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Leigh Creek



Even though large scale mining has been at Leigh Creek since the 1950s the town today is a modern one built in the 1980s when it was decided to move so the mine could be expanded. As such the town looks like one of those modern mining towns with lots of similar quickly erected houses but with plenty of trees planted to soften the landscape and heat. Current population is around 600. The house here is of course a remnant old building not one of the new ones.

Each day a 2.8 km long coal train leaves for the 520km round trip to power stations in Port Augusta.


And for good measure, some more wildflowers below.  I love the way the colour matches the mountains.







Comments

  1. JulieOctober 16, 2010 at 9:25 AM

    Sad to see the slag heaps in the top photo, but what joy that you included a windmill.

    I had a chocoloate paddle-pop in new Leigh Creek when we passed through. I've had CPPs in many outback towns, I fear.

    I am in the process of booking my trip to Cape York from 10 - 22 May next.

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  2. Red Nomad OZOctober 16, 2010 at 6:22 PM

    The slag heaps remind us of this town's heritage - they might not be 'scenic' but they are a part of what makes the town what it is!

    Happy travels!!

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  3. Joan ElizabethOctober 16, 2010 at 7:46 PM

    I'm with you Red, without the slag heaps there would be no Leigh Creek and I find mining operations rather awesome.

    Julie, if I was travelling in the summer I'm sure I'd have been eating plenty of CPPs too. As it was we settled for something warmer for your lunch.

    Cape York sounds like a heap of fun. One day, when we retire we will be heading up that way for the winter.

    ReplyDelete
  4. JulieOctober 17, 2010 at 7:14 AM

    I can see that the slag heap is the heritage of the town, but the land was there before the town, and the slag heap is a negative.

    ReplyDelete

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