Eyre Peninsula

Sunrise looking across Spencer Gulf towards the Flinders Rangers

After leaving Port Pirie we traveled around the top of the Spencer Gulf to Fitzgerald Bay. On the way through Port Augusta we had to empty the toilet cassette at the local Dump Point, a pretty normal operation on most occasion ..... however this time I happen to find a mobile phone left on the post next to the Dump Point, I called the last number and spoke to the owners sister who informed me the owner came from WA and was traveling around Yorke Peninsula.  We decided to have a coffee and see if they returned for the phone.  Unfortunately they did not return so I decided to leave the phone with one of the other caravaners at the site, with my contact details. We headed off towards Whyalla and about an half an hour down the road we received a call saying they had picked the phone up and was also heading in the same direction. We turned off highway to Pt Lowly then drove down to Lighthouse and Pt Bonython but wasn't keen to stay there so continued onto Fitzgerald Bay where we found a great camp spot overlooking the water  (needed to be self sufficient). 

As we came over the range this was our first view of Fitzgerald Bay

Our camp at Fitzgeald Bay only 20 m from the waters edge, I'm standing on the Shingle Ridge to take this photo.

Our camp was just on the sea side of the Shingle Beach Ridges which is a geological phenomenon of moderately sorted rounded pebbles which form flat topped ridges. These have been traced over some 50 kms from near the head of Spencer Gulf and can be easily seen here at Fitzgerald Bay.

Shingle Beach Ridges

Stayed at this great spot for a couple of nights and during our stay we had a little Suzuki pull up and a lady asking about camping in the area, and noticing WA number plates, I asked if her husband had lost his phone. Much to her surprise we explained we were the ones who found it - we all found it astonishing that we have met up and they were very thankful.  Lyn & Graham were travelling in a bus and towing a trailer and when we said we were leaving next day they were keen to take our site. They were there before we had packed up next morning!  They called themselves 'the travelling circus' - the bus was towing an enclosed car trailer with a small workshop and quad bike plus the Suzuki, with a boat on top! What other toys would a man want?

Reluctantly we left Fitzgerald Bay, called into Whyalla for supplies and another eventful stop at the dump site - thought the concrete was black however upon emptying the cassette I discovered it was covered in black ants!! This made me jump around alot, Hels thought I had lost the plot. From Whyalla we turned onto Lincoln Highway and called into Cowell for lunch then onto Pt Gibbon where we found a great spot overlooking the ocean.

The main street of Cowell

Campsite overlooking Spencer Gulf near Pt Gibbon only enough room for the chairs to take in the view.

View from 'our' beach to Pt Gibbon

Looking north along the beach as the storm rolled in.

Our spot was wonderful until late afternoon when a storm was brewing and we had a million flying ants surround the van - they shed their wings and died. As the wind got stronger, we wound the awning up including all the dead flying ants!! All of a sudden this great spot was not so great afterall as the wind picked up and all night we were being rocked around in the van and listening to a roaring sea.  In the morning we had sea salt residue all down one side of the car and van and with a storm warning issued, decided to leave.

Continued on Lincoln Highway calling into Arno Bay, Tumby Bay before deciding we were sick of the wind and drove inland to Cummins where we stayed a night at the Caravan park.  Were able to put the awning out and wash off all the ants - did a bit of drive around the town with Hels doing a lot of reminiscing of her childhood. Had dinner at the pub and got a great night sleep with no howling wind or waves crashing, much to Hels relief!

Leaving Cummins we took a dirt track to Kopio where we spent quite some time in the Kopio Smithy Museum (refer to separate blog entry). Continued past White Flat to Poonindie, then onto Helen's cousins house overlooking Boston Bay at Pt Lincoln. They have a stunning garden and we had a fantastic time with Rosie & Bill - really appreciated their wonderful hospitality.

Front garden of Rosie & Bill at Pt Lincoln, just see the van on the RHS.

We cooked bacon and eggs Australia Day breakfast for them before setting off on a sightseeing tour including lunch at Coffin Bay down by the jetty, tour around Coffin Bay, drove to Kellidie Bay taking the track through the shacks, visit to Pig & Antique Shop at Wangary (interesting!!), visited Dutton Bay, drove along Farm Beach where people were enjoying Australia Day. Back home for a terrific feed of Pt Lincoln whiting and yellow belly - what a great Australia Day!

Coffee at Pig & Antique Shop, Wangary