For those of you who have never visited Melrose before below is a list of activities you may like to do…
HIRE A BIKE FROM OVER THE EDGE – they have awesome high quality bikes starting from $40 a day. With a qualified bike mechanic, coffee and info on the trails it is a great place to come and visit on arrival – Check out their website for more information.
ON YA BIKE – ride locally
There are many short easy rides that you can do with your family or take a picnic and make a day of it.
Silos – take the road out of town towards showgrounds and you will see the silos on the right
Showgrounds – leave Melrose and head out of town you will see signs on your left for the showgrounds, this is an easy and flat ride for the family
Weaving Camels – this ride starts at Sleepy Hollow gate which is at the end of Brewery Street – walk through the gate and turn left before you cross the creek. The ride runs along the creek and finish back at the sleepy Hollow gate.
Monument trail – From the caravan park take the gradual ride up to the monument.
Rail Trail – Melrose to Wilmington. easy green trail for families. Go as far as you can.
OFF YA BIKE – Walking distance from Melrose town.
Police Station and Court House Museum
This attractive complex was built in 1862 and comprises the Police Station, Old Court House, cells and stables. At one time it was one of the largest police stations in Australia looking after all the land to the north which, at that time, meant everywhere to the north coast of the country. It is now a National Trust Museum, open daily from 2.00 p.m. – 5.00 p.m. and contains good exhibitions reflecting the history of the town and the surrounding district. Ph: 8666 2141.
Bluey Blundstone`s Blacksmith shop was built in 1865. The complex has been lovingly and authentically restored with the smithy`s shop now equipped with tools and machinery from that era. Enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and homemade scones. Ph: 86662173
Jacka’s Brewery
This was originally the local flour mill and was completed in 1878 in local stone. It was converted to a brewery in 1893 and continued to operate in the town until the 1930s. Behind North Star Hotel.
War Memorial Monument – Located on the hill overlooking the town
North Star Hotel – The most prominent building in town it is located at the top of the main street. It was the first licensed hotel in town originally being nothing more than a log cabin. The license dates from 1854 – Enjoy a glass of Bundaleer Wine at their cellar door! Ph: 8666 2110
There are several short walks from the monument with in Mount Remarkable National Park such as…
Copper Mine walk /Bald Hill Lookout /Melrose Mine – Walk along the Creek beds back to Melrose
Otherwise the walk up Mt Remarkable will take about 4-5 hours return.
BY CAR – If you want to check out the Southern Flinders Rangers for the day you can consider the options below!
Family Option –
Pichi Richi Railway. Heritage Steam Train Journeys
Departing from Quorn or Port Augusta – Ph 1800 440 101 to get prices and bookings.
Bike/Eat/Walk option –
From Melrose head to Booleroo Centre via Pekina Creek Cycling Trail, there is a new 3km trail for intermediate riders, (although can be done by beginners as the track enables them to navigate their bikes around the more difficult areas by foot ) expect to see spectacular scenery including local aboriginal carvings, rock poem and a reservoir. Back on the road to Black Rock you will see a sign to Magnetic Hill. This tourist attraction is well known and famous for its ability to make vehicles feel like they are rolling up hill. Head to Orroroo where you will see the largest red gum tree in SA, beautiful walking trails and then stop of at Maggies Rendezvous for a coffee and homemade cake. If you have time head back to Wilmington with abit of a detour to Hancocks Lookout which is off Hancocks Pass, here you will see amazing views of the Spencer Gulf. Head back to Wilmington – Melrose via Alligator Gorge which has some of the best walking trails in the Flinders Rangers with spectacular deep gorges and in some places there are walls only 2 metres apart. There is an easy round trip walk from the Car park which will take about 1 hour however you can spend the day there with much more demanding walking trails. There is a detailed map at the Car Park.
Boozy Option –
There are many cellar doors around the Flinders Rangers which are now becoming recognized world wide! Be sure to call before you go as some are by appointment only.
Start at Bundaleer Wines – Located conveniently at North Star Hotel Melrose – try their award winning Sparkling Shiraz! Ph: 08 8666 2110
Just off Survey Road only 5 mins from Melrose stop of at Bartagunyah Estate – Ph: 04 27 310 378, better idea – ride there or if you want to continue on by car head to Blesing Winery Ph: 8666 5222 at Glenholme Vineyards – Situated in Bangor, you can tie this in with some riding in the Wirrabra Forest or a very scenic 4WD on the bridal track. Stop off at Stone Hut for their famous pies then home via Remarkable View Wines Ph: 8667 2223 –which is a vineyard and cellar door situated in Murray town, only 10 mins away from Melrose, try their unusual grape varieties such as Tempranillo, Petit Verdot and Sangiovese for something different.
Cycle Option –
Drive to Bundaleer Forest which is 9 km south of Jamestown – approx 45 mins from Melrose, there are walking and bike trails from 1.5km to 4.6 kms that run through the reserve. It is a beautiful place for a picnic and well worth the trip. You can head home via Wirrabra if you haven’t had enough cycling and check out their trails in the Wirrabra Forest. Pick up a map from Over the Edge bike shop.
Bartagunyah – check out the maps with all the Bartagunyah rides, drive or ride there!
Orroroo – new trails for all abilities!
Bendelby Ranges – The variety of tracks makes mountain biking at Bendleby Ranges a unique experience. A new cycling trail has been created over a distance of 10 km, with gradings of Easy and Intermediate. This trail adds to the existing tracks which were originally created for sheep mustering.
The Tour Up Over, an annual two day mountain biking competition, will be held on 2nd and 3rd July, 2011 with time events ranging from 20 km – 100 km and a dirt Criterium. There will be activities for children, and entertainment on Saturday night.
Experience camping at its best – secluded, in a natural environment – with all wood and amenities provided, or stay in Gumdale Cottage or Crotta Homestead with your family and friends. The Shearers’ Quarters is ideal for larger groups and is located close to the new mountain bike tracks.
Enjoy more of the Flinders Ranges, just an hour’s drive from Melrose.
Bookings and enquiries:
www.bendlebyranges.com / [email protected] / Ph: 8658 9064