Wudinna: Granite, Stars and New Mates

17 June

Written By Cameron

We’d heard whispers about Mount Wudinna — the second-largest monolith in Australia — and figured it was time to stretch our legs and see what all the fuss was about. Towering above the surrounding farmland, it’s an impressive hunk of granite that demands a closer look.

The climb up Mount Wudinna isn’t long, but it does get the calves working. As we crested the dome, the view opened up to a patchwork of paddocks and distant scrub — pure Eyre Peninsula beauty. There’s something grounding about standing atop ancient rock, wind in your ears and sky stretching out in all directions.

From there, we made our way to nearby Polda Rock. Tucked just out of town, this quiet outcrop is a little less showy than Wudinna, but no less fascinating. An old dam still sits at its base — once the main water supply for the township. We wandered the short trail around the site, soaking up the stillness and imagining what life would’ve been like when this dam was a lifeline for early settlers.

That night, the skies turned it on. We met up with some new friends who’d parked up nearby — the kind of travellers you instantly click with. They had a telescope onboard (legends!) and invited us to join them for some full-moon stargazing. The skies out here are something else. Even with the brightness of the moon, the stars put on a show. A little wine, a lot of laughter, and the kind of night that reminds you why this lifestyle is so special.

Mt Wudinna and its surrounds might not be on every traveller’s list, but it served up all the things we love — a bit of adventure, a dash of history, and an evening under the stars with good people.

Exploring the unbeaten paths of Australia, one adventure at a time! 🌿 Follow along as we uncover hidden gems, tackle rugged terrains, and embrace the thrill of exploring offbeat destinations. 🚙💨

Other updates you may like…

___LZSettings_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-JAvKg8sVCGVe5boUsTjE6FQyzWHU2G-dncyTlQ54oz457oA4uUsY4NQwhOBADBfLAb5ZOe46geBkEARUiy4LUUAQHo-RQKKcy+E2+41hhmC4a09jtBsIArAocheOg15iLkBRopi+GXlCSI2B44TBnRsA3rI1GoJg6onE81haIosAAEKAWg54gD64mSZoDCyZ+6CQKgOyDKesggsMKF9mpt6aW0shiOEMAqcZGloG+SKyByciDtZFRybZqDWAgzrXHgYgAI7KJJVoWgo+iaHomBlkkBi+GWUBCmo8k+qgfoZHAiAoKgYoKN8IAAPQJZYjSaMivJSehg7Dng-aDlamBjEQsBcGQZDjuOYykIQ+BkLAsAMGQhZAA

Adelaide: A Slow Day of Favourites

With just one day in Adelaide, we crammed in all our favourites! Art, museums, botanic gardens and a market dash. North Terrace delivered its usual magic, reminding us why this city always feels good to return to.

Our Top Five things to do in Adelaide

Adelaide’s best days are the slow ones. Museums, galleries, gardens and the Central Market make up our top five things to do in the city — an easy, walkable loop we return to every time.

Hahndorf: Pretzels, Gin and a Well-Run Dog

Hahndorf gave us a relaxed day of wandering, snacks and a few too many condiments from Beerenberg. Between gin tastings, strudel and leafy streets, this Adelaide Hills favourite is an easy, enjoyable stop with plenty to explore.

McLaren Vale: Wine, Views and a Few Sweet Treats

McLaren Vale became a favourite during our Port Willunga stay. Art at the Cube, pizza at Chalk Hill and a few essential Fruchocs for the road. A relaxed mix of wineries, food and rolling vineyard views.

Barossa: Sculptures, Sound Waves and a Dam That Whispers

The Barossa Sculpture Park and Whispering Wall made for a simple, memorable stop between the valley and Adelaide — big views, strange acoustics and a few fun moments we’ll save for our next Top Secret Dispatch.

Nuriootpa: Scones, Quinces and a Barossa Icon

A relaxed Barossa morning at Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop gave us scones, lake views and a visit to the kitchen from The Cook and the Chef. Peaceful, friendly and a must-stop for Maggie fans.

Waikerie: Ferries, Fruit and River Days

Waikerie gave us ferry rides, silo art, bakery stops and an easy riverfront stay. A bright Riverland town with good food, calm paths and a few rituals we return to every time we pass through.

Renmark: River Cliffs and Easy Wandering

Renmark sits on the Murray with sandstone cliffs, impressive silo art and a historic lifting bridge. We came for a day trip from Barmera and found more than expected. A relaxed Riverland stop worth slowing down for.

Coober Pedy: Dust and Desert Colour

A quick stop in Coober Pedy revealed a town unlike anywhere else. Homes carved from rock, sunsets over the Breakaways, and a lesson in how far people will go to outsmart the desert.

An unexpected turn

What started as a pebble-eating mishap near Uluru turned into a race across the outback to save our girl, Zoe. With expert care and plenty of love, she’s now on the mend in Adelaide.

Barmera: A Laid-Back Stop in the Riverland

At Lake Bonney in Barmera, we slowed down beside the water, swam, explored the ruins, and watched the sky melt into colour. A perfect Riverland stop where nothing much happens.. in the best way possible.

Farrell Flat: Silo Art and Country Pub Charm

Farrell Flat might be small, but it packs in plenty. A friendly country pub, striking silo art, and that easy South Australian charm that makes every stop feel like it’s exactly where you should be.

Château Yaldara: Barossa History in a Glass

A relaxed tasting at Château Yaldara gave us bold Barossa reds, smooth fortified wines and a wander around one of the region’s most picturesque historic estates. A simple, worthwhile stop near Lyndoch.

Wirrabara: Honouring History and Nature

Driving into Wirrabura, we immediately spotted the towering artwork, a stunning addition to South Australia’s Silo Art Trail.

Parachilna: Pub, Plains, Pause

Parachilna is a small outback stop anchored by the Prairie Hotel. We pulled in for lunch, tried the feral mixed grill, wandered the old railway siding, and enjoyed a quiet pause beneath the wide Flinders skies.

Leigh Creek: A Town in Transition

For us, Leigh Creek was a fascinating and slightly eerie stop. It’s a town that tells a story of industry, change, and resilience—worth visiting for anyone wanting to see a different side of the outback.

Carrieton and Johnburg: Exploring on Two Wheels

Carrieton and nearby Johnburg are quiet country towns in South Australia with a strong sense of history. There’s not much happening, but that’s what makes them worth the stop.

Pandurra Station: A Taste of the Outback Near Port Augusta

Just outside Port Augusta, we pulled into Nutbush Retreat, a working sheep station offering a unique outback stay.

Iron Knob: Built from Ore

Iron Knob is a former mining town in South Australia where Australia’s steel industry began. Raw, unpolished, and shaped by ore, it offers an honest look at how industry carved this landscape and the town beside it.

Kimba: Halfway across Australia

Kimba is more than a halfway photo stop. With great food, thoughtful silo art, a famously good free camp, and a town that understands travellers, it’s one of the Eyre Peninsula’s most rewarding places to pause.

Wudinna: Granite, Stars and New Mates

Climbing Mt Wudinna gave us sweeping views and sore calves, while nearby Polda Rock offered a quiet slice of history. We wrapped the day with stargazing, new mates, and moonlight — outback travel at its best.

Wirrulla: The Jetty without a Tide

We stopped in tiny Wirrulla to check out the world’s only inland jetty — a dry-land surprise with a great sense of humour. It’s quirky, quick, and worth the detour. The tide? Never coming in.

Penong: Pink Lake, Big Skies

From bubblegum-pink waters to spinning giants of steel, Lake MacDonnell and Penong’s Windmill Museum gave us one of our most colourful days yet. A little off the main road — and totally worth it.

Ceduna: Wharf Days and Easy Outback Edges

Ceduna on South Australia’s far-west coast. Foreshore walks, the local museum, quiet days by the sea and a gateway for future Maralinga adventures.

Baird Bay: Sea Lions, Sunsets and Swaps

Swimming with a sea lion pup and a pod of dolphins in Baird Bay kicked off a magical stretch of coast. Fresh crabs, epic sunsets, and time to unwind made this leg one to remember.

Murphy’s Haystacks & Talia Caves: Stone, Sea and Quiet Camps

We camped alone beside Murphy’s Haystacks, exploring the surreal boulders at both sunset and sunrise. With local honey for breakfast and sea-carved caves nearby, this quiet corner of the Eyre Peninsula left a lasting impression.

Elliston: Seaside Creativity

Stormy skies couldn’t dull the charm of Elliston. From windswept jetty walks to the quirky sculptures along the Great Ocean Drive, this coastal town served up wild weather, dramatic views, and creative surprises.

Coffin Bay: Saltwater and Slow Days

Coffin Bay is a slow, coastal stop built around seafood, still water, and calm days. We stayed at the campground, wandered the foreshore, tackled the oysters (well, Neil did), and explored the town at an easy pace.

Port Lincoln: Facing Fears

Port Lincoln dished up an unforgettable day as Cameron took on a shark diving dare. No sharks, but the real thrill was facing the deep blue and walking away braver, and wetter than before.

Tumby Bay: Street Art and Sea Breezes

Tumby Bay gave us quiet streets, bold murals and a calm start to the Eyre Peninsula. From jetty views to Yeldulknie Weir, it’s a slow, creative coastal stop worth pausing for along the way.

Latest Update

Cameron

Cameron is a travel writer, photographer, and freelance copywriter with more than fifteen years of experience crafting stories that connect people and place. Travelling full-time on the road in a motorhome with his partner, he documents Australia’s quieter corners through Off the Main Road, a travel journal devoted to the towns, landscapes, and characters often overlooked by the tourist trail.

His writing blends observation with lived experience, drawing on a professional background in brand storytelling. With a photographer’s instinct and a writer’s eye for detail, Cameron captures moments that reveal the character of regional Australia, from weathered towns and open landscapes to the honest texture of life on the road.