The Eyre Peninsular.

We arived at Whalla and booked onto the tour of the local steelworks for a laugh. It was very interesting and even Graham learnt something! We then carried on down to Cowell where we managed to get involved in the Monster Meat raffle that night. Graham was even presented with a Hey Chooky Chook Chook and Meat Monster tie and membership. The following morning we set of for Port Lincoln right at the bottom of the peninsular and then round to Coffin Bay which was beautiful. The weather has started to get a lot warmer and we set off on the Oyster Walk. The area is famous for it's oysters they are said to be the best in the world! We some how managed to lose the trail but found a family of emus instead. Eventually we re-joined the walk only to lose our way again but were ointed in the right direction by a couple sitting on their terrace. They must have seen many a lost walker. We managed to get as far as the yatch club and veered off in the direction of the bar. Following morning we left to travel up the west coast calling in to Elliston and Streaky Bay. The final leg was to Ceduna where we are stopping for a couple of days to prepare for the Nullabor.

The Flinders Ranges.

The Flinders Ranges won the day and we set off for Wilpena Pound which is about 150K north of Port Augusta. On the way up we stopped at some cave paintings at Yourambulla and then up to the Pound. On a walk to the Hills Homestead we saw roos, emus and mountain goats but managed to miss the homestead. Left the next morning and walked to see the solar power farm that provides the resort with it's power. There were roos everywhere. We stopped at the ruined Kanyaka homestead and then motored on to Wyalla at the top of the Eyre Peninsular.

The Yorke Peninsular.

We left Adelaide on 8th September and headed west for the Yorke Peninsular but we decided to stop at Port Adelaide for a quick look round. As we arrived a harbour cruise was about to set off so as it was only $5 each for a 2 1/2 hour cruise we decided to go. They also promised that we would see some dolphins. It was very good if not a bit cold and I think the dolphins must have been on their lunch break as they only turned up at the end and I missed them. We then carried on toward the peninsular passing through Port Wakefield. It has to be said the Yorke Peninsular was not as interesting as some of the places we have visited mostly farm land. Next stop was Port Augusta where we had to decide where to go next. Do we go into the Finders Ranges, into the Outback up to Coober Pedy or down the Eyre Pensinular. Too many choices!

The view of Adelaide from Mount Lofty!

Adelaide.

We arrived in Adelaide on 1st September and decided to stay for a week. The weather has improved and it's quite hot. I've even taken my fleece off. We are staying in the suburb of Hackney and the Hackney Hotel is just next door. After getting all the chores done we headed into the city and took the free city loop bus to see what was what. Stopped at various markets and mooched arount the shopping centre. We walked back through the botanical gardens and took the guided walk round the following morning. Monday we went to the Royal Adelaide Show. It's like the Royal Show in the UK. There was a big funfair and the show arenas and all the animals. It was a great day out. Tuesday we got the tram to Glenelg which is on the coast and we wandered around until it stratred to rain when we headed back into the city. We visited the museum and the State Library which had a collection of Donald Bradman's cricketing stuff. Wednesday we only wandered around the city. Thursday we decided to go into the Adelaide hills to Mount Lofty where you get amazing views of Adelaide. When we left the weather was fine but by the time we got there it had started to rain and we had missed the connecting bus to the top. Undaunted we decided to walk to the top through the botanical gardens little did we realise how far and how steep some of the walk was. We reached the top looking like a couple of drowned rats and no view to be seen. Still we did manage to get the bus back.Friday we left Adelaide and headed off to Port Adelaide. A cruise round the harbour to see the dolphins was about to leave as we got there and as it was only $5 each for 2 1/2 hours we decided to go. The cruise was good but didn't see many dolphins. We then headed off to the Yorke Peninsular.

The Murray River.

The weather had started to improve so we headed of up the Murray River. We stopped for breakfast at palce called Caloote Ramp. There was a old guy sat by the river playing his guitar and a dog wandered over and jumped into the van. Sat outside to have my breakfast and a magpie jumped onto the table and sat eyeing up my breakfast. The next thing I know it's had the food off my fork! Finished the rest pretty quick before I had to share too much! We spent the rest of the day wandering along the river and ended up at Swan Reach for the night. The following morning we set off through Blanchetown where there is the first of several locks and we were lucky that as we stood watching the paddle steamer Murray Princess was about to go through. We then travelled on through Barmera and finished up at Berri. We left Berri the next morning and the first thing we came across was the big orange. It is a very big orange with a viewing platform, a huge mural and coffee and gift shop. Carried on to Renmark where we walked along the river. Decided then to start heading in the general direction of Adelaide. Managed to get as far as Morgan which was at one time a very busy port on the Murray. Did the heritage walk (most places have them) and ended up in the pub as you do. Left Morgan the following morning and headed direct to Adelaide.We've finally managed to get there it's only taken nearly three weeks!! At this rate we will still be in Perth at Christmas.

The Fleurieu Penisular.

We left Strathalbyn and carried on down the Fleurieu Pennsular stopping at Goolwa, Middleton to watch more whales, Victor Harbour where we walked round Granite Island which is attached to the main land by a causeway. There is a horse drawn tram that takes you across bit Graham wouldn't let me go on it. We then carried on to Cape Jarvis where we planned to get the ferry to Kangarro Island. However when we found that it was going to cost us over A$300 plus having to pay to see everything once we got there we decided that it was a rip off and didn't go. We then carried on up the other side of the peninsular to Murray Bridge.

The Limestone Coast.

Left Mount Gambier in the pouring rain and decided to get as far as possible. Stopped off in robe for a bit more whale watching and finished in Kingston. We then travelled up along the Coorong National park which consists of a 145k long 3k wide peninsular made of sand dunes. At 42 Mile crossing we stopped to walk over the dunes to the beach. The beach was made up of sand and piles and piles of empty shells of all different colours. On our way back to the van Graham saw what he thought was something dead. I'm not sure who got the biggest shock. Graham or the emu which was the dead body! To make matters worse for Graham the emu was sitting on it's eggs. Neadless to say we beat a hasty retreat before it got upset. Carried on through Menigie, Tailem Bend and then to Wellington on the free ferry and finally ended in Strathalbyn.

Finally crossed the border into South Australia.

We left Warrnambool and headed on round the coast. Finally managed to leave Victoria and have now entered South Australia. We decided to spend a couple of days at Mount Gambier which is built by an extinct volcano as there seemed to be a fair bit to do. Our first visit was to the Englebrecht Caves which run under the town and main road. We then visited the lakes which are in the craters of the volcanos. Was going to walk round them until we realised just how far it was so drove instead.

There was a small wildlife park so we walked round that instead. There were loads of roos and wallabies and even a couple of emus. We then went on to the Umpherson sinkhole which is a deep hole in the ground caused by the water seeping through the limestone and evenually causing a collapse. A garden had been made in itand possums come out at night to feed. Came back after dark with a nice fruit salad for the possums. Didn't realise how sharp their teeth are and their claws!