Hawker was built to service the Central Australia Railway which reached the Flinders in 1880. It became a rail hub for huge neighbouring sheep stations including Arkaba and Wilpena. Much of the original town is still standing, including the heritage-listed hotel and railway station. See them on a popular walking tour of the town (brochures are available from the Visitor Information Centre). The rail line was relocated to the west in 1956. Hawker remains a busy centre for local graziers and for travellers wanting to explore the Flinders. A must see in Hawker is the amazing large scale artworks at the Jeff Morgan Gallery, the largest being a 360 degree panorama standing at a huge 46 x 5.5 metres.

FAST FACTS!

• The ranges west of Hawker have traditional Adnyamathanha names – Yourambulla and Yappala – and so do many of the creeks in the district
• Due to the arid environment, local pastoralists can only run about one sheep per four hectares
• The Hawker Hotel was formerly called the Wonoka Hotel and has been serving beers since 1882
• The town was named after George Hawker, a pastoralist who became Speaker of the South Australian Parliament
• The iconic Hawker Cup thoroughbred horse race is traditionally held in May each year