South Australia

This trip is a gift from Jenny which culminates in a cage dive with Great White Sharks at Port Lincoln. Read more

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December 28, 2018
South Australia
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Friday, December 28, 2018 at 11:24 AM
⛅ 35 °C
Altitude: 111 m
Australia Salt Lake -36.403316, 141.96055636°24’12” S 141°57’38” E
En Route to McLaren Vale
December 28, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 35 °C
Well this was the first part of the trip in the newly minted “Silver Bullet” fresh wheels and bumper repair. Still such a great little car to drive especially when you need some speed to overtake...140kmh quite effortless.
A hot day on the road however still a very pleasant drive. Hottest recorded temperature was at a salt lake @ 39 degrees celsius just outside of Dimboola.Read more
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Friday, December 28, 2018 at 4:10 PM
⛅ 35 °C
Altitude: 127 m
Australia Kaniva -36.380388, 141.24949736°22’49” S 141°14’58” E
En route to McLaren Vale
December 28, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 35 °C
Next stop was a few other towns along the way with some cool artwork at the township of Coonalpyn. The township commissioned the artwork to get people to stop in the town and the figures painted on the silo came from 5 students that the artist observed and decided to then paint onto the silo...cool effect and yes people do stop ;).
Also stopped at Bordertown for some baked goods from the town bakery and really enjoyed my choice...meat and vegetable pasty.Read more
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Saturday, December 29, 2018 at 11:08 AM
🌧 19 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Australia Warland Reserve -35.557475, 138.62530535°33’27” S 138°37’31” E
Victor Harbour
December 29, 2018 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 19 °C
A relatively short trip from McLaren Vale to Victor Harbour. The place has changed somewhat since I last visited about 30 years ago. Case in point there is an underwater tuna viewing opportunity about 200 meters off the beach which alllows people to swim with the tuna in a large pen.Read more
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Saturday, December 29, 2018 at 11:46 AM
🌧 19 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Australia River Hindmarsh -35.564312, 138.63449235°33’52” S 138°38’4” E
Granite Island
December 29, 2018 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 19 °C
As the name implies the island about 450 meters from the Victor Harbour beach is comprised mostly of granite and is also covered with lichen. The lichen secretes an acid which over thousands of years reduce the granite boulders to soil.
Since my last visit the island has also become a sculpture park with a range of sculptures scattered around the 45 minute walk.
There are a few species of wildlife that inhabit the island namely: small penguins, possums, herons, pacific gulls, seals and magpies.
Probably the most impressive aspect of the island was the breakwater that was built in the 1890’s only by horse and man power which is very impressive when you see the size of it.Read more
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Sunday, December 30, 2018 at 8:30 AM
☀️ 16 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Australia Fishery Bay -35.612614, 138.08593835°36’45” S 138°5’9” E
Kangaroo Island
December 30, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C
Traveling to Kangaroo Island from Cape Jervis which is a small town and if not for the ferry service would probably not exist.
Kangaroo Island is quite a big island approx 160 kms long and produces lots of local product including wine, olives, meat, cheese, olive oil etc.
It is also home to a myriad of other small businesses including emu oil, art galleries, honey manufacturing and many types of farming.Read more
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Sunday, December 30, 2018 at 10:14 AM
⛅ 17 °C
Altitude: 31 m
Australia Seal Bay -35.993155, 137.31915335°59’35” S 137°19’9” E
Seal Bay
December 30, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
Most of the seals on Kangaroo Island were almost hunted to extinction in the late 1800’s and since being protected as a species (both NZ fur seals and Australian sea lions) they have made a steady recovery.
This Bay is an ideal nursery for the seals as the bay has a reef that protects it from large predators such as great white sharks and is also ideal for sunning and teaching the seal pups how to swim and hunt.
The sea lions are such named due to their coloring and amber colouring that mimics a mane.
Great reconstruction of a juvenile humpback whale skeleton which I have captured in a photo.
The conservation centre is well managed and the ramps provide good access to the viewing of the seals. In earlier times it appears that visitors were able to walk up to the seals to closely observe them but that has changed with improved knowledge of these mammals.Read more
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Sunday, December 30, 2018 at 11:36 AM
⛅ 19 °C
Altitude: 23 m
Australia Mount Bloomfield -35.951, 137.24488835°57’4” S 137°14’42” E
Little Sahara Sand Dunes
December 30, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C
This place, as its name suggests is all about sand dunes and there are large sand dunes in this area which many people either toboggan down or use sand boards similar to snow boards to plane down the slopes.
The sand is deposited inland from strong winds which continually build up the dunes increasing their size and appeal.
They also hire out fat bikes 🏍 for riding around the area and these are quite modern models as evidenced by the photo. These seem to have bigger wheels than the ones we used on Cable Beach which allow riders to navigate the dunes and much lighter drier sand.
It made me realize that being lost in the desert with nothing but dunes all around you would be very confronting and send you stir crazy quite quickly. Not to mention how difficult it was to walk up them...exhausting over time.Read more
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Sunday, December 30, 2018 at 1:33 PM
☀️ 20 °C
Altitude: 11 m
Australia Hanson Bay -36.017186, 136.85287536°1’2” S 136°51’10” E
Hanson Bay
December 30, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C
Hanson Bay is a typical beautiful inlet very characteristic of King Island. Most of the beautiful bays around the island have small shacks available for rent and the setting is idyllic.
Sorely tempted to have a swim and would have done so but forgot my bathers. That normally would not prevent me having a swim but in respect to Jenny and the other tourists I thought better of it.
The water is so clear and has so many different hues of blue.
I suspect that there are very few locals that live in the area permanently.Read more
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Sunday, December 30, 2018 at 2:08 PM
☀️ 20 °C
Altitude: 74 m
Australia Rocky River -35.952453, 136.73638835°57’9” S 136°44’11” E
Flinders Chase National Park
December 30, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C
Two nomadic koalas 🐨 resting after a hard day doing nothing in particular. Due to the restricted nature of their diet (eucalyptus leaves) koalas have little energy and spend most of their time sleeping in high branches.
This mother still has a cub in tow and the koalas on Kangaroo Island where they were introduced from the mainland are a success story as their numbers have flourished to the point where they have had to sterilize some to protect the health of the overall colony from eating themselves to starvation.Read more
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Sunday, December 30, 2018 at 4:18 PM
☀️ 18 °C
Altitude: 107 m
Australia Weirs Cove -36.042314, 136.73109536°2’32” S 136°43’52” E
Lighthouse & Admirals Arch
December 30, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C
The national parks in Sth Australia are well maintained and granted this is a beautiful part of Australia so that helps 😃.
This coastline is particularly rugged and beautiful and so picturesque.
This is an especially favourite place for NZ fur seals to live and we saw many in this section close to Admirals Arch.
The story around building the lighthouse is also especially interesting considering that they had to do everything by hand. Cutting the bricks and building it in such a way that it was straight and circular. Life as a lighthouse keeper in these situations was a lonely and thankless job.Read more
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Sunday, December 30, 2018 at 4:37 PM
☀️ 19 °C
Altitude: 51 m
Australia Kirkpatrick Point -36.04712, 136.75691236°2’50” S 136°45’25” E
The Remarkable Rocks
December 30, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C
These rocks are very impressive and obvious as they are all located within in one small section of the park. They were formed millions of years ago when hot lava burst through the earths surface and rapidly cooled in the presence of mica and basalt forming granite.
The resulting erosion has occurred over thousands of years and formed these interesting shapes. When standing on the point the surrounding winds are very strong which has impacted the form and composition of the granite.Read more
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Sunday, December 30, 2018 at 7:38 PM
☀️ 17 °C
Altitude: 87 m
Australia Stony Hill -35.95417, 136.78755335°57’15” S 136°47’15” E
Eucalyptus Distillery
December 30, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C
The highlight of this tour was the orphaned wallabies that are being rehabilitated back into the wild and the cool buggy that you can sit on to watch an introductory video of the history of the business.
Eucalyptus oil business initially owned by Faulding who exported the product all over the world in the 1930’s.
Thought I would also highlight the slick salad serving ideas we have been exploring ;)...great option when traveling light.Read more
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Monday, December 31, 2018 at 2:56 PM
☀️ 22 °C
Altitude: 11 m
Australia Bear Point -35.654503, 137.64161735°39’16” S 137°38’30” E
Kingscote
December 31, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
Visit to one of the main towns on KI...Kingscote. Kingscote was the first settlement on KI due to its close proximity to the coast. There is a historic town through has been built to commemorate the first settlement.
The original police station and jail are still standing and have been preserved by the local historical society.
Some of the homes in Kingscote have been restored to their former pioneer glory and provide a glimpse into earlier times.
The foreshore has nesting boxes in place for small penguins however some of them seemed dilapidated so unsure of how effective it is.Read more
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Monday, December 31, 2018 at 3:52 PM
☀️ 22 °C
Altitude: 6 m
Australia Vivonne Bay -35.997425, 137.18620335°59’51” S 137°11’10” E
Vivionne Bay
December 31, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
This is rated as one of the top ten most beautiful beaches in the world. I’m not sure who rated it and it is beautiful but unsure if it would be the top ten.
The water colour was amazing as so inviting but alas didn’t bring my boardies not that that stops me but there were families on the beach so no go.
The rocky outcrop on the ocean side protects the bay and allows for boats and yachts to moor there.
Once again there is limited accommodation for holiday makers which keeps the area relatively low key in fact, KI is really a paradise for campers and people who want solitude on their holiday.Read more
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Tuesday, January 1, 2019 at 10:42 AM
☀️ 21 °C
Altitude: 67 m
Australia Rocky River -35.951859, 136.73652635°57’7” S 136°44’11” E
Black Swamp Hike
January 1, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
This hike was one of the most enjoyable I have done. It was a beautiful walk with lots of changes in microclimate and fauna.
They have a larger species of grass tree called a Yacca and these were in the earlier days used for a variety of products. The phrase “hard yacca”comes from working with these plants as it was very tough work breaking down the trunk and spiny leaves.
The termite mounds are interesting and the outside soil is easily disturbed at which point the termites emerge to repair any damage. Throughout the walk there were also beautiful contrasts of wild flower colours which helped make the walk even more enjoyable. Native wildflowers are generally much more subtle.Read more
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Tuesday, January 1, 2019 at 12:30 PM
☀️ 23 °C
Altitude: 51 m
Australia Rocky River -35.93692, 136.73080435°56’13” S 136°43’51” E
Black Swamp Hike (cont'd)
January 1, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
The walk continued until we encountered a series of beautiful billabongs that were home to very healthy populations of platypuses. These animals build their holes in the banks of these waterholes and generally feed at dusk and dawn.
We also came across a circular staircase that enables you to look over a vast area that has regenerated since the last bushfire. I was completely unaware of the importance of bushfires in maintaining the health of our native flora and fauna as there are so many native plant species that rely on the heat of the fire to regenerate and spread the seed of the plant.Read more
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Tuesday, January 1, 2019 at 2:00 PM
☀️ 23 °C
Altitude: 60 m
Australia Rocky River -35.951345, 136.72068835°57’5” S 136°43’14” E
Black Swamp Gully (cont'd)
January 1, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
Jen almost stepped on this goanna...so close and beautifully camouflaged.
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Tuesday, January 1, 2019 at 3:25 PM
☀️ 22 °C
Altitude: 33 m
Australia Rocky River -35.962013, 136.65486135°57’43” S 136°39’17” E
Snake Lagoon
January 1, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
This was another magnificent walk that led to a secluded beach that was perfect for a quick dip.
The walk followed a stream that ran down onto the beach and flowed into the sea.
The area was deserted except for the occasional track walkers like us and amazingly well camouflaged lizards that have the same colours as the lichen in the rocks.
Australia’s coastline is so vast and so beautiful and so rugged and natural.
Another beautiful hike 🥾Read more
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Tuesday, January 1, 2019 at 4:29 PM
☀️ 22 °C
Altitude: 33 m
Australia Rocky River -35.962055, 136.65492235°57’43” S 136°39’18” E
Snake Lagoon
January 1, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
More of this beautiful area...
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Wednesday, January 2, 2019 at 8:02 PM
☀️ 33 °C
Altitude: 14 m
Australia Gladstone Square -32.492272, 137.76266332°29’32” S 137°45’46” E
Port Augusta
January 2, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C
Port Augusta is predominantly a mineral producing town which sits relatively near the base of the Flinders Ranges.
It has a significant indigenous population and quite a few old style buildings.
The hottest day that I have experienced was between here and one of the towns on our way to Port Lincoln where the mercury topped 47.5 celsius...hot!Read more
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Thursday, January 3, 2019 at 9:14 AM
☀️ 31 °C
Altitude: 11 m
Australia Flinders Red Cliff -32.461238, 137.75312832°27’40” S 137°45’11” E
Matthew Flinders Lookout
January 3, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C
This lookout was on the way to Whyalla and the arid native garden.
Although the photos are not that clear you can see the foothills and beginning of the Flinders Rangers named after the explorer.
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Thursday, January 3, 2019 at 9:39 AM
☀️ 33 °C
Altitude: 14 m
Australia Flinders Red Cliff -32.464133, 137.74124232°27’51” S 137°44’28” E
Arid Native Garden
January 3, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C
Just outside of Port Augusta is an arid inland native garden. Quite similar to the Cranbourne Native Garden although different desert based species.
Lots of cool snake trails and an abundance of stumpy tailed lizards as well.
Very hot day and we arrived at @ 9.30 and already at @ 35 degrees.
All gardens are drip feed irrigation with recycled water and a lovely gift store and cafe featuring native seeds from all types of indigenous plants.
Definitely worth seeing...Read more
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Thursday, January 3, 2019 at 11:40 AM
☀️ 35 °C
Altitude: 10 m
Australia Flinders Lookout Reserve -33.034703, 137.58552533°2’5” S 137°35’8” E
Whyalla
January 3, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 35 °C
Welcome to Whyalla...the steel heartland of Australia. Big contrast between the natural beauty of the beach and the sight of the large industry that is also close by.
Some good memories of Whyalla include chasing blue swimmer crabs 🦀, a beautiful seafood platter lunch, some of the old architecture in the town, the amount of seagrass beds that are in the area and the marine life they support and how it was @ 40 in the day we visited.
Oh, also how far out the tide recedes a good 300 meter walk.Read more
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Saturday, January 5, 2019
☀️ 20 °C
Altitude: 13 m
Australia Centenary Oval -34.718067, 135.8555634°43’5” S 135°51’20” E
Great White Shark Cage Dive
January 5, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C
We finally arrived at Pt Lincoln which was the feature of this holiday that Jenny has bought to celebrate my 60th birthday.
We boarded a cruiser with about 25 others to travel 75 nautical miles off the coast to a couple of small islands called the Neptune Islands. These islands are home to large numbers of fur seals that are the prey of these magnificent fish.
We anchored in a stretch of water between two islands about 150 metres apart and then lowered the cage and commenced the “burley” trail as well as cast release with the fish offal. This routine brings the sharks in to move around the boat however this can take between 1-2 hours. We were in the first cage dive and spent 40 mins in the water which by the way was very cold at around 18 degrees celsius. We saw a couple of great whites however they were about 4 metres away. Their camouflage is really quite amazing and they seem to be in you before you actually see them. It was great fun.Read more
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Sunday, January 6, 2019 at 2:23 PM
☀️ 20 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Australia Spalding Cove -34.7751, 135.9611234°46’30” S 135°57’40” E
Lincoln National Park
January 6, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C
Another beautiful hike to reveal some stunning scenery.
The weather as you can probably tell has been amazing and perfect for hiking and walking.
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