EXCEED OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017 oct_dec_2017_emag | Page 48

TRIP REPORT
EYRE PENINSULA EXPLORATION
3 - 21 October 2017
Participant Name
Paul and Sue Harris
Member
Number Vehicle Details
1721 NT Pajero
This was a follow up trip after the “Simpson Desert 2017 East meets West”
adventure spending a couple of weeks exploring the Eyre Peninsula.
The Simpson trip split up after a night drying out in Coobper Peedy and we all went
our own way. We headed off to Port Auusta for some shopping and spent an hour in
the car wash de-gunking the car and tent before driving up to Hawker to pick up our
Avan. Our intention was to spend time in the Flinders Ranges re-visiting the area we
lived in over 35 years ago but unfortunately we needed some mechanical repairs on
the car which took a little longer than expected, so we settled for Rest & Relaxation
for a few days in the Hawkwer Caravan Park.
Heading south we met up with friends in Whyalla and the following day we joined
the very interesting smelter/steelworks tour before driving down to Arno Bay. The
campsite was right on the beach and quite windy but a large community kitchen was
available for happy hour followed by a movie.
The following day we drove down to Port Lincoln Caravan Park for a four day stay,
every site in the caravan park had a magnificent view of the water but it was a steep
walk to the amenities and the wind was ferocious. Day trips to Coffin Bay for oysters
and Gunyer Bay for beach driving was followed by a visit to Gallipoli Beach, Mikkira
Station and Whalers Way. Of course a visit to Port Lincoln isn’t complete without a
visit to the Fresh Fish Way to see how the professionals clean & fillet the fish before
diving into a delicious seafood platter for lunch.
Thunderstorms overnight and strong winds all day didn’t hamper our adventures
though we were nearly blown off the cliffs at Kiana Lookout. The Waterloo Bay
Caravan Park provided a safe haven for a couple of days, so we did a few long walks
and the boys tried their luck at fishing.
On route to Streaky Bay we visited the impressive “Woolshed Cave”, “The Tub”,
Venus Bay and “Murphy’s Haystack”. Streaky Bay was a welcome relief after more
than a week of strong winds and cold weather, the caravan park was right on the
beach, the wind died down and the sun came out. We were in Paradise. Our days
were spent with long walks on the beach, laying in the sun, fishing and the
occasional drive along the spectacular coastline. Dinner at the local pub comprised of
locally caught seafood and proved to be one of the most delicious pub meals ever.
Time to head home so it was east to Minnipa and Pildappa Rock with a drive out to
the Organ Pipes at Gawler Ranges National Park.
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Vol 35 No. 6 - Oct / Nov 2017