Monday 14th Nov – Sunday 20th Nov – Our Fourth State – “Big mountains & little towns”.

Monday 14^th November we left Adelaide around lunch time and headed down the Limstone Coast of S.A. toward Victoria.  We decided to follow the coast which we thought was the scenic drive with ocean views.  Well the map was deceiving – the road was quiet, rough and boring with no ocean view however we should be thankful we still had nice driving weather. As soon as we could, we headed inland to drive through the picturesque Coonawarra wine region. That night we pulled up at a free camp at the pine forestry area just south of Penola & 30kms north of S.A’s 2^nd largest town, Mt Gambier.

Tuesday 15^th Nov – we headed to Mt Gambier, tiky-toured around, went to see the Lakes – Blue & Valley – and then did a guided tour of the pump station at the Blue Lakes.  The colour of this lake was incredible, such a striking blue and apparently the colour gets more intense later in the summer.  This lake is the main water supply of Mt Gambier and its filtration system is natural underground limestone (so natural still does exist…not all chemical).  After Mt Gambier we headed 60kms nth east and crossed the border to Casterton in Victoria, a small country town where friends of mine Adele and Darren & family had moved to from Cairns 2 years ago.  Darren is the principal of the local Catholic school in the town which has just over 40 students enrolled with classes of around 14 students – heaven as a teacher I thought and the boys also thought that was be great. It was lovely to catch up with Adele and Darren and their kids over dinner and drinks and on Wednesday Adele showed me around the town (which only took about 20mins) and we indulged in the best coffee & cake in one of the local coffee shops (thank goodness Wednesday was one of the days it was open).  We all fell in love with the quaint little town and thought it would just be such a wonderful place to live (now I know why Adele moved there).  And you could buy a house for just $110 000!

After Casterton we headed to the Grampians and stayed in the hills until Friday 18^th November.  We camped 2 nights in the national park for just $14 a night – with long drop toilets and a bush shower (which was a corrugated iron cubicle and a bucket on a chain with a shower nozzle attached – some creative work of art we thought!), and kangaroos visiting us at night.  Well, there was no R&R in the Grampians for us as most would do.  We had one full day to see it all and that is exactly what we did.  Thursday was “get fit day” where we must have hiked to about 5 lookouts and water falls covering at least 6kms up and down.  And this was the day I overcame one of my biggest fears – the fear of height.  We did this amazing walk up to the “Pinnacle” – a rock ledge at the top of one of the peaks.  It was a 2km walk pretty much well straight up and I almost crapped myself when I got to the top.  At the end of the walk they expect you to go right out to this edge point about 1mtr wide (which is fenced or caged as we called it).  Mark and Scott just walked out there, took photos and enjoyed the magnificent view, Trent plucked up courage and walked out after and me…well crawling was the only way I could do it and even then it took a lot for me to stand up at the end.  The view was well worth it but next time I will just Google it as I am sure someone would have published photos on the net….this would save a lot of stress on my poor heart!!!!

For our last morning in the Grampians (Friday 18^th Nov) we decided not to hike, climb or sight see (not that our bodies weren’t weary or anything because we are now super fit), we just heard there was this great mini-golf course we had to try.  And it was probably one of the best we have played in.  The course was set through a beautiful garden that was challenging and showed our true talent.  Most holes were par 4 or 5 so you can just guess how many 8+ scores we made. Once we got to 8 shots we called it quits for that hole otherwise it would have taken us all day and we did not have all day as we knew storms were forecast for the afternoon.  Around lunch time we headed out of the Grampians towards….well we still had to decide because in every direction we looked there were black storm clouds.

So we drove through Stawell, picked up some supplies then headed to Ararat, then on to Lake Bolac keeping a close eye on the dark skies.  The radar at that stage was not looking good for Lake Bolac so we decided to move on.  Also the camp ground right on Lake Bolac was hosting “The Ultimate Camper Muster” where all the ‘ultimate’ brand camper trailers were, so of course Mark had to drive straight through it with our jayco on tow. (Probably been more places than them anyway.....). Funny that no-one jumped out to tell us to stay!!!!  So the next town was Mortlake (which was in tiny writing in our Camp 6 book).  We cruised on into the town, found the van park (which you could guess was not hard to find) and I just thought it was “gorgeous”.  The van park had a little lake at the entrance on one side with a rose garden on the other, lovely green grass and free washing and drying and only $22 a night, perfect for us to sit out the bad weather forecasted for the next few days.  And did I mention the caretaker just loved to have a chat – so he and Mark just hit it off.  Now the boys have been feeding their ducks, I have vegies from their garden and the boys have dug for worms in their garden to use for fish bait to fish in the lake.  The local town pub had a fire place and there was a really cute little coffee shop in the old convent house that home baked scones and cakes and the owner of the coffee shop just happens to be the sister of the caretaker…keeping it in the family and that tells you how small this town is.   Oh and the fireplace was needed on Saturday night.  I think the min was about 6 degrees and we don’t have heating in our little camper.  The boys just loved our stay because the town skate park was just next to the van park and each day the boys had it to themselves to ride their bikes on.  They definitely would not get his in Cairns.

So after 3 days of washing & drying every bit of clothing and linen I had we really have to head off again (even though Scott would love to buy a permanent van here).

Sigh....another 'Big'.  The Big Lobster (Kingston SE - Limestone Coast S.A)

The Blue lake at Mt Gambier (much thought went into naming this crater lake...)

Ummm......Marks Lookout......

McKenzie Falls in the Grampians

Family shot with 'the Balconies' just behind

Halls Gap township in the Grampians (from Boroka Lookout)

Well, it just looked like a big........

The Pinnacle lookout....would you go out there?

Yep, we did! (still working on Karen....)
Theres a photo of her crawling out somewhere...!!

Boys feeding the ducks at Mortlake.  We were camped just beyond the road in the background

 

Thursday 10th Nov – Monday 14th Nov – “Big City, Big 4, Big parade and Big to do”!

Thursday, and finally we  arrived in Adelaide.  The boys were so excited because we were staying at the “Big 4 Adelaide shores Caravan Park” – which had been recommended by lots we knew – and it was a great spot and a great park with lots for the boys to do (table tennis, jumping pillow, swimming pool which was too cold, a beach only a walk away, table tennis and did I mention table tennis – a new found sport the boys just love).   Oh and it was close to the airport so the boys were entertained by identifying the planes and watching the jet streams.  And for Karen, it was just a drive from Harbour town shopping centre. Being so close, Mark’s mum Sylvia decided to fly down and have a weekend with us.  So now we had five in our jayco – a real test for comfort and one we survived.

So now all set up what did we do.  Once again our timing was just perfect.  Adelaide’s Xmas Pageant was on Saturday so off we went at 7am to get a great spot (the pageant did not start until 9.30am) and it worked – the boys and Mark scored front row sitting on a gutter and for the boys it was just magic.  We had never seen a parade like it.  After that we visited Carrick House so Scott could see a mansion and then tiky-toured around the Adelaide hills visiting Hahndorf and other towns.  We found this a beautiful piece of country side that we have both decided we need to revisit it taking more time, and come back when stone fruits and cherries are in full season!!!!

Sunday 13^th November – Barossa valley here we come.  However first we had to do a deal with the boys and their patience so we took them to the Beach House in Glenelg.  So much fun – we paid $25 for each of the boys for 2 hours of non-stop fun going down water slides, riding bumper cars and playing on game alley machines.  They were running around like dogs on heat trying to get in as much as they could.  I think they went on the bumper cars about 8 times as they worked out this was the best value (and will never get this opp again to just ride and ride and ride).

So then we headed up to the Barossa, drove around, had lunch in one of the local pubs, visited Jacobs Creek Winery (which Mark’s uncle used to co-own years ago), and of course a little wine tasting as you do. Oh and I forgot, we went to Maggie Beer’s Farmshop – she makes a very tasty pate which we splurged on to have for dinner with some wine. Once again,  this is just beautiful countryside, however, our next visit will be without kids so we can enjoy the wineries more.  Kids just don’t understand why it is important to try before you buy and of course to them one vineyard looks just like another.

Monday morning (14^th Nov) grandma was back on the plane and we were off “on the road again”.  So that was our whirlwind trip of Adelaide – a city we loved and want to go back and visit with lots more time!



Set up at the flash park at Adelaide Shores - even had concrete 'patio'!

Biggest Xmas parade in the country..

Boys front row at the parade

Carrick House - interesting story behind it (Google it.....)

Carrick House Gardens

They even fight using dodgem cars!!! - Beach house, Glenelg

4 kids in a candy store!

Another 'big' pic - the big rocking horse.

Barossa Valley - typical scene...



Sun 6th Nov – Wed 9th Nov – “Yorke - another Peninsula”

We said our good byes to the Whites and set off again around lunchtime, headed all the way to the btm of Yorke Peninsula, bound for Innes National Park, about 4hrs drive away.  We took the less direct eastern route down, as we planned to come back up via Balgowan.

Well – how nice is the area down here!!

As usual, we scoped out all the camping areas in the park, before settling on Pandolowie bay to set up late in the day.  Getting used to the longer daylight hours down here and the weather is still being kind to us, although we had a storm skirt around us on the first night, with a little rain. The next day was spent exploring the area, and on Tuesday, we haeded back up the Peninsula, this time, up the west side, to the coastal town of Balgowan, about 2hrs away.

We called Lloyd & Chris, the couple that we had met back at the Blinman Pub (Flinders ranges) a couple of weeks back.  They are from Balgowan, and they wanted us to call in.

We knew the little caravan park was a good one, however, Lloyd & Chris had us stay at their house for 2 nights, which was just awesome.  They have a farm about 10kms away (wheat, barley, lentils) and the harvest season had just begun, so we spent a day on the farm, where we all learnt the Ins & outs of farming these crops. The boys and I had a session in the header (harvester) and checked out all the other’ boys toys’ machinery.

That night, we dined out (rare occurance) at the local pub in Maitland with our new friends (20kms inland from Balgowan, as Balgowan has not one shop!)



Pandolowie Bay, Innes National Park

Peek-a-boo camper...

Our first view across the sth bays of Innes - awesome!

Us in one of those bays....

'Shepards Hut' - available to stay in at one of the camp grounds in the park

Pandolowie Bay at dusk, from the top of a big sand dune (kids playground!)

More views across the park (pandolowie bay is the 2nd one up)

southern facing beach @ Innes - amazing blue in the sea..

The boys up in the header, doing the barley field

checking out the header hopper emptying out into the 'chaser bin'

Couldn't wipe the smiles off their faces!

Our digs at Balgowan (the lil suzi stockman is a cracka...)



Wed 2nd Nov – Sat 5th Nov – “Around Spencer Gulf”

Wednesday saw us pack up & head into Pt Lincoln, where the camper had a few warranty issues fixed.  The sink hand pump blew a seal, so that was an easy fix.  Two of the cupboard latches were replaced, and the jockey wheel clamp was replaced with a better one, as the thread was stripped.  All in all, the camper is doing pretty well, considering the use it is getting.  We have covered over 8000km’s to this point, and the camper has been set up & dragged around more in the past weeks than most would do in 5 years and we are only halfway.

We then got our last fix of some local seafood for lunch before heading back up the Eyre Peninsula, via Kimba, before heading back through Port Augusta, at the top of Spencer Gulf, and on to Mt Remarkable N.P, 40kms down from Pt Augusta.  We stayed at the Mambray Ck camp area for 2 nights, and enjoyed the fancy N.P facilities (hot showers and all..!) .

From here, we then made the short 60km trip down to Port Pirie, where we caught up with the White family that we were with back in the N.T (Hi guys J!! ).   They took us around the picturesque countryside surrounding Alligator Gorge, up behind Mt Remarkable and we stayed with them on Saturday night and had a great time. Hopefully we will see them again when they get up to Cairns some time, otherwise meet up somewhere in between J.



The big Galah at Kimba (Eyre Peninsula) - & halfway east/west coast pt.

Camped amongst the red river gum trees at Mt Remarkable N.P.

Mt Remarkable N.P - another hike.

Mum & boys with Spencer Gulf backdrop

Alligator Gorge - blown away again by scenery



Thurs 27th Oct – Tues 1st Nov – "Steel, wind & OMG!"

Thurs saw us travel 270km to Whyalla on the eastern Eyre Peninsula S.A.  After 6 days of camping with no power it was time to check in to a tourist park and re-charge, re-stock and have a decent long shower.  Well did we choose a great spot…not!!!!  Thinking that being on the foreshore with sea views was ideal after coming from the desert, was a great idea if you just got rid of the wind (hence the town is known as windy Whyalla).  The first day was beaut, but the next 2 days were howling.  We had to stay there as there was no way we could pack the camper up in the winds.  We had pulled out the awning and bed flys as rains were forecast (which ended up being a few showers) and at least we now know the awing can handle such a gale.  All Karen could say was “thank goodness for a great camp kitchen” because that was where we cooked and ate our meals along with doing extra baking because it had an ‘oven’. 

The wind did not totally spoil our stay.  Took the boys on an awesome tour of the Steelworks – largest in the country – good schooling for the boys and tested my ability to explain it all to them.  Thank goodness the boys sat next to an exworker of the works who was able to offer them extra guidance so now they “kind-of” know how railway tracks are made.

We also went to a local market that was totally different to our local markets.  Not only did it have a huge amount of high quality craft (what else do the ladies have to do in Whyalla!!!), there was something for the boys……off-road remote control car racing.  This kept the boys occupied while Karen had a bo-peep around the stalls.  You just never know what you will find!!!

We were glad to leave windy Whyalla and head down to Port Lincoln at the bottom of Eyre Peninsula.  First thing we notice in this area are the massive wheat silos at various towns, where all the wheat & barley is delivered from farms in the area.   Pt Lincoln is famed for the seafood & the highest millionaire population per capita in Oz. 

We headed straight to Lincoln NP to find a camp spot. (we have a S.A national parks pass, hence, the tendency to camp at as many as we can…J ) We settled on an absolute pearler location for the next 3 nights bush camping, and then explored other areas of the park (4wd tracks etc), headed over to Coffin Bay for a look (another beautiful spot), checked out the marina with all the flash houses etc, and the big fishing boats.  The Fisherman seem to be the wealthy ones down here!!

Had to sample the fresh fish,  King George Whiting, for dinner one night.  It was so good, we had more for lunch the day we left.



Set up at Whyalla - before it got really windy....

 Interesting sign at the steelworks.....

Coffin Bay National Park - & 2 lil' hood-lums...

Our own beach at Lincoln N.P at the btm of Eyre Peninsula

Another view of the campsite....it was as good as it looks!

Our million dollar waterfront view of Pt Lincoln!

Another view of Lincoln N.P. after a steep hike..



Saturday 23rd Oct – Wednesday 26th October “Flinders”

From Maree we headed south towards the Flinders Ranges, passing through the Farina Ruins and then onto Lindhurst where we met “Talc Alf”, a colourful, crusty character that is a local & national icon through his talc (talcum powder) rock sculptures and also his views on the origin of the humble alphabet…gee, I thought Karen could talk!  In 30 mins the boys learnt all they need to know about the alphabet and English lauguage and if you ask me – the views a male can understand. 

We then called in at Leigh Creek just down the road.  Another new town built solely for the mines.  Driving around looking for a shadey spot to have lunch we found the only bit of green grass in the town – the AFL oval and after not seeing grass for weeks, we were excited. 

On the road again, and we decided on a bush camp at Parachilna Gorge, just outside the Flinders Ranges.  This was only a stones throw from the Parachilna pub where we planned to watch the World Cup finals.  Camp set up, we went back to the pub and “unbelievable” probably the only pub in Oz that has no TV.  Our only other option was a little place called Blinman, back passed our camp and then another 20km along a narrow winding dirt road (I was keen to watch the All Blacks slaughter those French frogs).  On a mission, we made kick off and I lost a few years watching the AB’s unconvincingly beat the French….but then we found out that Blinman is the highest town in SA and a cute town too!!!  Things happen for a reason because back at camp we were swamped with bugs and it was stinking hot so we appreciated the night out.

Next morning  we packed up just before the rains came (phew!!!)  and headed back to Blinman now on a MUDDY, narrow winding tack – didn’t I love it!!!  Checked out the weather report in Blinman – which no-one seemed to know more than the now – and then headed on to the Flinders Ranges National Park.

Well, confusion at the Flinders Ranges.  So many camp grounds to choose from and we had to check them all out.  Finally, we decided to set up at the “Cambrian Campground” – somewhere  central and a great spot for the boys to ride their bikes.  Plus a bonus – we had the place to our own.  This area is just awesome!!! So it was such a hard decision to stay on for 3 nights.  We used this as a base and tripped around from there – took a scenic drive over the ranges, through a gorge and  on to check out Wilpena Pound ( a tourist resort and campground that was packed – why would you!!!)  and Rawnsley Station (again packed with happy campers???)  We really appreciated the serenity back out our own private camp spot.  Our only complaint was the cold nights as we had just spent days using fans and suddenly out came the sleeping bags, extra blankets and warm pj’s however fire ban season had not started (this starts 1^st Nov) so we appreciated still being able to build a fire.  It was hard to move on from such a prestine spot!!!



Farina ruins

Some of 'Talc Alfs' carvings

Talc Alf on about all sorts here....!

Camp at Paralchina Gorge - in a creek

An awesome drive over the ranges

 The boys on the job  - dinner prep.

 Our camp for 3 nights in Flinders ranges N.P.

 OK , another shot of our home in the Flinders