In April 2015, Kathie, Rhonda and I rented a cute little cottage in historic Burra. We planned to complete the 85 kilometre section of the Mawson Trail from Burra to Hallett over four days.
Day 1 – Mokota Conservation Park to Burra
On the first day we met in Burra and took two of our cars out to Mokota Conservation Park so that we could cycle 21 kilometres back to Burra. Although this section was an overall descent, there was a steady climb of 100 metres on a country lane grandly called “West Terrace”.
Day 2- Mokota Conservation Reserve to White Field Road
Our friend Des joined us for the second day to cycle from Mokota Reserve to White Field Road, the mid-point between Burra and Hallett.
The riding was spectacular. First there was a steady descent down White Hill Road followed by a bit of a climb over the Sugar Loaf Range where we were rewarded with a beautiful view to the east.
Then it was a delightful roll down to the aptly named Dust Hole Creek Road and on to our end point for the day. We had climbed 245 metres over this 22 kilometre section.
Day 3 – Sir Hubert Wilkins’ Homestead to White Field Road
The birthplace of Sir Hubert Wilkins was the starting point on our third day.
Sir Hubert Wilkins was an Australian adventurer born in this humble place in 1888 and destined to be an Arctic and Antarctic explorer. You can get a key to the homestead from the pub at Hallett.
After some steady climbing we came to Dares Hill Summit with some more lovely views eastwards. Then, apart from a couple of creek crossings, it was mostly a pleasant roll for the next ten kilometres down to White Field Road. Our total for this day was 23 kilometres and with a 166 metre climb.
Day 4 – Sir Hubert Wilkins’ Homestead to Hallett
On our last day we started at Hubert Wilkins’ homestead again. The road to Hallett was undulating with a 245 metre climb over 19 kilometres. We celebrated finishing the Burra to Hallett section of the Mawson Trail with lunch at the Wildongoleechie Hotel.
Some of our other adventures on the Mawson Trail were between:
- Hallett and Spalding
- Spalding and Jamestown
- Nuriootpa and Kapunda
- High Eden Road and Jacobs Creek
- Merna Mora Station and Rawnsley Park
- Mount Little and Hawker
- Brachina Gorge Road and Wilpena and
- Blinman and Brachina Gorge Road.
