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
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