The Wonder of Mother Nature

The wonders of Mother Nature are very evident up here in the Tablelands. Millions of years ago it was a hostile place with a lot of volcanic activity. Hence the extremely fertile soils, the beautiful crater lakes, and the amazing countryside scenery. The rolling green fields are very reminiscent of Tasmania. Our Friday adventure took us out to the Danbulla State Forest to another one of Mother Natures stunning creations - The Cathedral Fig. Like the Curtain Fig we saw the other day this tree is a gigantic 500 year old strangler fig. After walking down the 200mt easy pathway through the dense rainforest, the site of this spectacle just takes your breath away, it is like something out of Lord of the Rings.

The eerie 500 year old Strangler Fig

The top of the fig had so many huge ferns growing

It is almost impossible to get the whole tree in a shot, so I decided to have a go with my fish eye lens for my iPhone. It is advertised to have the reputation of being the best place to hear the early morning birds singing. Well I can say we weren't there early in the morning but there certainly was a lot of birds singing.

Trying to capture all of the tree with my fish eye iPhone lens was even a challenge

Next it was onto checkout a couple of the crater lakes. First up was Lake Barrine which was only was only a short drive of the Gillies Hwy. Situated on the lake is the Lake Barrine Tea House where you can go on a scenic cruise and have a delicious Devonshire Tea for $22.00.

Lake Barrine

 Next it was onto Lake Eacham another crater lake not far off the highway. This lake seemed to be the one where everyone heads for some water activity. There were a few kids swimming and a couple of people paddle boarding. There was also a sign warning that there was a freshwater crocodile in the water and to take care.

Lake Eacham

Along with the views and the fabulous produce this area provides we have noticed a few other things about the Atherton Tablelands. The majority of tourist attractions are free, they are just there from Mother Nature for us all to enjoy. Another thing is that there are a few shops that multi-task. In Atherton we went into a coffee shop for a bit of lunch and it was combined with a fabric shop. Actually my perfect shop food and fabric. Then in Yungaburra we found a chemist and fishing tackle shop combined and almost next door was a lolly shop, wedding cars and irrigation shop combined - very convenient for some I guess.

Lara Wetlands

We decided to stay at Lara for a night, that turned into three at the Lara Wetlands Bush Camp. It was absolutely beautiful, our camp was right on the water, we had our own fire each night and there was a hot Artesian Thermal Pool to have a soak in. The sites didn't have any power but there was toilets and showers and that's all you really need. Our first night was sheer bliss. After eating dinner beside our glowing campfire I settled into bed listening to the many noises of nature. In the morning I awoke as the sun came over the treetops to an orchestra of amazing sounds of nature. After mediating I sat and had breakfast with the Native Bees gathering pollen from the grasses. Two baby magpies came right up to my feet. Bright green parrots with the most vivid orange/red beneath their wings, blue parrots with a multitude of colours under their wings , various ducks, swans, birds that seemed to walk on water with their skinny little legs and then to top it of a big eagle flew over my head.

A beautiful sunset over the Lara Wetlands

Our very own nightly fire

The Artesian Thermal pool

Our next day was just another day in paradise. Our early morning was spent soaking in the Artesian Thermal Pool. It was pretty warm we you first got in, probably in the mid 40c's. That afternoon we decided to drive the 23km into Barcaldine to get a few supplies and have a look around. I have wanted to go to Barcaldine for awhile after hearing about the "Tree of Knowledge". The Tree of Knowledge was a Ghost Gum (Eucalyptus Papuana) which grew outside the railway station in Barcaldine for around 180 years and is celebrates as being the central meeting place for the Shearer's Strike during the upheaval in 1891. It is also believed that in 1891 the base of this historic tree was the location of the formation of the Australian Labour Party. Unfortunately it was poisoned in 2006 by an unknown culprit. After preservation it was placed under an award winning timber structure.  

Looking up inside this amazing structure

The Tree of Knowledge structure is very imposing

When we got back to Myrtle we both had a Nana nap. The evening was once again spent by our fire listening to nature bid the day farewell. 

Wilsons Promontory Weekend

This weekend I am having a relaxed camping weekend with a girlfriend (Robyn) at Wilsons Promontory National Park. Based on archaeological records this area was occupied by Indigenous Australians at least 6,500 years ago. The first Europeans to sight the area is believed to be George Bass and William Flinders back in 1798. Lobbying by the Field Naturalists Club of Victoria and the Royal Society of Victoria let to the area becoming a permanent National Park in 1908. The Wilsons Promontory was used as commando training area during World War 11. A memorial to commandos who lost their lives in World War II is located at Tidal River. During the Black Saturday Fires of February 2009 throughout Victoria, trees in the Wilsons Promontory were struck by lightning, which then led to the loss of up to 50% of the national park through extensive fire damage. But the area has come back with as much beauty as you could ever imagine. Today we went for a 5km return to one of the parks iconic locations Squeaky Beach. The beach gets its name from the rounded Quartz sand that "squeaks" when you walk on it. There are some amazing rock formations at the northern end of the beach that create a maze of passages you can explore. 

Victor Harbour

We are currently staying in Victor Harbour for a few days. We are camped in the driveway of Shane's Auntie Jean and her hubby John. It's a bit weird being set up in a driveway! Victor Harbour is a said to be one of South Australia's premium seaside cities. The cities economy is based on agriculture and fisheries, but tourism is possibly the main economy. With an out of holiday season population of around 14,500 it is a very pretty city with lots of beautiful bays.

Very pretty Victor Harbour

Today we went for a drive to the historic town of Strathalbyn for lunch with Jean and John. With a population of only around 4,000 Strathalbyn still has four pubs, The Victoria, The Robin Hood, The Terminus and The Commercial. Its funny no matter how small a town is they always have a pub (or two).

The Robin Hood Hotel - one of the four pubs in town

I won't ever get sick of taking photos of the old buildings.

The town is also host to an annual collectors, hobbies and antique fair held on the third weekend of August every year, hence the numerous antique stores in town. As with most of South Australian towns you also have a collection of beautifully restored historic buildings.

This porcelain Laurel and Hardy set grabbed my attention.
But at $75 I left them alone.

Shane was happy when he found the local Lolly Shop!

Bunyeroo Gorge, Aroona Valley and Brachina Gorge

Today we set off on our days expedition of driving through the Bunyeroo and Brachina Gorges. According to the signs this area displays the 630 million year old geology of the Flinders Ranges. I don't know about how old it is but the scenery was spectacular. Our first native wildlife visit nearly got ran over as it bolted in front of the car. This was just the first of many emu we saw. 

The first of many Emu's we encountered

Looking across "Blacks Gap"

After driving through the Bunyeroo Gorge with its views and ancient trees we stopped to eat our picnic lunch we had bought along. The silence up in the middle of nowhere was wonderful. Once lunch was finished with we headed off into the Brachina Gorge.
  

Just spectacular

 

and again!

At one stop we were greeted by a small herd of Billy Goats. They were really quite large so I was ready to bolt back to the car if they decided they didn't like me there.

They didn't seem to worry that we were there....

....they had their drink and off they went.

As yesterday we had a fair few dry river crossings but this time most of our gorge drive was in the actual river bed. Very weird driving along a dry river bed.

The river bed was a bit bumpy but pretty good.

Seeing this was our last night at Rawnsley Park Station we decided to go to the Woolshed Restaurant for dinner. The meal was pretty good but the sunset and the full moon were spectacular.

Thank You Mother Nature

I had no words then and I still don't

Parachilna Gorge

Today we took ourselves on a bit of a driving expedition. As we drove along, looking up to our right we could see a rock formation called "The Great Wall of China"



The Great Wall of China

We headed north to a tiny little village called Blinman where I bought myself a nice size piece of Rose Quartz, cheaper than I would have bought it in Melbourne.

My new Rose Quartz Crystal

Then we headed off down the Parachilna Gorge Road. We had been told it was a pretty rugged road with lots of rocks, but as it turned out I think the grader had not long previously graded to track. A lot of our journey was crossing over the dry river beds. The scenery was nothing short of spectacular. Before we knew it we had arrived at our lunch destination – the Prairie Hotel in Parachilna. This pub is well known for its Aussie Menu that includes burgers and other meals consisting of Kangaroo, Camel and Emu. I’m not very adventurous when it come to my meals but Shane got an Emu Burger. I did have a taste of the meat patty and it really only tasted like a spicy meat patty, but it was a really dark meat.

The Prairie Hotel soon lets you know what to expect to eat there.
Kangaroo, Camel and Emu!

Yet another beautiful old country pub.

Shane had an Emu Burger, the meat was dark and had been spiced up.
It was OK but I'm not very adventurous when it comes to my food so I had a good old
Chicken Caesar Salad!

After lunch we headed back to Blinman, but this time along the Glass Gorge. This gorge wasn’t as pretty as the Parachilna Gorge but still interesting. It was a bit more rugged but once again we were lucky enough to have had it graded. It is quite strange driving over so many wide dry river beds.


I don't we would be driving across this river if it actually had water in it!

Quorn to Rawnsley Park Station – Flinders Ranges

Rawnsley Park Station has been recommended to us by lots of people, so we just had to stay here.
Rawnsley Park Station is a working sheep property although these days only running about 2000 sheep as it’s main focus is tourism. The Park is situated at the base of one of the walls of the amazing Wilpena Pound.  For some reason I have never been over enthusiastic about visiting Flinders Ranges, but I am now really glad we did visit as the scenery is spectacular.
We took our first day here pretty easy, driving around checking out some of the lookouts.  The views from Stokes Hill Lookout were amazing and to top it off as we drove back down the hill we were greeted by a local kangaroo family. I just love our Kangaroos; they are such a beautiful and interesting animal. Some weren’t to sure about us, but then some decided to check me out as I checked them out.

Flinders Rangers on the horizon

Some True Aussies

Too Cute

Next stop was Appealinna Ruins. The story behind these ruins was very interesting. Built in 1851 and occupied until the 1870's, the Appealinna Ruins is a testament to the early pastoralists hopes and aspirations. The Wills family didn't have it easy though, there was constant conflict between Joseph Wills and the towns miners. Eventually Joseph was killed and it was rumoured that one of the miners had committed it, but no-one was charged. It was also rumoured that Joseph could have been a bit dishonest when it came to which property was his.

Appealinna Ruins

Our last destination for the day was Sacred Canyon. As we walked down the dry river bed the old Red River Gums looked like the old men of the river greeting us. Nearing the Aboriginal Carvings the riverbed got very rocky so off I ventured climbing my way forward. As I was climbing over the rocks it made me think of how I would have been prior to leaving on our Aussie Adventure back in May 2013. I don’t think I would have even tried to climb, I would have thought of some reason why I just couldn’t do it. I am pretty proud of how I have grown over the past 10 ½ months. There wasn’t a huge amount of rock carvings but still very interesting.

The trees almost talked to us

 

Aboriginal Carvings
The circle carvings represent Rock hole or Spring
and the three prong carving represents Emu.

 

Not really a nice leisurely walk

Port Broughton to Ardrossan

Well what an interesting few days I have had since my last post. After having ringing in my ears for about 5 days I ended up spending our last night in Port Broughton in hospital. I came down with a bad episode of vertigo, which in turn had me throwing up violently. Shane bundled me up and got me to hospital. It was really weird as I couldn't walk straight no matter how hard I tried. They think it may be caused by a middle ear infection, but not sure. After getting and injection to stop the ringing, dizziness and vomiting and spending the night in Port Broughton hospital I am now OK, although my ears are still ringing.

After a night in hospital I felt almost 100% better

So we are now on the East side of the Yorke Peninsula in another seaside village called Ardrossan. At first I was a little bit apprehensive about coming to the Yorke Peninsula. After reading the tourist brochures nothing really grabbed me. But after having time here I now see why it is popular with South Australians, it is a really pretty area. It has some lovely small villages, spectacular scenery, beautiful countryside and coastline.

I don't think I will ever get sick of looking out at the ocean

Ardrossan is a thriving seaport with a population of about 1100 people. With an abundance of blue swimmer crabs, great fishing, shipwrecks and an interesting history it is no wonder it is so popular with tourists.



Yet another Wharf! This one has been good to us.
Shane got six Blue Swimmer crabs for my dinner

Wattle Point Wind Farm.
When this wind farm was officially opened back in June 2005,
it was the biggest wind farm in Australia with 91 megawatts.

As this weekend is a long weekend in some Australian states this peninsula is pretty busy. We have visited some of the normally quiet little settlements and even though there are a lot more people around they are still delightful.

The Stansbury village had some beautiful murals

Today I spent the day in one such village, Stansbury at the Stansbury Seaside Market. Due to a cancellation, I was lucky enough to get a spot to have a stand with my jewellery. It was a glorious day, not a cloud in the sky, the sun beaming down, but not to hot, the beautiful blue ocean beside me and having the privilege of sharing my jewellery with the masses. The market was quite busy and I had a fairly successful day.

My little stand for DavineRaeDesign

Coffin Bay

We are now in Coffin Bay which a little township located on the bottom point of the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia. It has a population of around 650 but during holiday season and Easter that can grow to around 4,000. I'm so glad it's not the busy time at the moment. This area is famous all over Australia for its oysters. Some say they are the best in Australia, they are pretty good but in my opinion I think the Tassie (Tasmania) oysters are the best. That doesn't mean I won't be eating as many as I can while I'm here. I'm quite tired tonight and my brain can't think of anything to write, so I might just share some photos I've taken over the past few days.

Mmmmmm Seafood

I'm not sure why but Coffin Bay's golf course has black greens??

As we finished fishing today we were treated with a beautiful sunset

Australia's famous racehorse Makybe Diva

In 2005 Makybe Diva became the only horse to win the Melbourne Cup three times

This Whale tail art in Elliston gave me a giggle

Port Lincoln wharf