Yamba on the Clarence Coast

In our travels and while watching travel shows on TV we had often heard about Yamba and how beautiful it was. So seeing we were in the area we knew we just had to stay here and are we happy we made this decision. Yamba is 670km north or Sydney and 279km south of Brisbane on what is called the Clarence Coast. Yamba along with Iluka are situated on either side at the mouth of the majestic Clarence River. The Clarence River is the largest waterway on the east coast of Australia travelling over 400kms from it's source in the McPherson Ranges in Queensland to the Pacific Ocean. In the past Yamba has been voted the best town in Australia by Australian Traveller Magazine due to its beautiful beaches, award winning restaurants and great atmosphere. We booked into the Calypso Caravan Park for a week and wanted to stay longer but are unable to due to the Yamba Rod Run being held this weekend, when up to 400 hot rods and vintage cars ascend onto Yamba for their annual show.

Myrtle all set up for a week in Yamba

Beautiful Yamba

We are camped within walking distance to the ocean and about 50 steps from the river and each night (if it's not raining, as the first few days did) we are treated to some amazing sunsets. 

A Yamba Sunset

We have been out fishing once but didn't have any luck getting anything into our fishing bucket. As we sat there just prior to the sun setting we noticed quite close to the shore a fin gently gliding through the water. It would submerge and then surface again somewhere else. At first we were not sure if it was a shark or a dolphin but after we saw the fin quite close, decided it was most probably a shark!!! After the sun had gone done, all of a sudden I had a huge jolt on my fishing rod that had so much force it actually dragged me a few steps along the beach toward the water. After only about 20 seconds of me holding the rod and trying to keep my balance the line snapped and I almost fell back on my bum!!! So that was the end of my fishing for the night, but we are heading back out tonight. 

No whiting at whiting beach!

One day when it was quite overcast we decided to go for a drive into MacLean which is only a short drive from Yamba. Due to its Scottish roots MacLean is advertised as "The Scottish Town in Australia". The Scottish settlers to MacLean (originally named Rocky Mouth) were mainly highlanders, driven from Scotland by the Highland Clearances and famine in the 1840's. At Easter every year the town holds a Highland Gathering where the town commemorates MacLeans Scottish Pioneers. Also situated on the Clarence River it is quite a quaint little village with some beautiful historic buildings. Some of the street signs are in Gaelic as well as English and there are over 200 power poles painted with Scottish clan tartans. 

Tartan Poles

I tried but I can't pronounce MacNaughton Pl in Gaelic!!

Check out this little groovie dude I ran into today

End Note: We just got back from a couple of hours fishing. Still no luck on the fishing front but we were treated to an amazing sunset sky, a sea eagle flying above, some sort of bid diving into the water to get our fish, pelicans and the joy of watching a pod of dolphins swim only metres from the shore. 

Another beautiful Sunset sky

This is the best shot I could get of our visitors -
the dolphins moved through the water so gracefully

Copper Coast

The Copper Coast is situated on the northern Yorke Peninsula, which is exactly where we are at the moment. We have been on drives checking out some of the small townships in the area. We have also spent a morning fishing, but alas to no avail. When all else fails walk across the road to the pub and have Salt n' Pepper Squid.

When all else fails head to the pub for Salt n' Pepper squid

Port Broughton Hotel - majestic

Most of the towns in this part of the world are seaside villages and really quite pretty with great history. The first settlement we visited was inland and named Mundoora and was really tiny. Why did we go, they had a market. We are suckers for a market, and for such a tiny township it was pretty good.

Mundoora Soldiers Memorial Hall

Kadina is the largest town on the Yorke Peninsula. In the late 19th century, Kadina had a population of 20,000 due to the copper boom. These days the population is around 5,000.

This amazing Bougainvillea was absolutely beautiful.

This area sure has some magnificent houses

We then headed back to the coast to Moonta and Moonta Bay. Moonta's origins in 1860 were very fortunate - a shepherd noticed traces of copper on a wombat burrow. With the huge influx of skilled miners from Cornwall changed South Australia's cultural mix. Still now so many years on the township still cherishes its Corwall history.

Moonta Historic Station

Another township we visited was Wallaroo. The township of  Moonta may be the historic centre but Wallaroo is the apex of the Copper Coast. A deep sea port and home to the Spencer Gulf prawn fleet, it's a very popular holiday town.

Wallaroo was very pretty for an industrial town

Today we drove north into the township of Port Pirie which was founded in 1845 and is the site of the world's largest lead smelter. It also produces refined silver, zinc, copper and gold.

Historic Port Pirie Station

This Port Pirie was spectacular

Port Augusta to Port Broughton

WooHoo - this is my 700th post and I'd like you to celebrate my milestone with me. If you leave me a comment you will have a chance of winning a piece of jewellery from DavineRaeDesign.

Just one of the three givaways that are up for grabs.
All you have to do is leave a comment on my blog or facebook

We also had another milestone on our Aussie Adventure. Today the distance we have travelled on our Adventure ticked over to the 30,000 kilometres.

Our milestone - 30,000kms

After heading off from Port Augusta our first stop was at the small seaside village of Port Germein for a nice Ham and Cheese toasted sandwich for breakie. Originally named "Hummock Harbour", Port Germein was once an important transport hub for the surrounding districts. Back in 1881 the Port Germein jetty was the longest jetty in the Southern Hemisphere.

Port Germein Jetty

A lighthouse was erected at the end of the jetty in 1894. The lighthouse was manned until 1917, when it was replaced by a AGA flashing light. The lighthouse was relocated to it's current site in 1975.

Port Germein Lighthouse

We are now at our home for the next few days Port Broughton. Port Broughton is another small seaside village located on the Yorke Peninsula on the east coast of Spencer Gulf. The population of around 950 swells to over 4000 in the Summer holidays due to its close proximity to South Australia's Capitol Adelaide.

Yet another wonderful view from Myrtle