Uncategorised – Page 10 – Chris & Merelyn's Travels

July 26th

Next on the to do list was the underground Mine tour in Blinman. We found it interesting and well presented.

Old mining equipment was on display in the tunnels, and a sound track played the effects of being in the mine working, at one stage all the lighting was turned off, to give us the feeling of how it was back in the day. Pitch black and scary. !!

This shaft was 18mtrs deep, I think, and no we didn’t go down it..

Back in the 1800s the men worked by candle lights.

In the rocks you can see the veins of copper and other interesting formations.

Daylight at the end of one tunnel

After the underground tour, we did the walk around the top of the mine, before having lunch at the pub.

After lunch we drove out to Glass Gorge. Not sure why its called that, and its not the best there is to see.

From there Chris and I ventured on by ourselves to the Nuccaleena mine ruins on the west side of the range. The road was a mixture of not bad gravel to not good creek beds.

As for the mine ruins, they were some of the best preserved ruins we have found. the chimney stacks, still standing tall.

By the time we had finished wandering around and me taking lots of photos, it was getting late in the day. I wouldn’t fancy being out here after dark so it was time to head back through the hills to our Blinman camp.

On the road fuel stop, .. wonder how the electric cars will cope out here in the future.

So many emus and roos on the edge of the road driving back, very hard to see them in the late afternoon sun,

It was almost dark when we got back to the van, and the next day we planned to head back towards Port Augusta . We enjoyed our time in the Flinders Ranges, and can now tick it off the bucket list.

July 24th

A day in Wilpena Pound. We started out reasonably early, just getting a day pass to do the drive through the gorges.

We even had our own tour guide, at one stage, giving us some tips, at one of the stops. We followed him and his group of tourists through the hills for awhile.

The roads are gravel and narrow, but ok.

So remote out here, but love the changing scenery as you travel through dry creek beds and the gum trees are beautiful.

After a couple of hours driving we arrived at Brachina Gorge, wandering around we spotted rock wallabies up on the ridges. So fascinating to watch them duck in and out of their little cave shelters in the rocks.

So hard to see them at first as they are very well camouflaged.

This fellow had such a beautiful long tail.

Watching one with my camera, it came out and leapt over the edge and down onto the next ledge and started eating a bush.

The photos aren’t the clearest, but it was good to see them in their natural habitat.

Driving on to see more in Wilpena Pound, the landscape changed around where the original station had been built. Seemed greener, and prettier.

The old Aroona hut is still standing, and not a bad view from the bedroom window.

We stopped at Stokes lookout, on the way home, it was starting to get quite cold, but the view was nice. Clouds were also getting heavier.

Back at Rawnsley Station we went up the hill to watch the sun set on another good day out.

So many changing colours over a matter of half an hour.

Back at the van the view through my dirty bedroom window, wasn’t too bad either.

The next morning we were on the road by 9, and heading further North to Blinman. We are booked in to stay at the caravan park behind the Pub for 2 nights.

Only 26 people live in the community of Blinman. They are self sufficient, no council and don’t pay rates. The main street has a pub, a cafe and visitor centre. Being an old mining town, the mine tours bring in the tourists, which helps to support most of the community.

As we had done lots of walking the day before, we decided on a drive to Parinchilna Gorge.

On the way out of town we called in to the Wadna craft shop, as well as Angorichina store and caravan park. From there on the road became rougher, as we passed through the valleys and rocky cuttings.

As we drove through this creek bed, there were a mob of goats playing on. a rock , climbing up on it and bunting each other off.

A bit rough going through this area. just as well they haven’t had rain lately

We turned around at the Gorge, and headed back to camp, only stopping for a couple of pics off the ochre rocks .

A nice drive for the day, finished of with a pub dinner that night.

July 23rd

Well I’m a week behind with the blog now. We left Port Augusta and called into the ruins at Kanyaka, on our way into the Flinders Rangers.

There was a lot to see and we set off on foot, from the car park . Its amazing how much work went into building these homesteads, and Stations back in the early 1800s

We had passed a sign saying Death Rock and waterhole, but didn’t stop. when we drove into the ruins, there was a another sign. So we walked ,and walked, till we found a rather insignificant rock, and some sheep around a nearly dry waterhole.

Ok, the long walk back to the cars, more ruins, and over the creek, that was dry, there was an old cemetery.

It seems like the boys were plotting our next move. !

Next stop was a lookout not far from Hawker, to view the southern end of the Flinders

Then it was into Rawnsley Park Station to stay for a couple of nights. We found a nice spot for the two vans, then went up to sit on a hill in the freezing cold to watch the sun set.

The next morning we were up for a hike into the hills to find some aboriginal art on some rocks.

All was going well, nice scenery and the higher we got the better the views, and harder the climb.

Then splat, as if in slow motion, one foot after the other, down I went, face first. My hands saved my phone and nose. It took me a few minutes to get to my feet again. So much pain where a rock had stabbed my left hand.

Off again , we finally made it to the rock art.

Then for the downhill, and the views were great, on such a nice sunny day. And not so hard going.

Back in camp, the sun was setting on the hills around . So some more pics from the lookout on the station.

More on our stay in the rangers tomorrow night hopefully

July 17th

Yesterday we drove out to Bowman Park, it was a working station from the early 1800s, till not so long ago. The remains of the buildings are still there. When you first enter the park there is a children’s play ground, with timber carvings and climbing areas .

Not sure what this fellow is. But different eh!

The remains of the original homestead 1850s

Then the next homestead

The caretaker /gardeners, were very busy while we were there, keeping a close eye on us.

From there we went on to Laura, and up into the hills to a lookout, back over the town.

Back down into the town, it was snack time for us at Meryle’s Cafe, which is a work in progress for the owner, and he is doing a great job, old relics and murals combined with a modern cafe. The place was full when we arrived. And the vanilla slices were good too.

Back through another small town, with murals at the swimming pool. Then a look at the Gladstone gaol, it was closed, so that was it for the day.

This morning we left Crystal Brook for Port Augusta, to meet up with friends and venture into the Flinders Ranges tomorrow.

We only had a couple of stops on the way, one was at the painted silos in Willaburra.

The next was at a lookout, way up in the hills near Wilmington. The view was spectacular although a bit hazy, and rough going to get there.

We pulled up in the RV park in Port Augusta, then went into town for supplies and fuel for the week ahead.

When we got back, the map was put on the table and Chris put his two bobs worth in as we plotted our Flinders trip. I’ve been looking forward to doing this for a few years . The weather is beautiful at the moment, lets hope it stays that way…

July 16th

How beautiful was our beach camp at Tickera.? We arrived mid afternoon, with time to walk along the beach and collect some wood for a fire. We had the place to ourselves, and it was so peaceful, no wind and not too cold.

Even the view at the back of the van was ok. Most beaches around the Gulf have a lot of seaweed on them, this one isn’t as bad as some

That night Chris lit a fire and cooked a BBQ dinner as the sun went down.

The view from our table that night was spectacular.

The next morning the tide had gone out, I mean right out!! Leaving sand flats exposed. Still not a bad view.

Chris decided to go for a long walk, so I thought I’d make a fire pit and cook some scones and a cheese damper. What a disaster, !! I don’t have a camp oven, so a few layers of alfoil was the go. Apparently the coals and rocks were too hot. Bugger… Chris arrived back from his walk, hungry, his only comment was, they taste ok, just have to cut the burnt off. Yeah right!!

I think I’ll stick to photography. The tide slowly came in during the day, and by evening it was looking like another good sunset, with not a cloud in sight.

For the next hour we just marveled at the changing colours and formations as the sun went down. hope you like some of the many photos I took.

The stairway to Heaven was spectacular.

Even after the sun had disappeared ,we were still outside taking photos

The next day we left our little bit of paradise and headed across the farmlands, You never know what you will come across on these back roads. Mostly beautiful scenery, and then there’s a farmer with a quirky sense of humour.

We stopped for lunch at an old school site, lots of bits and pieces to look at, but very neglected

We needed to get water and do some washing, also go to a chemist and maybe a bakery, haha. So we booked into the caravan park at Crystal Brook for 2 nights. A small tidy park in a small town .

July 15th

What a lovely town is Moonta SA. An early morning walk around town, so many old homes are being done up whilst keeping their old world charm. One of the tidiest towns we have stayed in.

We are really slowing down now and taking our time to leave each town. The weather is also being kind to us, cold nights but beautiful days, just the occasional shower in the evening. After Moonta we went inland to Kadina, seems to be the main hub around the Wallaroo area. Did a good shop at Woolworths, and had a look around the main streets that have some nice street art.

Love this peacock mural that is on the wall of a Jewelers.

Lots more heritage buildings and a town clock.

With the fridge full again we went out to Walleroo on the coast, from there we were able to have a walk around the portside town. Meanwhile we got wet before getting back to the van . We were parked up for the night in a RV park just near the grain silos. they don’t have painted art on them, but have a light show projected on them after dark.

Amusing what some people have in their front yard. Still us grey nomads stop and take a photo !

The heritage walk is well done and the wall around the park has artwork that depicts living in Wallaroo from the 1800s to the present day. It was finished during Covid 19, The empty Wharf section is in memory of both the 1917 Spanish Flu and Covid 19 .

The next morning we travelled further up the coast road, stopping briefly at a couple of view points.

A few more klms up the coast we took a rather rough gravel road out to Tickera Beach, which is well up in the Spencer Gulf. A beautiful warm afternoon and finding this protected camp spot on the beach ,we set up and enjoyed our find.

Water views and I even have a nice front garden. This will do us for a few days.

July 11th

The York Peninsular has many gravel roads, and most of them lead to somewhere special. This long straight, goes out to the west coast, a rugged area called White Hut.

A bit further up the coast we called into Point Anne, which has a nice beach.

The coast from Point Anne to Corney Point has some nice viewing areas.

Corney Point Lighthouse and surrounding beaches, I nearly stepped on this little stumpy tail lizard when we were wandering around.

A point of interest was to find the caves at Magazine Bay. Chris went clambering over the rocks thinking the cave was at the far end of the beach, I gave that one a miss, and just went down onto the little bay.

Its a lovely little Bay and I could just imagine sitting there in the peace and isolation, reading a magazine . As I was about to go up the stairs, I looked up and could see another cave above. So that was the one that was advertised. Chris checked it out first, then I followed. and what a great spot for some photos .

Had to be my favourite stop for the day. Would be lovely to do sunset photos from there.

Point Turton, wasn’t far away, so we had a quick walk around the Jetty, before driving back through the lakes towards Yorktown. Stopped to take a couple of pics of an old station ruins, It isn’t open to the public, so before long we were back at camp after another long day.

On Sunday last we met up with friends that are also travelling the area, and drove out to the East coast to have fish and chips for lunch at Edithburgh, and go to the markets there.

A walk around the shops then a drive back to camp through the salt lakes, made for a nice day out, albeit as cold as it was.

We have had a good rest the last couple of days, so today we left Yorktown and headed up through Minlaton, seeing a few quaint things on the way’

The old school at Koolywurtie, and a walk around the old township of Wauraltee, So many of the towns from the 1800s, still have the buildings standing, and we love looking around them.

From there we went back out to the coast, and a stop at Point Victoria. Then on to Moonta Bay. A nice little beach for a few photos, before the rain comes in.

We drove out to the old Moonta Mine site. where the church is still in reasonable condition. Had a wander around the area, seeing some of the mine shafts.

There seems to be more to see around the shopping area as well, so we have decided to stay the night at a RV park in town ,

July 6th

We are going down south again, to look around the York Peninsular, first stop was Julia Bay.

Then down to Port Vincent. There is also a water tower painted, but had to take the photo from the gate.?

Next we stopped in the little town of Standsbury, to have lunch and get a few groceries. The corner Cafe has been painted in art, and stands out well.

There is also a painted silo in town , it didn’t impress me much. Its of a big crab, but it doesn’t stand out.

We have booked into the York caravan park for 3 nights, that way we can unhook the van and do day drives.

One of our drives, was out to the coast and through the town of Coobowie .A few things of interest there as we drove around,

Further down the coast was the seaside village of Edithburgh

Then to our first Lighthouse for the day at Troubridge Point. At first sight I thought how ugly, but when we got to the base of it, I saw, its made of ordinary bricks. Looking up its so tall, very neatly done, and so many little bricks. Yes its ugly, but a real work of art.

Then on to Foul Bay and Marion Bay,

After so many bays , and small town stops, we were at the far end of the peninsular, in Innes National Park, Cape Spencer has some great views and a lighthouse.

From the coast we drove up to a historic township, it was lovely to wander around all the old buildings and take lots of photos. Some of the plants are still around the homes and lilies in flower.

It had been a long day and so making our way up the west coast had only a couple of stops left . One was a view point over a lovely beach where there are the remains of two ship wrecks.

One unintended stop to let this emu cross the road.

Last stop was to see the West Cape Lighthouse . It didn’t look very attractive ,and so I had second thoughts about walking overland to see it close up. But then what the heck, and I was so glad I made the effort. There were lots of Kangaroos feeding all around the cliff tops. They were so quiet, and didn’t worry about me taking photos of them.

Although it was cold, they sure had a table with a view

Oh and as for that Lighthouse, its made out of aluminium, and is not very attractive at all. It was worth the walk just to watch the Roos, before we headed back to the car and our camp at York Town.

July 3rd

After 4 very full days on Kangaroo Island, we took our time the first day back on the mainland . First stopping at Rapid Bay to cook a breakfast of bacon and eggs. Had a walk out on the jetty and looked back at an old quarry site.

Then a stop at a lookout to view back over Lady bay, before going on to see the Myponga reservoir, which doesn’t seem very big.

From there we called in to look around the Nan Hai Pu Tuo Temple . It is still being built, and is situated on the side of a hill overlooking the ocean. Prime land no doubt.

We were welcomed in and told we could take photos around the grounds, but not in the Temple itself. I don’t know anything about the religion, but the temple was very impressive inside.

Wanting to get off the coast for the night we headed up into the hills and stayed at Pink Gums camp in the National Park, near Blewitt Springs. We were booked into a lovely quiet bush camp . Our only neighbour for the night was a sleeping Koala.

Too cute eh!

The next morning we headed out through the Adelaide traffic, and called into North Haven Marina to see how the other half live. So many yachts, and luxury homes built out over the water. Give me a bush camp any day.!

Ok now back to the real world, of small towns and their silo art, to encourage the tourists, had the best coconut and lemon slice as well as hot drinks, from the caffe in Owen, that had these silos in the town.

Further on was this nice old church at Goyder.

Then we went looking at some of the Pink Lakes, one of the larger ones has a lock ness monster, or two in it, as a further attraction.

Then a stop at another small town, Snowtown, to view the art, on a water tower.

Following Wiki Camps, as I do, as we trip around, I found another Pink Lake, just over there I told Chris, But we cant drive on that, the sign says dry weather road only,! and yes it has been a bit wet some days.

Oh well the trusty Triton got us almost there. then I had to get through a wire fence and walk across a golf coarse. You cant do that!, watch me.!!

Now isn’t that a nice pink lake and worth the effort. lets not get stuck getting out of here,

We are going down South for the next week, so called into Bute. How Beautiful is their water tower.

The detail that the Artist has put into it is amazing. Rings on the girls fingers, a pencil behind her ear, and so much more. We stopped there looking at it for quite some time. We both feel that it is the best we have seen, and we have seen so many around the Country.

On our way down the York Peninsula, we stopped for lunch at Ardrossan, and decided that’s it for today. So just down the road we pulled into a bush camp in the sandhills. So a bit sheltered from the chilly sea breeze.

June 29/30th

Our 3rd and 4th day on Kangaroo Island. First up we decided to go down to the far end of the Island from where we are staying, into Flinders Chase National Park. We were greeted by these friendly Barron Geese.

First stop was Cape Du Couedic Light House. and some views around the Cape.

From there we went down, and down to the Admirals Arch.

The further we went down over the cliff, the colder and windier it got. Lots of fur seals were lazing around on the rocks.

When we reached the bottom of the stairs, the wind was gale force through the arch and it had started to rain. Coming straight off the Antarctic, coldest I have ever felt.!!

Just awesome to be able to see this, regardless of the cold.

The boardwalks into these areas are so well done, and make you feel quite safe.

A truly unique National park.

I followed this Roo around, trying to get a photo, and when I did I was amused at how he appears to be picking up a rock. Maybe he had thoughts of throwing it at me .

From there we drove around to Weirs Cove for a look. Back in the early days supplies were brought in by ship to the cove and hauled up the cliff by a flying fox. Goods were then stored in a building, which has now been partially restored.

I hope you like rock photos, because I had a great time taking lots of them at our next stop Kirkpatrick Point. They are called the Remarkable Rocks, carved by nature. Truly Remarkable eh?!!

OK, that’s enough, We walked the track back out of there, and left the park.

This little fellow was catching the last of the sun. He was so quiet I could walk right up to him.

No, Chris don’t do it !!

We called into Hanson Bay, and Vivonne Bay, on our way back to the accommodation, there are so many little caves around the cliffs on the Island.

It has been none stop 3 days, so our last day was a bit slower. Kangaroo Island is far bigger than we expected, and so much to see, we probably should have booked a week. On the last day we are still chasing rainbows as we go down to Seal Bay.

More boardwalks and still following that rainbow, we have been lucky with the weather, yes its cold, and a few showers, but not enough to stop us getting around.

Another beautiful Bay, where you can walk down the boardwalk and see the Seals resting in the sand dunes.

Amazing how high some of the seals climb.

They are hard to see at first, but when you know what your looking for, and zoom in, its great fun watching them, loved watching this family.

My favourite, watching this one come to shore. As we travelled back up the coast and following that rainbow, we stopped in at Wheaton’s Beach.

Sea Dragon rock area.

How beautifully kept is the Willoughby Lighthouse grounds.

Antechamber Bay has a great camping area with this suspension bridge across the Chapman River

Now to the end of our day, and time on the Island a quick stop and pic of the trusty Triton as we came through the hills towards Penneshaw , where we had a walk in the park, before going down to board the ferry.

After a great few days we were ferried back to the mainland as the sun was going down.

So that’s it from.Kangaroo Island.