Kanyaka Ruins - Flinders Ranges
Kanyaka Homestead Ruins, located 25 kilometers south of Hawker in the Flinders Ranges - South Australia. Also includes the Kanyaka Cemetery located at the ruins
Filmed with a Phantom 4 Drone.
Kanyaka Station Ruins - South Australia
Kanyaka Station, South Australia.
Hugh Proby was born on 9 April 1826 at Stamford in Lincolnshire, England. He emigrated on the ship Wellington which arrived on 30 May 1851 at Port Adelaide, South Australia. Having both money ($10,000) and connections, Proby was soon looking for pastoral land to establish a cattle run rather than invest it in Adelaide property.
After successfully securing the leases on three runs, which were each stocked with 1200 head of cattle, he decided to consolidate his holdings, and in February 1852 he established Kanyaka Station as a cattle station.
The Flinders Ranges is very dry country, so it was both tragic and ironic that during a violent thunderstorm on 30 August 1852 tragedy struck when some of his cattle stampeded. When Proby and his Aboriginal stockman rode out to hold the mob, they were confronted by the raging torrent of the Willochra Creek. When attempting to cross the creek Proby was swept from his horse and drowned.
Under subsequent owners, the station grew in size until, at 945 square kms,it became one of the largest in the district with 70 families living and working there. Because of the difficulties of transport, the station had to be very self-sufficient and Kanyaka station grew to include a large homestead with 16 rooms. There were cottages for workers, workshops, huts and sheds, mostly built from local stone due to limited supplies of workable local timber. The station switched from cattle to sheep, but had cows, pigs, and vegetable gardens to supply food for the residents.There was also a cemetery for those who died, so far from medical help.
During its 1864 season 41,000 sheep were shorn, providing work for an army of musterers, shearers, woolclassers, packers and teamsters. It turned out to be its best season ever, but a lack of rain was reported by most station owners in the north. This was the start of a terrible drought which lasted until 1867 during which time Kanyaka lost 20,000 sheep, and eventually the station was abandoned.
Note. Hugh Proby was not buried in the Kanyaka cemetery, as it had not been established at the time of his death.
Due to its stone construction, many of the buildings survive today as ruins that have become a popular tourist attraction..
Death Rock - Kanyaka Waterhole - Flinders Ranges - South Australia.
Death Rock is a large seven metre high quartzite rock beside the permanent spring fed Kanyaka Waterhole. This is located about 25 kilometres south of Hawker on the Flinders Ranges Way. It is an Aboriginal Historic Site. The enormous rock is linked to an Aboriginal legend in which people nearing death were brought to the rock and laid down under its shadow to die.
Meaning of Kanyaka is....
Kanya = Rock/Stone
Aka = Piece of
FOOTNOTE:- Information received that the Lime Kiln was used for the Ghan Railway that ran through the area.
UPALINNA TRACK - Flinders Ranges - South Australia
UPALINNA TRACK - FLINDERS RANGES - South Australia.
A 4wd track on the Upalinna station, A fee is payable for this track but its well worth it.
Basic 4wd experience and high clearance vehicle is recommended for this track.
This is my first attempt at making a video for Youtube and so there is still lots to learn, including cleaning the window,,,
Music: bensound.com or Royalty Free Music from Bensound