The Prairie, Australia’s Famous Outback Hotel, Marks A Milestone

Tuesday, 24 January 2012 19:04

The Prairie, Australia’s Famous Outback Hotel, Marks A Milestone

January 2012: To mark their 21st anniversary of owning and running one of Australia's most iconic and authentic Outback properties - the Prairie Hotel (www.prairiehotel.com.au) - Jane and Ross Fargher continue to add elegant new ‘Prairie style’ touches to the accommodation.

Accommodation transformed (read more)
Take to the air over the Flinders Ranges (read more)
Bush walking, mountain biking and more (read more)
Feral Food and Fargher Lager (read more)

ACCOMMODATION TRANSFORMED - Extensive renovations took place in 1997 retaining the original historic building and its special character and charm, yet creating a number of accommodation options. The most recent transformation has extended across the road to the ‘Overflow’ accommodation including the old Fettlers Cabins, as well as the Captain’s Cottage, nestled 35km further east into the Flinders Ranges at Blinman.

Accommodation options include:

• Heritage Rooms - fully renovated en suite rooms in the original historic building including guest lounge and indoor courtyard
• Deluxe Rooms - incorporating Outback architectural style and energy-efficient design with luxury and comfort including queen size beds and separate lounge area
• Executive Rooms - with additional facilities including a luxurious double spa and corner rooms with panoramic views of the Flinders Ranges
• The ‘Overflow’ – located across the road from the hotel, accommodation includes the Fettlers Cabins, five free standing cabins with en suite bathrooms and some self-catering facilities, plus basic rooms with shared amenities ideal for budget travellers.

The Prairie also has a swimming pool, a spacious guest lounge, bar and restaurant. The bar’s veranda, which faces west, is perfectly located to catch the spectacular Parachilna sunsets at beer o’clock. In addition, the courtyard areas have been landscaped with some original touches – the wood stove and slate floor from the old kitchen now reside under a gum tree.

• The Captain’s Cottage at Blinman – named after Robert Blinman who discovered copper here in 1859, this was previously the home and office of the Captain of the Blinman Copper Mine. The Captain’s Cottage is an original, heritage-listed, ‘pug and pine’ cottage restored with modern conveniences, just a short walk from the historic town of Blinman. This is a self-catering accommodation option.

TAKE TO THE AIR OVER THE FLINDERS RANGES - The extraordinary seasons over the last two years have seen the Outback and Flinders Ranges as they are seldom seen – alive with colour, water, fantastic plant growth and abundant wildlife. Jane and Ross’s son, Eddie, has joined the Prairie fold, as pilot for the family’s ‘Fargher Air’. www.fargherair.com.au

Take a scenic flight over Wilpena Pound from the airstrip on the Prairie’s doorstep. See rainbow coloured mountains and the vast ochre desert and spot an array of wildlife including wedge tail eagles, parrots, emus and kangaroos. Longer tours and special weekend packages are also on offer to locations such as Lake Eyre.

OTHER ACTIVITIES - Parachilna is the perfect base for exploring some of Australia’s most spectacular scenery and the hotel can organise many activities from day trips into the desert, gorges and mountain ranges, to flying, walking and riding across the dramatic landscape. The hotel offers a number of tours (highlights below) and also offer tailor made tours for travellers wanting to put their own itinerary together:

Bushwalking: Pack a Prairie lunch, borrow a map and drive to Wilpena Pound in Flinders Ranges National Park for a choice of many amazing walking trails. Walk to St Mary’s Peak, around the historic mining town of Blinman or through Parachilna Gorge to Blinman Pools waterfall. There are many trails to choose from and many believe this region to be the best area for bushwalkers.
Mountain biking: Bring a bike and, depending on your fitness level, cruise along the flat desert roads or tackle the mountain trails – one of the best ways for exploring the surrounding countryside.
4WD touring: Reach some of the major sights in this region including Wilpena Pound and Arkaroola, Brachina and Parachilna Gorge in Flinders Ranges National Park by 4WD vehicle. The hotel has maps and advice on routes and can prepare picnic lunches.
Aboriginal Cultural Tours: Learn about the fascinating ancient culture of this region and the Adnyamathanha people with a number of tours on offer including guided bush walks to see art, wildlife and rocks, listening to Dreamtime stories and even trying the local ‘bush tucker’.

FERAL FOOD AND FARGHER LAGER – The restaurant offers ‘Flinders Feral Food’ – Australian native cuisine, on its seasonal menu and guests are treated to delicious foods that are predominately South Australian.

Local meat and native herbs, fruits and vegetables are on offer including kangaroo, emu, saltbush mutton, rabbit and seafood, combined with native ingredients such as paperbark, wattle and acacia seeds, samphire, muntries and mountain pepperberries.

The property’s signature dish is the ‘Feral Mixed Grill’ that includes camel sausage, kangaroo fillet and emu mignon with a red wine pepperleaf jus. Fine South Australian wines, largely from family-owned companies, and specially brewed ‘Fargher Lager’ and other beers are also available.

These native flavour sensations are now being packaged for visitors to take home. The ‘Flinders Range’ includes Nilpena Saltbush Dukkah, Prairie Dust, Bush Tomato and Chilli Jam, Muntries Chutney, Sweet Lemon Myrtle Chilli Sauce, Quandong Jam, Caramelised Anise Myrtle Figs, AND amongst Jane’s own ice cream recipes: Wild Berry and Rosella Flower, Desert Lime and Lemon and Mango and Macadamia.

FACTBOX: The Prairie Hotel, Australia’s most awarded Outback property. Located in Parachilna where the desert meets the Flinders Ranges, there is a permanent population of two. It is approximately 470 km north of Adelaide on the edge of the Flinders Ranges National Park. The nearest towns are Hawker, a pastoral community 90km south, and Leigh Creek, a mining community 66km to the north with only remnants of early settlement in between.

The Fargher family has lived and worked in the Flinders Ranges for four generations. The Prairie is more than a business for them - it is a passion, a place where locals mingle with guests from all over the world. The Prairie truly represents a unique Outback lifestyle, something the Farghers are immeasurably proud of.

Prices start from AUD$175 (around £110) per room per night based on two people sharing an en suite double cabin.

-ENDS-

Tags:

southaustralia

Add comment

JComments

South Australia's Kangaroo Island is Australia's Galapagos The Must See Destination For First Time Visitors to Australia

June '09: Widely regarded as Australia's Galapagos, Kangaroo Island (www.tourkangarooisland.com.au) is the best place in Australia to see the widest range of free roaming native animals in their natural habitat - kangaroos, koalas, wallabies, seals, sea lions, penguins, echidna, platypus and goannas, to name but a few.