Day 169 / 2017 Adelaide to Ceduna

Leaving Adelaide it was time to head west back towards WA. Hard to believe but this 4 year adventure was almost over. We still have a few more weeks left and our next Destination was Streaky Bay and Ceduna. We would also catch up with Bruce an Gina as they were heading up from Port Lincoln on the southern tip of the Eyre Peninsula. 

From Gawler we headed out North on Port Wakefeild Hwy also known as the Prince's Hwy or the A1. Gawler Gateway Tourist Park was a great location to base ourselves. We could catch the train saving driving into the city and was great we didn't have to navigate through Adelaide itself to leave, a bit less stress on the Navigator. Heading along the Hwy we passed through Port Wakefeild, the last time we were here was in March 2014. From there we continued on through Port Pirie finally turning west a Port Augusta onto the Eyre Hwy at the intersection where it meets Prince's and Stuart Hwy. We are now offically heading home. The road is mostly strait from here but we had to remember to turn right where the Eyre Hwy meets the Lincoln Hwy.

We decided to stop at Iron Knob for the night in the donation camp area which was about 360 Kms from our starting point. This is getting towards the top of our daily travelling distance so was a good option for stopping for the night. We had planned to stay in Iron Knob back in 2014 on the way over but being the middle of the day and hot (as there is no power) we decided back then to push onto Port Augusta. There is not much at Iron Knob as it was one of the original Iron Ore mining towns. Mining commenced back in 1900 by BHP. The ore was originally used as a Flux in the lead smelter at Port Pirie but the Iron Ore proved to be such high quality it was the catalyst for the commencement of the Australian Steel industry. It supplied Iron Ore to Newcastle, Port Kembla and later Whyalla Steelworks.  Mining stopped in 1998 but was reopened again 2013. As of today Iron Knob still produces iron Ore mainly for Export and smelting at Whyalla. There is a basic camping area at Knobbies Park where you can stay for a max of 5 nights. They don't charge any fees but donations for using the facilities is greatly appreciated. There is plenty of room and most of the parking is on a gravel hardstand. There is a Museum worth a look and a post office wich sells small grocery Items. The camp wasn't busy but there were still a number of vans there.

Next day we continued on west to Kimba about 90 Km away. We stopped there for a while to take in the BIG Pink Parrot (more big things) and the Silo art works. Kimba is a typical what town and considered the half way mark of Australia between the East and West coasts. Kimbas would make a great place to stop, there are a few attractions and has a nice Free Campground with modern toilet facilites. The only thing they ask is if you drop in receipts of any expenditure you made in town. You can also leave adonation if you like. While we were there a group of vintage cars stopped and were were able to have a look at them. When Anne and her Uncle where here they scratched their names into one of the road signs. she went looking for but we don't think it was there anymore as it was over 50 years ago. We didn't end up staying in Kimba as it was still early so we pushed on.

Heading towards Streaky Bay we learned that Bruce anf Gina wouldn't be there untill tomorrow so we decided to stop at a Old Homestead called 'Kooma View Farmhouse' about another 70 Km West of Kimba. We pulled up around 3PM. This is a donation camp and there is plenty of room for small and big rigs. You are welcome to look at the old house which has been left as though someone is about to come back. There are also some walking tracks around the property if you want to walk further. There is a dump point there to empty your cassette toilet, there is no electricity on site and no water in the house but there is an outside dunny you can use. There is Telstra coverage.

Next day we headed off towards Streaky Bay about a 170 Km down the road. At Poochera we turned left off the Ayre Hwy onto the Streaky Bay Road. Arriving at Streaky Bay around 12:30PM we headed for the Islands Caravan Park. Last time here in 2014 we stayed at the Streaky Bay Foreshore Caravan Park and although it is proberbly a nice park we didn't know it as we were put next to the chip fry exhaust of the cafe right behind a toilet block. We could barely fit onto the site with our tow hitch hanging over the road. The Island Caravan Park wasn't open then but it was on the way back so gave it a try. Very nice park with large sites. we scored a site right on the water front with excellent views. Everything was still new and the ablution blocks were also uniquely done in they they are a combined Shower & Change Area with a privacy door, prety much a private bathroom. The area is big enough for a small family to share together.

Bruce and Gina arrived about 4 PM, Anne was quite excited as they haden't caught up since Christmas and it is always exiting to catch up with frieinds and family from home. We had the obligatory happy hour there shared dinner that night.  The weather was mild considering we were there in June and although swimming was proberbly for the brave walking and fishing was a quite enjoyable activities. The beach was right behind our site with easy acces to the foreshore. I wouldn't say the fish were biting but it was relaxing just to sit back, wet a line and drink a few frothies.

After a few days of relaxing it was time to move on again this time onto Ceduna about 100 odd Km's just up the road. We pulled into the Shelly Beach Caravan park for a 3 night stay as we were all going to catchup with a few other friends, Peter & Chris who were tavelling back from a family trip to eastern states. Peter & Chris had booked a Chalet up on the hill overlooking the ocean so we decide this was a good spot for the quintessential happy hour.  

The next couple of days we did the self drive sight seeing in and around Ceduna. We had already been in 2014 but it is always worth another look to see what has changed. We hadn't been to Denial bay before so went for a walk on the jetty then onto a feed of fresh fish and chips on the foreshore.