Transcontinental Hotel, Quorn

Quorn SA 5433 (Pop 1 000)

Quorn is an historic railway town and service centre sitting in a Flinders Ranges valley 333 km north of Adelaide. Established in 1850s, by 1879 Quorn had become an important railway town. As a rail junction leading in all directions, the township flourished until the line closed (1957). Its proximity to the Flinders Ranges and charming land and streetscapes attract growing numbers of tourists together with various filmmakers over the years. Race Meeting (May), Pichi Richi Marathon (July), Spring Craft Fair (Oct), Campdraft & Field Days (Oct).

Tourist Attractions & Info:
Historic Quorn (about 30 sites) include Railway Station (1860), Austral Hotel (1878), Flour Mill (1878), Trancontinental Hotel (1878), Court House (1879), Uniting Church (1879), Catholic Church (1883), Mathews Emporium - Quornucopia (1886), Criterion Hotel (1890), Grand Junction Hotel (1890), Lutheran Church (1890), Town Hall (1891), Anglican Church (1897). Junction Art Gallery, Railway Tce, local art exhibitions.

Nearby:
Outdoor Agricultural Implements Museum (Pichi Richi Pass Rd) historic farm implements on display. Buckaringa Gorge Scenic Drive (north Quorn) includes Buckaringa Sanctuary and a town lookout. Quorn Native Flora Reserve (2 km n-w) located within a former quarry. Devil’s Peak Walking Trail (11 km south) a steep summit climb rewarded by stunning views (closed Nov-Apr). Mount Brown Conservation Park (14 km south) 2 277 ha former forest reserve of rugged ridges and woodlands with one of the area’s highest peaks, Mount Brown (964 m). A circuit summit tracks begins at Waukarie Falls. Dutchmans Stern Conservation Park (10 km west) comprises over 3 000 ha of rocky outcrops including the prominent bluff, Dutchmans Stern. The Ridge Top Trail (8 km return) has stunning Flinders Ranges and Spencer Gulf views. Warren Gorge (23 km north) steep red cliffs home to the rare yellow-footed rock wallabies. Cradock  (91 km n-e) a tiny village abutting the desert with beautiful historic church, St Gabriel’s (1882). Kanyaka Ruins (42 km north) fascinating historic remnants (1850s) of the huge Kanyaka Station, stables, woolshed and cottage. Nearby Kanyaka Death Rock is a sacred Aboriginal ceremonial site.

Accommodation:
Quorn has half a dozen hotels & motels, a B&B, some holiday cabins and a caravan park. Visitor Information Centre: 3 Seventh St. Tel (08) 8648 6419.

Airport:
Port Augusta Airport (PUG), off Eyre Hwy. (45 km s-w).

Hospital:
Quorn Hospital, Hospital Rd. Tel (08) 8648 7888.