Burra SA

Lock 2

Between the 1920s and 1930s a series of storage locks and weirs were built in the Murray River area to reduce the affects of drought and flood. 

Lock No 2 Waikerie

Before we left Morgan on Sunday we visited lock no 2 which is near Waikerie.    It takes only seven minutes to empty or fill the lock chamber but it normally takes 15 to 20 minutes to pass a boat through the lock.  The water levels in the locks are raised and lowered entirely by gravity – no pumps are required.  We called into Mallyons Bush Cafe & Gallery for morning tea as we were advised that the pancakes there were to die for.

Mallyons Bush Cafe

They were served with homemade fig jam and cream and they were delicious.

Sitting in the Cafe

we were in the cafe we got talking to another group, who were from WA also.  Namely, Ann and Ian who originally came from Manjimup and are now living in Busselton, which is in the South West of WA.  It also came about that Ann grew up with a very good friend of ours. We left Morgan about lunch time and headed to Burra, which is 110kms from Morgan. 

Burra from the Town lookout

We set up camp at the Burra Showgrounds and unloaded the car ready to explore the town.  It costs only $10 a night to camp here and apart from being on slightly uneven ground it is pretty good.  At the Burra Visitor Information centre for a nominal price you can pick up a passport and key to enable you to follow the Burra heritage Passport Trail.  So for the next few days we will be exploring the town and as there are over 50 sites I may carry over the photos for several days.  The passport entitles you to explore many sites around Burra that are not open to the general public.  Your entrance fee is free for the three National Trust Museums, Morphetts Enginehouse Museum, Bon Accord Mining Museum and Complex and Market Square Museum.  You also receive a Burra Heritage Trail Booklet listing all 50 historical sites with a brief description of each.  You key is used to unlock some of the buildings and sites and you can wander around to your heart’s desire.  You must see all these sites on your visit here as it is well worth it but please allow a couple of days to explore it all properly at your leisure. 

Market Place Museum

Our first visit was on Sunday was to the last site on the trail, as they were closed on Tuesday and Wednesday , no 50 in the booklet the Market Square Museum.

Bedroom inside Museum the Blanket on bed is made from Kangaroo skin

On display here are a large number of artefacts and furnishings from the period 1880 to 1920.  It was built in 1880 and was originally a tailor’s shop and residence. 

Inside Market Museum confectionery is on sale here now.

I will leave it here for now as there will be much written and photographed in the next few days.

Talk again soon

Jan