E. H. Hewett Baker - 1875 - Museum with a Rosella Pickles sign on the side of it

Crystal Brook
Sleepy country town at the southern gateway to the Flinders Ranges.
Located 198 km north of Adelaide and 111 metres above sea level, Crystal Brook is a pleasant service centre in the heart of some of South Australia's most productive sheep and wheat country. Arriving at the town from the south the visitor is immediately struck by a sign proudly declaring that this is 'Where the Flinders Begin'. Equally impressive are the grain silos (eternal symbols of Australian wheat country) and two handsome stands of tall trees. But the charm of this sleepy township lies in the main street with its shady peppercorn trees and its feeling that time has stood still.

The area was first explored by Edward John Eyre who passed through the district in 1839 and,being a bad speller, recorded on the map 'Chrystal Brook'. This was Eyre's first attempt to penetrate into the interior of South Australia.

The main street of Crystal Brook

The spelling was corrected to Crystal Brook when William Younghusband and Peter Ferguson established a pastoral property by that name 'Crystal Brook Run', which extended across to Port Pirie and occupied 560 square miles (1450 square kilometres). Younghusband and Ferguson sold this holding to the Bowman Brothers in 1852. The main homestead, Bowman Park, is now part of the Bowman Park Native Fauna Section.

By 1873 the township of Crystal Brook had been surveyed and proclaimed. It grew slowly with many attractive buildings and a beautiful main street but it was never to become a major centre.

Things to see:  

E. H. Hewett Baker - 1875 - Museum with a Rosella Pickles sign on the side of it

National Trust Museum
Located on Brandis Street (just off the main street) it is notable for the huge Rosella Pickles sign on the side of the building. The building, the first two storey construction in the town, was originally owned by E. H. Hewett Baker and completed in 1875. The museum is a typical local museum with interesting displays of machinery and farming equipment. There is an impressive historic photograph exhibition. Because it was once a bakery it has a rare underground oven. For more details - (08) 8636 2396.

Memorial to Arthur Percy Sullivan VC
In the main street (in the centre median strip) is a small piece of rock celebrating Arthur Percy Sullivan, a local who won a VC in the post-World War I campaign against the Russians. It records that he was born in Crystal Brook on 27 November 1896. His Victoria Cross was awarded for conspicuous bravery at Sheika River, North Russia on 10 August 1919. An award for bravery in a forgotten war.

Bowman Park
Located 5 km east of Crystal Brook, Bowman Park Native Fauna Section is located on the Heysen Trail and offers visitors an opportunity to walk a short section of the trail at the southern end of the Flinders Ranges. The park has historic buildings which date back to 1847, an excellent Australian reptile collection, a wide variety of native animals which abound during the hours after dark. For details of accommodation and opening times contact (08) 8636 2116.

Walking Trails at Bowman Park
There is an excellent brochure which outlines three walking trails through Bowman Park.

Trail 1. Walking to Bowman Park (2.8km) is a pleasant 2 1/2 hour walk which focuses on the early European settlement of the Crystal Brook area including the historic Bowman cemetery.

Trail 2. Bowman Park (1.5km) is a 75 minute walk looking at the old homestead buildings at Bowman Park including the Station Infirmary (1852), the ruins of the original homestead (1850), the Smithys Shop (1850), the Hay loft and harness store (1852), the Stables (1850) and the Buggy Shed (1850).

Trail 3. Bowman Park to Hughes Gap, (4.5km) is a 3 hour walk through the bush.

The Big Tree Goanna outside Crystal Brook

The Big Goanna
Trying to attract tourists off the main Highway 1, Crystal Brook used the standard Australian device of creating a 'Big' object at the entry to the town. It was the Big Tree Goanna.The sign read 'Varanus varius, vulnerable species native to this area. This goanna is depicted in an aggressive pose. Goannas and other reptiles can be seen at Bowman Park which is located near Crystal Brook. Constructed and erected by local voluntary labour for the benefit of our district.' It is sad comment on human beings that the statue was vandalised. It has recently been restored. It has had a rather chequered career.

	Tourist Information
	Flinders Ranges & Outback Information Crystal Brook SA Telephone: 1800 633 060 Facsimile: (08) 8223 3995
	Hotels
	Crystal Brook Hotel 47 Railway Tce Crystal Brook SA 5523 Telephone: (08) 8636 2023 Rating: *
	Royal Hotel Bowman St Crystal Brook SA 5523 Telephone: (08) 8636 2018
	Cottages & Cabins
	The Brook Caravan Park Eyre Hwy Crystal Brook SA 5523 Telephone: (08) 8636 2640 Facsimile: (08) 8636 3149 Rating: ***
	Farm & Eco Holidays
	Bowman Park Bunkhouses P.O. Box 70 Crystal Brook SA 5523 Telephone: (08) 8636 2116
	Caravan Parks
	The Brook Caravan Park Eyre Hwy Crystal Brook SA 5523 Telephone: (08) 8636 2640 Facsimile: (08) 8636 3149 Rating: **
	Restaurants
	Crystal Brook Hotel 47 Railway Tce Crystal Brook SA 5523 Telephone: (08) 8636 2023
	Royal Hotel Bowman St Crystal Brook SA 5523 Telephone: (08) 8636 2018