17 km to the north of Laura is the township of Wirrabara, proclaimed in 1874 and named a native word meaning 'forest with running water'. In 1877 the first government forest nursery in Australia was planted in the nearby Wirrabara forest. The magnificent steam engine on display in the town's main steeet was used by woodcutters to power a saw which cut timber to make the sleepers for the railway lines through the Mid North. Wirrabara supplied half a million sleepers between 1880 and 1887. The township was developed on a portion of Wirrabara (formely Charlton) station. Fortunately Horrocks Highway (Main North Road) continues to pass through the township, assisting its now stuggling economy.
The Wilmington railway line was extended north from Gladstone and Laura through Wirrabara and Booleroo Centre to Wilmington in the 1910s after the locals had been pleading with the government to build it for many years. The historic Copper Mine Chimney, Wirrabara on Main North Road, a remnant of the former Charlton mine, is listed on the South Australian Heritage Register.
Wirrabara Silo Art
In April 2018 Sam Bates, or as he is otherwise known ‘Smug’ visited the town of Tumby Bay during the ‘Colour Tumby Street Art Festival’. It was here that Smug met the organiser of the festival Dion Lebrun. The local Wirrabara Community did not want a local resident painted on their silos, so Smug chose Dion Lebrun to be the inspiration for the Wirrabara silo Art.
The artwork also 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. The Viterra Silos at Wirrabara took Smug three weeks to complete in October 2018. The site includes generous parking spaces in the designated car park (located on Forest Rd) available for several buses, caravans and cars. Picnic seating is also available. Verge side parking is strictly prohibited.
Location: 27 Forest Road, Wirrabara, SA.
Wirrabara Forest and Campground
Established in 1877, Wirrabara Forest was one of the state’s first forest reserves, established to ensure a sustainable timber resource for South Australia. Take a forest bushwalk or cross-country ride on the park’s shared use trails, which are nestled within the native and pine plantation reserves. Both Heysen and Mawson trails traverse sections of the park.
Ippinitchie Campground provides the perfect base for campers wanying to explore the local area, wildlife and scenery. Located in the former Wirrabara Forest off Forest Road approximately 6 km west of Wirrabara, the campground comprises 10 small dispersed sites along Ippinitchie Creek which runs seasonally depending on rain. Suitable for tents/camper trailers/caravans. Campfires to be contained to the fire pit only. Fire pits located within all campsites. BYO firewood (seasonal restrictions apply). No dogs are allowed within this campground. Camping fees apply.
Gladstone to Wilmington Railway
The 51.5 km long Gladstone to Wilmington railway line on the South Australian Railways network opened from Gladstone to Laura on 2 June 1884. It was extended from Laura to Booleroo Centre on 13 April 1910, and to Wilmington on 20 July 1915. There were proposals to extend the line towards Port Augusta either through Horrocks Pass or via Quorn, but neither plan was acted upon. The line had attended stations at Gladstone, Wirrabara, Booleroo Centre and Wilmington, and unattended stations at Laura, Stone Hut and Yandiah. All had crossing loops except Booleroo Centre, which had a Triangle spur.
The quiet township of Stone Hut was named after the old stone home of early landowner Frederick White on the banks of the Rocky River, the ruins of which can still be seen today. The town was originally surveyed in 1874 and like many towns of the day, was expanded by trade. Hickory's Run Olive Grove and Cafe is today popular spot for a long, lazy lunch, with the option to sit in the sunshine and linger over your food or coffee while enjoying views of the the Flinders Ranges. The olive grove's infused olive oils are extremely popular, with tastings and sales available. Stone Hut Lookout has a picnic table and amazing views. If you prefer not to walk, the lookout can be accessed by car.
With the conversion of the Port Pirie to Broken Hill line from narrow to standard gauge in 1969, the line became an isolated narrow gauge railway. Passenger services ceased at this time, with the line formally closed on 13 March 1990.
Stone Hut
Appila
The small town of Yarrowie was established in 1872 following the proclamation of the Strangways Land Act for closer settlement in 1869 by surveyor Giles Strangways. The town grew quickly as settlers moved to the area, and by the 1880s it had two hotels, four blacksmiths, three carpenters, Protestant, Catholic and government schools, a post office and telegraph station as well as other stores. In 1877 the name was changed to Appila-Yarrowie then later to just Appila to remove confusion with other towns including Yarcowie, Tarcowie, Terowie, Caltowie and Willowie - the suffix 'cowie' means 'water' in the language of the Adnyamathanha Aboriginal Australian people of the northern Flinders Ranges, South Australia. The appearance of 'Cowie' in a locality name indicated it was a waterhole. Appila is 17 km east of Wirrabara. In the 2016 census there were 83 people living in Appila.
Just north of Appila is Appila Springs picnic and camping ground, located in a quiet nook accessible off Appila-Tarcowie Rd and has public toilets and a picnic area. It is a natural spring that was widely used in the late 1800’s to water stock travelling to the Jamestown and Gladstone markets, and is home to many native species.
The first Lutheran church at Pine Creek, referred to as the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Appila, was built in 1875 and also used for a time as a school. The current church and school was built in 1901 was extended in 1952. It rained and snowed at the opening. The Lutheran manse was built in 1907 and closed in 1966. When the Lutheran school there was closed by the state government in 1918, it had 33 students. A 1950s era modern hall is behind the church. The arch over the entrance gates commemorates members of the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church who served in World War Two. Location: Pine Creek Road & Peach Road, Appila.
