Australia here we come!

1/10/12

We went to the Westland Shopping Centre this morning but, owing to the public holiday, only Woolworths was open. Karen bought a replacement electric jug as our old one kept tripping the safety switch. Then we went to Hungry Jacks for breakfast and had the longest wait ever to be served. From Hungry Jacks we drove to the Flinders and Freycinet Lookout. The view all around town and out onto Spencer Gulf was great. From there we went to the marina and boat harbour.

At the launching ramp and jetty we were greated by 4 dolphins lazily swimming around and coming right up to the jetty to look at us. As the jetty is only inches above the water Mary-Anne was lucky enough to pat one. We paid $30.00 each at Monkey Mia for the girls to freeze in icy water in the hope of getting close to a dolphin. What a rip off!!!!

Then we went to Hummock Hill where gun emplacements were built during WW2 in case the Japanese decided to bomb the steel works at Whyalla. The view was great from up there. Then we drove out along the Point Lowly road. Our first stop was at Fitzgerald Bay which offers stunning views of Spencer Gulf, rolling hills and across the gulf to the south Flinders Ranges. We also discovered a rare stranded shingle beach deposit. These are flat sand stone rocks that were heaped up by the wave action thousands of years ago and are now stranded above sea level.

Next we drove to Point Lowly where there is a free camp for caravans and motor homes, and there is a lighthouse. From the lighthouse there are views to the Santos oil and LPG plant at Port Bonython.

We had seen the steel works at Whyalla so we decided to see where the first loads of iron ore for the steelworks came from. On the way back from Point Lowly we took the turnoff to Iron Knob. It was a pleasant 50km drive to my second most favorite mining town (Marble Bar being the favourite). We stopped at the Visitor Information Centre and were greeted by a lovely lady who made us feel most welcome. The Centre has a 6 minute video on the history of the town which we watched (I think Mary-Anne went to sleep).

We had a drive around town and found a delightful camping area set up for caravans and motor homes. There were dunnies and water and a large camp kitchen with a large gas BBQ. I fell in love with the place and pleaded with the girls for us to spend a couple of days there after Whyalla. I was told I would get their answer next morning. (It was a long night’s wait!!!!!).