Warta, Lyndhurst and Farina. With its excellent range of facilities, including a Tavern, supermarket, petrol station and Post Office, this outback oasis in the desert is the obvious place to break your journey before re-joining the Explorer’s Way. For others, the big drawcard is the nearby Ediacaran fossil site, dating back some 600 million years. There is worldwide interest in the large reefs of stromatolites, understood to be the earth’s oldest fossils, found in the ancient ranges. The only other place they exist is in south-west Africa. Built by the State Government in 1982 to support its own electricity company, Leigh Creek also provides easy access to a number of popular regional attractions such as the Prairie Hotel, Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary and The Iga Warta Experience – an introduction to the Iga-Warta people and the culture of the Adnyamathanha land. Nature lovers will also find much to delight them. The Aroona Dam Sanctuary offers spectacular views and peaceful surroundings for a picnic lunch. It also has a wonderful 5.5 kilometre interpretive walk, which starts below the main wall of the 5000 megalitre dam, the largest of its type outside of Adelaide. The trail traverses wetlands below the dam, mountainous terrain, rocky outcrops and red- gum lined creeks. The Northern Flinders Ranges provides the opportunity for all kinds of adventures, from hiking to mountain biking, scenic flights and birdwatching expeditions. You might even see the endangered Yellow-footed Rock wallaby which were released into the area in 1996. With its tree-lined streets and modern amenities, including a public swimming pool, Leigh Creek also provides welcome relief from the summer temperatures in this part of the world, where the mercury can climb into the high 30°Cs. Winter time provides pleasant day time temperatures around 18-20°C and as the area is in an arid zone, there is low rainfall. The town was built to the highest environmental standards and is a model of arid land urban development. So much so that it became a destination for visiting international town planners. After 70 years of continuous operation, the current lessee Alinta Energy made the decision to close the mine in 2015 and will hand the town back by 2018. Leigh Creek is now carving out a new future for itself. Already established as an important regional centre, the town is also becoming a tourism hub. The town’s access to remarkable geological sites, stunning natural landscapes and a living Aboriginal culture is certainly one of its great drawcards. The other is the high standard of facilities available to the traveller here. In addition to essential services such as a well- stocked Foodland supermarket, post office and service station, Leigh Creek also offers an impressive list of recreational facilities including a swimming pool, gym, theatre and sports complex. The town has good fast internet and Telstra mobile coverage too. Leigh Creek provides emergency services including a hospital, Royal Flying Doctor Service, police station, ambulance, fire service and State Emergency Service (SES). Accommodation options include the Leigh Creek Outback Resort and the Leigh Creek Caravan Park. The Resort offers 24 hotel rooms, 40 cabins and a full-service restaurant, while the Leigh Creek Caravan Park has ensuite cabins, powered sites, a laundromat, a camp kitchen, barbecue facilities and a van dump point. Flinders Ranges Towns | flindersandoutback.com.au
Links
Archive
2017 Flinders Ranges and Outback Visitor Guide
Navigation
Previous Page
Next Page
