Adelaide to Mt Gambier

 Thurs 10 Nov – We have ended phase one of our trip, our 10 days with Claire exploring the country around Adelaide. Our plan now is to head towards Melbourne taking about 3 weeks, plenty of time. We drove out of our camp at Brighton and the beautiful Adelaide beaches. Just a short trip to McLaren Vale, another wine area. On the way we had a huge shop up. Our camp is right in the vineyards. The weather has turned cold but sunny. On our bikes we rode 10kms on a cycleway with grapes either side of the track. Great! At night we watched on TV the second T20 cricket game India v England.

Fri 11 Nov – We headed south down the Fleurieu Peninsula thru several towns. This peninsula, unlike the Yorke, is quiet hilly reminding us of the Banks Peninsula with roads leading down to the bays. We camped near the southern tip at Rapid Bay. It was a large grassy area along the bay, ended up fairly full, with all sorts of set-ups making use of the cheap camping for the weekend. The sun came out and we walked to the wharf at one end of the bay. There was an old limestone mine where lime was exported to BHP’s steel refineries. Back at “Andy” we read in the sun, sheltering from the chilly wind, and watched groups set up.

Sat 12 Nov – The forecast wind and rain set in during the night. Some groups have left camp but many hardy ones stayed. The rain became torrential and was joined by thunder and lightning. We sat inside all day watching people hunker down or leave. At about 4:00pm the rain stopped and the sun peeked thru. Suddenly a very strong wind got up blowing tents, awnings and gazebos everywhere. We were fine as we had taken in everything last night.

Sun 13 Nov – More rain in the night and the wind was still blowing as we left Rapid Bay and headed 60kms across the Fleurieu Peninsula to the large area of Victor Harbor. We swapped our gas bottle at Bunnings and drove to our camp on the waterfront. Sun and heavy showers until around 3:00pm, so we walked to the centre of the old town. There is a bridge across to an island with the oldest steel tracked tram car still running. It is drawn by horses, but it was not operating, due to the winds. At night we watched the T20 cricket final England beating Pakistan.

Mon 14 Nov – As the wind and rain were still with us and there are reports of flooding, we decided to stay put for the day. I fixed some minor plumbing problems (leaking taps) and Val cleaned fly screens in our roof vents. After lunch we spent some time sorting out our storage in Melbourne. The sun came out so we walked the other way from our camp along the windswept seashore. Back inside just before the next shower.

Tues 15 Nov – More wind and rain. With some wet laundry we headed out of Victor Harbor, and off the Fleurieu Peninsula along the Southern Ocean Drive heading south east. Our planned stop for the night was at small town of Langhorne Creek at a reserve. It was a nice spot with about 10 groups there. Behind the reserve was the Bremer River which was running very high. We dried the washing under the awning and had lunch. Opinions differed as to whether the river would flow into the reserve, and after some discussion with our neighbours we decided not to risk it as we had an alternative camp 30kms down the road at Wellington. We headed on to the camp which is on the banks of the Murray River, which we will cross on a ferry tomorrow. It was now sunny, so we watched the ferry which is free and runs 24/7. The Murray River is in full flood upstream, with many of the towns we came thru earlier this year, under water. The Murray flows into the huge Alexandrina Lake just down stream, before going out to sea. Amazingly the river will not rise here until late December when the flood waters come thru.

Wed 16 Nov – Out of the camp and straight onto the ferry for the 2 minute crossing. This is a cable ferry winching its way across on two huge cables. Around the rest of Lake Alexandrina and past a great holiday spot, Lake Albert and the small town of Meningie and into the Coorong National Park. This park stretches 140kms along the coast with sandhills and lakes between the road and the sea. We drove to near the end of the N.P. to a beautiful camping spot down a short gravel road. We chose a sunny site with “Andy” sheltering us from a chilly wind. In the afternoon we walked a 2km track to the windswept beach. The track was quite overgrown and we were aware of snakes but on our return, Val nearly stood on a 1.5m Eastern Brown Snake. I got such a fright I jumped over it. Scaredy-cat you say!! Look up Eastern Brown and you will find it is one of the deadliest snakes in the world. Dead in1/2 hour! Val commented to the National Parks people that the track needs clearing up a bit! A fast walk back to our campsite. Spent the rest of the afternoon washing undies and reading in the sun.

Thurs 17 Nov – 4C in the van when we woke but out in the sun, nice and warm for breakfast. Drove out of the N.P. and continued on the Southern Ocean Drive to Kingston RV park – a large area on the foreshore for self contained vehicles for $15. Just over the road for a supermarket and bottle shop. In the afternoon we biked 7kms along the foreshore with amazing white sand beaches to Pinkie Beach. Nice tail wind on the way back. Beautiful fish and chips for dinner!

Fri 18 Nov - Back on the Ocean Coast Road thru Robe, another holiday destination, to Beachport checking into a camp overlooking the bay. We walked along a path to the wharf and small town, very cute, and on up to a lighthouse overlooking the bay. Back to camp via an ice-cream shop. It clouded over and a few drops of rain sent us inside for drinks.

Sat 19 Nov – It rained in the night but it was still warm as we drove on thru Southend and Millicent to the city of Mt Gambier. As the forecast for the next few days is not good, we chose a camp in the centre of the city. This is the second biggest town/city in South Australia with a pop of 30,000 odd. Our problem was that the Santa Parade was going thru the main street blocking us from getting to our camp. (Who has their Santa Parade this early?) Eventually we Mickey Moused our way to the camp. We are indeed right in the middle of town. As the rain had stopped we walked the main street with its lovely old buildings. Australia seems to value it’s historic buildings.

                                        

Sun 20 Nov – A cool morning with strong winds and intermittent showers, some heavy. We spent the morning researching and booking the rest of our time in Australia. At one stage the weather cleared so we went for a quick walk. No longer had we started when the heavens opened and we sheltered under a verandah until we could dash back to “Andy”. Hopefully the weather will improve for the next three weeks.

Christchurch to Adelaide 2022 - A Tiki Tour with Claire

 

Sun 30 Oct – Claire picked us up at 3:45am and we drove to Gary’s and out to the airport. Surprisingly the check in area was chocka! People queued everywhere. Once thru to the gates the place was deserted. Very strange! We landed in Auckland in pouring rain and ran from domestic to the international terminal just in time for our check-in. Eventually we were on the plane to Adelaide exhausted, soaked and hungry. We dried out, relaxed, and bought a snack. A quick trip thru the airport picking up Claire’s bag, and caught an Uber to the Adelaide train station where we bought one way tickets to Smithfield near Gawler. Another Uber to Angle Vale where “Andy” was stored. Andy started first pop and we drove to a shopping area. Bunnings for a camp chair for Claire, Woollies for food, BWS for grog, and K Mart for some bedding for Claire. We checked into the same camp as we stayed in just before leaving last time. Everything achieved!!! Outside for (26C) for well earned drinks and into bed by 9:30pm. A long day when you take in the 2 1/2 hour time difference.

Mon 29 Oct – Our plan is to do a 10 day tour around the Yorke Peninsula (west of Adelaide), up into the Mambray Creek National Park and returning via the Clare and Barossa wine areas to the Adelaide beaches for a couple of days. The first part of the trip was north thru Gawler, where we rewarded “Andy” with a wash, and then west and south following the east coast of the Yorke Peninsula, to a great camp on the foreshore at Port Vincent. A walk along the beach and an ice-cream to finish the day. The forecast for the next few days is not great.

Tues 1 Nov – Woke to sun but the rain soon set in. We drove south in strong winds thru the coastal towns of Edithburg, Yorketown, Warooka, and Marion Bay to the Innes National Park on the southern most tip of the Yorke Peninsula. 

We called into the Visitor’s Centre for maps and advice. Our first stop was above the cliffs overlooking where the sailing ship Ethel had sunk. The southerly wind was horrendous whipping up spectacular surf crashing into the beach and cliffs but at least it was sunny. Our next stop was another great walk along the cliff tops to a lighthouse at West Cape with great views of the wild coastline. Fortunately the wind was blowing off the sea and we did not feel that we would be blown off the cliffs. We drove on to our camp site, fortunately sheltered from the wind. In the afternoon we did another walk with more spectacular sea views. The wild flowers were just starting to bloom. The rain started as we returned and set in for the night. Quite cold!

Wed 2 Nov – Just a short drive to an area where gypsum had been mined. We followed a walk past the old village and factory where plaster was made. We spied a couple of emus (mother and chick) on our walk back. A 60km drive back out of the tip of the peninsula to Warooka, where we fueled up and a quick shop, before heading west across the peninsula to the west coast at Port Victoria, our stop for the night. Another small town dominated by a long wharf. A great sunset over the water.

Thurs 3 Nov – We are tiki touring up the western side of the Yorke Peninsula with our first stop at Port Hughes where we walked out to the end of the wharf and watched an old guy catching blue swimmer crabs in a couple of traps. 

There are many paddocks of wheat and barley growing on this flat peninsula. The many ports, wharves and towns first existed to export the grain before the roads were developed. Our next stop was at Moonta and Moonta Bay. In this area copper was mined. Unfortunately the mine museum was closed but we walked the cute town which is Cornish themed, enjoying a cornish pasty for lunch. 

We stopped at the town of Wallaroo with its huge grain silos and conveyor system to load the ships. At the old Bond Store we sampled a paddle of beers all brewed locally. Our last stop was for the night at a camp at Port Broughton. We walked to yet another long wharf which we did not feel the urge to walk along! (over wharved!) It had been a sunny day, better than forecast, and we had pre dinner drinks outside.

Fri 4 Nov – Drove off the Yorke Pennisula to Port Pirie where we stopped to shop and fuel and on to Port Germein, with the longest wooden wharf in the southern hemisphere. (1680mts)

This was a very significant milestone in our trip around Australia as we have now joined up the line on our map. We turned into the hills and into the Mambray Creek National Park. We stayed here in 2018 and enjoyed it so much that we have brought Claire back. Our site overlooks the creek which with beautiful gum trees providing shade. It is now much warmer (not before time). We walked a short track up the Davey Gully and up to a view of the Spencer Gulf (3.5kms) Drinks & dinner outside at dusk watching the Kookaburas and Gallahs.

Sat 5 Nov – A family of Kangaroos visited us at breakfast time. Another beautiful day and we packed a lunch and set off up the Mambray Creek Valley for a longer walk. The creek was quite flooded and we eventually had to wade across it at many points on the track. At the head of the valley there was an historic shepherd’s hut. We climbed up a steep track, for a great view down the valley, where we stopped for lunch. Back down the valley, crossing the many fords, to our camp (9kms) and a relax in the sunshine drying our boots.

Sun 6 Nov – Out of the National Park and on the road by 9:00am heading to Clare Valley wine region. We had lunch at a park in Clare and picked up Claire’s hired bike, classic, green with a basket as requested! We cycled the Riesling Trail thru the beautiful wine country. On our return ride we stopped at Tim Adams Winery for a tasting and a cheese board. A really lovely way to finish off our 26km bike ride. We checked into the Clare Valley camp for the night.

Mon 7 Nov – We left the town of Clare and drove thru more vineyards and on to a tiki tour of some historic country towns and Silo Art.

 Beautiful rolling country. We drove on into the Barossa Valley stopping at Nuriootpa and visiting Maggie Beer’s farm shop. A great venue where we had Burnt Fig and Honeycomb ice-cream overlooking a lake at the back of her property.

Back on the main road to Adelaide and a very slow trip thru the city to our camp at Brighton. 230km drive today! Brighton is at the south end of the Adelaide beaches on Holdfast Bay. Glenelg is about half way along this bay. We went over the beach and discovered the sea was really warm so changed into our togs and had a swim at 6:00pm.

Tues 8 Nov – Now quite hot. Forecast to go to 33C today. Val and Claire hopped on the bikes and rode the 7kms on the esplanade cycle/walkway to Glenelg while I did some cleaning and vehicle checks. In the afternoon we spent some time on the beach swimming (x3) and reading. A real summer holiday! This is Claire’s last night so we walked to the local pub for dinner. Back at “Andy” we sat outside and watched a lunar eclipse and a blood moon.

Wed 9 Nov – We farewelled Claire as she caught an Uber to Adelaide Airport. It has been great having her here. 3 fit into “Andy” really well! Another hot day and we rode the cycle way to Glenelg in a strong head wind. Second time for Val! Glenelg is a quaint seaside village now a tourist town. There are a great mix of the original homes, multi million dollar homes and apartments along the sea front. The wind got stronger and we had to take down the awning and then had no shade over lunch time. Eventually the shade came around the camper but we got some short sharp showers. Ended up in and out of the camper but managed a swim to cool off.