On the way to Swan Hill, we came across this wonderful little spot called Lake Boga, with it's caravan park situated right on the edge of the lake.
Unfortunately, the wind was absolutely howling
so we couldn't stay here.
Just near here is a planetarium, but again, because the weather was not being very considerate, we were not able to attend the planetarium that night for any viewing. Oh! well, guess it could be worse, it could be raining as well.
While I was at the pheasant farm, Greg was not idle. Obviously missing his huge 6' x 6' shed, he built a temporary shelf for my wool & incidentals bag. A man without a shed is a man lost I have long believed and I think now this could be the proof:
Since it wasn't raining the next morning, we decided to take the bikes for a ride and just as we were about to cross the bridge over the Murray River to New South Wales, my trusty back wheel decided it couldn't take the 'cat's eye' burr any longer and let go with a little whooosh!. Well then, a little walk back to the van site and all was well (no blisters anywhere) and Greg also found he had cat's eyes too! And a very flat tyre when he pulled one out (hehe! these burrs are obviously not biased as to what bike tyre they like).
During the afternoon, I found something for Jennifer & Warwick in Swan Hill:-
Friday, 25th May 2012
SWAN HILL, Vic to BARMERA, Sth Aust.
It rained all night steadily and we hooked up this morning in drizzle to make our way into South Australia via Ouyen, Red Cliffs and Irymple. On the Murray Valley Highway near Piangil, the irrigation to crops such as pumpkins, cabbages, cauliflower, apples and oranges is amazing. Hills and hills of orchards and then turning onto the Mallee Highway heading west of Ouyen, the land changed dramatically from the irrigated orchards to sweeping grain crops and then salt pans and back to the crops again. This area was of red soil, extremely flat and a very low rainfall spot.
We also came across large areas devoted to Saltbush farming with signs on the fences as such. I must remember to check this out and what it is being cultivated for.
West of Manangatang the red/pink soil shows signs of large open cut mining, but we couldn't find any information about what was being mined (ore, coal????)
After leaving Ouyen were they said they had only had a miniscual amount of rain overnight, we came across this :-
NOT rain, but dust!
The areas beyond the trees on either side have been so depleted of flora that the topsoil has nowhere to go on a windy day but up and everywhere. There is also a large number of signs asking drivers to beware of the endangered Mallee fowl.
After travelling through Renmark ,where we have stayed on a previous trip, we pushed on over the Historic Renmark bridge and through mile upon mile (acres and acres) of red soil and rock, full of mallee bush and tumbleweeds.
Once through Renmark we stopped for the night at the Barmera Caravan Park on the foreshore of Lake Bonney. Magic, absolutely! Very little in the way of caravans here at this time of the year, but I would imagine in peak season it would be full to the brim and overflowing. Not surprising either, what with watersports, fishing and views like these right at your doorstep:-
After washing down our sundowners with a cold beer and a wine, we made our way across the way to the Hotel for dinner with Spencer Tracey and Katherine Hepburn who watched us quietly from their space on the wall. (Facebooker's would have seen that beautiful pic I uploaded while we waited for our meal).
James Dean looked pretty cool too I might add.
Saturday, 26th May 2012
Barmera to Port Germein
Leaving Barmera, we travelled through Waikeri stopping at the lookout for a view of the Murray River
and then continued on through Morgan
Along the highway heading towards Burra, we came across this sign "WORLD'S END HIGHWAY". Greg didn't want to go that way, just in case it really was. Funnily enough, not long afterwards he commented that the Navara seemed to be struggling even in 5th gear and losing power. (Not good thoughts when your near a highway near Worlds End). But then we noticed the big off roader in front of us wasn't pulling away and golly gosh, we came across a guy on a pushbike (standing up and pumping his legs for all he was worth), so we gathered that the really straight, flat road was actually a pretty steady incline that is not really noticeable.
Lunching and fueling up in Burra, we continued on to Port Germein for the night.
Port Germein has the largest wooden jetty in the Southern Hemisphere (5,500 ft). The other photo shows how far the shallow low tide is also.
Sunday, 27th May 2012 Port Germein to Venus Bay
Today we travelled pretty much most of the time to get to Venus Bay on the West Coast of the Eyre Penninsula. (Just south of Streaky Bay, this is a really pretty spot, with a permanent population of only 20).
Pt Augusta's Power Station |
Iron Knob Mine |
VENUS BAY, SA (mmmmmm!) Home of the best garfish burgers in the world. |
On the way, we travelled past Port Augusta, Iron Knob Mine and several long stretches of vast ploughed land.
Hopefully tomorrow will be fine enough for us to go fishing and maybe catch a King George Whiting or two for dinner (crosses fingers).
Until next time............ cheers to you all :)
1 comment:
South Australia already? You'll be back in Inver's in a few weeks. Slow down, stay a few day in one town, and relax. Hope you are enjoying the trip. Keep Greg away from 4W Driving (I don't think it's his forte). And next time you plan a holiday, get over here, and visit the Whanau. Mick and Megan.
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