Burra to Hawker: Fog, Farms & Forgotten Houses
The drive from Burra to Hawker in the Flinders Ranges is more than just a road; it’s a journey through light, shadow, and forgotten history. Each stop shares its own story, from weathered stone ruins to towns that time has nearly left behind. This part of the trip reminded me that photography isn’t about chasing perfection, but about being present.
It rained throughout the night, leaving fog in the valleys as I left Burra. The sunrise I hoped for never eventuated, but it didn’t matter. My first stop was the Burra Homestead Midnight Oil House on the way out of town, despite the grey hour conditions. As I left Burra behind, the fog became patchy and out on the distant hills, the soft winter light blurred the edges of farmland into painterly tones. A little abandoned farmhouse on the roadside caught my eye, but the real focus was the light itself — golden, fleeting, and unrepeatable.
Forgotten Towns: Terowie, Peterborough, Orroroo & Pekina
The next stretch of the Burra to Hawker drive carried me through towns that felt suspended in time. Terowie’s 1870s buildings stood in harsh mid-morning sun, yet in black and white, they revealed their quiet resilience. Peterborough, Orroroo, and Pekina each reflect their past as busy railway towns, with stone cottages and wide main streets.
On the corner of Cemetery Road and Booleroo Road, west of Pekina, stands the historic St Paul’s Lutheran Church and Cemetery. Although the area was known as Vatican Valley due to the many Irish Catholic settlers, land for the cemetery was donated by James Carey, a local farmer, to his German Lutheran neighbours, highlighting a history of coexistence and community support among different religious groups in the region.
Wildlife & Unexpected Encounters
Photography along this road isn’t just about the old ruins. The land is alive; a kestrel hovered near an old ruin looking for a feed, then settled on top, waiting and watching. Further along the road, I saw a Western Grey Kangaroo basking on the roadside. At first, I thought it was injured, but it was soaking up the sun — a reminder to slow down and observe.
Hawker & Changing Light in the Flinders Ranges
As I reached Hawker, the northern ranges rose ahead, their tones fading into cooler blues. From Camel’s Hump lookout, gusts of wind whipped across the slopes while kangaroos scattered below. The camera shook with each gust, and every frame was a test of patience, a matter of timing between gusts. The image I captured was far from perfect — but it was real. And that, to me, is the essence of the Flinders Ranges. From Burra to Hawker, it wasn’t about chasing the light, but quietly following where it led.
Burra to Hawker - Slow Photography Reflections
This journey wasn’t about chasing iconic shots or following a rigid plan. It was about letting the road lead, allowing the weather to set the mood, and capturing images in quiet, overlooked moments rather than rushing from one place to another. It’s about embracing what unfolds, whatever catches my eye — a shift of light, a silent ruin, or wildlife crossing your path. Each moment becomes part of a bigger story, told slowly, frame by frame.
You can watch the full journey from Burra to Hawker on YouTube or here in the video below.
