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Port MacDonnell

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5 travelers at this place:

  • JulieReganAdventuresChristmas 2017 Adventure
    Day11

    Coonawarra

     January 2, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    Again we were thwarted with our picturesque vision of biking amongst the vineyards. This time it was too cold and a nasty wind. The road the wineries were on was also the open highway so multiple large trucks roaring past at 110km were another deterrent.

    We had a slower start after our large drive the day before and the colder temperature. Our first stop was Connawarra township which consist of a large cell phone tower, a general store and two wineries. Next we had a good wander around Penola. There has been considerable time and money spent on preserving the history of the area. It was all started including the grapes by John Riddoch and the other famous local was Mary McKillop who has recently become Australia's first saint.

    Our first wine tasting was at Patrick's and then a family vineyard called DiGrigorio. Lunch was then called for and the bakery back in Penola was the best option. It was so busy and very good products including a spectacular chocolate milkshake for Regan. Next winery was Majella who supposedly has the best sparkling Shiraz in the area, it was good and we bought 2 bottles for a special occasion. The final visit was Bloc that had an awesome Shiraz. Somehow there was nearly another dozen bottles in the back of the car and the camper van is now officially full.

    We did a bit of drive to a few other places marked on the tourist maps. We drove up the driveway of an old stately house called Yallum Park only to read a sign right at the house to say it was not open to the public. Quiet dinner in our camper as it was a very cool evening. The very quiet campground was all settled down for the night by 9:30pm.    Read more

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  • JulieReganAdventuresChristmas 2017 Adventure
    Day13

    Port McDonnell

     January 4, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    It was a very short drive today, only 100km in total. Fifty kilometres to Mount Gambier where we stopped to get some supplies and more bike tubes as we are slightly paranoid after 3 flat tyres so far this trip. We visited the Cave Gardens and wondered why they would choose to settle a town right on top of a large cave. There is massive amounts of limestone in this area so caves and sink holes are not that uncommon.

    We drove right past the Blue Lake on our way to the beach. It is an amazing colour but we weren't able to stop and take any photos. We are at the beach by 1:30 pm and all set up by 2. It is a typical beachside camping ground with lots of shelter to protect the campers from the southern ocean winds. After lunch we walked the the beach, quite refreshing, lots of seaweed and evidence of blue jellyfish so swimming not so appealing. It was wonderful to walk along the beach getting our legs wet. I think it is the Aquarian in me that makes feel happy by the sea.

    We biked into town before gin o'clock and got our bearings, pretty quiet with a cafe, pub, grocer, petrol station and a fishing charter business. They fish for lobsters here so there were a large number of commercial fishing boats in the harbour, not many recreational ones. Back to the camp for another BBQ and salad meal, don't you love summer.    Read more

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  • JulieReganAdventuresChristmas 2017 Adventure
    Day15

    Port McDonnell

     January 6, 2018 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 40 °C

    Port McDonnell is definitely a place where you go to do nothing and relax. Regan and I took two drives out to see the local attractions and were back within an hour. The Bay faces directly into the Southern Ocean so the water is cooler and there was lots of seaweed in the water.

    There has been a colony of fairy penguins there for a long time but about 18 months ago a storm took away the cliff where their breeding ground was. It left the penguins vulnerable to the foxes so most of them have left the area.

    In between these two outings we did more reading, drinking and of course eating. Regan has finished 3 books so far and the 4th will be done by tomorrow. I think my count is at 8 so almost one a day! Feeling very relaxed now. We treated ourselves to a delicious dinner out on our last night and I had an incredible seafood platter with beautiful fresh locally caught produce.    Read more

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  • JulieReganAdventuresChristmas 2017 Adventure
    Day4

    Boxing Day

     December 26, 2017 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    Boxing Day saw us pack up and move on from Mildura for the 370km drive across to Clare. Coffee at Renmark overlooking the Murray. Temperature was still very warm. Julie drove from there to try out the towing skills. The braking abilities of the car and caravan were put to the test as 4 large emus decided to run out in front of us at 100 km/hr. (we were also doing 100km/hr! ) The car and van stopped straight as an arrow and in quite a hurry.

    We were very much on alert after that. The roads are straight and long but some of them are narrow as well with lots of scrub on the verges. The 110km/hr limit isn't always comfortable with a van in tow so we were mostly around the 100 mark. Lunch was on the banks of the Murray at Morgan then onward to Clare. Was still very warm. Low 30's. We are slowly getting used to the warm nights without aircon. After setting up at camp which was very quiet we settled down to a few wines and food. Tomorrow's forecast is a lot warmer.    Read more

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You might also know this place by the following names:

Port MacDonnell, Порт-Мак-Доннел

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