Idhiawi Inbiri EarthCache
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Geography
Edeowie Gorge is one of the four main gorges that run roughly east-west in the Flinders ranges. The other three better known and more frequently visited gorges are Parachilna Gorge, Brachina Gorge and Bunyeroo Gorge.
Edeowie Gorge however is unique as it originates from the top of the Wilpena Pound range.
Although from the outside the Pound appears as a single range of mountains, it is actually two: one on the western edge, and one on the eastern, joined by the long Rawnsley's Bluff at the south. A gorge called Wilpena Gap has been cut in the eastern range, and most of the inside of the Pound drains into Wilpena Creek which exits through the Gap. A small part of the high north-western slopes of the Pound drains into Edeowie Creek, which drains in time of flood over steep cliffs and waterfalls in Edeowie Gorge to the north-west.
There are three distinct waterfalls at the top of the creek: Malloga, Glenora and Kanalla.
Past Kanalla falls the actual gorge commences and runs for about 5km before exiting to the west. The Edeowie creek continues and ultimately flows into Lake Torrens.
Some 700m past Kanalla falls is a narrow passage, generally referred to as ‘Edeowie Gap’.
Name Origins
The name Edeowie is a phonetic representation of the aboriginal word Idhi awi.
The Northern Flinders Ranges are the home of the Adnya-mathanha people, 'the people of the rocky hills', whose language is related to the Kaurna language of the Adelaide Plains.
Idhi means Finch and awi means water. The gorge and/or the gap were known as Idhiawi Inbiri.
History
From 1859 until 1876 Edeowie was a thriving township. But when the new railway line in the area bypassed Edeowie, the town died a slow death.
Today the only remains are the ruins of the Edeowie Hotel and the cemetery.
The Station and access
Edeowie Station run by Sharon and Leonard now spans the entire area where the township once was. Sharon and Leonard are Merino sheep farmers, but also offer some homestead accommodation and wild camping.
Their property is the only access point into the gorge (unless you want to take the long and dangerous way by climbing down the three waterfalls). They do charge an access fee of $10 per vehicle should you wish to use their access track.
There are two ways to get to GZ (ignoring the waterfall route). There is a 7km long dirt track via three gates that leads to a ‘car park’ area. The track really is 4WD only and whilst not impossible is not recommended for 2WD. You can also walk to the car park from the homestead by following the fence line. This adds 4km each way to your journey.
From the carpark walk about 300m south along the fence and a blue arrow directs you where to cross the fence. For about 1km follow the arrows and kangaroo tracks to the creek. Once at the creek follow it upstream for about 4km until you reach GZ at a narrow passage in the gorge, Edeowie Gap or Idhiawi Inbiri.
The walk is pretty flat but the terrain is very rocky and uneven. Allow 3-4h to return to the car park and allow 5-6h if you hike in from the homestead.
You will be rewarded with the best scenery the Flinders has to offer.
Geology
The geology of the Flinders Ranges and its gorges is well documented.
This Earth cache focusses on two aspects:
Roundness:
Roundness is the degree of smoothing due to abrasion of sedimentary particles. It is expressed as the ratio of the average radius of curvature of the edges or corners to the radius of curvature of the maximum inscribed sphere.
This is a mouthful but essentially it means that due to a combination of force and time, rocks are being shaped. The hardness and size of the rock also determines the extent to which rounding takes place.
For practical reasons geologists typically use a simple visual chart with up to six categories of roundness:
• Very angular: corners sharp and jagged
• Angular
• Sub-angular
• Sub-rounded
• Rounded
• Well-rounded: corners completely rounded
Gorge forming / Water Gaps:
Gorges are formed by a combination of uplift and erosion or in connection with glaciation. Rivers draining an area always flow downhill in the shortest possible way. The steeper their bed is, the more energy and thus erosion is produced.
As a result rivers cut into the surrounding rock, the steeper the faster. When the valley reaches a certain depth the water flows with much less energy to the sea, the valley stays where it is. As a result, valleys tend to wander from the sea to the source.
The Earth Cache
In order to claim a find on this earth cache please review the following questions and email your answers and interpretation to the CO.
Q1: Describe the roundness of the rocks in the Edeowie Gorge. How would you rate/assess the contributing factors (time, force, size and hardness)?
Q2: Describe how the gap was formed. What do you think was there before the gap was formed?
Q3 : Estimate the width of the gorge, before the gap, at the gap, and after the gap, and describe what you believe caused these differences.
Naturally we would love to see a photo of you at GZ as well accompanying your log!
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)