Barossa to Streaky Bay
While Heinz did some work at one of the Barossa wineries, I toured around a little and visited the very small township of Bethany, the oldest german village in the Barossa. I also visited the Bethany winery to taste some of the local wines. On Tuesday we drove down to Lyndoch, passing by many of the famous Barossa wineries. On the way back we drove into Chateau Yaldara, the oldest chateau in the area. Some time ago there was a change in ownership and a lot of the art works and antiques have been moved to a new chateau built by the former owner, Robert Thumm. However, it is still a very elegant building and popular venue for tourists.
On Wednesday we drove out of the Barossa on our way to Port Augusta, travelling via the beautiful Clare Valley, and took the opportunity to visit the Seven Hills Monastery and Winery. The monastery was established by the Jesuits in the 1840’s and the winery in 1851. We took time not only to sample a couple of Rieslings, have a look through the museum and the original cellar, but to visit the church and the crypt. The monastery and winery are on the popular “Riesling” trail which includes a walking and cycling track and the whole setting is well worth while visiting.
We then pushed on to Port Pirie for lunch, via Crystal Brook. The country is so dry but the vegetation changes continuously. Arrived in Port Augusta mid afternoon and found our first “cabin” accommodation in the Big 4 Caravan Park. Basic, but comfortable with ensuite. Took a drive up to the water tower and climbed the tower where there were some good views.
On Thursday travelled to Streaky Bay via Kimba – there is a tourist board which claims it is half way across Australia – and had lunch at Widunna. Many large wheat properties on the way, and all the towns have large wheat silos beside the railway track as you enter the town. In the afternoon we made our way down to Streaky Bay, where we had a cabin booked for 3 nights. The large bay was a welcome sight after all that dry country.
However, the surrounding area is very dry and stark – not sure how they manage to grow wheat and the sheep don’t seem to have much to eat!
The caravan park is right on the beach and our cabin only about 30 metres from the water. It is a very popular spot for fishing and the park is set up with good facilities for this, with many fish cleaning shelters. The pelicans and seagulls gather every time someone is cleaning fish, waiting anxiously for titbits. Interesting to watch the “pecking” order of the pelicans.
Up until yesterday lunchtime the weather has been sunny and 26 to 29 deg but this changed yesterday afternoon when temperature dropped and we had a couple of showers. Today it has dropped to 14 deg and there have been a few brief heavy showers.
We have taken the opportunity the last two days to visit some of the remote areas to the south of Streaky Bay. Yesterday we drove down to Sceale Bay where Jean dipped a toe into the Great Southern Ocean, and this morning we drove to Pt Labette, where there is a sea lion colony. A special lookout has been built on the top of the cliffs. We packed a picnic, intending to have it on the way, but changed our minds when we got out at the lookout. It was very cold and windy and starting to rain. Most of the sea lions were on the beach, but huddled together in groups. Don’t blame them. We then heard on the news that gales are forecast in the southern ocean areas and the sea and sky certainly reflected this. However, we pushed on and called in at several points of interest – Yanerbie, Speeds Point, Smooth Pool, Granites and High Cliffs. So wild and remote. A few holiday houses are starting to appear, with fishing and surfing being the big attractions.
While Heinz did some work at one of the Barossa wineries, I toured around a little and visited the very small township of Bethany, the oldest german village in the Barossa. I also visited the Bethany winery to taste some of the local wines. On Tuesday we drove down to Lyndoch, passing by many of the famous Barossa wineries. On the way back we drove into Chateau Yaldara, the oldest chateau in the area. Some time ago there was a change in ownership and a lot of the art works and antiques have been moved to a new chateau built by the former owner, Robert Thumm. However, it is still a very elegant building and popular venue for tourists.
On Wednesday we drove out of the Barossa on our way to Port Augusta, travelling via the beautiful Clare Valley, and took the opportunity to visit the Seven Hills Monastery and Winery. The monastery was established by the Jesuits in the 1840’s and the winery in 1851. We took time not only to sample a couple of Rieslings, have a look through the museum and the original cellar, but to visit the church and the crypt. The monastery and winery are on the popular “Riesling” trail which includes a walking and cycling track and the whole setting is well worth while visiting.
We then pushed on to Port Pirie for lunch, via Crystal Brook. The country is so dry but the vegetation changes continuously. Arrived in Port Augusta mid afternoon and found our first “cabin” accommodation in the Big 4 Caravan Park. Basic, but comfortable with ensuite. Took a drive up to the water tower and climbed the tower where there were some good views.
On Thursday travelled to Streaky Bay via Kimba – there is a tourist board which claims it is half way across Australia – and had lunch at Widunna. Many large wheat properties on the way, and all the towns have large wheat silos beside the railway track as you enter the town. In the afternoon we made our way down to Streaky Bay, where we had a cabin booked for 3 nights. The large bay was a welcome sight after all that dry country.
However, the surrounding area is very dry and stark – not sure how they manage to grow wheat and the sheep don’t seem to have much to eat!
The caravan park is right on the beach and our cabin only about 30 metres from the water. It is a very popular spot for fishing and the park is set up with good facilities for this, with many fish cleaning shelters. The pelicans and seagulls gather every time someone is cleaning fish, waiting anxiously for titbits. Interesting to watch the “pecking” order of the pelicans.
Up until yesterday lunchtime the weather has been sunny and 26 to 29 deg but this changed yesterday afternoon when temperature dropped and we had a couple of showers. Today it has dropped to 14 deg and there have been a few brief heavy showers.
We have taken the opportunity the last two days to visit some of the remote areas to the south of Streaky Bay. Yesterday we drove down to Sceale Bay where Jean dipped a toe into the Great Southern Ocean, and this morning we drove to Pt Labette, where there is a sea lion colony. A special lookout has been built on the top of the cliffs. We packed a picnic, intending to have it on the way, but changed our minds when we got out at the lookout. It was very cold and windy and starting to rain. Most of the sea lions were on the beach, but huddled together in groups. Don’t blame them. We then heard on the news that gales are forecast in the southern ocean areas and the sea and sky certainly reflected this. However, we pushed on and called in at several points of interest – Yanerbie, Speeds Point, Smooth Pool, Granites and High Cliffs. So wild and remote. A few holiday houses are starting to appear, with fishing and surfing being the big attractions.
