Truckies Motel, Mt. Remarkable.

On the road again.

There seems to be no end to what is possible in the world of "movable" housing. It seems as though

half the country is driving around in ever bigger circles. In Australia this new generation are called "gray nomads", not that they are all that "new" being mainly retirees. But one of the great delights of such an activity is the discovery of the unexpected. While travelling to the Flinder's Rangers in South Australia, I ventured into the town of Melrose at the foot of Mt. Remarkable National Park, only to discover a most extraordinary collection of ancient truck accommodation. They were part of a hotel complex, and from what I could gather, were available to wayward travellers. All these "motel rooms" were built on top of old trucks of various vintages. What a wonderful example of what the creative imagination can think up to add to a towns tourist potential. Most trucks were from the 1930's through to the 50's, and had been reborn as kinky, and most unusual  accommodation in an array of colours. Who ever thought up the idea deserves full marks for originality, it is only a great pity that these workhorse of yesterday can not take to the road again.

Diggers Dream, an old army truck.

Melrose is the oldest town in the Flinder's Ranges sitting at the foot of Mt. Remarkable National Park. The park itself offers a wide range of hikes across its  hills and gullies .

Hills of Mt. Remarkable

It is possible to walk for hours on end through this park, and unlike our Tasmanian parks the country is fairly open. There are both short and three day walk, often through a vista of wild flowers in Alligator Gorge not that I saw any fortunately. The energetic may climb to the top for Mt Remarkable [ 960m] for the view across the ranges. As usual I spent the best part of several days drawing up in the hills. Strangely the vegetation was very green due the recent heavy rains, and not at all like Central Australian colours. Hans Heysen, the pioneer Australian artist who first painted the outback had to create a new colour pallet for himself in order to record this new environment. It is only since the Second World War that artists have discovered this image of "true" Australia.

Afternoon stroll, Melrose

Child's Delight.