Paruna–South Australia

Desert or Farmland? Paruna SA

We are not going to Darwin via Adelaide which is the normal route from Hamilton to Darwin but rather taking a less travelled northerly route well east of Adelaide.  A pleasant 80kph, 342k drive northwards from Harrow to Paruna with not a single car behind or passing us! 

Paruna RV Area

Meandering past the Little Desert National Park, over ancient sand dunes now covered with wheat fields, through the Ngarkat Conservation Park and South Australian farmland with its many old stone farmhouse ruins.


We arrived in Paruna (Also known as Browns Well) about 4pm. Paruna is located on the Renmark–Bordertown road, 237 kilometres east of Adelaide.


Purana is an appropriate  aboriginal word meaning “stopping place” and the small RV parking area has power, water shower and toilet for $10.00 per night (pay the lady at the house? Wonder which house?).

Closed due to Drought

Paruna Main Street

We took and evening stroll around the town and along part of an old railway line. Most of the town is now closed, not quite a ghost town as people, 10 or so still live here, there seemed to be more barking dogs than people. The nice lady from the house saw us walk past and cheerful country hospitality style took our $10. 

Paruna General Store – Closed

There used to be 3 schools here the last, Brown’s Well District Area School closed in 2007. The effects of prolonged drought and the movement of population to larger centres has led to the closure of the general store, bowls club and recently the golf club. The football club seems to be the only thing still going!

Browns Well Council Chambers

 Without us walking the streets the dogs were quiet at night and we had a good nights sleep and headed off early toward Burra Gorge SA.

Church in Paruna SA

Church in Paruna SA