Exit Goolwa

Hello again. Last day in Goolwa, leaving this afternoon for Adelaide, then on to Mount Gambier on Monday. Quite a lot happening in Goolwa today, for a change, with speed boat races, boat excursions and a farmers' market. I also saw a helicopter closely following a biplane. Not sure whether that was in case the old plane crashed or what. 

This area (Goolwa-Victor Harbor) has a lot to offer but SA Tourism seem preoccupied with flogging vineyards instead, although the local tourism offices do an excellent job.

The Bluff

Hello, things have cooled down considerably here today, in the 20s and cloudy but luckily not much rain. Today I took the Cockle Train again to Victor Harbor, then walked to The Bluff (that big lump in the pictures) where there were spectacular views down the coast towards the west and back to Victor Harbor.

The train was held up leaving Goolwa because we had to wait for some latecomers - you guessed it, they were Chinese tourists. We also had dramas on the return trip when a couple forgot to get off at an intermediate station, so we had to stop in the middle of the level crossing. I am also concerned with small children - there was a lot of wailing going on. I didn't think trains were that scary. I think they need to get out more. Volunteers run this railway and it is a case of big boys playing with big trains but at least it keeps them occupied and they do keep the history alive as well as helping their community.

Around here people are very friendly, always saying hello when you pass them. Dog owners are a bit different with those with the more aggressive dog breeds also appearing to have an attitude. The shops here are interesting too. There is an auto parts store which seems to be a bike shop in disguise based on the number and variety of bikes they sell. They have a better range than most city bike shops. One café has signs saying they home deliver breakfast, cakes and milkshakes. I was tempted to test their claims. Also here, apparently, a "deli" is in fact a milk bar. I also saw an interesting sign in Victor Harbor (last picture). I am not sure where the camels are coming from though but nevertheless I took no chances and was looking out for them.

 

Hindmarsh Island & The Murray

Hello. More excursions today even though it was hot (38 as I type this), windy and cloudy. Not pleasant. But inside it's nice, I have only had to put the air conditioner on today. It's a good motel except for the fact that the shower leaks, the front door is hard to open and they forgot to service my room yesterday.

Anyway, the first excursion was north (inland) along the left hand bank of the Murray River. This was to a place called Laffin Point. Then I retraced my steps and walked over to Hindmarsh Island, on the bridge, and a lookout back towards Goolwa. Hindmarsh Island is very large - being over 14km long. On one coast it has freshwater, on the other salt water.

On my return I had lunch at a café and ordered a pizza, and the pizza curse returned. This time it wasn't burnt but they had forgotten to make it at all! After about 25 minutes (after much head swivelling on my part) the waitress appeared with my pizza, admitting they had forgotten my order and giving me complimentary garlic bread as compensation. If only politicians could follow their lead and admit their mistakes!

The Coorong

Hello, today there were two excursions. In the morning I walked down to the Goolwa Barrage, a dam/loch that separates the freshwater of the Murray River from the saltwater. However, the water at Goolwa is undrinkable anyway, I then walked back to Goolwa along the beach. In the afternoon I went on a boat tour to explore the mouth of the Murray River and the Coorong National Park. We actually got off at the mouth of the Murray (i.e. it goes out to sea) where it is an ongoing battle to stop the entrance silting up (see photos of the red dredges at work). The Coorong is a spectacular area with lots of birds, although according to the captain of the boat, less than there usually is. Very hot day today - got up to 38 (and hotter tomorrow) but out on the Coorong there was a cool breeze which made things more comfortable than in Goolwa.