SA's Great Silo Art Tour

Overview

Casting lengthy shadows on the golden crops below, wheat silos have become synonymous with our image of regional Australia. In recent years the Silos have become towering works of art, transforming regional communities and bringing pops of colour to South Australia’s vast rural landscapes. Marvel at 6 different SILOs painted by unique and remarkable local artists in Farrell Flat, Wirrabara, Cowell, Kimba and Owen as well as 2 nights in the stunning coastal town of Port Lincoln. Join us for a colourful adventure in our own backyard.

Inclusions

Tour inclusions 

• Return home to coach transfers in Adelaide*
• Transportation in a private air-conditioned coach.
• 2 nights quality accommodation in Port Augusta
• 2 nights first class accommodation in Port Lincoln
• 1 night quality accommodation in Peterborough
• Sightseeing and experiences as per itinerary with entry fees
• 15 meals
• Escorted from Adelaide
• Pre-departure function & tour documentation

 *within a 50km radius. Surcharges apply outside of this area.

Itinerary

Day 1:  Saturday 03 Dec 2022

Adelaide to Port Augusta via Farrell Flat—Bungaree Station—Wirrabara

Say goodbye to Adelaide and hello to the artistic pursuits of the changing countryside of South Australia.  A breath of colour and significance has begun shaping some of our smallest communities throughout regional areas of South Australia.  The trend to transform a blank canvas of round concrete silos into some of the most inspiring and huge works of art has to be seen to be appreciated.  Charge your cameras and pack some nibbles as you head off on a good old road trip.  Stop at Farrell Flat Silo Art mural 20 kilometres east of Clare and 22 kilometres southwest of Burra. The former Roseworthy-Peterborough railway line passed through the town in late 1800s and early-mid 1900s. Completed in November 2020, the silo art at Farrell Flat depicts the last train to pass through this historic township. Just north of Clare enjoy a stop at Bungaree Station. This merino sheep station, established in 1841, is still run by the descendants of the original founder, G.C. Hawker as an efficient mixed farm. Take a guided tour with a member of the family, who will give you a wonderful insight into 19th century station life. There is plenty to see on the property and your visit is topped off with a delicious lunch.  Next stop is Wirrabara, which has joined the Art Trail after the incredible transformation of the Silo by artist Smug, aka Sam Bates. While pictures show the image, the quality of the work has to be seen to appreciate how impressive it really is. Over night in Port Augusta with dinner at the Motel. (L,D)

Stay: Standpipe Golf Motor Inn, Port Augusta

Day 2: Sunday 04 Dec 2022

The Eyre Peninsula  via
Whyalla—Cowell—Port Lincoln

This morning, travel to Whyalla - the gateway from the east to the Eyre Peninsula. On arrival, take a look at the brand-new Whyalla Jetty that was recently opened after the old jetty suffered fire damage. The unique shape and design of the Jetty makes Whyalla a big drawcard for the region. In Cowell, marvel at the painted Silos where the star is local identity—Lionel Deer and his camel Diamantina. Mr Deer is most known in the Cowell community for bringing his camels to the Cowell Christmas Pageant for over 30 years. Lionel represents much of what the fabric of Cowell is made of and is a true larrikin with a heart of gold.  The next visit is to Cowell Jade and Gemstones. Cowell is famous for being home to Australia's only commercial jade mine which produces rare black jade, as well as the more common greens and  some very colourful marble. Lunch is at the Franklin Harbour Hotel before visiting another Cowell silo that is an interpretation of two boys jumping off the Tumby Bay Jetty.  Continue south to Port Lincoln, your base for the next two nights at the Port Lincoln Hotel. (B,L,D) 

Stay: Port Lincoln Hotel—2 Nights

Day 3: Monday 05 Dec 2022

Port Lincoln

Port Lincoln is located on one of the world’s largest protected natural harbours—Boston Bay, that stretches from the tip of the Port Lincoln National Park to Point Boston and covers an area more than 3½ times the size of Sydney Harbour! Spend the morning with Adventure Bay Charters. From the Marina, embark on a short walk to learn about the history of the fishing industry in the region, then take a cruise visiting aquaculture sites and taste the local produce. Stay at the Marina for lunch in the local Tavern before a local specialist joins you for a tour of Port Lincoln. Boston Bay was discovered by Matthew Flinders who arrived in Boston Bay in February 1802 and named the spot Port Lincoln after his native Lincolnshire in England. See a statue of the mighty Makybe Diva which has pride of place on the foreshore as the only horse ever to win 3 Melbourne Cups!! See the massive grain silos and hear all about the multi-million-dollar fishing industry that Port Lincoln is home to.  (B,L,D)

Day 4: Tuesday 06 Dec 2022

Port Lincoln to Port Augusta via Kimba—Iron Knob

Leaving Port Lincoln, travel to Kimba, located at the halfway mark across Australia right at the top of the Eyre Peninsula. It is surrounded by endless wheat farms growing golden in the sunlight; which was the inspiration behind the concept for the silo art that you see this morning.  It took the artist 26 days to complete using 200 litres of paint and covers over five and a half silos. Later in Kimba head to Workshop 26 for a shopping experience with a difference. This creative quarter is a melting pot of makers, micro-businesses and all-round good country people.  Enjoy lunch at the Kimba Gateway Hotel then back on the coach to travel to Iron Knob, birthplace of the steel industry in Australia. Call into the Visitor Centre and Mining Museum for a brief look before continuing on to Port Augusta. (B,L,D)

Stay: Standpipe Golf Motor Inn, Port Augusta

Day 5: Wednesday 07 Dec 2022

Port Augusta to Peterborough via Quorn

This morning, visit the Australian Arid Lands Botanic gardens for a guided tour by local who is passionate about the native plants & history of Arid Lands. The Arid lands are home to thousands of highly evolved plant communities that are specially adapted to thrive in an environment where temperatures are extreme and drought can last for decades. Australia’s arid zone ecosystems are fragile and complex and they are found nowhere else on earth.  Later continue through the Southern Flinders along the Pichi Richi Pass to historical railway township of Quorn. After a relaxing lunch at ‘Teas on the Terrace’ continue to Magnetic Hill to experience the allusion of the coach rolling up the hill whilst in neutral. The last night on tour is in Peterborough, a town also with a very long railway history.  After an early dinner, when the sun has gone down, you will head out to Steamtown Heritage Rail Centre for the Sound and Light Show.  For over an hour, move through the tunnels of time, and learn about Peterborough, the railways in South Australia, and the many fascinating personal stories associated with it.  This is sure to be a fun evening. (B,L,D)

Stay: Roundhouse Motel, Peterborough

Day 6: Thursday 8 Dec 2022

Peterborough to Adelaide via Burra—Owen

After breakfast, journey to Burra and spend some time touring the area. Copper from Burra's “Monster Mine” saved South Australia from bankruptcy in the 1840's. It was the largest metal mine in the country at the time. Cornish and Welsh miners flocked to Burra and some set up homes in dugouts hewn out of the banks of the Burra Creek. A local guide will bring the past of Burra alive before heading to Owen to view the final artwork for the tour. The Silo art here—‘Wheat bags to Sand bags’ depicts a snapshot in time in rural Australia at the outbreak of the First World War. At great personal and community cost, farmers and farm labourers from this district exchanged their wheat fields for the battlefields of Europe. This artwork is a nod to the region's agricultural and military history, as well as a tribute to the servicemen and women from the region who made the ultimate sacrifice in World War 1. Continue on to Adelaide arriving late afternoon. (B)

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