Sunday, 10/4/11
We are finally on our way. Left Griffith at approximately 10.30 am and travelled to Hay in time for lunch. We had a brief look at the Shearers Hall of Fame but as we are both familiar with shearing sheds decided to have a look around Hay's old buildings.
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| Lake Benanee |
From Hay we continued to Balranald but as it was raining and we had been there before we decided to continue on to a nice camp site "Lake Benanee" near Euston. Camp site was not too close to the road and on the edge of a lovely lake.
Monday, 11/4/11 and Tuesday, 12/4/11
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| 'Big Lizzie' |
Today we travelled toward Mildura and stayed at the Buronga Riverside Tourist Park on the NSW side of the Murray River. We went for a drive into Mildura and decided to spend another day there to see some of the sites. Mildura has some very old riverside buildings and history from the days when the paddle steamers provided the main form of transportation for the inland communities. Since the river has flooded, yabbies are being caught in large numbers.
Wednesday, 13/4/11
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| Murray River in flood |
Today found us following the Murray River downstream to Waikerie. On the way we had lunch at the small town of Monash were there was a playground that Eleanor would have loved. Across the road was a chocolate shop and of course Crawf couldn't resist. We then finished our trip to Waikerie in time for a walk along the river which is still in flood so all the campsites are closed and we have been restricted to staying in caravan parks.
Thursday, 14/4/11
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| On the ferry |
This morning we travelled to Cadell where we crossed the river on a ferry. This road took us to Morgan, on the roadside were several trees with shoes, boots and clothing attached but unfortunately we were unable to stop on the side of the road for a photo. Next came Burra, we had been there last year so didn't stop, then Hallett for fuel, then to Jamestown. Just before Jamestown we saw a property "Old Canowie" with stone fences and walls through the paddocks. A little further along this road we saw what seemed like thousands of wind turbines along the tops of many of the hills. There are very few trees in this area, maybe because of the constant wind. We passed a turnoff to a town named Laura. Next we had a look at Gladstone where they have a Happy Rock Cafe. We then found a great little town named Crystal Brook and stayed at the small caravan park.
Friday, 15/4/11
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| Lake Germein |
Continued on to Port Pirie today. Arrived there just before lunch and had a long walk around this old industrial town. They are making a great effort to keep the town and the environment in great shape. Many old buildings can be found here and a lead smelter is a dominant feature. We then moved on to Port Germein were we walked a 1.56km jetty and then decided it was 'beer o'clock' so stayed at the local caravan park. People were catching lots of crabs from the jetty but nobody was prepared to share so we will have to make do with a toasted sandwich.
Saturday, 16/4/11
We had arranged for Crawf's prescription to be made up at Port Augusta but the chemist ordered the wrong one so will get it when we get to Cowell. We stayed a couple of nights at the Motorhome campsite at the sports club, $5 per night. There is not much to see in Port Augusta, it is only the 'crossroads of Australia'. People pass through on their way north-south, east-west etc. We went to see the local flee markets and the model railway, both interesting.
Monday, 18/4/11
We had a quick stop at the information centre at Whyalla but didn't go into the town. Continued to Cowell. We booked into the caravan park out of town a little way but can only stay here until Thursday as they are booked out for Easter. Cowell is a small seaside town with a population of about 880 and it is noted for it's seafood, especially oysters. We had to try them, of course!!!
Met a couple from Parkes who know Mick & Helen Kenyon. They had caught more crabs than they could use so brought some over to us, they were delicious.
Thursday, 21/4/11
Moved the van into the motorhome campsite at the recreation ground in Cowell where we were greeted by Robert & Nola. Happy hour the first night was with them then Paul and Wendy joined in and then just about everyone who stayed at the park joined us. Robert had a small fire bucket and a chain saw, so every day the 'boys' took our ute and the chain saw to collect wood.
On Good Friday, Crawf and I went for a drive to Cleve, an agricultural town just inland from Cowell, and then to Arno Bay where we had fish and chips for lunch at the jetty cafe. We then drove back along the coast road to Port Gibbon which is just a small town with lots of fishing shacks.
Saturday was a day for wondering around Cowell and visiting the local art show. Easter Sunday we all had bacon and eggs cooked on Roberts fire bucket/bbq. We then went into town to see the Collections exhibition and had another roast lunch at the Commercial Hotel.
Monday was Anzac Day so we all went into town for the service, a small crowd but very well run.
Late that afternoon we had a new camper arrive, Andrew who is walking around Australia to raise money for cancer research after the death of his friend. He had a couple of beers with us then went into town for a pub feed and a few more beers. He must have had a few too many as he volunteered to work on an oyster boat early the next morning. When he arrived back he had a nice hot shower at our van and rested the rest of the day ready for another day of walking.
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| Oysters at Cowell |
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| Andrew (walking around Australia) |
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| Cliffs near Port Gibbon |
Wednesday, 27/4/11
We all move on today. We head towards Port Lincoln via Port Neill and Tumby Bay in time for lunch. Crawf finally finds some roast pork. Arrived at Port Lincoln and stayed at the Tourist Caravan Park which has a great view of the harbour.
Spent most of our time at Port Lincoln accessing and replacing our computer and a bit of shopping. The weather turned nasty on Saturday so had an indoor day.
Sunday, 1/5/11
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| Stone walls near Elliston |
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| Blow hole effect near Elliston |
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| Sculptures in the Sands |
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| Sculptures in the Sands |
The coast line is very pretty in this area, with high cliffs and rugged waves. The Elliston Great Ocean Drive is spectacular and is host to the "Sculptures in the Sands" exhibition. Many of the sculptures have been left there by their creators. Nearby is the area of Colten, where we found an interesting old cemetery with a headstone for one of the first Greek settlers in the area, which makes interesting reading. Colten also has a roadside bakery, where if the sign says open, you can buy fresh bread and leave the money in the box.
On our way to Venus Bay, lunch at Port Kenny and then spent some time exploring Talia Caves and cliffs. These are very spectacular, the rocks vary in colour from red to purple.
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| Talia Caves, near Elliston |
We then heard from Robert & Nola and decided to meet them at Venus Bay for a couple of days. We went to Point Labett to see the sea lion colony, great and on the way back called in to see "Murphy's Haystacks". These are large rocks called inselbergs.
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| Murphy's Haystacks |
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| Murphy's Haystacks |
As we have developed an internet/anti-virus program clash, a problem with our awning and the generator muffler we have decided to go back to Port Lincoln to get everything fixed before we leave civilisation for a while. Travelled back through inland Eyre Peninsula and passed through Lock and stayed at Cummins. These are both agricultural areas with cropping and sheep so Crawf was pleased to have something familiar to look at.
Saturday 7/5/11
Moved on to Tumby Bay and after setting up camp we visited the local craft markets, lunch and a drive around the area.
Sunday, 8/5/11 (Mother's Day)
Had a phone call from Cynthia and Jane then went to lunch at the Seabreeze Hotel, $10 all you can eat roast lunch, wonderful. We then went fishing off the jetty where we caught 4 red mullet and I caught 2 whiting. While fishing had a phone call from Bruce and the kids. Bruce checked on the computer and found the jetty we were fishing from to show the girls. Hamish picked up the phone every time someone put it down to get someone else, great conversation. Returned to the park and cleaned the fish in the dark, but seemed to do a reasonable job for someone who hadn't cleaned a fish for about 40ish years. A great day.
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Whiting at Tumby Bay |
Monday - Wednesday, 9/5 - 11/5/11
Arrived at Port Lincoln again and started arrangements for the repairs to the computer, awning and generator. Computer and awning were easily fixed but the generator proved a little more difficult. It rained again while we were here so it was a good chance for me to catch up on some computer things like this blog site.
Thursday, 12/5/11
Packed up and moved out again towards Streaky Bay. As we had seen most of this area before, we continued up to Streaky Bay where we set up camp in a rest area called Eyre's Waterhole, so named because Eyre, the explorer used this waterhole as a base for his expedition west. The waterhole was used for years before this by the indigenous people of the area as it never goes dry, it still has water today. Several other campers here so we have decided to stay a couple of days.
