A sign that greets you as enter the town of Parachilna in the Flinders Ranges, gives you the Adnyamathanha peoples original name for the location as Varratyalinha. The word means Dead Finish Splinter – dead finish is the plant species Acacia Tetragonophylla. Another theory is that the Nukunu people lived in this area and referred to it as ‘patajilnda’ meaning peppermint gum trees, but little is known of the traditional owners who were dispossessed of their country from 1849, and much of their language has been lost. Sadly this is all that is recorded for this particular area as any other connections to traditional or dreaming stories has been lost over time.
We are travelling through this area on the Outback Highway between Hawker and Blinman and decided to stop in to see Parachilna which today is widely known for the Prairie Hotel and their specialty – feral food. Unfortunately they weren’t open on the day we were passing through, not that I was too disappointed, it’s not on my ‘to do’ list to eat camel, emu, goat and kangaroo as antipasto or a mixed grill. The hotel is very unique though and it’s not all feral, with other Australian native ingredients on the menu as well as craft beer, Fargher Lager, named after the family who own and run the hotel, Ross and Jane Fargher, who also run the Nilpena cattle station.
There’s more to see than the hotel though with sculptures and Ghan train memorabilia on display. One sculptural piece is a sundial featuring metal cutouts of fossils which have been discovered in an old minefield in the nearby Flinders Ranges. The range of fossils found in the 1940s was so extensive and significant that they were named after the geologist who discovered them and the location they were found and are known as Ediacaran fossils. The fossils of soft bodied creatures found caused a new geological period to be declared (The Ediacaran Period) and the first to be named after a location in the southern hemisphere. Two thirds of the Nilpena pastoral lease is now owned by the South Australian Government for a conservation park for these globally significant fossils to be preserved. Tours to some of the significant areas can be arranged through the Prairie Hotel.
Opposite the Hotel is the old Ghan rail line and a few more sculptures to find including a terrific stockman on a horse and a clever view through a camera of the approaching train. The horse and stockman and a dog sculpture that can be found on the verandah of the hotel, were both made by South Australian artist, Ty Manning.
Parachilna is an interesting side stop while you’re travelling through the Flinders Ranges and if you’re game, you can also try some feral food!
Cheers
Glenys
Caravan Correspondent 
It’s quite a fascinating area. We made a side trip Parachilna whilst in the Flinders and I can vouch the feral platter was a fabulous experience! Not something I’d have every day but worth sharing and sampling all the different tastes. 😊🦘🐫
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We happened to arrive on a day it was closed, our luck, but there’s always next time.
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What a shame you didn’t get to try the food. The Flinders Ranges area is at the top of our bucket list, if only the planets would align 😉.
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I would probably taste as a shared antipasto plate but otherwise I’m ok with missing out this time. 🙂 We will definitely revisit the Flinders so much still to see and do but we got rained out this time, we seem to bring it every time we go there.
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I’m sure they love you, they’ll be begging for your return 😉
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If it rains again whenever we go I’ll know it’s because of me 😂
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Those sculptures look great. I have noticed how regions have been incorporating art into the landscape. Last year I saw the sculptures on Granite Island at Victor Harbor and there is an art trail here in the Lockyer Valley. Are they being publicised in the same way as the silo art trails? It’s a great way of attracting art lovers to the regions. Art just doesn’t have to be found in a city gallery.
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I love them too but no I don’t think these types of displays get the same promotion as the silos. I know some people aren’t fans of these types of things or the silos believe it or not, they think it detracts from the natural landscape. 🤦🏼♀️ There are sculptures by the sea each year in Adelaide which is a bit more well known, but also gets very crowded when it’s confined to a certain area or for a certain length of time.
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Well, the silos are already there, punctuating the landscape. At least the murals make them more interesting, highlight the work of artists and often reflect the culture or history of the region. If you really wanted to, you could argue that all architecture detracts from the natural landscape!
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Very true! Wowsers everywhere and yes unfortunately almost every new build in SA has as many people opposed as supporters 🤷🏼♀️
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The more I read about your adventures in Australia the more I want to visit. But looks like it’s going to be a while until that happens because the Irish government is considering level 4 lockdown. At least the weather is fairly nice and we can go for walks around our neighborhood. Thanks for sharing and take care 😊 Aiva
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Oh that’s a shame I’m glad we are heading into summer in Australia but we worry what Christmas will look like this year. Take care and enjoy every little bit of sunshine you get. 😊
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