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Published: June 13th 2006
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Mannum Minerals
Cuddle a crystal at Mannum minerals - To view as a slide show, select "Full Image" and then use "Next>>" to scroll through. Introduction
This week the hikers were lucky enough to have a long weekend to explore a bit further than the Adelaide environs. It was Dan’s turn to pick which walk to do and he had been eyeing off this one in the
Adelaide for kids book by James Muecke. It wasn't really a walk at all, but a visit to
Mannum minerals, however we were able to couple it together with a few other walks and touristy things while we were visiting the Mannum area.
Mannum is about 75 km away from home (as the crow flies) and on the River Murray. From Adelaide, you need to head east, crossing the Adelaide Hills, through Chain of Ponds, Gumeracha, Birdwood and Mount Pleasant. It is then a steep descent through the rocky slopes to the Gum-tree lined flat lands of the Murray river.
There really is a lot to do for families to do at Mannum with river cruises, paddle steamer rides, waterfalls, bird sanctuaries, reptile displays and, of course, the Mannum gem and mineral display.
What happened …
Our first stop was to visit the Mannum waterfall. We were coming into Mannum after passing through Palmer (about
5 km out) and saw a turn off to the right saying Waterfall 6. We took this dirt road to a parking area near the top of the falls. Apparently there is another entrance on the Mannum to Murray bridge road about 9-10 km from Mannum. The waterfall is Reedy Creek, coming down the hills and meeting a large granite outcrop. There are clear paths heading down the river and a less distinct path heading over a fence to the head of the falls. It really is quite a beautiful place to visit and was a great escape - particularly for Dan who had been cooped up in the back of the car and really need a run around. We found some caterpillars which, using this
fabulous web site by Don Herbison-Evans and Stella Crossley, we were able to identify it as
Danaus plexippus or the Monarch butterfly caterpillar.
We then did a drive around the town, or a “recky” as Peter calls it, and we worked our way up to the town’s lookout by following the signposts and found it at the end of Crawford crescent. There were many people walking it and I wished we had as well. The
Mannum waterfalls
Lichen-covered granite boulders form the waterfall for Reedy creek at Mannum panoramic view of the river and plains was stunning.
Next was Kym Loechel’s Gem and Mineral Gallery at
Mannum minerals. While travelling on the Adelaide Road you will see the Police station. This is near the corner of Neil street - where you should see sandwich boards and sign posts pointing you towards South Australia’s largest gem and mineral display. It is open from 9-5 daily, but closes on Wednesday and Thursday. If you want to call before you come, the number is 85692262.
Mannum minerals really is a must see if you are at all excited, intrigued and mystified by the natural beauty of the earth around us. You could look around the yard and in the shop and be amazed but we paid a little extra and were treated to a magnificent display of well presented rocks, minerals, gems, shells and fossils. We spent over an hour going around saying “wow” or “come over here and look at this!” with Kym popping in every now and then to give us a bit of background to the geological basis of specimens that caught our eye. Peter said that the collection was better than the one at the Adelaide
Caterpillar
from the Wanderer or Monarch butterfly Museum as it was broader with many different examples of the same type displayed. Kym even had set up a special viewing area to see special rocks and shells that fluoresce pink, yellow and blue. Dan was in awe and was particularly stoked when Kym allowed him to have a fossick - a special area in the yard had been set up for kids to pick through and take a special rock home with them.
You can see some more photos taken at the Mannum mineral gallery by
another amazed visitor. There are good internet catalogues of
minerals as well.
We took our lunch on the grassed area in front of the river under the river red gum trees. There were plenty of picnic tables, BBQs, and a playground. With boats moored nearby and Pelicans roaming around it had something for everyone.
We then went through the Bird Sanctuary which is a grassed area several kilometres long, starting just outside of the Mannum Caravan Park heading along the Purnong Road. From here we continued on to Purnong and crossed the Murray on a ferry called “Plover” and then on to Walkers flat. Here we stopped at Forster’s lookout and
had great views of the cliff faces at this part of the river. Another ferry ride on the “Swallow” at Walkers flat and it was time to head home. There was a road direct from Walker’s flat to Mount Pleasant.
Dan says …
Hello readers!
Today we went to Mannum. When we were at the waterfalls it was awesome. We saw granite boulders, lichen, caterpillars (as you can see from the pictures). Now, if you were wondering how we got the pictures of the gems, shells, fossils and minerals, it was because we went to the biggest display of gems, shells, minerals and fossils in SA and it was so cool because you got to fossick around on this big pile of rocks that the owner had made from the rocks he did not want in his display any more.
This week's joke:
Q: Where do rocks sleep?
A: In bedrock
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Hanni Kaech
non-member comment
Wonderful Mannum
Hi Dan, Diana and Peter, another excellent report with great pictures of an interesting and fun-packed day at Mannum! We have spent many camping holidays near Walkers Flat, but have never visited the Mannum Mineral Museum. This is now a 'Must-Do' on our next visit to South Australia. I look forward to your next adventures - keep the journals coming, great work! Regards - Hanni