Fri, 14th June, 2024 RV Park, Lochiel to Beach camp near Port Germein, SA (sightseeing the townships)

Rain fell through the night. Overcast and windy. 14 degrees.

Headed along the lake’s edge. Cheetham Salt have a area in the middle of the lake they collect salt from. Spotted another little Nessie at the next viewing area but missed it in the photo.

Continued along the Augusta Highway. Lots of wind turbines on the ridges.

Through some road works where the speed signs said we could still do 110kph - well that’s a first. Luckily there was nobody working here.

A farmer is actually growing Salt Bush - missed getting a photo of the sign but there are bushes planted in rows.

Turned off the highway into Snowtown (est 1878) - no snow here but it feels cold enough for it! Checked out the water tower art work of local people.

Town information - named after brothers not the white stuff. The view down the street hasn’t changed too much from the one in the photo. Around the corner to the front side of this lovely building.

Further along was a big blade from the wind farm - old version blade. Lots of information.

Info about how they harvest water here too.

Nice mural on the toilet block at the community caravan park.

Great welcome sign just before we got back onto the highway.

Turned off and into Redhill (est 1869).

Passed the nice big shady rest area which is away from the road noise! Pulled up beside the Broughton River for a cuppa. Lovely hotel across the road.

Near that is a playground with an old building that is the museum but it is locked. An old school bell hangs outside.

War Memorial and local soldiers (WW1 & WW2) and blacksmiths mural on the toilet block.

Walked along to the old bridge over the river. It’s not looking too good now. The wind is still blowing and cold.

Drove around the streets checking out the buildings.

Along to the cemetery and up to the lookout. Through a gate and up to the top of a hill for 360 degree views over the farmland etc. Would be good to come back when the crops have grown to compare the views. There are little shoots starting in the ploughed ground here.

Back down and through town. Spotted the Farmers Memorial just as we headed back onto the highway.

Along the highway for a bit then turned off into Crystal Brook (est 1874). The township is further in off the highway then the others. Gladstone is further along - funny seeing all the repeated names. The town was named after the clear creek by Explorer Eyre. Will have to have a better wander on a return visit.

It is a bigger town and also has a free RV Stop near the railway line. Home to Perry’s fuel which we have seen a bit of. Topped up the diesel tank as it is cheaper here than in Port Augusta etc.

Back out to the highway again and Steve complained that the wind has now turned onto our nose so that won’t help the fuel economy.

Next exit was into Port Pirie (est 1848).

We pulled into the car park near the local fishing club to have lunch. There is a single lane John Pirie bridge which according to Wikicamps is called the Bridge to Nowhere. It leads to land that has no infrastructure or development. It cost $410,000 and was built by 33 previously unemployed people for 26 weeks. The land was built up from the dredged mud from the creek. The council was hoping to make the area an industrial precinct but it didn’t happen.

Two couples waved and commented on the truck and camper. They were from Melbourne wanted to know more as one had a son with a Nissan. I left them chatting and went for a wander. Lots of big silos and a big tall chimney (205m high, built in 1979) of the Port Pirie lead smelter.

The Bridge the Nowhere. The sky is clearing here and there is more blue sky than cloud now but still dark clouds over the South Flinders Ranges.

Had lunch in the camper as the wind made it too cold to sit outside even with the sun shining.

We drove into town and I snapped photos of the old buildings as we drove along. The Post Office was built on the site of the Telegraph Station (1910, the Railway Station (1902 to 1967), love the animal heads on the Butcher’s building (1899), International Hotel (1874) and the Adelaide Steamship Company building.

Of course there is always the beautiful churches though this one is now The Church of Fish and Chips.

Found a place to park near the Memorial Gates.

Walked around to the Info Centre which was the old railway station site. They have used railway spikes in the handrails etc.

The lady confirmed that more rain was forecasted for the Flinders - she said they need it. As we want to be able to enjoy it all we decided to wait till we have better weather and maybe a bit warmer before we explore the Flinders Ranges fully. Sent off a message to let Heidi know that we won’t be using their shack now and will be heading on to Coober Pedy etc.

Beautiful silver tree fern.

Amazing boats in light bulbs.

The wind has stopped and in the sun it became quite warm that we could take our coats off! 

Some Port Pirie history from the tourist brochure. There were two Port Pirie townships, the first was a private survey in 1848 and a government survey in 1871 which is where the township is now. As its names suggest the port was an important aspect of the town loading more wheat ships than Port Adelaide in the 1870s and 1880s. The silos stand out - construction started out in 1962 and took 18 years to complete. It is an industrial town with smelting being done here since 1889. It was also known as a ‘railway town’ with the beautiful railway station but the line doesn’t go through town any more. It was the major rail link to Broken Hill since 1888.

Headed back out to the highway beside a water pipeline that comes from the Beetaloo Reservoir up at Mt Zion. Looking back across the flats to the smelter.

Next exit was to Weeroona Island. At the moment the tide is out so the low area was mostly dry but sometimes the causeway gets covered in salty water.

Nice homes up here with a fabulous view. Straight out then to the left is Port Pirie. Perfect now with the sun out and no wind but of course that isn’t always the case.

Down to the lower edge and along a line of fishing shacks to find the wreck of the York. It was deliberately run around here to use as a loading platform. It had been bought by the Adelaide Steam and Tug Company in 1877. Single home opposite it - what a prime location though the piles of sea grass gets a bit smelly. I wonder if anyone would move us on if we stopped here for the night!

View back to the South Flinders.

Drove around the other side of the ‘island’ - perfect day, just don’t look at the mountains!

Found the information board near the park. Only half of the wreck left now compared to the photo.

Headed back out but had to wait a long while for a very long train with 4 engines to pass heading to Port Augusta I suppose.

Continued along the highway to the next turn off - Port Germein.

Lovely open road through town, a few lovely old buildings and big palms.

Down to the the park beside a big shed. Lots of things to see and read about here.

In the shed lots of old bits have been embedded into the tiles. The big semaphore mast hangs from the ceiling.

The old tracks lead out to the jetty and more things to see and read. The tide clock is interesting.

Scanned around.

Now for some exercise, 1.5km to the end then back again! Spotted a school of silver fish but couldn’t see what they were. One section had lots of rocks - Steve reckons it was the ballast dumped from the ships back in the old days. A couple were fishing here but not getting anything. The jetty continues. Got to the end - there is always someone who is above the rules!

Selfie time to prove we made it all the way out. Scanned around the mountains, Weeroona Island then Port Pirie.

Headed back, two pelicans waiting for a feed.

We made a cuppa and are enjoying sitting in the sunshine for a change - no wind. A chap with a cute little pup, Eddy, came over and chatted. He used to take his haul of Blue Swimmer crabs to Mareeba with his wife in a motorhome and exchange them for mangoes. He asked where we were staying and suggested we could go along the beach track and park up there for the night. Lots of people do, he said. We thanked him and headed off. Lots of tracks going down onto the beach. We got to the end of the beach area before the mangroves started and found a level spot and set up.

Wandered along the beach - lots of sea grass and little shells. Looking back to Port Germein and along the jetty. You can see the end section and then more pylons beyond that.

Went towards the mangroves to find the ‘secret’ swimming spot we read about. Lots of water seeping out but the ground was firm underneath.

The pool was easy to find and it was lovely and clear though a bit mucky underfoot but kids wouldn’t care.

Obviously the tide comes up a long way.

Back to the camper for drinks, inside, as the temperature has dropped with the sun getting lower. Dark clouds are coming over too.

The dark clouds dropped some misty rain on us then headed straight over to the ranges. It is very quiet here compared to the road noise last night.

Got a couple of lovely sun set pictures though I didn’t stay outside for too long!!

Margaret returned my call. Chatted with her and Bob for a bit. They are both well which is great. Looking forward to seeing them later in the year.

We have been used our Chrome cast recently to use up some stored data and watch something different but the signal is a bit weak here and the movie has cut in and out but we got to the end. It was good movie too.

10pm and another misty shower of rain came over.