Back on the road we are, and beginning a BIG TRIP. Or to be more accurate THE BIG TRIP. Our plans are flexible and yet definite. Our schedule includes Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory (and perhaps Queensland). Our accommodation will be the trusty anaconda tent and hotels when we need. We will be visiting friends and family and seeing parts of Australia we haven't ventured to before in our search for sunshine. Yes, Chris is obsessed with heat.
Our journey began with a quick visit to Port MacDonnell to visit friends we met in the middle east. It was rough and windy in the area, but apparently the tuna fishing was good. We didn't spend long on the catch up as we were keen to get back on the road, aiming for Mount Gambier (and a hotel) for the night. The weather turned a little wet (understatement) with driving rain and huge puddles and we were most grateful for a warm dry bed that didn't involve pumping up. Air beds just can't compare to the real thing.
From here we headed to Tantanoola, South Australia, to check out a gorgeous stone church that we were hoping to buy but just missed out on. Tara's been watching too many Grand Designs and has her heart set on doing a major renovation, complete with mezzanine, bridge, open plan living area etc. It was situated on plenty of land and was perfect, being a decent size. Many are too small, with only two or three windows and therefore not tall enough for a second floor. Perfect... But obviously not for us.
On to Naracoorte through the Coonawarre (wine) region to catch up with friends. Here are some images of the Padthway vineyards... and local grain crops. The large watering systems- pivots are amazing. They even "walk" over fences to irrigate the paddocks.
We met the Murray River at a place called Mannum where to cross from South Australia into Victoria you travel on a car ferry. It's a very short trip but has two ferries running at once. The town itself is delightful, full of friendly folk, beautiful trees and scenery. The Pretoria Hotel stands proudly between the main street and river, and whilst we didn't drink there, we needed a photo for our south african friends, Jan and Sharon. This one's for you, Yeiki!
(Please excuse the terrible photos- it was a chilly morning and I didn't notice the lens was fogged until Snowy had chugged too far past.)
From here we continued our journey west/ south west heading towards the coast. We wanted to avoid Adelaide and the traffic (Poor "Snowy"- whilst most reliable, really consumes fuel when we push her) so on to Gawler we headed. The journey was punctuated by short stops at playgrounds to keep a little explorer happy. The countryside was windswept, rocky and at times desolate. Ruins in various states of disrepair indicate the farming history of days gone by. We figure it was mostly sheep grazing land, although some grain crops are evident. Some farms now are growing olives.
Passing through Port Augusta, a busy industrial town with a natural port, and huge factories for electricity generation we viewed massive salt plains and more arid land. The waterways for pleasure craft looked inviting.
On to another seaport/mining town on the Eyre Peninsula, Whyalla- "Where the Outback Meets the Sea" for the night in a handy motel on the foreshore. A touch worryingly the room contained not one but two cans of insect spray but once we saw past that it was definitely convenient with the beach and playground right next door. Amelia had a wonderful time and we passed Anzac day peacefully by the seaside.
Whyalla is again arid and somewhat windswept, with everything covered in red dust. Originally there was no water available and it needed to be brought in from Port Pirie by ship. The HMAS Whyalla was launched in 1941, the first ship to come out of the new shipyard, which was closed in 1978 being unable to compete with Japanese shipyards. Now it produces steel from the OneSteel works which were built in the 1950's.
A barge being loaded with iron ore, then heads into the gulf to fill the waiting ship.
