South Australia

March 2018 - April 2024

An open-ended adventure by Duncan Read more

Currently traveling

23footprints
1countries
2,241days
133photos
0videos
2.4kkilometers

Follow Calendar Share Bucket list

Duncan Grant South Australia
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Mar 2, 2018, 8:21pm
- 🌙 19 °C
- Altitude: 72 m
- Australia Victoria Greater Geelong Drysdale -38.16985, 144.5696938°10’11” S 144°34’11” E
Day 1
Drysdale
March 2, 2018 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 19 °C
All packed and ready to roll !!

However , as we opened the caravan door to
put the last supplies and clothing inside , we
found an attempt had been made overnight
to prise the door open and gain entry to the
van.
We found that the mechanism that secures
the outer door to the inner flyers door had
been damaged and did not secure them
properly so we proceeded with caution only
to be alerted by a road worker that the door
had opened.
We had some elastic straps which held the
doors closed till they could be fixed.

Despite this we made good time to Penola
our first stop.Read more
0 likes
Duncan Grant South Australia
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Mar 3, 2018, 5:02pm
- ☀️ 23 °C
- Altitude: 44 m
- Australia South Australia Wattle Range Maaoupe -37.26629, 140.7293637°15’59” S 140°43’46” E
Day 2
Maaoupe
March 3, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
We took a short trip out to the small hamlet of Maaoupe, the area where Wal and Lorna purchased the property they named "Angus Downs". This land was uncleared with no house but the growing family managed to establish themselves there for approximately ten or so years. Duncan went to a little school at Maacoupe which is the current site of the fire station. Duncan also had the joy of owning his first horse , which was named Francis , and can remember galloping flat out across the swamps and sand hills. We passed Pollards road which lead to his friend, Alex's home and he recalls often riding Francis over to enjoy riding with him. Near Maacoupe lived Lynette, his first flame. The property was named " By The Way" and still is so named today. Our last joy was a sign post near the site of the old school which ironically had Ryan Tracker Road on it -must have been in the crystal ball as many years later fell in love with his last flame Angela Ryan.Read more
1 like
Duncan Grant South Australia
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Mar 3, 2018, 6:37pm
- ⛅ 21 °C
- Altitude: 54 m
- Australia South Australia Wattle Range Penola Penola Caravan Park -37.3861, 140.8337137°23’10” S 140°50’1” E
Day 2
Penola
March 3, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
We spent our first night at Penola-a town approximately 390 kms south of Adelaide and 424 kms west of Melbourne.
Penola is best known for its association with Mary MacKillop, Australia's first Catholic saint, who lived and worked in the area.
Duncan and his family spent several years in the area living and farming at a property they named " Angus Downs ", where they farmed beef and sheep. Wal and Lorna had purchased a large area of natural bush to develop into a functioning farm, initially living near the town and later Wal building a farm house for the family.
We stopped off at Duncan's primary school at Penola- established in1855 and today is a well maintained school, he rememberd playing in the school yard with friends.
We took some time to drive around the town giving Duncan the joy of remembering buildings and stories of his youth. He remembers well attending the local St Mary's Anglican church so he took young Mawson along to learn about being a good boy.
Visitors to the town will find a lively range of cafes, galleries, art and crafts. Nearby is the famous Coonawarra wine region and for those wanting something different you can hire a bike from Penola and ride to the wineries.Read more
Alisha Grant Love it 😊
3/9/18Reply
Trip One Many great memories!
3/17/18Reply
3 likes
Duncan Grant South Australia
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Mar 4, 2018, 10:29am
- ☀️ 17 °C
- Altitude: 45 m
- Australia South Australia Wattle Range Coonawarra -37.29221, 140.8394837°17’32” S 140°50’22” E
Day 3
Coonawarra
March 4, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C
Coonawarra - Australia's red wine centre can be found several minutes from Penola. Taking its name from the Aboriginal word "honeysuckle" it is a famous strip of rich, red terra rossa soil sitting atop deep limestone beds has given rise to many of the nation's finest drops, with a worldwide reputation for unique flavour and quality. Cabernet Sauvignon has become the region's signature drop. The region contains 25 cellar doors, all within 10 mins' drive of one another.
Coonawarra was a spot that Duncan spent a lot of time exploring in his youth He remembers going to the weekly dances at the Memorial Hall and also a young romance with a girl who would later become a Miss Australia - the road that passed her house has now been named after her - Tricia Reschie Rd.
We visited the little house situated along the main road where the Grants made their home whilst the farmhouse at "Angus Downs" was established. The old house has seen its day, but it still had an apple tree in the front yard which had ripe apples falling unpicked to the ground. Angela was more than happy to take advantage of the situation and fill a bag full to munch on whilst holidaying.Read more
2 likes
Duncan Grant South Australia
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Mar 4, 2018, 3:55pm
- ☀️ 19 °C
- Altitude: 5 m
- Australia South Australia Robe Discovery Holiday Robe -37.16404, 139.7846837°9’51” S 139°47’5” E
1
Day 3
Robe
March 4, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C
Robe was founded in 1846 and was a prosperous tall ship port in its heyday, and enjoyed even then as a holiday spot. Still claiming a popular vote with tourists it retaines heritage charm and appeal with beautifully restored old buildings, rugged coastlines and stunning beaches, including Long Beach where you can take a drive onto the beach. On the shores of Guichen Bay, this charming seaside town offers sumptuous seafood, local wines, coastal walks, water sports, pubs, cafes, fashion boutiques and art galleries.
Cape Dombeys' most striking feature is the tall red and white striped Obelisk which makes a striking stand defying the rough weather on decaying limestone cliffs. It original white colour changed to the red and white striped to make visibility easier, up to 20 kms on a clear day. The Obelisk was used to store rockets which were fired to distressed ships, carrying life lines and baskets for bringing passengers ashore. 30 shipwrecks occurring in Guichen Bay in 1853 alone.Read more
Alisha Grant Nice! 👌
3/9/18Reply
2 likes
Duncan Grant South Australia
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Mar 6, 2018, 11:12am
- ☀️ 21 °C
- Altitude: 4 m
- Australia South Australia Robe Discovery Holiday Robe -37.16408, 139.7840837°9’51” S 139°47’3” E
Day 5
Robe Buildings 1
March 6, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
Traveler Been so long since I visited, forgotten how great the buildings are.
3/12/18Reply
1 like
Duncan Grant South Australia
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Mar 6, 2018, 11:12am
- ☀️ 21 °C
- Altitude: 4 m
- Australia South Australia Robe Discovery Holiday Robe -37.16409, 139.7840937°9’51” S 139°47’3” E
Day 5
Robe Buildings 2
March 6, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
0 likes
Duncan Grant South Australia
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Mar 6, 2018, 4:45pm
- ☀️ 30 °C
- Altitude: 4 m
- Australia South Australia Robe Discovery Holiday Robe -37.16404, 139.7841137°9’51” S 139°47’3” E
Day 5
Robe Coastal Plants
March 6, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C
A selection plants noted whilst walking the cliff top coastal walk.
0 likes
Duncan Grant South Australia
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Mar 8, 2018, 10:51am
- ☀️ 30 °C
- Altitude: 11 m
- Australia South Australia Onkaparinga Maslin Beach -35.2301, 138.4719735°13’48” S 138°28’19” E
1
1 1
Day 7
Fleurieu Peninsula
March 8, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C
The Fleurieu Peninsula has a stunning landscape of rolling hills, farmland, national parks, and vineyards, fringed on both sides by sandy white beaches and a rugged coastline of burnt orange cliffs.
We stopped off at Maslin Beach , beautiful clear water and beside the car park was a great kids playground, and also fitness equipment , with a lovely grassed area and a drinking water fountain and a doggie water bowl !!!
A really nice spot but not much shade.
Next we stopped at Moana beach, great little spot. Modern surf life saving club, a great little cafe which stays open till late so we decided we would buy some dinner and sit on the beach to watch the sunset. We spent a few hours at Mclaren Vale before returning to watch the sunset.Read more
Alisha Grant Beautiful photo!
3/9/18Reply
Alisha Grant Stunning
3/9/18Reply
Traveler Looking very relaxed indeed
3/12/18Reply
1 like
Duncan Grant South Australia
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Mar 8, 2018, 1:26pm
- ☀️ 31 °C
- Altitude: 50 m
- Australia South Australia Onkaparinga McLaren Vale -35.21608, 138.5390135°12’58” S 138°32’20” E
Day 7
McLaren Vale
March 8, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C
McLaren Vale is a 45min drive from Adelaide and has an abundance of wineries, cafes and restaurants. It's signature wine is Shiraz and at McLaren Vale you can see spectacular scenery where the vines meet the sea. One of the areas newest draw cards is the d'Arenberg Cube, costing over $13 million to build, this glass structure amongst the vines, is set to become one of Australia's most notable food and wine experiences. It offers a variety of sensory rooms to give you a new appreciation and perspective on wine tasting.
Zerella winery was a favourite, a smaller winery run by several generations of an Italian family. During our tasting we were lucky enough to meet 91 year old Frank, a model for what living on a Mediterranean diet can do , a small man , but stood perfectly straight unaided with a mind a sharp as a tack. There was a great picture of Frank and his grandson on the iron wall at the tasting bar.
We also stocked up on a few tasty supplies from Romeo's grocery, this store has won awards as a top grocer, there were tasting plates of cheese and other yummy things, even a special cheese room which looked fantastic.Read more
1 like