‘Pre retirement’ trial

We are taking 6 months leave from work to see more of this beautiful country we call home.
Will we return…….. Read more

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‘Pre retirement’ trial Traveler
Day 26
November 4, 2025 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 20 °C
Our pre retirement trial trip- day 26

The aim today was to explore the East MacDonnell ranges. Job done ✔️

We headed east, initially on sealed road through changing landscapes and cattle drinking from the floodways 🐂. Then on 33km of unsealed road to the Arltunga Historical Reserve to complete the loop around the remains of Arltunga- Central Australia’s first town, born out of the gold rush in 1887.

The track (Binns Track-a 2,230 km, 4WD route in NT that runs from Mount Dare on the SA border to Timber Creek) is described on the tourist info as an ‘unsealed gravel road’ with no specific warnings, but we wouldn’t want to drive a saloon car on it with its corrugations, many water filled floodways and sticky red mud.
We aired down but some sections were worse than the Oodnadatta😳

We covered 70km of dirt road and found a pub with no beer🍺❌, well it probably did but it was shut 😢

Next we found a waterhole with no water 🏊🏻❌ at Trephina Gorge Nature Park , but what it does have is aboriginal art on the rock face of the gorge and the largest ghost gum tree in Australia 🪾

Before returning home we stopped at Yeperenye/ Emily and Jessie Gaps Nature Park, two small gaps in the Heavitree Range which are important spiritual sites to the Eastern Arrernte people, both depicting rock art but no photography allowed sorry 📸❌

A short walk to see the art at Jessie Gap, but walking through the waterhole was required at Emily Gap, and the artwork there depicting the Yeperenye (caterpillar) Dreaming story was worth it- got a little wetter than expected though 😜

After we returned home the Seagull went off for more adventuring on the MTB trail park and Justine settled into to some painting with her feathered friends 🦜🦜 (those that know Justine know she HATES birds up close) 😬Read more
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‘Pre retirement’ trial Traveler
Day 27
November 5, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C
Our pre retirement trial trip- day 27

The aim today was for the Seagull to complete Larapinta Trail, Section 1 - take 2. Job done ✔️

Not one to let a trail beat him, we extended our stay in Alice and the Seagull headed back out to Simpson Gap, this time earlier in the morning when hopefully it would be a little cooler.
Fingers crossed 🤞🏻
And he did it 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
26.1km successfully completed 🏃🏼🏃🏼 (think he was missing his running buddy Maso on his first go 😜)
Larapinta 1 - Seagull 1 - we’ll consider that a win 😜

Afternoon spent relaxing by the pool and looking forward to our next adventure as we prepare to leave Central Australia and the NT

Unfortunately we didn’t get to join the Red Centre Line Dancers for a bit of boot scooting fun.
But we did pop over to the Alice Springs Brewery for a red to farewell the Red Centre 🍺Read more
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‘Pre retirement’ trial Traveler
Day 28
Nov 6–7, 2025 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 37 °C
Our pre retirement trial trip- day 28
365km Alice Springs. NT to Agnes Creek SA

The aim today was to say goodbye to Alice and hello to Agnes. Job done ✔️

Our time exploring Central Australia and the NT has ended and we are sad to leave. We have loved our time here ❤️.

We have even been looking at job opportunities to return to the area for a longer period….. watch this space 😜

Our base whilst we have been in Alice, the discovery park, was in a great location with security fencing and felt safe. We didn’t drive out at night but was able to walk over to the Brewery in the evening.

So today we retrace our steps and head south on the Stuart Highway, time travelling forwards as we cross the border back into SA

Quick stop at the Cannonball Run monument which commemorates the lives of the 4 people killed during the 1994 Northern Territory event.

We popped into Kulgera Roadhouse for a drink at the Mulga Bar, the last pub in the NT and the most central pub in Australia with more than 100 bras hanging from the ceiling (we lost count)

We did the right thing (again) and ensured we had eaten all the produce that cannot cross the border, but surprised there are no SA/NT checks like there are SA/VIC 🤷🏼‍♀️

We pulled into Agnes’s Creek Rest Area and found ourselves a spot that hopefully would provide a little shade and respite from the 40 degree heat ☀️🥵☀️
It’s a big area that enables camping away from the highway and provides a sense of isolation . We were alone, except for the flies 🪰and we were able to collect a little firewood 🪵with a plan for a small fire 🔥 in the evening to help keep the bugs away.
And we hoped for a beautifully clear starry sky and to see the full moon 🌌
Unfortunately we found ourselves on the edge of yet another storm ⚡️⛈️⚡️. Checking BOM there were warning of damaging winds and large hailstones. We could hear the thunder and see the lightening in the distance and thought it might miss us, but as the winds started we bunkered down and waited to see what would happen 🙏🏻. Not long after we were being buffeted by strong winds and pelted with heavy rain, and the thunder and lightning felt like it was on top of us.
A hot, sticky and scary night 😳

Home for the night - Agnes Creek Rest Area
Free. No facilitiesRead more
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‘Pre retirement’ trial Traveler
1st month on the road
November 7, 2025 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 28 °C
💙 1st month wrap up 💙
VIC - SA - NT

Can’t believe it’s been a month already 😳
We have 💙loved💙 our adventuring with MancHester, our set up has worked really well for us and we are not missing work one little bit 😜

We have had a few ‘oops’ but nothing drastic so far 🙏🏻 (included crashed drone, broken pop top latch, cracked water overflow pipe, snapped antenna x2….)

👍🏻 Highlights - too numerous to list them all (includes Oodnadatta Track, sunrise at Kings Canyon, sunset at Farina, water cascading down Uluru, views from St Mary’s Peak and Euro Ridge, date ice cream, emu pie, flying over lake eyre covered in water, swimming in waterholes by ourself, conquering the Larapinta Trail…..)

👎🏻 Lowlights - flat battery, broken antenna, mossies at Coward Springs, so many 43 degree days, sooo many (6) severe thunderstorms

😥 Challenges - grinding out the kms of corrugations and bull dust through the painted desert road ( the scenery helped😜)

🍻Pubs visited -a few 😜 (Royal Hotel- Sea Lake, Historic Overland Corner Hotel, Craddock Hotel, Royal Victoria Hotel-Beltana, William Creek Hotel, The Pink Roadhouse, The Marla Bar, The Outback Bar-Yulara, Thirsty Dingo/Sunset Bar- Kings Canyon Resort, Bojangles-Alice Springs, Alice Springs Brewery)

💙 Hester - carafan, new fridge locks, new bedside (storage) bins, new orange outside light, new stick on mirror

💙 Manc- set up/ease of access to everything, new chairs, 270 awning, bluetti

Next- we continue our adventures exploring SA and are excited for the new experiences that brings 🥰

Stats so far:
#️⃣ 5250km covered (3831 kms towing)
#️⃣ 648km of dirt road (582km towing)

#️⃣ 16.02l/100km average fuel economy
💰 $1972.90 for 822.9l diesel
💰 Highest fuel 2.99l (William Creek & Pink Roadhouse Oodnadatta) $298l (Kings Creek Station) $2.90l (Maree)

🏃🏼107.6km run (including Heysen trail, Mawson trail , Larapinta trail, Oodnadatta Track, Alice Springs parkrun)
🏃🏻‍♀️62.5km hiked (including St Mary’s Peak - Flinders, Uluru, Kata Tjuṯa, Kings Canyon Rim, Kings Creek, Kathleen Springs, Telegraph Station)
🚴🏻 52km cycled

💰$70.80 highest camping costs - Kings Canyon Resort (with discount 😳)
💰$0 lowest camping costs- free camping Overland Corner Reserve, Craddock Hotel, Agnes Creek

💵 $1839.50 spent in tourist activities (incl $1540 for flight)Read more
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‘Pre retirement’ trial Traveler
Day 29
Nov 7–12, 2025 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 29 °C
Our pre retirement trial trip- day 29
320 km Agnes Creek to Coober Pedy

The aim today was make it to the ‘opal capital of the world’ the quirky Coober Pedy. Job done ✔️

Woke to a beautiful, clear, hot morning with no sign of the previous nights storm and continued our travel south and into previous unexplored territory.

Our journey took us past quite a few wrecked cars and cattle 🐂, some alive and some not so much 😳

We stopped for lunch at a roadside rest area, and due to a minor incident Justine took over the driving. Everything is all good now but it’s a reminder on how important it is that both are able to drive the rig.

Fuel economy was shocking on this drive with a headwind the whole way, until we headed into Coober Pedy with its lunar landscape of mullock hills and mining.
Justine has become very excited at the prospect of finding an opal and has even gained some advice from a local prospector Dave - off to the hardware store tomorrow for supplies.

Home for the night -Oasis Tourist Park
$44 pn power, $5p/day for water connection if required and $1 shower (for 7mins)Read more
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‘Pre retirement’ trial Traveler
Day 30
November 9, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C
Our pre retirement trial trip- day 30

The aim today was to complete the Coober Pedy Park Run. Job done ✔️

Both of us ran Park Run this morning, well one ran the other ran/walked the course 😜

And Justine is very excited.
She met a local (Tanya) at Park Run and learnt the filming that is happening in Coober Pedy is for Chris Hammer’s book Treasure and Dirt (our fav author). Can’t wait for the series to be released and when it is we’ll be looking out for the lady in the wheelchair (Tanya). So wish we were here for longer and could’ve been an extra 😥

More good news, we’ve identified the rattle that has been with us for a few days- a missing bolt from the bash plate! Quick trip to the hardware store and it’s all fixed 🤞🏻.
Whilst there we also bought the supplies recommended by Dave (the local we met yesterday) that would guarantee a successful opal fund 😜
But what absolutely made our day was the extremely kind local that saw our phone on the floor in front of the Ute and took it into the hardware store. It had been left on the bull bar as we made the mad dash through town to get to the store before it closed - how lucky are we, someone is definitely looking out for us 🥰
Unfortunately he didn’t stay around so we couldn’t thank him personally or buy him a drink

Beautiful sunrise to end the day at the Big Winch with fantastic views over the town

And SA’s only drive in cinema (located next to our caravan park) is showing Downtown Abbey tonightRead more
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‘Pre retirement’ trial Traveler
Day 31
November 9, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
Our pre retirement trial trip- day 31

The aim today was to explore the spiritual side of Coober Pedy. Job done ✔️

We set off on our bikes to tour the town, its underground churches and cemeteries.
First stop the Catacomb Church, where we chatted with minister Dave, who we met the previous day at Park Run, and who told us a little of the church’s history.
Next St Peter and St Paul Catholic Church with its beautiful stained glass cross
We stopped to look around Coober Pedy’s first cemetery, which was used from 1921 until 1975, when a new cemetery was opened although there was as a burial recorded there in 2007
Final church on this tour was the Serbian Orthodox Church, which is just stunning ($5 donation)
And finally Boot Hill Cemetery with its very interesting headstones
Our journey took us down gravel roads and past dugout homes in the hill side. We also spotted Sturt desert pea, the emblem of SA and its essence used for deep sorrow, sadness and grief, so very apt.

Returning back into town we refreshed with a great fresh pressed fruit juice and a local craft beer at the Outback Bar and Grill after a total 11.3km ride.

This evening we popped into the local RSL - we were told it was ‘the place to be in a Sunday night’ and from the number of locals in there it definitely wasRead more
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‘Pre retirement’ trial Traveler
Day 32
November 10, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
Our pre retirement trial trip- day 32

The aim today was to be a postie for the day. Job not done ❌

We had hoped to join the mail man with his deliveries to the outback stations of SA today ✉️📦 but unfortunately we weren’t able to coordinate it 😥

So instead we headed out to the Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park which forms part of the traditional country of the
Antakirinja Matuntjara
Yankunytjatjara people. The view as we drove through was amazing with its spectacular colours- lots of WOW moments.
The journey took us along a section of the dog fence, which stretches 5,600 kms across more than half of the country. It was first built in the 1880s and is still maintained, the aim being to keep dingoes out of the farmland.

On the way back we detoured to Crocodile Harrys underground nest, home of Avid von Blumenthal, a Latvian born crocodile hunter, opal miner and eccentric who lived in Coober Pedy until his death in 2006- he can now be found at Boot Hill Cemetery 🪦. Enter his eclectic dugout at your own risk ⚠️

Returning to town we popped into CK underground bakery- so many yummy looking pastries and cakes/tarts, but couldn’t resist the Banh Mi which was sooooooo good.

Another beautiful sunset to end the day 🌅Read more
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‘Pre retirement’ trial Traveler
Day 33
November 11, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C
Our pre retirement trial trip- day 33

The aim today was to learn a little more about living underground, mining and opaling. Job kinda done ✔️

After a quick 11km skidaddle out and around the town, we headed out to explore

Unfortunately Faye’s Underground Home is still closed for filming
And the Umoona Mine and Museum is closed on a Tuesday (the only day 😥)

The self guided tour at the Old Timers Mine was great and very informative, and has added to our desire to mine and find opal - we would love to return and peg a claim 🤔
It’s an original opal mine from 1916, which was filled in and hidden until it was accidentally rediscovered in 1968 when an underground home extension broke through revealing it and the opal 😳

We have LOVED our time in Coober Pedy, it’s the weirdest and quirkiest town we have visited and it’s really got under our skin.
We have found the people here to be so friendly and welcoming, and we have loved chatting with many of the locals Tanya, Dave, Freda, Minister Dave, Lynn……

And thanks to local advice we have even been out fossicking and found a little opal ourselves 💎

We will be sad to leave, and I’m sure we will be back

The base for our stay has been the Oasis Tourist Park. After reading some reviews we were a little apprehensive about our choice but it has been great. The staff friendly and helpful and a perfect location to explore the town on foot (or bike)
Beware the pool is very cold 🥶
Yes you pay extra for water connection, but only if you need it and we didn’t.
Yes you pay extra for the showers, but $1 for 7 mins is very reasonable for hot, powerful showers (we’ve paid more elsewhere) and reception will help you out with coinage if needed.
They could increase the daily fee to include water connection and shower costs, but it’s great that you can just pay for it if you need it 🤷🏼‍♀️Read more
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‘Pre retirement’ trial Traveler
Day 34
Nov 12–13, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
Our pre retirement trial trip- day 34

The aim today was to say goodbye to the weird and wonderful Coober Pedy and continue our adventuring. Job done ✔️

Wonderful, quirky, unique, eccentric, eclectic, weird 🤪- all words we have used to describe this amazing place. We have loved it here but it’s time to say farewell, until next time ❤️

But before we left we had the opportunity to take a peak in Faye’s Underground Home, which has been closed during our stay for filming. Yesterday we chatted with Freda who offered us a quick look around this morning as she tidied up after the film crew had left. Such an amazing place, all carved out by 3 women and their picks. Welcome to the poolroom, bar and inside pool 😳

Freda also warned us that the Stuart Highway south may be closed for rocket testing 🚀 and for us to check before we headed off as we might well be stranded 😳
So they close a major road, the only road south, to test rockets ????
We called the helpline and apparently they do, and was told there was no testing planned today but to call back as they can only confirm 24 hrs in advance 😳 - so we might not get to our next stop, and if we do we might get stuck there for a few days 🤷🏼‍♀️

Anyway, we continued our journey south with fingers crossed.
And what a BORING day of travelling it was.
NOTHING much to see, except for a couple of lizards, cattle, emu, sheep and three wedge tail eagles feeding on road kill, oh and more SA street art (aka wrecked cars 😜)
So we listened to the ABC series ‘Chase for Skase’. We had never heard of Christopher Skase but now know all about him 😳. Is he well known in Aus ?

And then we got to our home for the night, and WOW. Now there’s something to see 🥰
We are at Lake Hart Rest area, a free camp on the side of the Stuart Hwy with no facilities but the most amazing view of the salt lake which you can walk down to (or run 🏃🏼)
Nobody else is here and we have taken a prime real estate position - sorry but couldn’t resistRead more
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‘Pre retirement’ trial Traveler
Day 35
Nov 13–14, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
Our pre retirement trial trip- day 35
150 km Lake Hart Rest Area to Andamooka SA

The aim today was to visit Andamooka, an opal mining town, and do the mining tour. Job not quite done ❌

After a clear starry sky last night (on checking our pics we realised we had captured the Aurora Australis) we woke to a chilly, windy, drizzly and overcast start to the day, so no beautiful sunrise over the salt lake 😥

Quick stop at Pimba and Spuds Roadhouse, which has a campground attached with amenities ( inc dump point)- seems a good set up- clean and flat and you can pop into the roadhouse for drinks and meals 👍🏻

Our journey today took us along the Olympic Dam Hwy to Roxby Downs then onto Andamooka

On our way we were contacted by Andamooka Observatory to warn us it had been raining which prevents access to the roads for today’s tour 😥
Oh well, we were heading there anyway so we’ll see what we can see and do whilst there 🤷🏼‍♀️

Set up at the community campground and set off on foot to explore the town, it didn’t take long 😜-the historic cottages, cemetery, machinery display and we popped into the Dine-a-mite cafe for a great milkshake 🥤

The Seagull went for his customary skiddadle around town and along the mine claims and we settled in for another star lit night.

This marks the end of our pre planned adventures, from here we have no schedule and are literally planning our next stop as we go. Where to from here?

Our home for the night is the Andamooka Community campground
$5pp pn unpowered or $15 per van powered. Some shelter/wind breaks available. Shower and toilets, water and dump point available.
Great set up.Read more
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‘Pre retirement’ trial Traveler
Day 36
Nov 14–18, 2025 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 18 °C
Our pre retirement trial trip- day 36
358 km Andamooka to Whyalla SA

The aim today was to visit Woomera with the plan to stay to view the night sky at the observatory Job not quite done ❌

We did visit Woomera, and was a little underwhelmed- it was like a ghost town.
We visited the heritage centre and missile park and learnt a little about the area - now an RAAF base and the largest land-based missile and rocket range in the western world
But the caravan park has closed and there are very clear NO CAMPING signs everywhere. So def not welcome to stay the night for the Woomera Observatory

So with no plan we looked at the map and worked out our next stop based on distance, general direction and the weather 😜

Our initial plan was going to be a little chilly (for us) until mid next week so we thought we would postpone there for a few days.

Instead we headed to the Eyre Peninsula, somewhere new to us, and Whyalla, our base for the next few days

From the dusty opal fields to waterfront views, and a little civilisation for a few days- yay there’s a Coles and our washing can get dry without getting dusty 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Small things 🥰

Beautiful sunset but fish it’s chilly in the wind

Our home for the night- beachfront Whyalla Discovery Park.
How could we resist with their current offer of just $25 pnRead more
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‘Pre retirement’ trial Traveler
Day 37
November 15, 2025 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 18 °C
Our pre retirement trial trip- day 37

The aim today was to get up for Whyalla Park Run. Job done ✔️

It’s just a short walk along the foreshore to Park Run, so how could we not do it. And there were quite a few more people than our last one 😜

After that we got on our bikes to explore the area. First we headed to the marina and pier, which doesn’t look as impressive from the ground as it does from above.

Next we headed up Hummock Hill, an important aboriginal site and the site of the first European settlement. During WW2 it serviced as a gun battery and observation post.

From the lookout at the top we had amazing views over the town and steel mill below, and the Spencer gulf, pier and marina where we saw dolphins playing 🐬

Our final destination was the Maritime Museum, which was fantastic and provides info on naval, BHP shipbuilding, maritime and natural history of the upper Spencer Gulf. It also contains the HO gauge Model Railway is one of the largest in the Southern Hemisphere

We were a little late in the day to see everything so they gave us a free pass to return tomorrow for a tour of HMAS Whyalla, the first modern warship built in 1941 in SA which stands on dry land 2km from the sea.

In total we covered about 10km 🚴🏻‍♀️🚴🏻Read more
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‘Pre retirement’ trial Traveler
Day 38
November 16, 2025 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 19 °C
Our pre retirement trial trip- day 38

The aim today was to tour the HMAS Whyalla. Job done ✔️

We returned to the Maritime Museum to view Mathew Finders 1814 journals and for the guided tour to learn all about the history of HMAS Whyalla, the first corvette built at the Whyalla shipyards and launched in 1941 undertaking patrol, escort and minesweeping. Post war she was sold, renamed The RIP and used for blasting at the entrance of Port Phillip Bay VIC.
Facing scrapping in 1984 Whyalla council purchased her for $5000 and she was sailed back to her home port.
The task of moving to her current position (2km inland) was epic and can be viewed via the link in the pic (persevere with the YouTube clip it is actually worth it and v interesting)

The Seagull went out to explore the trails 🏃🏼 and on advice from locals embarked on what would be the Howling Dog trail run set amongst the foot hills of Mt Laura, an after dark fun trail run in July of you fancy itRead more
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‘Pre retirement’ trial Traveler
Day 39
November 17, 2025 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 18 °C
Our pre retirement trial trip- day 39

The aim today was all the “householdy’ tasks. Job done ✔️

It’s not all fun and adventuring, house keeping jobs still need doing 🧹🧽🧺🛒

Washing and drying ✔️
Cleaning ✔️
Grocery shopping✔️

#️⃣We pre prep veg to make it easier to store
#️⃣We prep and freeze capsicum so it can cross borders
#️⃣We remove packaging and cryovac to save space and prelong use by dates

Once the jobs were done there was still time for a cycle ride 🚴🏻🚴🏻‍♀️ to and around the wetlands and back via the foreshore (10km), unfortunately no dolphins this time 🐬

So now we’ve cleaned, restocked and explored it’s time to move on…..

Initially we weren’t sure about Whyalla. It’s the only place on our travels that we’ve had something stolen 😳 only a water bottle off a bike as we popped into the tourist information, but still it wasn’t a great start 🤷🏼‍♀️

And we don’t often spend time on the coast, we are probably more desert & dirt than coast & sand 🏖️

But we have enjoyed our stay where the outback meets the sea, where we’ve been wind swept and salty rather than wind swept and dusty

So where to next ….Read more
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‘Pre retirement’ trial Traveler
Day 40
November 18, 2025 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 18 °C
Our pre retirement trial trip- day 40
204 km Whyalla to Crystal Brook SA

The aim today was to continue to explore new areas. Job done ✔️

On leaving Whyalla we stopped at the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden in Port Augusta to walk around the amazing gardens with their spectacular views of the Flinders Ranges.

Back on the road we had intended on heading to Melrose, for a few days exploring and hiking the Mount Remarkable National Park, but discovered the trails were closed when we planned to be there 😳, so onto plan B

Plan B- pub stay in Port Pirie. But discovered the Federal Hotel was closed on a Tuesday, as were the museums we would like to have visited 😳, so onto plan C

Plan C- head to Crystal Brook to stay at Bowman Park ✅

Bowman Park was a sheep and cattle farm and the remnants of the homestead and garden are still visible, and a great natural play area for children has been developed in the grounds

There are lots of paths to wander through the gardens and the Heysen trail also comes through the area.
There is a lookout which we climbed with fantastic views over the rolling hills, a perfect place to watch the beautiful sunset 🌅

Other than the resident peacock 🦚, goanna 🦎 and a trillion fllies 🪰, it’s quiet with just us here

Our home for the night is Bowman Park, self contained RV area with toilets and bbq’s. Donations requested.Read more
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‘Pre retirement’ trial Traveler
Day 41
Nov 19–23, 2025 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 15 °C
Our pre retirement trial trip- day 41
109 km Crystal Brook to Moonta SA

The aim today was to start to explore the Yorke Peninsula. Job done ✔️
Another new area for us to explore 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

After saying goodbye to Bowman Park and the big lizard our first stop was Port Broughton, winner of the Tiny Tourism Town award, and we can see why. It’s a beautiful seafront town, with an historic jetty and fun water feature. We walked the historical trail through town and couldn’t resist popping into the fabulous bakery for morning tea treats.
Oh and Christmas is definitely coming to this town 🎄

Our journey took us through Kadina, the largest town on the peninsula and otherwise known as ‘Australia’s Little Cornwall’.
Whilst there a guy noticed one of the phrases we have written in odd places around the Ute, he loved it and felt it resonated. He’s been considering stopping work to do more of what he loves- great to think we might have helped that thought process along 💙

We arrived in Moonta, a town whose origins are based in copper mining. It’s a beautiful area with its historic buildings and the stunning beaches and jetty’s of Moonta Bay and Port Hughes close by.
There’s so much to see and do here we think it deserves a few days, so we’ve decided to make it our base.

Our home for the next few nights is the Moonta RV Overnight Stop Area- self contained RV area with bins, dump point and water available. No toilets.
Max night stayRead more
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‘Pre retirement’ trial Traveler
Day 42
November 20, 2025 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 14 °C
Our pre retirement trial trip- day 42

The aim today was to get on our bikes to explore. Job done ✔️

It was a little chilly overnight with a low of 10 and we def didn’t want to get out of bed this morning - not sure how we are going to cope back in VIC 😳

We eventually jumped on the bikes and headed off to explore the Moonta Mines Museum, which is housed in the former mines school built in 1871 to educate the children of the Cornish miners.
Copper was discovered in Moonta in May 1861 and mining started later that year and it became one of the most profitable copper mines in the world. The mine closed in 1923, and the school closed in 1967.

From the museum a trail leads around the area to view what remains of the mining sites. On this trail we also visited the Moonta Mines post office which is now an old fashioned sweet shop🍭🍬- and yes we had to 😜

And on a by-note we have just learnt a good friends late aunt and uncle set up the mine museum and ran the post office and sweet shop 😳

Whilst having a ‘Cornish’ day it was only right that we head into town for ‘the Proper Oggie’ from Taste the Yorke. A 2/3 meat and veg and 1/3 apple pastry served with tomato sauce and cream- you just have to give it a go 😜

Later we headed to Moonta Bay to meander down the pier, only it was so windy that we were nearly blown off the end.
Made us very happy with our decision to stay at the free RV park in Moonta and not the caravan park on the water front 💨💨💨Read more
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‘Pre retirement’ trial Traveler
Day 43
November 21, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C
Our pre retirement trial trip- day 43

The aim today was to get the Seagull a much needed haircut (isn’t that right Kalebh 😜). Job done ✔️

First stop of the day- Sam’s Barbershop 💈
Coffee whilst waiting and great a cut- thanks Sam it was definitely needed

Today’s drive took us to Walloroo.
Copper was first discovered in the area by shepherd James Boor with a little help from wombats. And the town of was SA’s second busiest port due to the mining and smelting industries, the shipping terminal now supports international grain exports.
On the historical walk around the town you can see many of the buildings from its past and the coastline and beaches are stunning.

We were advised to pop to The Catch Tub for some locally caught seafood, which we took away to eat on the foreshore - and we can confirm the calamari and fish was just delish 🥰

Next stop The Bond Store, a microbrewery and distillery, and sampled their Copper Miners Ale 🍺 at a whopping 6.1%😳

On our way home we detoured past The Coffee Barn Gelateria, another local recommendation, for some yummy ice cream and sorbet 🍦

And finally an itsy bitsy pub crawl around Moonta 🍺 🍾

Today has been a day of indulgences 😍Read more
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‘Pre retirement’ trial Traveler
Day 44
November 22, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
Our pre retirement trial trip- day 44

The aim today was to complete another park run 🏃🏼. Job done ✔️

Batteries down to 82% this morning 🪫 and they may struggle today as it’s a bit of a dull and dreary day, overcast and raining 🌧️

This morning we drove out to the Copper Trail Park Run just out of Kadina, which was celebrating its 3rd birthday 🎂 . Not the most animated group that we have come across on our travels - that award is currently held by Whyalla 🏆. Seagull ran good with a 21.21 recorded time 🏃🏼

Whilst in Kadina we explored the art trail 🎨, very impressed with the wall art and little fairy doors 🧚

And on the recommendation of locals we headed back to a much calmer Port Hughes for lunch at the general store to have their awesome garfish burger 🍔 - was definitely worth it 😋

We had planned to catch an afternoon movie at the Moonta Cinema 🎥, but on arrival found it was closed and the advertised sessions were for a nearby town 😥
Luckily for us the rain had cleared and was now warm and sunny so we could relax and chill the afternoon away instead

We were moving on today but a persistent nose bleed has inadvertently extended our stay, so it will be adventuring tomorrow…..Read more
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‘Pre retirement’ trial Traveler
Day 45
Nov 23–26, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C
Our pre retirement trial trip- day 45
124 km Moonta to Auburn SA

The aim today was head into the Claire Valley. Job done ✔️

Think we lucked out last evening being unable to travel and move on as planned as the area just to the north of us was smashed by a massive storm with heavy rain, large hailstones and strong winds - fate works in mysterious ways 🙏🏻

So today we head off to explore more new areas.
Stopping first at Lochiel to see Lake Bumbunga, a salt lake which has been mined since 1881, and its infamous Loch Eel Monster 🐍

We travelled through country side filled with grape and grain to Auburn, a small town in the Clare Valley wine region which will be our base to explore.

Being a Sunday we knew some of the cellar doors would be closed mid week so we walked over to Mount Horrocks Wines, which is located at the old railway station.
It was a great introduction to wines from the local region, and Kirsten was extremely welcoming and knowledgeable providing a wine tasting experience 🥂🍷

Next was Ulster Park Wines where we met Lucky, and learnt that he had been in Coober Pedy supporting the filming whilst we had been there - small world.
He introduced us to their wonderful wines and a fabulous frozen rose, and we enjoyed a glass with a great wood fired pizza 🍕

On our way back we heard music coming from the Rising Sun Hotel and caught the last of a blues night 🎶

Our home for the next few days in Auburn Community Caravan Park.
$35 pn power and water, showers and toilets, laundry, camp kitchen, dump point
Easy walk into town and to the local cellar doorsRead more
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‘Pre retirement’ trial Traveler
Day 46
November 24, 2025 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 32 °C
Our pre retirement trial trip- day 46

The aim today was to visit Penwortham, home and final resting place of John Horrocks. Job done ✔️ and so much more 🥰

It’s been a busy day today, but we did fit in a visit to the historic town of Mintaro and it’s beautiful pub, the Magpie Stump Hotel, and ended the day with a glass at Wines by KT to celebrate a successful day 🍷

One of the reasons that brought us to explore the Clare Valley was its link to Horrocks.
Those that know the area will know of Mount Horrocks, Horrocks highway…….well the town of Penwortham was founded by John Horrocks

We knew this and was in search of his cottage and final resting place, and a chance conversation with a lady in the tourist information office led us to the president of the Mount Horrocks Historical Society - Wendy.
Which then led to a chance visit to their Watervale Institute and an opportunity to look through boxes of archived information including Horrocks family trees and diaries.
And an offer to open up the cottage for an escorted tour.
We feel so lucky and privileged to have met Wendy, David and Meredith and thankful for the time they took and the information they provided us to further investigate any links we might have with the Preston Horrocks’s.

A little history of John Ainsworth Horrocks

On this trip that we first learnt of John Ainsworth Horrocks, pastoralist, pioneer and explorer, who was allegedly shot by his own camel and which ultimately resulted in his death.

We were keen to learn more about John and establish if there was any family connection given he was born 22nd March 1818 at Penwortham Lodge, near Preston, Lancashire, England.

He was one of 13 children of Peter (and Clara) Horrocks, whose father was a member of parliament for Preston, cotton mill owner and manufacturer, having established Horrocks, Miller & co.

John was sent to South Australia with his brother Eustace in 1839 aged 21
He was the first white man to settle in Ngadjuri country, and he established the township Penwortham after his home.
He is said to have built the first stone cottage for his brother (whilst he lived in a tree!) and established the first vineyard in the district. He later built himself a manor house - Hope Farm and raised money to build the first church-St Mark’s.

On 29th July 1846 he left on an expedition near to Lake Torrens with his camel but an accident on the shores of Lake Dutton on 1st September resulted in him being shot and loosing the middle fingers of his right hand and a row of teeth. He was taken back to Penwortham, arriving on 19th September and dying from his wounds on 23rd September. He He was buried in land that had been planned for the church.Read more
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‘Pre retirement’ trial Traveler
Day 47
November 25, 2025 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 18 °C
Our pre retirement trial trip- day 47

The aim today was to cycle the Resiling Trail. Job done ✔️

After a relaxing start to the morning we got on our bikes for a ‘grains and grape’ Riesling Trail tour, and covered a total of 23 km 🚴🏻🚴🏻‍♀️

We started up hill, with a horrendous head wind, to O’Leary Walker Wines. Arriving to find amazing 360 views of the surrounding rolling hills and great wines which we had with an awesome pate.

We retuned along the trail to Auburn, this time down hill with a tail wind which meant that we hit 30km/hr without even peddling 😜

Next stop was the Rising Sun Hotel where we shared a great French dip baguette for lunch

Back on the bikes we headed to Taylors wines for the final stop on our tour.

What a fabulous way to end our time in the Clare Valley 🍷🥂🍻Read more
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‘Pre retirement’ trial Traveler
Day 48
Nov 26–28, 2025 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 19 °C
Our pre retirement trial trip- day 48
147 km Auburn to Holder Bend Reserve (nr Waikerie) SA

The aim today was to cross the Murray River on a ferry. Job done ✔️

We started our journey today by turning off the Horrocks Hwy and passing through the town of Saddleworth.

Our first stop was to see the silo at Eudunda.
From there we had such a strong tailwind 💨 that we were being pushed along the Thiele Hwy toward the riverside town of Morgan on the Murray River (great wind assisted fuel economy of 13.8l/100km)
Here we crossed the river using the public ferry ⛴️ (operates 24/7 as an extension of the road).

Quick lunch stop at Cadell, then onto Waikerie to check out their silo, this town is DEFINITELY feeling the Christmas spirit 🎄
Here we did the cliff top walk, and as we did a venomous Eastern Brown Snake 🐍 slithered across the path directly in front of us 😳

Our final stop for the day was Holder Bend Reserve on the Murray River.
A great spot by the water, perfect to get the rod out and try a little fishing 🎣 but unfortunately when we arrived it was blowing a gale. We might need to stay an extra night just to give it a go 😜
Rewarded with a beautiful sunset 🌅

Our home for the night (or 2) is the Holder Bend Camping Reserve
Bush camping with no facilities.
Boat ramp accessRead more
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‘Pre retirement’ trial Traveler
Day 49
November 27, 2025 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 20 °C
Our pre retirement trial trip- day 49

The aim today was to go nowhere at all. Job done ✔️

We couldn’t resist, we woke to a beautiful still morning and decided to stay.

We had no plans, nothing to do but to relax and enjoy a day by the river

We read 📖, painted🎨, played games 🃏, fished 🎣(yes both of us 😳)
We got the Webber out and had roast pumpkin, sw poato and steak for dinner
We enjoyed a glass of Mount Horrocks wine
We watched the world float by, well a few pelicans, fishermen and a houseboat

A perfect nothing day 🥰Read more
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