Sat, 15th Nov, 2025 Redbanks Conservation Park, east of Burra to Worlds End Reserve near Burra Creek Gorge, Worlds End, SA (Burra Town Hall & Raft Regatta)

13.5 degrees min. Overcast and breezy.

After breakfast I baked then after a cuppa we packed up and drove to the Day Use Area. Dropped off the plateau into the creek floodplain of Baldina Creek. Info about walks but nothing about the Diprotodon or Pygmy Bluetongue Lizard that is found here that we read about in the Railway Museum.

Obvious why it is called Redbanks. Lots of small bits of broken glass everywhere.

Wandered along the creek area.

Two chaps had very big zoom lens on their camera - bird watchers we presumed. I asked if that was a kingfisher up on the high branch of the tree and yes I was right. Nothing wrong with my eyesight!! Lots of galahs about too.

Headed back up and out through the salt bush. Long line of hills.

Across Baldina Creek where we saw the emus yesterday. Pool of water here.

Headed back to Burra to watch the ‘yacht’ regatta. Parked near a Lone Pine on the downstream side of Burra Creek.

Nice old home across the road.

Walked across the bridge to check out the markets. Mine bucket and plough in a garden down beside the creek. Crowds are gathering ready for the fun.

Lots of lovely things in the market stalls. I found some history too.

Wandered down to the ‘lake’ and checked out the ‘yachts’ etc. Looks like we will be here all afternoon.

Headed back to the camper for lunch. The old cottages (1849-1852) of Paxton Square are on the other side of the road so wandered along to find the history plaque on one of the corners of the square. It is now holiday accommodation.

Back to the bottom end of the lake to watch the first race, under 12’s. Brought back memories of the fun we had in the early 80s when we entered the Raft Regatta with our friends and workmates at Lake Placid when I was working for Richardson’s Electrical Services.

Wandered through the park - found some more history near the little water way. Not sure where the water comes from but it was bubbling out of the top and flowed down into the creek - maybe to help oxygenate it.

We went onto the foot bridge to watch the next race. A tinny towed the ‘yachts’ up to the start line on the other side of the bridge. Some ducks and ducklings were trying to race them.

The kids did well to keep in line then the horn went off and they started paddling.

A bit of sun peeking through but the wind is still cool especially when you are in the shade. We walked across the road to the Town Hall as it is open today. Found the history plaque I missed yesterday.

Joined some other people to listen to a young lady give her presentation - very good. The main room is getting new carpet so the conference table etc was in the main foyer for the moment.

We went into the main auditorium - I gave an outstanding performance, haha. Up the stairs to the projector room for when it was used as a movie theatre in the early 50s.

Lots of information to read too. Great photos of the mine.

Wandered through the other rooms.

Into the conference room with the new carpet. The ladies were impressed with the carpet as it has the same symbol as the wallpaper. When it was being laid a trap door was discovered to a cellar that is a large space under this room - no one knew about it.

Back to the our spot on the bridge for the next race - ladies. Lots of laughing involved. 

This ‘yacht’ wasn’t a good racing design.

The kids and ducks having a race.

There are 2 heats for the Open Event - Top 4 of each heat into the final. A new entry - Australia Post. Not a good start, they tried walking it along the edge then when they got in it tipped them out but they got it going again.

This ‘Shark’ one is hands down the best as it is basically a canoe. Bit unfair compared to many of the other ‘creations’ but obviously it was within the rules.

This one forgot about where he was going to put his paddles in the water.

They lined up and off they went. The Shark took off of course.

Aust Post will be late with its delivery today.

The 2^nd heat had a couple of new ‘yachts’. 

The boys couldn’t get this one going so they pushed it instead.

Now the final. There was a bit of a contest for 1^st place but in the end the Shark won. Great fun and everyone had a good time by the looks of it.

Back to the camper and back to the Goyder Highway. Crossed the Goyder Line again. Turned onto the Worlds End Highway to Burra Creek Gorge Reserve (free camp) at Worlds End. It was a township with that name in 1851 near here. People through going further into the arid country was going to the Worlds End, hence the name. At least they had water.

A lot of people are already camped here so we found a spot down one end away from the big trees that have a habit of dropping big branches!

Lots of corellas and galahs squawking as we had drinks. We relaxed with our books. Will go for a walk tomorrow to find the Gorge. 

Cooked up the remainder of our veggies ready for the quarantine station tomorrow.

A Mopok was calling when we went to bed but I didn’t hear a reply from its mate.