Member - John C (WA) replied:

Over that way last year and reckon a great trip would be Adelaide to Gawler to Clare to Burra(for lunch) to Port Pirie to Port Augusta.
Cheers

Member - Phil G (SA) replied:

For a day trip, you'd need to leave early and get back late. Probably better in the reverse direction - up the highway via Pirie first (the less interesting bit) then up to Wilmington via Horrocks Pass and lookout, and home via the Clare Valley which is a nice drive, and the places to see will be open in the afternoon.

Gladstone jail is worth a visit.

Member - Roachie (SA) replied:

I'm in Kadina and would put a plug in for the upper Yorke Peninsula; turn off just north of Port Wakefield. From Kadina/Wallaroo/Moonta, you travel up through Alford, Pt Broughton to Port Pirie.

Up the hwy to Pt Orgutta, over Horrocks Pass, then down to Willmington, Melrose, Wirrabra, (Great Bakery at Old Stone Hut), Gladstone, Clare, Kapunda, Gawler, Adelaide.

That's a fair hike for a day trip and has kept you on the black top all day.

There would be far more interesting/scenic trips to do, without going as far from the smoke, and giving you chance to get some dust/mud under the side-steps.

Cheers

Roachie

Snowy 3.0iTD replied:

Living only further 70kms on along the Hwy from Port Augusta I can say it is a good day trip. The most scenic way without making it a major expedition, is:

Gawler, Tarlee, Clare, Laura, Melrose, Wilmington, Quorn, Port Augusta, then back down the main hwy to Adelaide, with a detour via Kadina if you have got the time. Alternatively if you are after a bit of dirt stuff along the way, then there is a Public Access Route (PAR), track that heads up over the Ranges from Melrose, nothing overly challenging probably won't even require 4WD unless it is wet, but ground clearance is needed, and it gives spectacular views and will take about 2 hours. There are also numerous pay as you go 4WD trips in the area aournd the 1/2 day mark each for around $30-$40 ranging from mildly challenging to stuff that may have you passengers wanting to get out and walk.

regards

Snowy

Barnesy replied:

Good responses there. I agree, goolwa, clare, gladstone, Laura, jamestown, melrose, wilmington then through horrocks pass. But that is a long drove to return back again. More enjoyable to stay o/night then you can go slower and stop off in towns, go bushwalking, etc. For a shorter day trip then there are many spots to cut back onto the highway around Laura etc if that's what you decide.

There is a little shop in Gladstone called 'Trend Drinks' the bloke there makes hand made soft drinks. The honey and ginger beer drinks are beautiful. Whenever i go through gladstone i always buy a carton of each. They don't last long!

Laura is the home of Golden North icecream, need i say more?

Barnesy

Snowy, not sure if ive seen you before at any whyalla 4wd club events? Then again i'm usually working when something is on.