Take an Ediacara tour with a unique Aussie spin
08 May 2023 2 min read
From pastoralist to publican and protector of the world’s most precious Ediacara fossils, Ross Fargher looks forward to his latest role in the Hollywood of the Outback. Find out more. |
This is the land of a thousand stories, always transitioning, always adding another chapter. The traditional lands of the Adnyamathanha people, a land of moods, drought and flood, a land of beauty and mystery. A land where you go back in time – 550 million years.
Two thirds of the former 870 sq km Nilpena pastoral lease now forms part of the State’s newest national park – home of the most significant, accessible and complete Ediacara fossils in the world – with Ross conducting the initial tours for Nilpena Ediacara National Park.
This is not the first time Ross and his wife Jane have been at the epicentre of an occasion on the world stage. A pageant of movie stars have made the trip north to our Hollywood of the Outback, including Zac Efron, Kate Winslet, David Gulpilil and Sir David Attenborough during the filming of his First Life Series featuring the Nilpena Fossil fields.
Ross also worked as assistant director of the 2nd unit of the award-winning Rabbit Proof Fence in 2002.
Ross welcomes visitors to the site and enjoys his role as host to this epic landscape. He puts his own Outback spin of two and a half decades learning from Professor Mary Droser, palaeontologist from the University of California (Riverside) who would come to lead research at the site.
As a long-time tourist operator, he and Jane operate the iconic Prairie Hotel at Parachilna, a popular and iconic stop on the tourist trail known for its signature native and feral fare dishes – even a new microbrewery experimenting with native ingredients.
Want to meet Ross and hear his stories?
Ross is hosting tours within South Australia’s newly opened Nilpena Ediacara National Park, located in the Northern Flinders Rangers, approximately 40km from Parachilna.
To ensure the preservation of this scientific and culturally significant area, entry to Nilpena Ediacara National Park is by guided tour only. Bookings cannot be made at the entrance and must be organised online prior to arrival.
For further details or to book visit: Nilpena - National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia