Australian Big Lap

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  • The Big Lap Interrupted

    The route back to Brisbane

    So we are heading back to Brisbane. We had to have the car repaired in Port Augusta today so we will not make the border closures. No idea what will happen at the borders as information is sketchy.

    We are heading back to Newmarket Gardens caravan park (our start point) who are expecting us and will assist in self-isolating if required (some businesses are really stepping up).

    We’re not going to rush as we can’t make the QLD border before it closes. Our plan is:

    • first night in a ‘rest area’ at Broken Hill (New South Wales: border not closed)
    • second night in Cobar in a caravan park
    • third and final night at Narrabri Showgrounds

    Presently they are all open but there is word that caravan parks are closing. Anyway, don’t worry if you don’t hear from us for a while – we may not have much mobile reception on the route back through central NSW.

    Stay safe everyone!

  • Edithburgh, Yorke Peninsula (Wk 19)

    Edithburgh Jetty

    Another South Australia coastal area and another jetty! We arrived in Edithburgh on 18/03/2020 and have been doing pretty much what we said we would – nothing – just relaxing and enjoying being by the coast.

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  • Auburn, Clare Valley (Wk 19)

    Lunch at Skillogalee

    We left Adelaide on 16/03/2020 to drive west to the Clare Valley. We have visited the Clare Valley back in 2012 with my father and Janet and decided to have a quick return visit. The main reason was to have lunch at Skillogalee cellar door as last time I was the designated driver and we had already had lunch. Our return visit did not disappoint.

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  • Adelaide (WK 18)

    Typical house in Adelaide

    We love Adelaide – 2nd best Australian City (after Brisbane!) – we’d live here. The buildings are beautiful, wide tree and rose lined streets, masses of parks, friendly locals, on the door step of amazing vineyards and close access to the beach at Glenelg.

    Our caravan park is very central so after a quick set up we walked to the bus stop for the free city loop bus. There is no ‘hop on hop off’ bus in Adelaide but this is a pretty good substitute although the photos are not so great as through glass.

    One of the many streets with roses in the central reservation
    View of Adelaide
    One of the many churches

    Yesterday (14/03/2010) we again took the free bus to the Central Market which sells food and houses many restaurants. Unlike Salamanca Markets in Hobart it was lovely walking around as the crowds are keeping away. As well as a few purchases we shared a paella – one of the best we’ve ever had. In the evening we went into town for dinner and again had a superb meal. This part of the country really has fabulous food.

    Central Market

    Today (15/03/2020) we took the free bus and then tram to Glenelg which is Adelaide’s ‘beach’. Beautiful bay with, of course, a jetty. We had a lovely day wandering around the town and the beach.

    Tram to Glenelg
    Glenelg Jetty
    Glenelg beach

    Glenelg Jetty

    Tomorrow (16/03/2020) we head north to the Clare Valley for some more vineyards and then we head to the Yorke Peninsula for some quiet time (and no eating out!).

    Adelaide Caravan Park
    Present location: Adelaide (Blue spot). Next stop Clare Valley.

  • McLaren Vale, Fleurieu Peninsula (Wk 18)

    Victor Harbour with Granite Island in distance

    It is usually easy to pick a picture which epitomises the area we are visiting but the Fleurieu Peninsula has it all: amazing calm beaches, jettys stretching into the clear water, rolling hills and more vineyards than you can shake a stick at. We could have spent weeks here but arrived on 10/03/2020 and are heading north to Adelaide on 13/03/2020.

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  • Kingston SE, Limestone Coast (WK 18)

    The Cape Jaffa Lighthouse, Kingston SE

    On 6/3/2020 we arrived in Kingston SE for the Labour Day long weekend staying on the foreshore. A beautiful spot for some well deserved downtime :-).

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  • Mount Gambier (Wk 17)

    Umpherston Sinkhole

    On 04/03/2020 we left Victoria (although we will return at the latter end of our trip) crossing into South Australia to visit the Limestone Coast. Wow love Mount Gambier. It has everything a geologist would want: volcanos, water-filled caves, sinkholes and blue lakes to name but a few. And it has beautiful parks and gardens, stately homes and heritage buildings.

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  • The Grampians (Wk 17)

    On 01/03/2010 we headed west from Ballarat to the Grampians. A place we had heard about but were unsure what to expect. Of course we just scratched the surface but all I can say is, the area is stupendous!

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  • Ballarat (Wk 16)

    Ballarat is a larger town than Bendigo and not as pretty (maybe unfair as we did not have a tour around the town). However, it has the best outdoor museum we have ever been to: Sovereign Hill which represents Ballarat during the gold rush in the 1850’s. Brilliant!

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  • Bendigo (WK 16)

    Bendigo Tram

    We arrived at a free camp outside Bendigo on 27/02/2020 after a night at a Melbourne caravan park to break up the journey and restock.

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