Point Turton to Moonta - Yorke Peninsula wind-blown adventure cont.

Point Turton to Innes National Park

Thursday, Jan 20^th

Hot strong north westerly wind meant that again we were looking for a wind break so hoping that the recommended Pondalowie Bay camp site would provide this.

The Innes NP has spectacular coastal scenery, with rugged cliffs, islands in close proximity and the beautiful blue waters of the Southern Ocean. The Chinaman’s Hat beach at low tide was perfect ...

Did I mention the wind?

and the Stenhouse Bay jetty was very scenic too.

We explored the old town of Inneston, which existed until the 1930s and the site was for the manufacture of plaster. The remnants were well signed, the salt lake incredible, although we later saw others that were more impressive, and it was a good spot to stop until the heat drove us back into the air-conditioned van.

The Pondalowie By site did not have shade but we found a spot out of the prevailing wind and set up for the day. The main bay had green fishing shacks in the sand dunes – strange in a NP but these had been there from the 1950s and the bay provides a very sheltered spot for mooring fishing boats, so the fishing rights continue. We walked to the bay then around the rocks to look across the spectacular view to the 4 islands that protect it from the open waters.

The next 2 bays were pretty and there were people snorkelling in Groper Bay so after a quick swim I decided to return and join them before the tide rose. As I was walking back along the road, a young emu came out of the bushes ahead of me, then another 3 of the same size joined it. Suddenly, a BIG male came out onto the road, stared at me and then gathered up the children to walk up the road. I followed meekly behind, hoping that my presence was not going to cause him to confront me! All ended well when he took them off into the bushes again. That evening we had a mother kangaroo and a joey feeding just metres from us. We also had bush flies and march flies in plague proportions. A small price to pay for such a beautiful part of the country, but Graeme has vowed to push on!

Pondalowie Bay to Moonta

Friday, Jan 21

A strong change of wind direction had us up in the night, pulling in the awning before it blew away. At first light I was up to go for a walk to the lighthouse while GVS packed up the van, ready to move on to a spot out of the wind where he could go fishing ..... not sure if there is such a spot on the Yorke Peninsula. We drove for much of the morning, following the tourist guide and the Camps 5 guide but the wind kept us on the move. Finally, in mid-afternoon, we came to the historic and very well presented town of Moonta, now a major holiday destination for Sth Australians, on the shores of the Spencer Gulf. We felt at home here in the obviously affluent tourist town and booked into the caravan park for a couple of nights so that we could once again have a drive-free day. The most expensive rate yet, at $34 a night, but a very beautiful bay where the tide went out to the same degree as it does at Rosebud. The water was bath temperature and the pier was bigger and better than any of the others!! GVS thought that he might try flounder fishing at night if the now-calmer wind abated. I’ll wait and see as he also bought fresh whiting and wine for dinner so I don’t think he’ll make it.

I’m not sure about this purposeless nomadic life with just 2. For the first few weeks it was an adventure; there were lots of adjustments to be made but it was fun trying out new things in the van and new places along the way. However, the itinerant and isolated lifestyle doesn’t seem to be the life for me. The sooner we settle in one place and I can find some work – voluntary or paid – the better I will be. Perhpas it's time to put some of that ESL training to use.

Moonta Bay – the home of the sand crabbers!

Sat. Jan 22^nd

Beautiful, hot day with sea ‘breeze’ – not as windy as other days but grateful for the wind across the water in the afternoon to keep us cool. Too hot to go to town in the afternoon. Pretty bay with incredible tidal movement across the whole bay ...... long walk to the water for a swim at low tide! Even the 'shark-proof' netted off swimming area alongside the pier was in the shallows. The pier was busy early, with lots of crab pots as well as fishing lines. This is a crabbing centre, along with other parts of the Yorke Pen.