Iron Knob

How could I go past a town called Iron Knob without calling in. 

But retracing my steps, I left Wilpena Pound and headed off South to Quorn, hoping to catch a ride on the Pitchi Ritchie steam loco. 

Sadly I was too late, but I did hang around to take a photo of its return. 

Then onward through Port Augusta to Whyalla last night. 

This morning I went on the Steel Works tour. This took the form of a tour bus, and dissapointingly, we could only take photos out of the windows. 

The place is stark industrial, and I feel the photographer in me busting to get serious. 

Because of the drop in the world iron ore price, the place is in trouble. It used to be BHP, but has now got a new name. 

After that, the next main attraction was the ex naval boat "Whyalla", which is on blocks next to the visitor info centre. 

To complete my iron ore education, I have taken a detour to Iron Knob, which is where the ore is mined. Tomorrow I will join a small tour to see the open cut mine.