Day 11 Hallet to Burra, 83.98km, 5.51:50hours, 14.3kmh ave., 951m ascent, 1146m descent, max speed 44.04kmh, 8.9 degrees, left at 8.33am wind 6kmh NE
In the morning after staying at Hallet Railway Station, breakfast and toilet stop and fill up with water I was back to the showgrounds to pack up th etent and collect anything else there. I told th ecaravaners the tale of last night and they said it got down to .7 degrees C. Wow if I staye din my tent I would have frozen stiff. My tent was wet with dew but underneath the fly was ice on the fly. Stuffed into a waterproof Sea tto Summitt compression bag and all packed up on the bike I was off to Burra. This was the second longest day by KM but longest day in time.
Another morning climb at about 3-4% for about 10km out of Hallett the ride got faster leading to the restored homestead where explorer Sir Hubert Wilkins was born. Never heard of him. Dick Smith donated money to the restoration and opened it.
Then its uphill until a short right then left down a track, not the road you were just on, then a long downhill section through more natural forest and taking you to Moorowie Creek where a shrp right dog leg turn starts an uphill climb to the Dores Hill summit where I take a morning break and get out the drone. You can see some 4wd roads but never have I been near this place. You can see the last of the Flinders Ranges north and south the Mount Lofty Ranges. In between its very flat and thats generally where the main roads are.
A long ride along Dust Hole Creek Road through a few gates, one car overtakes me. Then its through another gate to start the climb/walk up White Hill in the Sugar Loaf Ranges. 4km more of up and down I decide to have lunch at the sid eof th eroad near some trees for shelter near Mokota Conservation Park. I'm on th elookout at every ruins for the Midnight Oil house on the cover of the album Diesal and Dust in the farms either side of the road, not knowing exactly where it is but just before Burra.
i start the descent into the Burra Valley but a left is required though this is still slightly downhill and avoids the main road. Found it. The house clear as day due to the large keep out signs.Then turn left to walk uphill again, who came up with this trail to head down into Burra. Beware the biggest mud section in a creek crossing nearly through me off as I was up of fmy seat riding downhill when I came to a sudden slow with 2-3m metres in mud. I nearly went over the handlebars. Through town with some very old buildings I find the motel Im staying in. I ring the number but find out it has all been sent to me by email. No it hasn't, then bam 4 emails come through. Its a contactless reception. The door to the room is open, restuarant closed and no one on reception. Cost $150 burra Motor Inn
After setting everything out to dry in the room and chairs outside, including using the hairdryer on the tent I look for the pub on google maps. Walk 3 times around then decide its wrong. I walk down the street and come across it but restuarant isnt open but you can get pizza and eat it here. Off to the pizza shop for a GF base pizza and coke.
Burra is an old mining town and well worth a rest day there to check it out.