Fri, 12th Feb, 2016 Queen Victoria Jubilee Park, Williamstown, SA (sightseeing)

21 degrees and sunny.

Headed off through Adelaide Hills heading south. Past a large deer farm then across a flowing River Torrens near Birdwood. It was originally called Blumberg and established in 1848. Famous for the National Motor Museum which we visited in 2008. The pub had a car on a pole.

Onto Mount Torrens where there are lots of lovely old bluestone homes. The pub was established in 1862 and has a free camp area behind it. We are at 442m elevation.

Onto the Onkaparinga Scenic Drive, travelling near the Oakparinga River, not that we can see it!! Past farming pastures and wineries. Into Woodside, established in 1851. Saw a sign about a swinging bridge so turned off to explore.

It is over the Onkaparinga River which isn’t flowing well. A chap was there with his grandson and he said his sister had her wedding photos on the bridge. He grew up here and his family had a thoroughbred horse stud. There were lots of dairies here too. There are only a few studs left here as a lot of people went into wineries, though the dairies are still going. This area in the valley suffered from frost so it was saved from being taken over by the vineyards. During winter when they get all their rain the river rose quickly and high and would cut off the road. He said there was an article in the newspaper about restoring the bridge.

He said to continue around the dirt road to the race course at Oakbank (est 1840). Narrow little track though nice homes and lovely horses in the paddocks.

The Oakbank Racecourse is famous for hosting the biggest picnic race meeting in the Southern Hemisphere, each Easter. It was established in 1874.

It must have a steeple chase to as the track crosses the road and goes higher up the hill and around back over the road again.

Through Balhannah where the power poles have been decorated. The town was founded in 1839 by Scottish immigrant James Turnbull Thomas.

Next was Verdun which was formerly known as Grunthel – lots of german influence around this area. Nice little towns but no parks to stop and have a cuppa in – or public toilets!!

Took the wrong road and ended up heading into Hahndorf with its narrow tree-lined streets. We had explored Hahndorf in 2008 too so we just did a drive around. It is Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement, built by a tight-knit group of Prussian settlers in 1839 after fleeing religious persecution in Eastern Europe. The group made the long and treacherous journey on a small sailing ship named the ‘Zebra’, under the command of Dane, Captain Dirk Hahn. Captain Hahn befriended the pioneers and provided great support, even arranging the lease of land for their settlement upon arrival. The settlers were so appreciative that they named the village in his honour.

Back through town - not much room to pass around here.

Into Bridgewater where we found a Lions Park beside Cox’s Creek and near an old mill.

The Bridgewater Mill was built by John Dunn in 1860 and used the water from Cox’s Creek nearby to power the water wheel.

Cheeky magpie joined us for smoko then up came the ducks from the creek to see what we had. They were disappointed as we had no treats for them or us!!

Through Aldgate, known for its Pump Hotel, opened in 1864 then onto Stirling which was settled in 1854 is home to some of the state’s most beautiful homes and gardens. Initially the site of orchards and market gardens, the late 19^th century saw the town become popular with Adelaide’s wealthy residents who built summer houses to escape the heat of the plains.

Onto the Princes Highway for a short bit – “Kate” put up a nice photo of the turnoff into Crafers – haven’t seen her do that before.

Will check out Mt Lofty etc when Leanne & Rick are staying there. Down the narrow range towards Belair National Park.

Stopped at Wittunga Botanical Garden for lunch.

Found a shady seat as it is quite warm in the sun. Lots of ‘friends’ arrived to see what we were having.

Down the hill with a view out over Brighton to Gulf St Vincent.

Into Blackwood to pick up our tickets for Clipsal. Then up to St Marys and chatted with the chap at the Miners Den – he knows George in Cairns. Steve got some old magazines to keep him busy. Showed him the rocks he detected and he said they were Lead Zinc.

Walked across the road to Repco and bought a 12 volt charger for my laptop instead of using the inverter. Also got the oil and filters ready for the next service before we head across the Nullarbor.  Next door was St Vinnies where I found golf clubs for $2 each so we got a couple so we can play our way across the Nullarbor on the different courses. Found a couple of books for me and two lovely wine glasses for $3 for the 2.

Up to Edwardstown where we bought a Hitchmaster tow-hitch as Steve has been researching and checking out everyone else’s hitches and he decided this is the one for us.

Decided to go out to Glenelg for a cuppa but forgot how commercial and busy it was. The big entertainment area.

Drove in and parked but didn’t pay the $5/hour, while I rang Chris and Diane to see what they were doing. They had just driven their boat into the jetty at West Beach, just up the road, so we decided to go and see them there. Passed this interesting house on the way.

Met Chris on the boat ramp as we was going to get the car so we headed down to Diane and the boat. But first we saw people in the water with some dolphins. Now that would have been amazing to have them swim around them – don’t need to go to Monkey Mia.

Got down to Diane as Chris backed down the car and trailer. They have a good system going and are having a ball fishing and crabbing. Love the boat’s registration letter and numbers.

Lovely view back over Glenelg and south.

Followed them home, past an adventure climbing place called Mega Adventure.

Had a wonderful time chatting. Anthea rang on Facetime so I could see her and her sons on the Ipad.  Tried ringing Val for her birthday today as I forgot this morning but no answer – obviously out partying!!

They invited us to join them for dinner – Diane’s chilli crabs. She cooked me up some King George Whiting too. 

The crab was very nice and I got into breaking into the shell and legs like an old pro!! Should have taken a photo of us covered in sauce and cracking into the crabs – finger-licking good sauce too. A lovely night laughing, eating and drinking. Their neighbours came over too which was nice. Eventually got home at midnight – lucky ‘Kate’ knew the best way to get home.