Day 7: Mon 25 Mar 24 - Kimba to Ceduna

Mon 25 Mar 24 - Kimba to Ceduna (317km)

It was a clear morning, a fresh 8 feeling like 7 Deg with no wind, remaining clear and sunny with no wind all day, until we reached Ceduna where it was 20 Deg and sunny with winds at 30 - 35km/km. After a short morning walk, we drove away from the Kimba campground at 08:50, stopping for photos of the Kimba Silo art and The Big Galah before heading west out of town. Our first stop was after 105km at the Australian Farmer statue in Wudinna where we had coffee, took a few photos and chatted with a couple of ladies returning from holidays to Nowra where they own a business. 

Back on the road, our next stop was Poochera past Dusty's Gallery, but decided not to go inside, then next door to read about the Dinosaur Ants which was very interesting. The Dinosaur Ant is known to occur at 18 locations along the Eyre Peninsula.  The location at Poochera, where the Dinosaur Ant was first found in South Australia, was bulldozed and burnt during the installation of an underground telephone line and the species is no longer there.  However, the ant was found at a nearby site which has since been fenced and protected by the landowner. The Dinosaur Ant is known to occupy 'old growth' mallee woodland around the area.

Westwards we continued, stopping for lunch at another very small town called Wirrulla, a small grain belt town about 60km from Streaky Bay on the Eyre Peninsula. While having lunch, we attracted the attention of two young families traveling on holidays to a free camp past Ceduna then returning via the Eyre Peninsula Coast. After a lengthy break, we were on the road again 
along the excellent Eyre Highway. The traffic was surprisingly very quiet today, more caravans than trucks, and we are very impressed with the road. It is such a joy driving on SA roads which leave all other states (well QLD, VIC and NSW at least) for dead.

We arrived at our destination - the Big 4 Caravan Park in Ceduna at 2pm. There are actually two parks, and after checking in we were redirected across the road to a smaller park for larger vans, fenced off with high fences covered with razor wire and security gates. The sites are a tad on the smallish side, and we had to squeeze in between two vans. One van beside us obviously had trouble identifying his territory as he had also taken up half our site. It is so cramped, not even enough room to fully open our awning - but he has plenty of room for his nice clean landcruiser on the other side (I'm being sarcastic..). As they were already setup, and they weren't at their van anyway, we decided to suck it up for two nights and just accept it. After a cup of tea, we secured the van a bit more than usual, then proceeded into town to buy some groceries, and headed out to Baldys Fresh and Frozen seafood at Thevenard a few kms away to buy myself some fresh fish for dinner. I returned with fresh whiting fillets and 500gm of fresh local prawns. Back at the van, we had dinner, the prawns and fish were the freshest and tastiest I have had for many years - very impressed. Noel also enjoyed her crumbed lamb cutlets). After dinner, I left Noel at the van and made a dash down the the jetty to catch the sunset which was amazing. Heading down was a little concerning as a group of young indigenous kids were doing a runner from the Caltex store past me with hands full of obviously stolen goods. Further down the street, there were drunk aboriginal women asleep on the footpath, and lots of small groups of aboriginals (clearly drunk) arguing and fighting amongst each other.  Returning to the van safely at pace I was ready for a hot shower and bed (but only after doing the blog with a glass of red). After towing an average of 320km per day in 6 out of the past 7 days, I am looking forward to staying in Ceduna for a rest day tomorrow. 


Kimba Recreation Reserve Town Mural

Kimba Recreation Reserve Town Mural

Kimba Recreation Reserve Town Mural

Kimba Recreation Reserve Town Mural

Kimba Recreation Reserve Town Mural

Kimba Recreation Reserve Town Mural

Kimba Silo Art

Kimba Wildlife - Big Galah 

Kimba Wildlife - and a dingo

Wudinna - 8m high granite sculpture weighing 70 tonnes, representing early settler farmers of the region with carvings symbolising grain and sheep.

Dusty's Art Gallery in the an old Ken Morgan Electrical Store in Poochera along the Eyre Highway

Dinosaur Ant - Poochera

About Dinosaur Ants - Poochera, an extremely rare genus of ants found in South Australia 

Large Dinosaur Ant - Poochera

Poochera Rest Stop

Lunch Stop - Wirulla

Lunch Stop - Wirulla

Yay - a two night stay. Unfortunately we entered here to check in, and to find out that are actually located across the road in another park - supposed for larger vans.

We will feel safe sleeping tonight - Fenced in, locked gates and razor wire.

A quick dash down to Ceduna Jetty to watch a stunning sunset

Ceduna - Sunset

Ceduna - Sunset





Comments

  1. Steven BarbMarch 26, 2024 at 10:01 AM

    Great pics mate and good traveling. you should go and try and catch yourself a couple of King Georg whiting.🐟🍽.

    ReplyDelete

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