Ballarat and beyond where the road takes us!

2014
Hi and welcome back to another adventure.

29th May: We left Adelaide and traveled to the Border Rest Area, which is situated right on the border between South Australia and Victoria.

30th May: We  continued on our way the next day to Ballarat, where we found a very nice caravan park "Big 4 Welcome Stranger Holiday Park" the Staff are wonderful, lots of things to do at the park: mini golf, big jumping pillow, spa, pool and the amenities are great and very clean.

31st May: We went to the Tourist information center and picked up information for the sights of Ballarat, from there we went to M.A.D.E. (Museum of Australian Democracy at Eureka)
1st June: Rained all day stayed in the caravan
2nd June: We visited the Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial it was very interesting, we had a slow walk along the memorial, looking at all the names on the wall. Here are a couple of photos of the wall from the end looking back and the center monument representing the countries that they were prisoners in and for the the prisoners who did not return.

 


We went across the road to Wendouree Lake and had a short walk along its edge, there were lots of bird life around the lake.

 From the Lake we then went to the Avenue of Honour and Arch of Victory situated on the road to Ballarat. Then for a change of pace as the weather looked like rain we went to the The Known World Bookshop this is a great little shop with old world charm, were you can have a cup of coffee whilst you browse. If you ever get the chance to visit don't forget to look in the back room it is full of children's books, memorabilia and memories.

Police Officer

3rd June: Sovereign Hill is fantastic we spent all day there walking the Streets and listening to stories told by people in period costume, we saw and learnt how gold is refined, how to load a carbine rifle. We went to a school for Urchin's, children in the 1800's only attended school until aged 13 then the boys worked in the mines and girls learnt how to cook,clean etc and were married by 14. We saw the Red Coats march and fire their carbine rifles. Visited the lolly shop, hotel and bakery for there fine wares. 

Red Coats

4th June: Today we returned to Sovereign Hill, we rode the Stage Coach, went down in a gold mine, saw how candles where made in the 1800's and saw a Black Smith in action. We had a lovely meal at the hotel and service is excellent, we bought posters for our Grand Children and more lollies from the Confectionery Store

We would recommend Sovereign Hill to all ages and highly advise you spend the whole day visiting as you can see we spent 2 days there.

5th June:After fixing a leaking window on the caravan we went to the Gold Museum it was very interesting, there is a replica of the largest gold nugget found in Ballarat and a large Gold Pyramid which represents the amount of gold sent from Australia to England.  

 

In the evening we went to Blood on the Southern Cross, the show went for one and a half hours and was absolutely fantastic well worth the cost. If you go in winter dress very warmly as it is outside and freezing but I would do the show again.

We  purchased the DVD and Souvenir book as a reminder. 

6th June:We went to Bird World, due to storm damage the walk through aviary was closed but we still were able to hold a Black Cockatoo they have a magnificent red in their tail feathers.(Not a good photo) There are lots of different parrots on display and they have raised walkways through native fauna and you can observe native birds in the wild.       

That afternoon we went to the Art Gallery to see For Auld Lang Syne exhibition it is about the history of the Scotts (Scotland) shaping Australia from the arrival of the First Fleet to federation. We had a brilliant guide who showed us the exhibition and enlightened us with stories of the early explorers, good and bad.  

7th June: Kryal Castle who would have thought there is a Medieval Castle in Ballarat, we went today and had a great time, we explored the throne room, the Dragons lair found dragons gold watched Knights do a tournament of swordsmanship, jousting and trying to be the Princesses Champion it was very interesting. The Princess was kidnapped and the Knights sought the assistance of children in the audience to help fight and rescue the Princess. 

Well this ends our stay in Ballarat, we have had a great time and if you every get to Ballarat we hope you have as much fun as we have.











8th June: In remembrance of our Grandson Michael born sleeping two years ago

8th June: Traveled to Echuca but couldn't get into the caravan parks due to the long weekend and the Echuca steam festival, so we backtracked to Rochester caravan park. This is a lovely country town, the caravan park is fantastic it has a new amenities block with disabled access and it is very reasonably priced. It doesn't look like much from the road but once you are inside it is nestled on the banks of the Murray River. We only intended to stay overnight but stayed 4 days, well worth a stay if you are traveling this way and makes a good base camp for seeing the surrounding towns.
9th June: Rest day 

10th June: We traveled to Echuca to see the the Port of Echuca it has a lot of paddle steam boats and a museum about the history of Echuca. Echuca used to be the main port for the transport of goods on the Murray River. 

11th June: Rest Day & chores. 
            

12th June: We arrived at Lake Boga 15km outside of Swan Hill by chance and loved the the Lake Boga Caravan Park decided to stay here and drive into Swan Hill.
This is the view from our annex and also our neighbors.

 

The caravan park is great excellent and friendly service, well worth staying here. The view is free and it is very reasonably priced.

13 June: Watched our neighbors and admired the view, saw the most magnificent sunset unfortunately the camera was charging.

14th June: We visited the Pioneer Village, it's about the early settlers and the paddle steamers that traveled the Murray River. Whilst we where there we had a ride in an early model Dodge. Had a look around old stores here is a Chemist come Dr's room and painless dentist, I don't think I would like to visit this store in is hey day. We also went to the sound and light show and that was very interesting.

 We also saw the Big Murray River Cod.


 15th June: We went to the Flying Boat Museum home of the Catalina, they have a restored full size Catalina flying boat on display and the underground communications bunker used in WW2. Lake Boga was the No. 1 flying boat repair and communication depot during WW2. There was 1000 personnel from Australian RAAF and WAAF based here repairing and servicing flying boats from Australia and America. Well worth a visit.

Tomorrow we must leave this fantastic location and continue on our travels although we could happily stay here looking at this view.  

16th June: On the road to Canberra where we stop we will let you know.

Flinders Ranges, South Australia

 Adelaide to Flinders Ranges, South Australia from Sydney-Australia site, very interesting.

 

Tomorrow we are off on the first leg of our journey to the Flinders Ranges.

 

I finally have phone reception, the Flinders Ranges does not have phone reception  in most places.

 

It's Sunday 27/10 and we finally left Adelaide and traveled to Quorn where we stayed our first night just outside of Quorn at Warren Gorge, sitting in among the mountains. Very nice scenery.

Sun setting over Warren Gorge

On Tuesday morning we left Warren Gorge and headed to Wilpena Pound where we asked about suitable sites for bush camping with the caravan, we where advised that Aroona Ruins and Teronza were suitable. We first headed to Aroona Ruins the dirt road was very bad and we had to cross a creek with ankle deep water, we stayed two nights and we were up early one morning for the sunrise it was fantastic the mountains glowed great photos.

Aroona Ruins

Wednesday we went to Teronza, the site was on the banks of a dried up river very pretty but the flies were so bad we had to retreat into the caravan for refuge. We stayed until Friday then traveled back to Wilpena Pound, at the store we bought hat nets and Bushman spray which works against the flies nothing else did. We were advised that this is the the worst year for flies in the three years she had been their.

Teronza, view from Caravan

We traveled to Hawker then we went up the highway to Parachilna there was supposed to be five campsites along the way but they either didn't exist or you could not camp their anymore so we returned to Hawker and spent the night in the caravan park as it was getting late. We also decided to stay Saturday as well as the temp. was 37C and we made use of the air-conditioner.

Sunday 3/11 we tdecided a change of scenery would be good so we went to Fitzgerald Bay located 20km before Whyalla, from mountains to the ocean in less than 100km. When we arrived at Fitzgerald Bay it was blowing a gale and continued all night until mid morning, it has now settled down and we have a nice breeze and the temp. is just right. Excellent views  over Spencer Gulf to the mountains on the other side.

Spencer Gulf at low tide

When the tide comes in you have three different shades of turquoise it is magnificent to see, we have decided to stay here for a few more days. 

 

We will be heading back to Quorn caravan park  on Saturday & Sunday 10th as we are going on the Pichi Richi railway although it will be with a diesel engine as they can't use the steam engine due to total fire ban from the 1st November until the 15th April in the Flinders Ranges.

Barwell's Bull

Youngest Conductor Ever!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday 10th we went on the Barwell Bull to Woolshed Flat excellent trip, great experience.

If you get to Quorn you must visit Emily's Bistro very unique great Saturday Breakfast & Sunday Lunch very affordable.

 

 

From Quorn we went to Worlds End for a few days very peaceful.

Sunset Worlds End

 From Worlds End which is 20km from Burra we traveled home stopping at Burra, we intend to return to Burra to explore the region as the area has a very interesting past.

 

Arrived home the evening 13th November.

 

Distance traveled this trip 1613km