From Port Augusta we drove to the Eyre Peninsula and looked at many different sights in the following days.
our daily kangaroo is a must 🙂Point Lowly LighthouseMangrove forestPlant in the salt marshgreen crabs in the mangrovesMangroves at Arno Bay – green crabs seen for the first timeBeach at the campsite near Carrow Wells
Lipson Cove
Steep coast near Kiana – It was very windy and cold!
Lake Hamilton Eating House – built around 1850, as accommodation for transients.
huge sand dunes at Sheringa Beach
CaveStone plateau in front of the cave entranceDidn’t we choose a beautiful view for breakfast again?! 🙂Woolshed Cave
Big Ant
Pildappa RockMount WudinnaPildappa Rock & Mount Wudinna – Granite MonolithsThat was probably the worst road we have driven so far……but it was worth it. The campsite at the foot of this mountain was very nice and above all quietDrive to the campsite
After a hike in the Yeldulknie Conservation Park, we passed through Port Augusta and headed east.
Yeldulknie Conservation Park
Big Galah
River Red Gum Tree, an over 500 year old eucalyptus tree
funny town name and christmas kangaroos
The first stop the next day was in the small town of Freeling. For fans of the Australian series “McLeod’s Daughters” (like Britt ;-)), however, it is better known as “Gungellan”. Logically, because some of the buildings standing here were used for filming and accordingly “equipped” with the fictitious town name. These include the hotel/pub, the truck stop and the Town Hall. Probably the most striking props of the series, the windmill and the bathtub standing next to it, are also set up in the town park.
Freeling
Then we went to the Australian wine-growing region par excellence, the Barossa Valley. Around 50% of the continent’s total wine production comes from here. Before we left the valley again, we stopped at a lavender farm that “grows” over 90! different species.
Avenue of Palms – An avenue of palm trees, a whole 5km longEden Valley – located right next to the famous Barossa ValleyWe treated ourselves to something sweet again.Vineyards in the Barossa ValleyOverview of the Barossa ValleyLavender FarmOnce again a beautiful example of Australian Christmas decorationBarossa and Eden Valley
A city tour of Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, was on the agenda the following day. From the botanical gardens we walked to St. Peter’s Cathedral and on to the statue of Colonel William Light. He was the first Surveyor General of the South Australian colony and planned & realised the city in its present form (at least the centre). Besides many original buildings, we also passed the monument of Captain Matthew Flinders. Not only was he the first to circumnavigate the entire Australian mainland, but he is also credited with suggesting the name “Australia” for the continent.
Rymill ParkOld meets newBotanical Gardens – Simpson ShadehouseBotanical Gardens – Amazon Waterlily PavillonBotanical Gardens – Palm HouseBotanical Gardens- Fountain in the Economic GardenSt Peter’s CathedralSt Mark’s CollegeLight’s Vision StatueTorrens River mit Skyline von AdelaideAnd again – Old meets newFlinder’s MonumentFountain in front of the Adelaide UniversityAdelaide UniversityAdelaide Universityhistoric shopping centre in AdelaideAdelaide
19/12 – 27/12/2022
Around noon we reached the state of Victoria and spent the night at a lake overlooking the mountain range of the Gariwerd (Grampians) National Park.
Taylors Lake with Gariwerd National Park in the background
Our first hike, about 9 km long, led along the Mackenzie River. We passed the Fish Falls and reached the foot of the Migunang wirab (Mackenzie Falls). From here, 260 steps had to be ” climbed” to get to the viewpoint over the waterfall. A short side walk then took us to Broken Falls further up the mountain. A breathtaking view from Balconies Lookout and the view from Boroka Lookout concluded this day in the National Park.
Hiking TrailOh, what do we have here!Fish Falls – lower levelFish Falls – middle and upper levelMackenzie RiverMackenzie Falls from belowMackenzie Falls from aboveBroken FallsBalconiesBalconies LookoutBaroko LookoutGariwerd National Park – Day 1Kangaroos all around us at the campsite
On the second day, Pinnacle Lookout and Splitters Falls were our destinations. Afterwards, we continued towards the coast and set up camp in the middle of a eucalyptus forest. Here we could finally observe the first koalas in the wild. 🙂
Grand CanyonHiking trail to the Pinnacle LookoutSilent StreetPinnacle LookoutOn the way backSplitters FallsMt Sturgeon and Mt AbruptNext Australian “speciality” – A HedgehogGariwerd National Park – Day 2Koala in the eveningKoala……in the……morningAnnya Camp
Then we reached Portland, the oldest European settlement in Victoria and site of the only deep-water port between Adelaide and Melbourne.
Historic Cable Tram
At Bridgewater, we took a short walk to a viewing platform from which there was an excellent view of several colonies of Australian & New Zealand fur seals. By the way, it is also the only place on the mainland where both species live so close to each other.
Seal Colony
We continued to the Petrified Forest. The tube-like formations consist of sand that has been virtually cemented by dissolved limestone.
Petrified Forest
Finally, we stopped at the Tarragal Caves.
Tarragal Cave
And yet another Australian coffee speciality we treated ourselves to – We shared a Lamington (Door 22)
For the next few days, we mainly followed the Great Ocean Road.
Day 1 – Coast and volcanic craters
Australian Black……SwansOn the drive to the Great Ocean RoadThe CragsCurious wallabiesPort Fairy LighthouseAnother wallabyGriffith Island
Day 2 – spectacular views every minute
Hopkins Falls – On the way back to the oceanChilders CoveSandy CoveBay of Islands…Bay of MartyrsThe Grotto…London BridgeGreat Ocean Road before lunch
Christmas Menu – Fish and Chips
Sparks GullyThe Bakers OvenTom and Eva LookoutThe RazorbackMutton Bird IslandTwelve ApostelesGreat Ocean Road after lunch
Door 24 of the Advent calendar – Was that delicious!
Day 3 – Detour into the rainforest
HIke to the……Triplet FallsHopetoun FallsBeauchamp FallsBeauchamp CreekOtway National Park
Day 4 – Farewell to the Great Ocean Road
Drive out of the national park back down to the seaCarisbrook FallsCape Patton Lookoutred parrotIsn’t he cute……or rather, they are not to be hugged!Sheoak Fallsupper Sheoak FallsSwallow CaveDetail of the caveTeddy’s LookoutErskine FallsLast section of the Great Ocean Road
We hope that the pictures have given you a good insight into our daily experiences. See you soon.