About Melrose
Melrose, because it was officially proclaimed in 1853, can proudly claim that it is the ‘oldest town in the Flinders Ranges’. This quiet and attractive town, which is nestled below Mount Remarkable, has had a colourful history characterised by farming on very marginal land and mining poor deposits of copper. Today it has a number of interesting historic buildings and there are pleasant bush walking tracks in the surrounding countryside (sourced from the Aussie Towns website – click for more).
On the way
Wirrabara Silos
We stopped about 122kms north of the Clare Valley Caravan Park, on our way to Melrose, to check out the Wirrabara Silo Art in the small town of Wirrabara. Painted in April 2018 by Sam Bates, or as he is otherwise known ‘Smug’, the artwork depicts the rich history of the area which has strong ties to the forestry industry as well as referencing the beautiful local flora and fauna for which the area is also well known for.
Accommodation
Melrose was chosen for this part of our Tagalong as one of our group, Jenny, used to spend her childhood Christmas holidays here. We were booked into the one and only caravan park in town by the name of (you guessed it) Melrose Caravan Park, located in the centre of town.
The park had a good sized gathering area for our happy hours, with a roaring fire set up by the owners. Later at night we sat around the back of our vans, beside the Willochra Creek bed, with a fire going in the provided fire pits.
Alligator Gorge Walk
Alligator Gorge in Mount Remarkable National Park is one of South Australia’s most scenic hikes. With dramatic gorges, bright ochre walls and watercourses lined with river red gums, it truly is a remarkable place.
We took the short 200metre walk to the Ali Lookout from the Alligator Gorge car park.
We then we took the 3 km track called the Narrows Loop Hike. It was really challenging in some places having to “rock hop” through sections of the creek which runs through the gorge. It was absolutely worth every step taken through this magnificent place.
Booleroo Steam Society Visit
One of our Tagalong23 members has a relative who is a member of the Booleroo Steam & Traction Preservation Society and arranged a special tour for our group. It was a fascinating walk through this enormous collection of vintage & current types of machinery.
This is an extract from their website “The aim of the Booleroo Steam and Traction Preservation Society is: “To foster the restoration and preservation of antique steam engines, vehicles, farm tractors and implements which show the technical developments and skills of an era now past”. Whatever your interest in agricultural-based machines, many can be found at Booleroo Centre, 260 kms north of Adelaide.
The BSTPS was formed by a group of local farmers in 1968. Since then the society has acquired an enviable collection of tractors, steam exhibits, stationary engines and equipment associated with our rural industrial and agricultural heritage.”
The BSTPS is located at 54 Arthur St, Booleroo Centre and you need to contact them if you wish to arrange a visit. Contact details are on the BSTPS website.
Melrose War Memorial
It’s a short walk up the hill behind the caravan park to the Melrose War Memorial. From here you have a great view back over the town. There’s also a really strange and interesting bicycle art piece up there too.
Summing Up…
- Accommodation at Melrose Caravan Park (visit their website)
- Cost per night – $47 (at 8 Sep 2023)
- Stayed for – 3 nights
- CP Location – Very close to centre of town (location map)
- Did we have a good site? Yes
- Facilities – great camp kitchen (no pool)
- Amenities – Basic but very clean
- Our rating/score – 6/10
- Location:
- Was it a nice place to visit? Yes
- Much to see & do? Yes
- Our rating/score – 7/10
- Would we return? Probably not – been there & seen/done that