Famous railway siding where the Prairie Hotel serves "feral food"
In recent times, due to some serious and clever promotion by Ross and Jane Fargher (the owners of the Prairie Hotel), Parachilna has become one of those outback destinations that everyone wants to visit. The reason: the exceptional wild food - kangaroo, emu, goat and camel - which is served in the hotel's restaurant and the tasteful modernisation of the hotel's accommodation. In fairness Parachilna is so small that if you are not looking you could easily pass it by. It is nothing more than a railway station, a few railway outbuildings which have been turned into backpacker accommodation, and the hotel.
Location
Parachilna lies 489 km north of Adelaide and 196 km north of Port Augusta. It is east of Lake Torrens and west of the Flinders Ranges.
^ TOPOrigin of Name
Parachilna comes from the Nukunu Aboriginal word "patajilnda" meaning "place of peppermint gum trees".
^ TOPThings to See and Do
Prairie Hotel and Feral Food
South Australia leads the rest of the country in native tucker, and nowhere does this prove to be more interesting than the Prairie Hotel in Parachilna. Ever tried Feral Antipasto comprising smoked 'roo, camel mettwurst, emu pate, goats cheese and bush tomato chutney, followed by a Feral Mixed Grill of ‘emu fillet and camel sausage’ and rounded off with a quandong pie. The pub is great fun, and it offers everyone an opportunity to eat delicious native tucker.
Leigh Creek - Port Augusta Coal Train
The coal train from Leigh Creek coal mine to the Port Augusta Power Station comes through Parachilna daily. It is a remarkable sight stretching 161 wagons (2.85 km) long; holding 10,200 tonnes of coal; being driven by three 3,000 horsepower locomotives and making a daily round trip of 500 kilometres at a speed between 70 km/h (loaded) and 80 km/h (empty). In the absence of other attractions it is watched by most of the people staying at the hotel as it passes by.
Parachilna Gorge and the road to Blinman
The 32 km road from Parachilna to the historic copper mining town of Blinman is particularly beautiful. It cuts through jagged desert gorges and this area of the Flinders Ranges is noted for its harsh, spectacular colours and its raw beauty. Check out http://www.campingsouthaustralia.com/parachilna-gorge.php for information about camping in the Gorge. There is an excellent walk from Parachilna Gorge to the Blinman Pools waterfall.
History
* In 1863 Parachilna was surveyed but only 24 blocks were laid out. The location was determined by a nearby government well and proximity to the copper mining town of Blinman.
* In 1876 the Parachilna Hotel was first licensed and the following year Walter Buntin opened an eating house.
* When the railway from Port Augusta to Farina passed through the area in 1881 the whole town was moved 10 km so the population could be closer to the railway siding. Cattle yards were constructed at the railway siding.
* In 1890 the new town was surveyed and laid out.
* In 1991 Ross and Jane Fargher purchased the Parachilna Hotel and changed its name to the Prairie Hotel.
* In 2000 the surrounding countryside was used as the setting for Phillip Noyce's Rabbit Proof Fence.
^ TOPVisitor Information
Prairie Hotel, cnr High Street and West Terrace, Parachilnda, tel:1800 331 473
^ TOPAccommodation
Prairie Hotel, cnr High Street and West Terrace, Parachilnda, tel:1800 331 473
^ TOPEating
Prairie Hotel, cnr High Street and West Terrace, Parachilnda, tel:1800 331 473
^ TOPUseful Websites
There is a good historic overview at http://www.southaustralianhistory.com.au/parachilna.htm and the Prairie Hotel website - http://www.prairiehotel.com.au/ - is useful for things to do around the area.
^ TOP
The Peppermint Gum Tree ( Eucalyptus odorata) does not grow north of Quorn….hence it is highly doubtful that Parachilna refers to the Peppermint Gum Tree.
Thanks Bruce. There is actually little logic to the choice of words of Aboriginal origin. My favourite example is Wollogorang which is a huge property on the Gulf of Carpentaria. The word is Wiradjuri and comes from an area between Goulburn and Canberra which was where the original owner of Wollogorang Station owned property. Your argument makes perfect sense. I know the owners of the Parachilna pub and will consult with them. I’ll keep you posted.
Famous hotel is currently under restoration. Nearby caravan park is closed too so the whole site is pretty much shut down to tourists.
Various comments and reviews on social media are unflattering. The apparent limitations of availability of service combined with high pricing give me the feeling that I would not be happy visiting here. Pity, interesting location.
A good example of why we must all treat the internet with great scepticism. I have been to the Parachilna pub a number of times and I can assure you that, unless it has changed, it is very, very good. Great food and genuinely classy accommodation.
Hi Bruce, after the mention of the coal train I found an article on the internet, please see https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-27/end-of-the-line-for-leigh-creek-coal-train/7364986, with kindly regards Ron (the Netherlands)
Just returned from a trip to the Flinders Ranges and had a fantastic lunch at this iconic hotel. The renovation works are great. Kitchen is pumping out some great grub based around aussie game and some good vegetarian options using native spices.