Experience the charm of Quorn, South Australia

Quorn is an important gateway to the southern Flinders Ranges, drawing visitors with its heritage railway attractions and easy access to picturesque landscapes. The Pichi Richi Railway, a volunteer-run historic railway line stretching 39 kilometres from Quorn to Port Augusta, offers steam train rides through scenic gorges on weekends from March to November, highlighting the town’s past as a railway centre. Visitors can also enjoy hiking in Warren Gorge, panoramic views from Devil’s Peak, and the Quorn Silo Light Show, a multimedia display projected onto the town’s grain silos.

Glimpse into the history of Quorn

Quorn, a historic town located about 330 kilometres north of Adelaide, was established in 1875 and named after Quorndon in Leicestershire by Governor Jervois. Before European settlement in the 1850s, the Nugunu Aboriginal people were believed to be the traditional custodians of the land. The town’s significance grew with the arrival of the Great Northern Railway in 1879, which connected it to Port Augusta and established it as a crucial stop. By the mid-20th century, Quorn had flourished as a junction for east–west and north–south rail services. During the Second World War, the town played a significant role by providing one million meals to servicemen passing through. Quorn’s importance as a railway hub began to decline in 1956 when a standard-gauge line to Marree bypassed the town. Today, Quorn has a population of around 1,200 and relies heavily on tourism.

Railway in Quorn

Construction of the Port Augusta and Government Gums Railway commenced in 1878, with the line reaching Quorn in 1879 and Government Gums in 1882. The line extended to Oodnadatta in 1891, becoming the Great Northern Railway, before reaching Alice Springs in 1929 as the Central Australia Railway. The Ghan passenger train ran along this route from 1923 to 1956, and continued on the northern section beyond Marree until 1980. Today, visitors can experience a full-day or half-day journey aboard a restored steam or heritage diesel train on the original Ghan route between Port Augusta and Quorn, operated by the Pichi Richi Railway. Watch gum-lined creeks, bluebush-studded hills, and ancient rocky outcrops drift by. All services feature historic steam or diesel locomotives or railcars, together with immaculately restored timber carriages, some more than 130 years old. Services run only on selected dates from March to November.

Wire Warriors

A must-do in Quorn is to visit the wire-mesh sculptures, or “Wire Warriors”, at the Quorn War Memorial on Railway Terrace. Created by Queensland artist Ivan Lovett, they depict Australian soldiers, Australian Light Horsemen and nurses, and honour residents who served in the armed forces.

Statues of yellow-footed rock-wallabies

Yellow-footed rock-wallabies, a rarely seen and striking species, thrive in the rocky habitats north of Quorn. These animals can be easily spotted in Warren Gorge or Buckaringa Wildlife Sanctuary.

Historic landmarks of Quorn

Quorn is home to 19 landmarks recognised on South Australia’s State Heritage Register. These buildings, mostly commercial and public, are located along Railway Terrace and reflect the town’s growth as an important railway hub from the 1870s onwards. Some of the notable sites include the Quorn Railway Station and Yard, the Quorn Courthouse, the Transcontinental Hotel, the Criterion Hotel, and the Savings Bank of South Australia Quorn Branch, as well as religious buildings such as the Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception and St Matthew’s Anglican Church.

Town Hall

The Town Hall, located on the Quorn Heritage Walk, was constructed in 1891 using locally sourced stone. It is situated at the intersection of Railway Terrace and Seventh Street and served as a council office, a public reading room, and a library. Facing the town’s railway station, the Quorn Town Hall has been listed on the State Heritage Register since 1984 and remains in operation today. A produce and craft market is held at the hall on the fourth Sunday of every month, offering baked goods, homemade relishes, chutneys, jams, and coffee for sale between 8:30 am and 2:30 pm.

Quorn Railway Station

Quorn Railway Station is listed on the State Heritage Register. The original station, constructed in 1879 in a timber cottage style, was replaced in late 1916 by a more sophisticated stone and brick building.

Quorn Flour Mill

The Quorn Flour Mill, located at 2 Railway Terrace, is a well-known heritage building dating back to 1879. Originally built for John Dunn & Co., the three-storey limestone structure was intended to capitalise on the flourishing wheat crops of the late 1870s, but severe drought soon forced many farmers to leave. After flour milling ceased, the building was used for a variety of purposes, including a bakery, a grocery store, and a chaff mill. Over the years, it has also functioned as a butter factory, a sawmill, and, briefly, a private residence. It was later converted into the Flinders Ranges Motel (The Mill), set behind the historic main structure. The main structure retains its impressive limestone walls, painted quoins, and galvanised iron roof.

Mill Motel

The contemporary motel units are located on the ground floor in the back garden of the historic mill building. Each unit includes a private bathroom, air conditioning, and complimentary parking. The motel is conveniently situated for exploring the Flinders Ranges and close to Quorn Railway Station.

Silo art display

Quorn is well worth visiting for its unique silo art display created by Illuminart. The projection onto the silos is colourful, entertaining, educational, and rich in local history. Starting at sunset, the show brings to life stories of the Flinders Ranges, the Pichi Richi Railway, and other aspects of local heritage. The main show presents animated stories co-created with regional artists and animators, supported by grants and donations. One projection highlights the efforts of local CWA members who provided meals for soldiers passing through Quorn during the Second World War. The town’s unity and dedication in supporting the troops is truly remarkable. The main show is followed by an exhibition of photographs and artwork from community members, which runs late into the evening. Show times are subject to change, so it is advisable to check in advance. Visitors are encouraged to arrive early to secure seating or parking, enjoy the sunset, and watch the Curly Cue countdown before the show begins.

Practical tips for visiting Quorn

I found the silo art in Australia particularly intriguing, and I was especially keen to visit the silo display in Quorn on my road trip from Adelaide to the Flinders Ranges. I therefore chose to stay overnight at the Mill Motel to experience it after dark. Arriving in the afternoon, I had time to explore the town before the show. The numerous information displays throughout the town were very informative and helpful for learning about key landmarks.

Despite my interest in historic trains, I was unable to fit a ride on the Pichi Richi Railway into my itinerary, as the schedules did not align with my visit in late April. If you wish to ride the train, you will need to plan your itinerary around the scheduled departure times. If you are seeking additional destinations to add to your South Australia travel plans, be sure to explore Kangaroo Island.

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What did you think? Have you visited Quorn and the Flinders Ranges? I would love to hear from you, so please add your comment below.

Author: Anita Sane

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