Australian Towns, Cities & Highways: B83

B83 (Pt Augusta-Marree) was and part of

The B83 follows the old National Route 47 route and part of the old National 83 route. Starting at the junction with the Eyre Highway and Port Wakefield Rd (A1) at Stirling North (7km east of Port Augusta), the B83 heads north-east into the Pichi Richi Pass as it winds its way through the southern Flinders Ranges before flattening out into the railway town of Quorn. The highway continues north-east through dry cattle and sheep grazing areas, passing the series of abandoned/ruined towns before reaching the Flinders Ranges hub of Hawker. From Hawker, the B83 highway heads north, passing to the west of the Flinders Ranges and Wilpena Pound (awesome scenery) on very flat terrain, bypassing the hotel only town of Parachilna before reaching the new mining township of Leigh Creek. North of Leigh Creek, the highway exits the Flinders Ranges, and passes adjacent to the Leigh Creek coalfields, through the small town of Lyndhurst and eventually enters the vast cattle and pastoral districts up to Marree where motorists can continue on the Birsdville Track (D83) up to the QLD border or take the Oodnadatta Track (D95) to NT.

State: South Australia
Start: Eyre Highway/Port Wakefield Rd (Stirling North - 7km east of Port Augusta)
Principal Towns: Port Augusta, Stirling North, Quorn, Hawker, Parachilna, Leigh Creek, Copley, Lyndhurst, Marree
Finish: Marree
Length: 372km
Road Standard: Bitumen (Stirling North-Lyndhurst) 293km. Unsealed (Lyndhurst-Marree) 79km.
Road Quality: Stirling North-Leigh Creek: Good - windy between Stirling North and Quorn otherwise a very flat road with ample overtaking space and very little traffic, particularly north of Hawker. North of Leigh Creek, the bitumen is of less quality with unsealed conditions north of Lyndhurst.
Speed Limit (outside built up areas): 110km/hr

Photos from the B83 (Click on thumbnail for full sized image):

Heading north on the A1 (Eyre Hwy/Pt Wakefield Rd) approaching the B83 turnoff. Pity the sign is incorrect - although incorrect in perhaps a good way :), Stirling North (2003).

Heading north on the B83 as you pass through Stirling North - note the old Hwy 47 route marker (2003).

Kilometre sign, heading north to Quorn on the B83 with part of the Southern Flinders Ranges in the distance (2003).

The B83, heading north-east into the Pichi Richi pass between Stirling North and Quorn (2003).

Looking south-west along the B83 from Quorn - again note the old Hwy 47 route marker as well as the peculiar choice for Pt Germein getting a gong on this sign (2003).

Heading north-east on the B83 from Quorn with again, another old sign. So much for the alpha-numeric route upgrades in SA! (2003)

	Heading north on the A1 (Eyre Hwy/Pt Wakefield Rd) approaching the B83 turnoff. Pity the sign is incorrect - although incorrect in perhaps a good way :), Stirling North (2003).
	Heading north on the B83 as you pass through Stirling North - note the old Hwy 47 route marker (2003).
	Kilometre sign, heading north to Quorn on the B83 with part of the Southern Flinders Ranges in the distance (2003).
	The B83, heading north-east into the Pichi Richi pass between Stirling North and Quorn (2003).
	Looking south-west along the B83 from Quorn - again note the old Hwy 47 route marker as well as the peculiar choice for Pt Germein getting a gong on this sign (2003).
	Heading north-east on the B83 from Quorn with again, another old sign. So much for the alpha-numeric route upgrades in SA! (2003)