• Seagulls on the Run
  • Seagulls on the Run

SOTR- Flinders Ranges Take 2

Plans to explore the Flinders in ‘21 didn’t go to plan: covid, border closures, car breakdown, van write off……..
And became our ‘unplanned adventure’
Now we head there again but with a few changes: new van, catch up with friends……
Flinders Take 2
Leer más
  • Inicio del viaje
    7 de abril de 2022

    Our first detour: Shepparton

    7 de abril de 2022, Australia ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    All prepped and ready for our Flinders Ranges Take 2 trip

    Our original plans in 2021 didn’t quite go as planned 😜 so we are giving it another go, but with a few changes this time including a catch up with friends and couple of detours.
    This will also be our shakedown trip for our longer adventure - can’t wait.

    Our first detour, the rescheduled Goulburn Valley Country Music Festival and so we head to Shepparton for a few days
    Leer más

  • Day 1: Shepparton

    7 de abril de 2022, Australia ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    Headed off mid day for a leisurely drive up to Shepparton. Driving through the city is always stressful towing, but the stress continued as Justine took to the wheel to practice driving MancHester along the undulating Hume Fwy all the way to our home for the next few days: Victoria Lake Caravan Park.
    We were greeted by a cacophony of Cockatoo squawks - thousands of them 😳
    The beautiful weather we enjoyed on the drive up changed as we had set up, with dark clouds and the suggestion of rain in the air- oh well cosy night in and late morning it is 😜
    We did however venture out, first to ‘The Termi’ for dinner and a beer, in an old school pint pot, then on to the GV Hotel
    Leer más

  • Day 2: Exploring Shep

    8 de abril de 2022, Australia ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    We were cozily tucked up in our bed last night being lulled to sleep by the sound of gentle rain on the roof, but that didn’t last long. First came a train, so loud it could have been flying above us Harry Potter style. Next the screeches of tyres and the sounds of someone doing donuts and burnouts nearby. Then there were raised voices, a lovers tiff perhaps??
    Having eventually settled to sleep, we awoke to thousands of cockatoo’s welcoming the dawn, all talking at the same time, screaming to be heard over one another, on and on and on, until the sun was firmly in place
    The peace and tranquillity of living in the country amongst nature 😳

    Woke to a damp and overcast morning, but that didn’t put us off.

    Decided on a pre breakfast walk around the lake, but in true Horrox style we saw a path, leading to a bridge, and onto a trail, so detoured to explore. We found ourselves walking trails along the Goulburn River and Honeysuckle Creek, over bridges, through forests, amongst billabongs, finding sculptures along the way and the Botanic Gardens completely by accident. The 8km walk finished with a quick skidaddle around the lake then back for a much needed coffee.

    Later a visit to SAM, the art museum. Then off to find some interesting street art, under bridges, on walls and the odd cow or two 😜

    Popped into Shepparton Brewery for a taste of the local wares before heading home for a yummy dinner, our take on a friends Mexican Chicken made in the All in One Cooker-yum
    Leer más

  • Day3: Exploring Dookie

    9 de abril de 2022, Australia ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    Discovered Shepparton Park Run passed right by us, and with the morning chorus ensuring we were awake, there was no excuse not to give it a go. Well one of us did and not the one you would expect 😜

    Next up, a drive out to Dookie to walk the trail up to Mount Major. The 360 views at the top would make it an awesome trip at sunrise or sunset, for us it was still overcast and VERY windy at the top. All together a 5km trip, up and down.

    Whilst in the area we popped into Tallis Winery, set on a hill top with spectacular views. Tried out a couple of their wines and enjoyed the most tastiest cheese platter coupled with great wine and an awesome view.

    The Eco Pot was out tonight for a veggie curry, to use up everything before we head over the SA border
    Leer más

  • MOVE

    10 de abril de 2022, Australia ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    Visit to MOVE-the museum of vehicle evolution, an awesome ever changing collection of cars, motorbikes, trucks, bicycles as well as the Furphy collection- Johnny was in his element. And as an added bonus they were streaming the Melbourne GP live.
    .
    Leer más

  • Day 4: Goulburn Valley Music Festival

    10 de abril de 2022, Australia ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    Woke to a beautiful day, blue skies & sunshine- just perfect for The Goulburn Valley County Music Festival 😍

    Started the day prepping for the long drive tomorrow and gave our new washing machine a whirl, or at least Johnny was whirling as he was agitating the water in the bucket 😜

    Next up, a visit to MOVE-the museum of vehicle evolution.

    Mid arvo we headed over to the Showgrounds, found ourselves a spot on the grass and chilled out as the sun set and the music flowed, listening to Felicity Urouhart, Casey Barnes and Brad Cox. Ending with Lee Kernaghan and the Wolf Brothers under a star lit sky- a perfect ending to the inaugural GV Music Festival. Will definitely aim to return next year.
    Leer más

  • Day 5: Over the border to SA

    11 de abril de 2022, Australia ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    Early start for a big day with the aim to cross the SA border and stop in Renmark, approx 600km of shared driving, but with the option to stop off and head in the next morning - let’s see how we go

    Felt a little weird to pack up and not head home but instead onto somewhere new, but definitely a good weird 😜

    Couple of stops along the way.
    First morning tea at Lake Reedy RV rest stop, would be a great spot for a couple of nights.
    Next Hattah Roadhouse, only to discover Google Maps was having a bad day and it was actually Wemen Cafe- not a recommended stop for food, coffee or the loo, but not bad for a picnic under the shade of the trees.
    Then Hattah Roadhouse for real where the loos where much better 😜. There was the option of staying with shower and toilets available, but we made the decision to keep on keeping on as we hadn’t had enough of the flat scenery and endless roads of nothing 😜

    So over the border, which we nearly missed (the sign that is), through the quarantine check, over the bridge, through Renmark and on to Plush’s Bend- our home off grid for the next 2 nights.

    And as SA is 1/2 hour behind, we made it just in time to set up before the sun set
    Leer más

  • Day 6: Exploring Renmark

    12 de abril de 2022, Australia ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    Woke early to witness a beautiful sunrise over the river, wasn’t disappointed

    Received lots of recommendations for ways to spend the day, most involving alcohol 😳

    First we walked along the riverfront and played in the water fountain getting very wet, then onto Murtho Forest and the Headings Cliff Lookout with the most spectacular views of the river below.
    Walked the Peringa Paddacks track within the Murray River National Park, would have done the Goat Island loop but had to get to the Distillery before it closed for a gin and beer tasting.

    And given both the Brewery and the Historic Pub were closed on Tuesdays, what set out to be a boozy day ended quite sedately, at least for one of us 😜
    Leer más

  • Day 7: On to Burra

    13 de abril de 2022, Australia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    Said a sad goodbye to Plush’s Bend, would have loved to stay longer.

    Quick stop off to pick up Arrosto Coffee beans, which we ground as we travelled (for our refillable pods) whilst singing along Bryan Adams, and Johnny finally got the hang of the caravaners wave 👋 .

    It was recommended we stop at the Historic Overland Corner Hotel, and so glad we made the very short detour. What an awesome place. Reminded us of a little of Mervyn’s cottage in Wales.
    And with free camping nearby on the banks of the Murray, it’s a definite ‘must do’ if we are back in the area.

    Arrived at Burra Caravan Park for an overnight stop and had a ‘minor’ incident whilst setting requiring quick thinking, a bucket and lots of towels followed by an impromptu laundry sesh. All good now, hopefully 🙏🏻 but we ran out of time to do the Burra Heritage Passport Tour so instead wandered around the town for the historic buildings and mining history.
    Leer más

  • Day 8: The journey to Hawker

    14 de abril de 2022, Australia ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C

    We were recommended to get a Tiddy Oggi whilst in Burra, so before leaving we popped across the bridge to the Gasllight Cafe, an eclectic store with rooms full of all sorts. Peter welcomed us and we enjoyed the unusual treat- a pastry 1/2 Cornish pasty and 1/2 stewed apple with cream. Coupled with the most delicious hot chocolate we were set for a day of travelling.

    Quick stop to see the ruins of the Cobb and Co Coach House which featured on Midnight Oil’s Diesel and Dust album cover and travelled along listening to the album

    Johnny selected the route today to travel through Jamestown and along the RM (Reginald Murray) Williams Way, along which the Indian Pacific passed us and we passed lots of abandoned buildings, left in ruins which got us wondering how many happy memories had been celebrated there before their demise.

    Stopped at Carrieton to stretch our legs and enjoy a drink at the Hotel, and as we passed the Cradock Hotel we clocked 28000.

    Arrived at Hawker Caravan Park for our overnight stay and headed out to see the Jeff Morgan Panorama’s at his gallery in the town. We were expecting to see his paintings but we’re surprised by the extensive rock and model car collections.

    Hawker Hotel for a cool glass of cider and some catching up with family before a few days out of connectivity.
    Leer más

  • Day 9: Good Friday @ Italowie Gap

    15 de abril de 2022, Australia ⋅ 🌙 25 °C

    Back on the road, the Outback Hwy to Copley, 157 km with just 1 instruction - turn right at 156km 😳

    The temp reached 30 at just 10.30, but thankfully it didn’t get any higher.

    Rendezvous with friends at Copley, they have been traveling for 2 weeks and we are continuing our travels together for the next 10 days.

    Unfortunately AVAN hasn’t yet fitted our Carafan, and so we had to seal over the vents using a XXXX box and duct tape for the next 100km of rough dusty road 😳. Thankfully that worked and we didn’t have much dust ingress, just a little around the door step.

    Set up for a few nights of remote bush camping at Italowie Gap Campground in the Gammon Ranges National Park. A beautiful spot in a valley amongst the hills but very rocky and dusty underfoot with little prickles that seem to get everywhere.
    And for a little bit of history- RM Williams set up camp nearby and made his first pair of leather boots here in 1932
    Leer más

  • Day 10: Exploring Arkaroola

    16 de abril de 2022, Australia ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Coffee with a spectacular view of the Gammon Ranges, a beautiful peaceful morning with just the sounds of the birds to break the silence

    Attempted to clean the dust from the solar panels, from the previous days driving, to give them some chance to refill the batteries whilst out for the day exploring.

    Road trip, first to Arkaroola village, the wilderness sanctuary, then off road driving to the Arkaroola waterhole, would have loved a dip in it but were advised not to. $2.50 for diesel 😳

    Returned to camp for an awesome roast lamb dinner, even better that it wasn’t cooked by us - yum
    Leer más

  • Day 11: Easter Sunday 4WD adventures

    17 de abril de 2022, Australia ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    The Easter Bunny found us all the way out here 😍

    Toasted hot cross buns for Easter Sunday morning breakfast then another road trip and lots more dust

    The 4WD track took us to the Ochra Wall, Lively’s gold mine, Jasper Twins, Welcome Mine, Welcome Pound, and Stubbs Waterhole - but again we couldn’t swim. Then the Mt Jacob back track back to the road. 25km and 1 hr of rough 4 wheel driving, the first time our car has really been 4WDing and Johnny was in his element, loving every minute of it whilst Justine was clinging on and wishing for it to just end 😜

    Back at camp for some special Easter treats involving chocolate and Baileys- yum
    Leer más

  • Day 13: Wilpena Pound

    19 de abril de 2022, Australia ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    ALOT of rain overnight which helped to clean the car and van of dust.
    A cold night led to an even colder morning and we got up early to head out to Wilpena Pound to hike the 9kms to Wangara lookout, stopping at Hills Homestead along the way- if only the walls could talk

    Next a 3km hike up to Arkaroo rock, the site of aboriginal rock art and then a short walk to Kangaroo Gap at Rawnsley Station.

    Sunset at the Station Hill Lookout the dinner at the Woolshed Restaurant - local lamb.
    Leer más

  • Day 14 Exploring the Flinders Ranges

    20 de abril de 2022, Australia ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    Started the day with a very cold but beautiful sunrise at Station Lookout before we headed off to explore more of the Flinders Ranges.

    First the dirt road linking Bunyeroo and Brachina Gorges, with stop offs for the Yanyanna Hut, Bunyeroo Valley & Gorge, Brachina Gorge-where we played ‘Where’s Wallaby’ on the rock face and with patience and eagle eyes spotted Andu Yellow footed rock wallabies and finishing at Parachilna for the Prarie Pub and a well deserved cool drink - a very nice local Shiraz gin.

    Next more dirt road, passing Angorchilna village and on to
    Blinman- the highest surveyed town in SA. Was looking forward to the mine tour but unfortunately it was fully booked so we stopped at the pub for lunch- and another local gin, this time quondong.

    Returned along the Flinders Ranges Way with a stop at the Great Wall of China.

    Dinner tonight cooked in the open fire under a star lit sky.

    Last night at Rawnsley and we head into the Clair Valley tomorrow
    Leer más