56-520: 32°10′S 135°04′E / 32.16°S 135.07°E / -32.16; 135.07 ( Hiltaba ) Hiltaba Nature Reserve is located in the north of the Eyre Peninsula on the western edge of the Gawler Ranges , South Australia . It is situated on a former pastoral lease known as Hiltaba , or Hiltaba Station , that had operated as a sheep station . It is owned by
112-604: A Mesoproterozoic SLIP, or Silicic-dominated Large Igneous Province , covering a large area in the central Gawler Craton. There are only a few recognised SLIPs in the world, with this one known as the Gawler SLIP. Mount Hiltaba (450 m (1,480 ft) is one of the highest peaks in the Gawler Ranges and has a large cairn at the top. There are also cairns on Mount St Mungo and Mount Friday, being erected as trig points . In 2015 to 2016 detailed geological mapping
168-562: A DEWNR employee who had worked hard to achieve the corridor in the arid lands but died in 2010, before the purchase of the property. In 2018 two budget bush campgrounds were opened on the property: one at Pretty Point, with only a toilet, no showers, while the one at the Old Shearers Quarters has showers and toilets. Hiltaba Nature Reserve adjoins the Gawler Ranges National Park , which is managed by
224-786: A cage with southern bluefin tuna, with a colony of Australian sea lions , or enter a shark cage to observe great white sharks offshore near the Neptune Islands . Ceduna lies to the east of the Nullarbor Plain , which is crossed by a stretch of the Eyre Highway running parallel to the Great Australian Bight . Oyster farm tours can be experienced at Smoky Bay , allowing visitors to see where oysters are grown. Recreational fishing for species such as King George whiting and blue swimmer crabs does not require
280-489: A diverse range of native flora and fauna . Scientific surveys have discovered 21 new species of spiders, 13 species of snails, a number of pythons, monitor lizards , and various plants found nowhere else on the planet. Rock holes in the granite, which gather rain water and are of Aboriginal cultural significance, are maintained on the property. The foundation has created driving and walking tracks, as well as fireplaces and accessible fuel for campers. The property remains
336-485: A good living out of farming on the property. The MacLachlan family purchased Hiltaba in 1986, in 1995 transferring it to Janet Angas (née MacLachlan) and her husband Alastair. After the Millennium drought caused the end of using the property as a sheep station, it was restocked. The SA Department of Environment, Water & Natural Resources (DEWNR) noticed that the property was for sale around 2011, and encouraged
392-453: A licence, although size, bag, and boat limits may apply. On the west coast, tourists can snorkel with Australian sea lions and bottlenose dolphins in the sheltered waters of Baird Bay and observe southern right whales (and occasionally humpback whales) from the shore or by boat from Fowler's Bay from May to October. Murphy's Haystacks are a unique geographical feature located between Streaky Bay and Port Kenny . Artifacts from
448-402: A pastoral lease, and adjoining landholders help to manage issues like stray stock, dingoes , and feral goats. Apart from the substantial bungalow built by Slinger Nitschke, there are also several other structures on the property: Several species of both plants and animals identified on a "Bush Blitz" survey in 2012 are rare species , endangered species , or vulnerable species , according to
504-426: Is indigenous . The major industry is farming — cereal crops , sheep , and cattle in the drier north, and more water-intensive activities such as dairy farming and a growing wine industry in the south. Many coastal towns have commercial fishing fleets, the largest at Port Lincoln. The town has previously harbored a large tuna -fishing fleet, which is gradually transforming its practice to fish farming with
560-564: Is a triangular peninsula in South Australia . It is bounded by the Spencer Gulf on the east, the Great Australian Bight on the west, and the Gawler Ranges to the north. Earlier called Eyre's Peninsula , it was named after explorer Edward John Eyre , who explored parts of the peninsula in 1839–41. The coastline was first charted by the expeditions of Matthew Flinders in 1801–02 and French explorer Nicolas Baudin around
616-609: Is listed as vulnerable under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 by the Australian government. It has a restricted distribution in the rocky ranges of central-western Queensland. Threats include fox predation, competition with domestic and wild introduced species (particularly goats and cattle), climate change, reduced access to water sources, habitat loss and fragmentation, and increase in bushfires. The population of P. x. celeris
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#1732793182752672-436: Is not typically found near human habitation, instead preferring rough terrain and rock outcroppings. There are two recognised subspecies. There are no observable differences between the two subspecies, but genetic analysis of DNA samples from the different populations found them to be genetically distinct. The genetic divergence between the subspecies is greater than that between some other rock-wallaby species, reinforcing
728-425: Is orange-brown irregularly ringed with dark brown and golden-brown, with the colour of the tip variable from dark brown to white. The head and body length is 480–650 mm (usually 600 mm), with tail length 570–700 mm (usually 690 mm), and weight 6–11 kg. This species of rock-wallaby is found in western New South Wales , eastern South Australia and isolated portions of Queensland . It
784-606: Is over 1 million tonnes per annum. Iron ore is mined by Arrium in the Middleback Range near Iron Knob , inland from Whyalla . Some of the product is smelted to produce feedstock for the Whyalla Steelworks . Increasing volumes of iron ore are also being exported from Whyalla directly to customers in Asia. There is a commercial nephrite jade mine near Cowell , and jade souvenirs can be purchased in
840-699: Is promoted by Regional Development Australia Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula as the 'Seafood Frontier' due to the variety of seafood species in the region, both farmed and wild-caught. Key species are the southern bluefin tuna and yellowtail kingfish , which are farmed in Port Lincoln and Arno Bay , and Pacific oysters , which are grown in Coffin Bay, Cowell, Denial Bay, Smoky Bay, and Streaky Bay. Other seafood offerings include abalone , King George whiting , mussels , western king prawns and blue swimmer crabs . Many natural heritage attractions can be found in
896-641: Is scarce on the peninsula. Presently, water is pumped several hundred kilometres from the Murray River to the town of Whyalla through the Morgan-Whyalla pipeline . Underground water resources are suffering from gradually increasing salinity. The only reliable surface flows are from the Tod River and its main tributary, Pillaworta Creek, which are captured by the Tod Reservoir . The reservoir
952-566: Is visible from the Lincoln Highway . Fishing charters are offered to depart from many coastal towns, including Whyalla, Cowell, Tumby Bay , and Port Lincoln. Major population centres on the peninsula are connected by a network of highways. The Eyre Highway (Route number A1) runs east–west across the north side of the peninsula, while the Flinders Highway (Route number B100) and Lincoln Highway (Route number A100) follow
1008-568: Is within the extent of the following two South Australian government regions - the Eyre Western and the Far North . As at 2016, the following protected areas were located within the peninsula: The peninsula coastline is littered with shipwrecks from the 19th and 20th centuries. In the 1920s, seven people were killed during the construction of the Tod Reservoir , north of Port Lincoln. In January 2005, nine people were killed in
1064-948: The National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 (SA). The acacia shrublands, casuarina woodlands, mallee forest , and tussock grasslands provide habitat for over 40 state-listed species and nine species listed by the Government of Australia (under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 ). Notable species include: Other plant species that can be seen on the property include bullock bush , eucalyptus socialis (a type of mallee ), lobe-leaf hop bush ( Dodonaea lobulata ), paperbark , black oak , native apricot , and western myall . There are many species of kangaroos and wallabies , as well as southern hairy-nosed wombats , echidnas , dunnarts , and various types of lizards , including Gould's goannas , black-headed monitors , and snakes. Bird species include
1120-545: The Barngarla Aboriginal country. Ceduna is within Wirangu country. The peninsula was named after explorer Edward John Eyre on 7 November 1839 by George Gawler , the second Governor of South Australia . The peninsula's coastline boundary was defined in 1839 as "Spencer's Gulf in its whole length, to the southern ocean from Cape Catastrophe to the western point of Denial Bay ." Its northern boundary
1176-982: The Coffin Bay Tramway from Coffin Bay to Port Lincoln. The BHP Whyalla Tramway operated from the iron ore mines in the Middleback Ranges to the smelter and port at Whyalla . The Whyalla railway line to Port Augusta are also connected to the national rail network. A car and passenger ferry links the Eyre peninsula at Lucky Bay to the Yorke Peninsula at Wallaroo. To facilitate prospective mines, new freight corridors and ports have been proposed to export minerals via Spencer Gulf. New port proposals are in place at Port Bonython , Lucky Bay , Cape Hardy and Sheep Hill ( Lipson Cove ). A proposal to export iron ore from Port Lincoln by Centrex Metals
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#17327931827521232-623: The Nature Foundation , which purchased the property in 2012. The traditional owners of the Gawler Ranges are the Barngarla , Kokatha , and Wirangu peoples , who have inhabited the area for at least 30,000 years and are known collectively as the Gawler Ranges Aboriginal People. The tribal land of a man called "Whipstick Billy", who was "one of the last Gawler Ranges natives" still alive by around 1910,
1288-494: The emu , mulga parrot , and Port Lincoln parrot . The geology of the area is highly complex and of great significance. It was once part of the large earlier continent that was joined to Adélie Land , now in Antarctica . The Gawler Ranges are part of the geologically significant Gawler Craton , which began to be formed nearly 3 billion years ago, completing its current complex formation around 2 billion years ago. The Craton
1344-643: The ring-tailed rock-wallaby , is a member of the macropod family (the marsupial family that includes the kangaroos , wallabies , tree-kangaroos , and wallaroos ). This species was first described by John Edward Grey in 1855 in the Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London . The description was based on two specimens (a male and a female), which were possibly collected from the Richmond River. The illustration that accompanied
1400-760: The Flinders Ranges and pastoralists in the Olary Ranges, populations there have increased in recent years. In NSW, colonies have been found at three sites in the Gap Range and seven sites in the Coturaundee Range, with a population of between 170 and 215 animals. Threats include competition from introduced herbivores (in particular feral goats and rabbits ), predation by foxes and feral cats , isolation of populations, and habitat destruction through mineral exploration. P. x. celeris
1456-655: The Nature Foundation to acquire it. Hiltaba Station was bought by the Nature Foundation in 2012, with the assistance of the Federal Government's Caring for Our Country fund and the Government of South Australia , with the intention of returning the property to its natural state. One of the main purposes of creating the nature reserve is to help to create an almost completely unbroken east–west corridor of nearly 750 km (470 mi) across which
1512-948: The Peninsula's pioneer and, to a lesser extent, indigenous heritage can be seen at a network of museums operated by the National Trust of South Australia , which include the Mount Laura Homestead Museum in Whyalla, the Tumby Bay National Trust Museum and the Koppio Smithy Museum. The Whyalla Maritime Museum's nautical theme commemorates the former Whyalla shipyards . Its displays include the World War II corvette HMAS Whyalla , which sits in dry-dock and
1568-748: The South Australian Department for Environment & Water , in consultation with the traditional owners. It lies north of the park, around 70 km (43 mi) north of Poochera (population 59 in 2016), with the town of Wudinna (population 549 in 2016), around 110 km (68 mi) away. The area is part of the northern Eyre Peninsula Not far from its western border lies the Yellabinna Regional Reserve . The 78,000 ha (190,000-acre) property includes unique and significant geological formations composed of granite and diverse grass and woodland habitat for
1624-542: The area in the 1860s, along with Yardea and Paney Station, all with names of Aboriginal origin. Hiltaba was also referred to as "Hiltruby" and "Hiltaby", and it is not known which comes closest to the Aboriginal name for the area. James Hiern took up the Hiltaba lease in 1868, and later sold it to his business partner Anton Schlinke, who had migrated from Prussia in the 1840s. Schlinke, after adding many improvements to
1680-428: The area, which is now part of Mutawintji National Park , indicate that the population is now recovering, seemingly having grown progressively since 1995, with at least one large fluctuation due to rainfall changes noted. The recovery strategy that saved the yellow-footed rock-wallaby initially served as a model to preserve other rock-wallabies, including the brush-tailed rock-wallaby , from extinction. From 1998, when
1736-558: The growth of sea cage aquaculture for tuna and yellowtail kingfish . Oyster farming was established in the 1980s and occurs in several sheltered bays, including Coffin Bay , Franklin Harbour (near Cowell in Spencer Gulf) and Smoky Bay off the west coast. Since 1919, gypsum has been mined at Lake MacDonnell , the largest deposit of gypsum in the southern hemisphere, and is shipped from Thevenard . As of 2022 , production
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1792-538: The major Eyre Peninsula Bushfire . The area is also known as the Eyre Coastal Plain , is part of the Eyre Yorke Block bioregion , and is a distinct physiographic section of the larger Eucla Basin province, which in turn is part of the larger West Australian Shield division. Yellow-footed rock wallaby The yellow-footed rock-wallaby ( Petrogale xanthopus ), formerly known as
1848-432: The mining industry exclusively. The existing plant is located at Whyalla and is operated by Arrium , and plants are proposed for Point Lowly and Lipson Cove to serve BHP and Centrex Metals , respectively. The peninsula includes the local government areas of Ceduna , Cleve , Elliston , Franklin Harbour , Kimba , Lower Eyre Peninsula , Port Lincoln , Streaky Bay , Tumby Bay , Wudinna and Whyalla , as well as
1904-406: The native animals, including the yellow-footed rock wallaby , could move freely. All sheep were removed from the area, and by the time of its opening as a reserve (although not yet to the public) on 3 May 2013, around 6500 feral goats had been removed. Workers were continuing to shoot feral cats and lay down bait for foxes . There was a special dedication at the opening ceremony to Damien Pearce,
1960-485: The peninsula's three national parks, numerous conservation parks, and along the peninsula's extensive coastline. Ecotourism operators offer visitors opportunities to experience many of the peninsula's iconic marine species either in or on the water. From Whyalla , visitors can snorkel or dive off Point Lowly to witness the mass breeding aggregation of giant Australian cuttlefish , which occurs there from May to August each year. From Port Lincoln, tourists can swim in
2016-408: The peninsula. Peaking at 777 kilometres in 1950, radiating out from the ports at Port Lincoln and Thevenard , today, only one 60-kilometre section remains open. It is operated by Aurizon . It has always been isolated from the main network . A proposal to link it with the rest of the network at Port Augusta was rejected in the 1920s and again in the 1950s. From 1966 until 1989, BHP operated
2072-423: The present homestead in 1936, before his marriage. Cattle were introduced from time to time, but the numbers of both cattle and sheep fluctuated. In 1918, there were about 2,000 sheep and a few hundred cattle; by 1939, there were 11,500 sheep. Cattle were removed from the property in the 1960s. Rabbits, dingoes, kangaroos, feral goats , irregular rainfall, and saline water all contributed to making it hard to make
2128-469: The programme. The park is open today and staying visitors between 1 April and 31 October. There are two bush campgrounds, 9 rooms for up to 17 people at the Shearers' Quarters, and two cottages accommodating five people each. There are numerous walking and driving tracks, with the five walks named after the founders and other early supporters of the foundation. Eyre Peninsula The Eyre Peninsula
2184-463: The property as a nature reserve, while at the same time learning about Aboriginal peoples' unique connection to country , along with STEM learning. The aim was to help the children to connect the Aboriginal, palaeontological , and geological stories of the area. The students helped to prepare bush tucker such as kangaroo tail and wombat meat, and to clean the rock holes . Educators, Aboriginal elders , and Indigenous rangers are involved in
2240-501: The property, was not able to farm it successfully owing to rabbits and dingoes (rabbits provided food for the dingoes, leading to large numbers, so both became pests), so he gave the lease back to the Crown, after which it remained unoccupied for years. Much later, his son William took over the lease. Yardea was the only permanent station west of the ranges, although over time the boundaries, owners, and managers changed, and occasionally
2296-416: The published description was produced by Joseph Wolf . The yellow-footed rock-wallaby is grey to fawn-grey above and light-coloured below with a black mid-dorsal stripe from the crown of the head to the centre of the back. There is a distinct white cheek stripe, with ears ranging in colour from orange to grey-brown. The forearms and hind legs are bright yellow to rich orange to a light orange-brown. The tail
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2352-437: The same time. Flinders also named the nearby Yorke's Peninsula and Spencer's Gulph on the same voyage. The peninsula's economy is primarily agricultural, with growing aquaculture , mining, and tourism sectors. The main towns are Port Lincoln in the south, Whyalla and Port Augusta in the northeast, and Ceduna in the northwest. Port Lincoln ( Galinyala in Barngarla ), Whyalla and Port Augusta ( Goordnada ) are part of
2408-468: The station was only utilised for winter pasture. The original (now roofless) residence and the dam were constructed by the Fitzgerald brothers, who resided there from approximately 1892 until 1912. The lease was purchased by Carl Hermann Nitschke in 1918 and has been in his family ever since. His son, test cricketer Homesdale Nitschke (aka "Jack" or "Slinger"), owned the property for some time. He built
2464-603: The subspecies status. The two subspecies are: P. x. xanthopus is listed as vulnerable under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 by the Australian government. Colonies persist in South Australia, within the Gawler Ranges , the Flinders Ranges and the Olary Ranges. The population is SA is estimated at 2,000 to 6,500 animals, with great uncertainty and likely large fluctuations. Due to conservation efforts by sanctuaries in
2520-635: The town. The peninsula has many small inactive mines and quarries. It is considered prospective for a variety of minerals, including graphite , coal , and uranium , with many deposits being proven in recent years. The 2000s saw increased mineral exploration activity on the peninsula. In 2013, some of the more advanced mine development projects included: Ironclad Mining's Wilcherry Hill , Centrex Metals 's Fusion Magnetite Project and Iron Road Limited 's Central Eyre Iron Project . Existing rail, power, and water supply infrastructure shortfalls continue to hamper new project development. The Eyre Peninsula
2576-583: The west and east coasts, meeting at Port Lincoln in the south. The Tod Highway (Route number B90) bisects the peninsula, running south–north from Port Lincoln through the town of Lock to meet the Eyre Highway at Kyancutta . The Birdseye Highway (Route number B91) bisects the peninsula from Elliston on the west coast and Flinders Highway through Lock and Cleve to the Lincoln Highway near Cowell. The isolated Eyre Peninsula Railway serves
2632-650: The western portion of the City of Port Augusta . The area at the northern end of the peninsula is within the Pastoral Unincorporated Area of South Australia where municipal services are provided by the Outback Communities Authority to communities, including Iron Knob . The peninsula is within the boundaries of the federal division of Grey and the state electoral districts of Flinders and Giles . The peninsula
2688-551: The yellow footed rock wallaby. Conservation activities include extensive fox baiting, and the control of feral cats and goats, as well as occasional hand-rearing of abandoned joeys . In 1979, the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife purchased 100 square kilometres of this land, which then became Coturaundee Nature Reserve, for the conservation and protection of the yellow-footed rock-wallaby. Further funds were allocated to fox and goat eradication. Annual surveys of
2744-406: Was approved but abandoned after strong public opposition. Port Bonython Fuels , a future fuel distribution hub, has been approved to be constructed at Port Bonython to aid the development of the mining industry. Once constructed and operational, fuel will be delivered to towns and mine sites by road tankers up to A-triple class. Sheep Hill/Port Spencer will be completed by 2023. Potable water
2800-512: Was built to augment the groundwater supply of Port Lincoln and was constructed in the early 1920s. It was taken offline in the early 2000s due to concerns over rising salinity and contamination from agricultural chemicals. SA Water has investigated potential locations for seawater desalination plants to address future water security problems. As of January 2014, no plants are proposed to be built for domestic or agricultural supply, though one currently exists and two have been proposed to serve
2856-399: Was described in 1978 as follows: "no official boundary [has] ever [been] proclaimed but the common sense choice would be to draw a straight line from Yorkey Crossing to the northernmost point of Denial Bay ." As at 30 June 2010, the peninsula had a population of 58,700 people. The peninsula is home to 3.6% of South Australia's population. An estimated 2,500 people, 4.4% of the population,
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#17327931827522912-474: Was estimated to be 5,000-10,000 individuals in 1993, but is now considered unknown. Previously the species has been killed in large numbers for its pelt, primarily through the period between the 1880s and 1920s. The yellow-footed rock-wallaby was originally known and described from specimens from South Australia. The species was subsequently discovered in New South Wales (and Queensland) where it
2968-563: Was first recorded in 1964 in the Coturaundee Ranges, now part of Mutawintji National Park . The two small mountain ranges in the far west of the state are still the only known places where the species survives in New South Wales. In 1968, the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary was established on the 610-square-kilometre (240 sq mi) Arkaroola pastoral lease, with a specific goal of protecting
3024-472: Was said to have been centred on Hiltaba. Around 1844, John Charles Darke explored the region, using an ox -drawn cart (known as a bullock dray in Australia). Around 1857, Aboriginal guides led a government-equipped party with pack horses , headed by Stephen Hack from Streaky Bay , through the Gawler Ranges, on a search for sheep-farming land. Hiltaba was one of the first three pastoral leases taken up in
3080-543: Was subsequently subjected to two huge events: the first being a succession of huge volcanic eruptions , around 1592 million years ago (the Gawler Range Volcanics , or GRV), and the second about a billion years later, when an immense meteorite or asteroid crashed into the site of the current Lake Acraman , just north of the reserve. The Gawler Range Volcanics and the Hiltaba Suite granite form
3136-602: Was undertaken as part of mineral exploration, as the property lies in the Iron Oxide Copper Gold province of the GRV. The Nature Foundation runs the "Kids on Country" program at both Hiltaba and the Witchelina Nature Reserve . In the third camp of the programme at Hiltaba in 2018, 16 students aged from 12 to 14 years old from Ceduna spent a week on the property, where they helped to improve
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