26 October 2009

Eyre and Yorke Peninsulas SA Australia

Travelled: 4650km/14 days to Eyre Peninsula and the Yorke Peninsula South Australia
Stay: Williamston SA, Fitzgerald Bay, Pt Gibbon, Lipson Cove, Fishery Bay, Coffin Bay, Talia Caves, Streaky Bay, Pildappa Rock, Port Pirie, The Gap, Marion Bay, McLaren Vale, Horsham Vic.

We began our journey with a long drive through Victoria via Horsham and Tailem Bend, stopping at Pink Lakes to stretch our legs and admire the colour. 
We bypassed Adelaide and were happy to finally stop after 750km at a small camp ground in Williamston SA.
Along our way the next day we drove through Clare and visited the old goal in Gladstone. It was built in 1881 and used for inebriates and debtors until 1920. During WWII it was an internment camp for Italians and Germans. It eventually was closed in 1975.
In Laura we stopped for a famous ice cream. We thought Melrose was a nice town but we continued on through Wilmington, Horrocks Pass and fueled up in Port Augusta. That evening we free camped on the shores of Fitzgerald Bay with an amazing sunset.
The next morning we walked around Pt Lowry lighthouse.
Then drove into Whyalla which is an important hub for the peninsula. SO much of the town was covered in red dust from the ore mine.
Further along the coast we bought some oyster in Cowell then found a lovely spot at Pt Gibbon at Mills Steps.
We couldn't resist  a walk out on the jetty at Arno, a very small fishing village. Squid is often caught here.
We ate lunch at Port Neill and walked along the picturesque foreshore.
The camp at Lipson Cove was very pretty with the red dirt, white sands and aqua coloured water.
We thought Tumby Bay was lovely and had a look at Second Creek, then continued on to Port Lincoln.
At the tourist office we purchased a key to drive through Whalers Way that is privately owned. There was some dramatic coast line along here.
We decided to stay at Fishery Bay for the night with a great spot on the cliff overlooking the beach.
Then it was onto Coffin Bay situated at the tip of the peninsula. We bought some oysters direct from the farmsheds out the back of this quaint village and spent the night at the caravan park.
We were awed by the coastal views near Elliston.
We were lucky that there was still some bread available...
We explored Talia Beach and Woolshed Cave. 
Then camped on the cliffs for the night. It was wild and windy as a storm came over us.
The next morning we visited Murphy's Haystacks which are weathered granite rock formations.
We saw some seals at Point Labatt.
At Point Westall we walked down to the Granites.
That night we stayed at Streaky Bay caravan park.
We had a morning cuppa at Smoky Bay.
The had a walk out on the jetty at Haslam.
We continued on away from the coast to Pildappa Rock. There were great views from the top and the wave formations along the base. 
We feasted on Coffin Bay oysters for dinner.
Further east we had a look at Mount Wudinna which was bigger than Pildappa.
We got a photo of the iconic galah in Kimba, the half way point across Australia.
We stayed at the caravan park in Port Pirie with a spot looking over the river and the nearby ranges.
We had a short walk in Kadina and admired the buildings.
The copper mining town of Moonta on the Yorke Peninsula is known as "Little Cornwall" and so we stopped to have some delicious pasties.
We found a lovely beach front spot at The Gap and were wowed by another spectacular sunset.
We got some fuel in Maitland and did some shopping in Minlaton then continued following the coast road stopping at Corny Point lighthouse.
We drove through Point Annie and Gleesons Landing. Near Marion bay we managed to find a cheeky spot overlooking Salmon Beach.
As we head back on the east coast we admired the brick light house at Tourbridge Point.
There were huge silos at Port Giles.
We were happy to arrive at the caravan park in McLaren Vale and get a nice shady spot.
As we made our way back into Victoria we gazed over some beautiful country side.
Then took the Wellington Ferry across the Murray River.
Our last night was in the Horsham caravan park ending our quick exploration of a couple of SA's peninsulas, promising ourselves we will go back.