Blogs from Riverland, South Australia, Australia, Oceania

After leaving Robe it was about a half hour drive to Kingston SE, another little seaside town with the Big Lobster, so authentic, one of the best BIGS we have seen, then a drive along The Coorong which spands about 100klms, we really didn't have any idea of the immensity of this area, it is stunningly beautiful! Stopped off to look at the Pelican Islands on The Coorong, we could see hundreds of pelicans there, they come each year in their thousands to breed from June to March. There are literally thousands of other birds along The Coorong as well a lot of visitors bird watching, boating, kayaking, fishing, camping, walking etc. You could spend a month just in and around The Coorong, getting ferries etc from one spot to another. Stopped in the little town ... read more

We needed a break away from the hassles of work, so we decided to pack the truck and head off in the direction of the riverland. The weather had not been great for a while so we hoped for the best and were lucky. We left late after a long day at work, and got as far as Walkers Flat for the first night. The next morning after a leisurely coffee and raison toast, we moved on to Lyrup Flats National Park. We found a great spot (camp 11 or 12) and although it was a national park we could still take our dog. We had a Park Pass so we stayed for free, but it only costs about $7 per night. The river was a lot higher than we had seen in a long time ... read more

Tuesday 28th Decided to stay an extra day in Berri and went for a short drive to Renmark and Paringa. Renmark has a lovely forshore on the Murray River with an old paddle steamer parked next to the Vistor Centre. The "Industry" paddle steamer is open to the public for inspection and goes out on the river once a month with passengers, it was once a derelic steamer until volunteers restored it in 1990. The Renmark hotel is a spectacular old Art Deco hotel overlooking the Murray River. Paringa was a small town just on the outskirts of Renmark with the amazing Paringa Black Stump - a huge Red Gum root which had been dragged out of the river after falling down during a flood. It was minus 2.6 degrees last night in Berri - we ... read more

Sunday 26 June Today we took the bikes off the front of the caravan and went for a ride around the marsh (or Billabong) just in front of the caravan park, then along the Murray River and into town for a little shopping. The weather was just beautiful again so we walked into town again in the afternoon. Butternut Pumpkins are in abundance here at the moment so I have been doing a little cooking. Pumpkin soup, pumpkin scones, roasted pumpkin salad, pumpkin fritata etc - tomorrow I am going to make a pumpkin fruit cake and maybe a chicken and pumpkin curry. John says he does not like pumpkin but he is eating everything I cooked. I was checking the camera today and came across some photos I took back at Port Augusta of some ... read more

Stayed with friends at their campsite near Blanchetown, and spend some relaxing time on the river. Had an opportunity to get out behind the boat for a ski. Fell off a few times to enjoy the water.... read more