Wirrulla is ‘The Town with a Secret’ and a focal point for the surrounding wheat and sheep farms. Its name is derived from an Aboriginal word meaning ‘Rockhole’.
Visitors can travel on to the ancient Gawler Ranges 40km away through a western gateway at Wirrulla. Visit the stunning and remote Wallala Rocks to experience 360-degree views of the Gawler Ranges, silos and surrounding farmlands … just a taste!
As ‘the town with a secret’, it has a very uncanny attraction – The Inland Jetty is rumoured to be the only one of its kind in the world! (And the tide is always out.) It also doubles as the golf course’s 5th hole tee off !
Unwind and picnic in the May Waldie Gardens, or maybe call into the Wirrulla Hotel, which opened in 1927, to cool down with a quiet cold ale and a chat with ‘a local’?
Wirrulla Hotel
25 Hay Terrace, Wirrulla
Further northeast toward Poochera, travel along the Eyre Highway to sneak into the ghost town of Yantanabie (Aboriginal meaning ‘deep water’) which was gazetted in 1918. The town was once the hub of a busy community, but today only the Memorial Hall stands serenely housing the history of the area.
Light lunches and a cuppa are available to groups.
Yantanabie Memorial Hall
Eyre Highway, Yantanabie
08 8626 0934 (Fay)
HOW TO GET THERE
Wirrulla is 60km northeast of Streaky Bay on the Eyre Highway, National Highway A1 via sealed/unsealed roads. A 50 minute journey with more than one route. To travel to Wirrulla only via sealed road, travel northeast on the Flinders (7.1km) and Streaky Bay Highways (53.3km) to Poochera. Turn left at the Eyre Highway, National Highway A1 and travel 35.6km to Wirrulla. The long route of 107.6km takes approximately 1 hour 23 minutes.
Wirrulla connects visitors to the Stuart Highway via Station Road, skirting the edge of the Gawler Ranges through Hiltaba and Lake Everard to connect with the Stuart Highway, National Highway A1, via Kingoonya or Glendambo.
Yantanabie is 13.9 km southeast of Wirrulla between Cungena and Wirrulla on Eyre Highway, National Highway A1.
Feature Image: Wallala Rocks Image credit: Licensed copyright to RDAWEP
