Caravanning Diary

Elliston Caravan Park. SA

Tag - Along -Tour

2009
(3)

Coastline near Elliston Sa.

WEEK 1 - WEEK 2 - WEEK 3 - WEEK 4 - WEEK 5

Thursday 17th Sept 12009 - Day 15 - Elliston
Some weather came through overnight. The wind came up and the awning rattling kept waking me up during the night. I was awake by 6:30am so decided to get up and make a cup of tea. We dressed and had breakfast fairly early by our standards. This morning was a free morning with nothing planned as Geoff and Sue had to arrange to get the damaged van to the mechanic for repairs. The new parts had arrived overnight so work could commence straight away. The rest of us stayed in the CP and had a cleanup day, washing clothes, cleaning the van, and generally enjoying each others company. By mid-morning the clouds and wind had abated and it turned out a nice sunny day. By lunch time Sue & Gary's van had been repaired and returned to the CP. In the afternoon we all drove to Locks Well Beach for a look at the magnificent scenery of the coastline there. Some of us even went down the 283 step staircase (60m) to the beach below. I decided not to go as I knew when you go down you have to come up again as well. Locks Well Beach is renowned for its Salmon Fishing in June, July and August each year. On the way back to the CP we (Geraldine and I) pulled into the Elliston Jetty for a look see. This heritage listed jetty was built in 1900 primarily for the shipping of wheat and wool from the area. It is one of only three jetties that has been built with steel pylons being screwed into the sea bed, by horse drawn winch.
In the evening we had our Happy Hour/Briefing in the Camp Kitchen and then went back to our van for dinner and a quiet night at home. Some of the group continued the night and participated in card games and scrabble or played table tennis .

Going down was easy!	Locks Well Beach
Coming back up was harder!	Heritage listed Elliston Jetty.

Friday 18th Sept 2009 - Day 16 - Streaky Bay
Today we packed up ready for our trip to Streaky Bay via Venus Bay (morning tea break). Ron & Beverly were up early as usual and were dressed and already hitched up before I even got out of bed. We got underway by 9:30am driving into a reasonable head/side wind. Surprisingly, a number of us all checked our wheel nuts before leaving, for some strange reason.!!
We arrived in Venus Bay around 10:30am and parked our vans near the jetty car park. After morning tea, some went for a walk to the lookout at the top of the road and others walked to the jetty. I heard Malcolm was trying to buy prawns from the trawler tied up at the jetty but came back empty handed. Don't think anyone was home. I bought a couple of pies for Geraldine and myself for morning tea and managed to feed half the seagull population of Venus Bay. After taking some photos for the website we continued our journey to Streaky Bay Caravan Park where we arrived around lunch time. Eleven vans turning up at the same time does cause a bit of a traffic jam but we all managed to park our vans without major problems. Joe & Pat think they have been banned from the group because he ended up on a site miles from the rest of us. I think it was more to do with the fact he wanted a drive through site ,(so I have been told).
I spent the afternoon trying to get my sat dish lined up with the satellite but had no luck. I am seriously thinking of ditching the dish and buying another one. I'm sure the dish is the problem. As it was, after putting up the terrestrial antenna we have a better quality picture anyway. Imparja tonight for the NRL Semi Finals , TITANS v EELS. NB: (EELs won.)
The Happy Hour was held on the beach behind Sue & Gary's van. Geoff welcomed new arrivals from Victoria, Jack & Anne who are joining us for the remainder of the tour. Dinner was as you like, BBQ, cook your own or buy Fish & Chips from the local cafe in the CP. We opted for the Fish & Chips and spent the night watching the NRL game and George Gently. Tomorrow I must go to town and discuss sat systems with the local expert.

The magnificent coastline near Venus Bay	Looking in the other direction
Happy Hour gets underway	Helen,John,Margaret, Nancy,Pat & Geoff
Pelicans lining up for a free feed.	The Happy Hour breaks up for dinner.

Saturday 19th Sept 2009 - Day 17 - Streaky Bay
Today the group are traveling to Smoky Bay for a picnic lunch, with morning tea break at Haslam. I went into town to look at purchasing a new dish but the shop owner decided not to open until later in the morning so we gave it a miss and chased after the others. We caught up with them in Haslam and then convoyed to Smoky Bay. Perlubie Beach, Haslam and Smoky Bay are sleepy little fishing villages ideal for retirement or fishing enthusiasts. After lunch we walked the length of the jetty talking to fishermen to find out if they were biting or not. The end of the jetty has been damaged and is now occupied by seagulls and comerants. Some of the gulls were nesting and had young chicks.
We were soon on our way returning to Streaky Bay for a nanna nap before Happy Hour. The entertainment tonight was compliments of Alan & Helen Ormsby who organised for us all to have balloon races along the beach , entertaining the rest of the caravan park residents. We all had a giggle as we watched the participants waddling along with balloons between their legs.
Later, Nell led the group through a singalong playing her accordion. The group broke up for dinner and we headed off to watch the BRONCOS v DRAGONS game on Imparja.

The Post Office at Haslam.	Picnic Lunch at Smoky Bay
Geraldine leads Nell in the "Balloon Race"	Nell leads the group in a Singalong

Sunday 20th Sept 2009 - Day18 - Streaky Bay
Sunday morning and no time to sleep in. We were off to Cape Bauer , Point Labatt on the Calca Peninsula and Murphy's Haystacks, an all day drive with morning tea and lunch breaks. Before we even got underway we had dramas. MarJons' 'Sahara Cruiser' would not start. The RAA had to be called in. The mechanic turned up and after charging the battery and jiggling some wires the engine roared into life and we were off. First we drove to Cape Bauer and the whistling Rocks and Blowholes loop. Then we continued on to a place called 'Smooth Pool' on the Westall Way Loop a coastal scenic drive, where we had morning tea break. Then on to the 'Granites' a lookout overlooking the magnificent coastline of Corvisart Bay.
Onwards to Point Labatt and the seal/sea lions colony. There were a number of seals sunning themselves on the beach below the observation platform. There were also black-faced shags, red necked stints, and crested terns congregating on the rocks amongst the seals. We stopped for lunch here in the car park. No ablutions around so at various times people disappeared into the surrounding bush. The road in and out of Point Labatt was packed gravel and dirt that had not been graded for some time, consequently it was rough in places with bad corrugations. After lunch we headed to Murphy's Haystacks a field full of 'Granite Inselbergs' , large granite rocks jutting out of the ground that from a distance look like haystacks. Entry fee was $2 pp., honesty box. We then drove back to Streaky Bay along the Flinders Highway where we refueled before heading back to the CP.
In the evening we all went to the Streaky Bay Hotel for dinner. A very pleasant evening with friends. We also bumped into Rene, an old work friend whom I hadn't seen for many years. Turns out he and his wife were nearing the end of a 13 month tour around Australia and were heading back to Adelaide. He had taken early retirement as well. When we worked together in Adelaide back in the 80's we used to discuss going on the road caravaning when we retired , and here we are doing it. Tomorrow we head inland to Wudinna and the Gawler Ranges.

The Blowholes at Cape Bauer	Lunch at Point Labatt.
MarJon's 'Cruiser' won't start.	Seals at Point Labatt.

Monday 21st Sept 2009 - Day 19 - Wudinna
Woken up at 4am by thunder and rain. A couple of storms were passing through on their way to Adelaide. Elliston was hit by a big hail storm around 9am and damage was caused to the Hospital. Some cars and vans in the Elliston CP were hail damaged.
We packed up in clear sunny weather in Streaky Bay. A clear patch of blue sky was passing over us at the time. By 9:30am we started moving and we had a convoy traveling out of town and heading towards Poochera. My CB radio battery ran flat so I didn't know what was being said over the radio. Poochera was to be our first stop for morning tea but the convoy continued on its way towards Minnipa. We stopped in the rest area on the highway adjacent to the town. We had morning tea there and then did a walk around the town. A storm moved in from the west and it soon started raining. Some quick spending in the local general store and a rush to get back to the cars to get out of the rain. Then the hail came down, luckily only small bits, not like the golf balls that hit Elliston earlier. The convoy moved off towards Wudinna 35kms away in the rain. Allan and myself drove along the back edge of the storm and were mostly in sunshine whilst the rest were in the rain. There is more traffic on this highway, road trains and large trucks , traveling to and from the west coast of WA.
Round lunch time we arrived in Wudinna at the CP. Chris and Rhonda (Baldeagle) were waiting for us. They had arrived the day before to rejoin the Tag a Long. Chris organised the sites before we arrived and directed us to them. In no time we were all parked in our allocated spots setting up camp. The afternoon was free time to do some housekeeping. We did some shopping and were late for the 5pm briefing. A round of applause when we finally walked into the meeting. Joe and Pat provided the entertainment, proving once again that nobody takes any notice of prices when they walk around the supermarket!! Afterwards the group either had a BBQ or did their own thing for dinner. In the evening it was games and cards night for some and relaxing in their vans for others. Not many people had luck with their TVs. The word had got around that the repeater had been knocked out by lightning. That probably explains why I couldn't tune in the stations during the afternoon. I set up my Sat TV instead and have finally solved the dish problem I had. The LNB arm needed to be bent out a little so that it pointed at the signal sweet spot. Success at last!!

Wet weather in Wudinna

Rainy days in Wudinna

Tuesday 22nd Sept 2009 - Day 20 - Wudinna
The rain started early in the morning before we got up. The weather report is for severe weather on the Eyre Peninsula today as a Low system moves through. Should be a fun day!! Morning tea at the Wudinna Bakery this morning, reports have come through that the roads into the Gawler Ranges National Park are currently impassable so we won't be going bush today! We all arrived at the Bakery at 10am. It must have been the busiest time that they have had for some time. We all managed to find a seat and had our cappuccinos , cakes, pies,etc. Then back to the CP as it continued to rain on and off all day. The wind blew a gale across the paddocks behind the CP all day. After lunch some of the group played cards or other board games whilst others stayed in their vans. I booked our seats on the Pitchi Ritchi train for next Saturday over the Internet. Now all I need to do is find some way to print out my invoice which was emailed to me. (Sorted out by borrowing MarJon's printer).
The afternoon was spent indoors either in the van or playing cards in the pool room. The weather did not let off till later in the evening. Happy Hour at 5pm was followed by a BBQ dinner or home cooked meal in the van. We spent the evening watching TV.

Wednesday 23rd Sept 2009 - Day 21 - Wudinna
This morning things were looking up. The bad weather had abated overnight and the sun was coming out again. Today it is Sue's Birthday . Happy birthday Sue!!! :-) Decision was made to leave at 9:45am and drive to Mt Wudinna for morning tea and a brisk walk to the summit. The roads outside Wudinna are mainly all gravel or graded dirt. They were in remarkably good condition despite the rain yesterday. Before Mt Wudinna we stopped at Polda Rock which was the original water collection point for the area. Pioneers had built walls at the base of the rock to collect run-off water that was directed to a reservoir below it. Mt Wudinna is the second largest monolith in Australia next to Uluru. It too was a water collector for the area, having walls built at its base that redirected the water down channels to a water tank a short distance away. The climb up Mt Wudinna was a moderate one with most of us making it to the top. Once there the walk back to the car park was easy being all down hill. We then drove round Pygery Rocks which was over 4wd tracks on a local property. Some of the group who have not had much 4wd experience were given a taste of bush bashing. After finding our way back to the main road we then headed back to the CP for lunch . Some of us went to the Bakery again and had lunch there.
In the afternoon, we drove to Minnipa and then out to Pildappa Rock, Turtle Rock and Tcharkuldu Rock which are various sized granite outcrops in the surrounding countryside. Pildappa Rock is a mini Wave Rock (similar to the one outside Hyden in WA) with distinctive wave shaped sides. Some of the group walked to the top of Pildappa Rock to view the surrounding country. Back to the CP for the 5pm briefing where Geoff gave out prizes to each couple for......I don't know!! Entertainment tonight was with Chris & Rhonda who had us play pass the parcel. Dinner tonight was from the Motel kitchen , which we enjoyed very much. We all had a great time and lots of laughs. As it was Sue's Birthday today, she received a special dessert with lit candles., and a rendition of Happy Birthday by everyone. The Candles were special ones that wouldn't go out. Kept Sue blowing for quite a while. :-)
Unfortunately, due to the weather the previous day we were unable to visit the Gawler Ranges National park.