Friday 7th February - we leave the caravan park in Port Augusta and check out the Arid Area Botanic Gardens in town - had a wander around for a while and checked out the plants and flowers. From here we decide to head inland as the Mt Remarkables NP is closed due to the fires. So we start towards Quorn and had a look around town. From here we went to Wilmington, and on seeing the toy museum sign, decide we need to stop in for a look. Turns out that the owner not only collects toys, but also Land Rovers too. After a quick look at the little toys, we go out the back to see some of the bigger toys - over 26 Landies. And then he shows us the scale models he has made in his spare time - very impressive.
Decide to drive just out of town to Hancock's lookout for lunch, and the views out over the water of Spencer Gulf is very impressive. Back to town, and we continue onto Orroroo where we stop for a drink, and then to Peterborough. From here we take some back roads and tracks to check out a free camp at Aprila Springs which is supposed to be a permanent waterhole - it did indeed have water, but very little and the facilities were quite dirty, so we continue to another spot at Bowman Park just out of Crystal Brook - the temp is now in the 40's, so we decide to cool off under the water sprinklers on the oval - must have looked like right-royal gits out in the middle of nowhere running around under the sprinklers - but it was cool.
Saturday 8th - had a quick drive through Crystal Brook, with some very impressive old buildings. From here to Port Pirie, where we do some shopping and try to find an optometrist as Di has something stuck in her eye - no such luck as it is a Saturday. Further south to port Broughton, where the hospital is open, so we go in thinking it will be a long process to eventually see a doctor. After 10 minutes, the nurse has flushed out Di eye, and then the doctor turns up to make sure it is all OK - and all under Medicare - what a bonus. Further south to Wallaroo, where the ferry from Lucky Bay across the gulf docks, and we arrive just in time to see it reverse into the jetty and lots of cars drive off. Continuing on, we drive to moonta, and then to Moonta Bay, and then to Port Hughes. We then decide to head to a free spot at The Gap where we go for a paddle in the shallow water, but the heat combined with the strong winds convinces us to drive a bit further to Balgowan. A nice caravan park right besides the cliff banked beach,
with another beach around the corner for a swim - we cool off again before dinner with the flies.
Sunday 9th - did some washing (free) and then packed as the wind had picked up. Into Maitland, which again has some nice old buildings, all built with local stone - then to Port Victoria for another look around - finally to Minlaton to the info centre, and then some lunch. From here to Hardwicke Bay and Point Turton, before driving to Marion Bay and the Innes NP, where we are planning on staying for a few days. We drive into each of the camp sites, and along several km's of bad dirt road to Browns Beach at the very end,
before deciding to stay at Pondalowie Bay campground - a great spot with nice separate spots and a clean toilet - lots of wildlife around too.
Monday 10th - up early for a walk down to the beach and around the headland to see the West Cape lighthouse. We then decide to spend the day exploring the Innes NP, stopping in at each and every one of the lookouts, doing some of the walks, and checking out some of the shipwreck sites. Stopped in at West Cape,
Ethel beach, Cape Spencer lighthouse,
and then the view along the coast,
and Cable Bay. After this we do a walk around Stenhouse Bay, where gypsum used to be mined for gyprock sheeting. Then into Marion Bay for a wander around and some lunch. A quick stop in at Wilyama Bay before back to camp for a relaxing afternoon where Di draws a picture.
Tuesday 11th - after spending yesterday exploring within the NP, today we decide to head north of the park, and explore along the coast. We drive as far as Corny Point to the lighthouse (very rugged coast along these here parts, thus lots of lighthouses - and even then, lots of shipwrecks too). Just south of here was Berry Bay beach, with a great view along the coast.
We drive to the south end and decide to go for a swim - finally some surf to catch some VERY small waves, but at least it wasn't flat like most areas.
Then to Point Annie, Swincer Rocks, Gleesons Landing, and then every guys farourite place - Daly Head - not nearly as good as it sounds. But the views were spectacular, both out to sea
and also down along the coast and sanddunes.
We had lunch and then continued to the last place, Gym beach, where we go for a walk, but the sun is so hot it burns our feet. Once back in the NP, we drop in to Chinaman's Hat beach and decide to go for a snorkel along the rocks collecting shells.
Back to camp for a much needed shower to wash off the salt water.
Wednesday 12th - a much cooler and overcast day today, and it is also windy, so we won't be going swimming. After a relaxed start, we drive around to Pondalowie surf beach and spent some time on the boardwalk watching the surfers catch some small waves.
We also watch the dolphins cruising up and down along the beach, and can only imagine what the surfers first think when they see the fins breach the water.
Not much else happens today, but it is nice to have a "nothing" day.
Thursday 13th - a bit of rain overnight, and then starts to drizzle as we pack up. From here along the south coast of the peninsula, stopping at Meehans Hill lookout,
and then Kangaroo Island lookout, but the weather is turning ugly so we can't see much at all. Then past Foul Bay (smelt bad too!!!) before stopping in at Yorketown, where we do some shopping and then a coffee as it is now raining steadily. We continue to Edithburgh, which we are sure is a lovely little seaside town but the rain spoilt it. The next town is Stansbury, where we stop for lunch in a cafe. From here we consult WikiCamps to find a caravan park which also has a camp kitchen, as the rain will not let up. We set-up quickly, but still get soaked, and then dry off in the games room watching some TV.
Friday 14th (VD) - rain all night, and during the night we found out that the tent leaks, and on packing it up, it also has a tear in the canvas - so not a good start to the day. And we get soaked packing it away, so this is worse. Breakfast at a cafe, before heading to Port Wakefield. Heavy rain all morning, with not a break - it continues thru lunch, and we finally decide it might be better to find a motel / cabin / solid roof for the night. End up stopping at Balaklava caravan park in a cabin. Di cooks a wonderful dinner and we watch some TV before an early night.
The above few things just add to our list of things to get fixed in Adelaide, so we might be there a bit longer to get it all done - and also see some of the sights.
More to come soon.
Di and Hammo
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