Beaches. National parks. Beaches in national parks. Rivers. Hiking. 4wding.
Can you think of a better way to spend your summer?
Despite the stresses elsewhere, this has been the best summer I’ve had for years. And it’s not over yet.
Except for that one time I went back into NSW to go to Mungo National Park, I’ve spent January, February, and into March exploring just a small part of South Australia.
From Mildura in Victoria I travelled down the Murray to Lake Alexandrina. Then up to Adelaide for a few days to see my mother before beach hopping down the Fleurieu Peninsula.
From there it was across to Deep Creek National Park, back around Lake Alexandrina and Lake Albert, and along the Coorong.
Then some beach driving and 4wding to Robe, including 17km along the beach from The Granites to Kingston SE. Then more 4wding through Little Dip to Canunda National Park. Then up to Mount Gambier and swimming in the crater lake and exploring some caves.
Oh, and the occasional trip into a town for a pub lunch – and cocktails and Mexican food once.
Robe was lovely, but the big surprise for me was Beachport. It’s only small, but it has a bakery, a pub with outdoor seating out the front and a nice beer garden out the back, and a licensed café with a view of the ocean. As well as beautiful beaches, a great kids’ playground, and friendly people. What more could you want?
The beaches everywhere have been amazing. White sand, clear blue water. And generally beautiful sunny skies. I have noticed the change in water temperature at different locations though. Coming down the Fleurieu coast the water was gorgeous. Just perfect to cool you down after lying in the sun.
I thought it might be cooler in the Deep Creek National Park, which was around the bottom of the peninsula but the water was still perfect. Even Ocean Beach in the Coorong was gorgeous.
But in Robe, just a few kilometres along from the Coorong the water was quite .. refreshing. And when I got to Canunda it was, well the only word for it is ‘cold’. Ocean in a Sydney winter cold.
Mind you, I still went in every day I was there. After all, out of the water the temperature was in the mid 30s
Camping at Rapid Bay and Canunda I fell asleep to the sound of the waves.
At the Coorong it was kangaroos. A couple came into my campsite to join me for coffee in the morning, then brought their mates back for afternoon drinks. I woke up during the night to the sounds of one right next to my swag.
And everywhere it was stars. With no ambient light the night skies are amazing.
It’s been absolute peace and tranquility. Time just relaxing and having fun. Making new friends with people who are doing the same things I am. Adventurous people. Fun people.
Just what I needed. I can’t recommend it highly enough.
It won’t be long before I have to start thinking about heading north. In the meantime, Victoria and the Great Ocean Road awaits before it gets too cold.
