WUDINNA Wudinna is the next town encounted when heading west towards Ceduna from Port Augusta. Wudinna is the classic highway town where travelers would generally by-pass. There are a number of interesting factors that determine a consideration visit. The area was first settled in 1861 when Robert George Standley lodged a claim for 10 sq. miles of land surrounding Weedna Hill ('weedna' later became changed to Wudinna which may be an Aboriginal word meaning 'the granite hill').. It was proclaimed a town in 1916. It is on the Eyre Highway across the top of Eyre Peninsula. The region is known as the granite country for its deposits of granite in the area, with tourists able to travel the granite trail to explore local landmarks. Quarrying of granite has occurred in the local area since the 1990s. Some granite blocks quarried at the Desert Rose Quarry near Mount Wudinna can be up to 8 cubic metres in volume and weigh 20 tonnes, before being cut into smaller blocks for shipping around Australia, or for export to Asian and European markets. This granite was employed in the construction of The Australian Farmer, an 8 metre (26 ft) high statute that was carved in the town as a community project to commemorate the early settlers. All of which are acknowledged. Mount Wudinna is Australia's second largest monolith after Mount Augustus. It is located 12 km north-east of the town, but not visited by Bustout. There are a number of churches in Wudinna, but the Catholic Church is a standout. The church is over 100 years old, but is a delightful classic in every sense. Really nice. The other churches are a mix of the old, new and the mysterious. The Wudinna Hotel is the classic tavern format, and is a 100 year licensed business. The Australian Farmer determines a stop and review, and if time allows be sure to check out that magnificent Catholic Church. Heritage diary