Port Germein to Woomera : 30th April, 2024

Left camp at 8.15am heading out to the outback up to Woomera known as rocket town. We are now 487kms north from Adelaide. No stopping on the way except just a small break to make a coffee then on our way again. Got to Woomera for lunch and settled into our camp after a look around the town and museum before checking in. Another great sunny day with a comfortable temperature.

Took this picture before we left Port Germein this morning which shows how flat the beach is and how far the tide goes out hence the need for these long Jetty’s so the big ships could stay out in the channel to pick up the wheat to export.

We have now arrived into the outback. Great,  our happy place.

Good old outback scenery. The colours are starting but wait until we get into what they call the Red Desert.

Looks similar to Ayres Rock but it’s not, along way from there.

This is what we are up agains three trailers. We just let them go past. 

A patch of the red soil but that soon passed by.

I know Lake Hart (which is a salt  lake) isn’t too far away from us but not sure if this is salt or not but makes interesting colours.

We have now arrived in Woomera for one night,  historic 

aerospace site.

AIAA

American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics 

Established in 1947 as a joint project between Britain, America  and Australia. Woomera has a long  history of weapon testing and rocket launching. The first Australian satellite was launched here in 1967. Woomera also aided in tracking of early satellites and spacecraft. The site  was open for sixty years  since it was established.

The above and below were on display.

Whoops, this one must have had teething problems.

More on display 

The first firing was 11th December 1949. Last minute problems with circuitry, so aborted several firings. Finally the all clear was given and the rocket took off into the sky. Part of the motor didn’t ignite properly shortening the flight by several kilometres. The flight was judged successful. The joint missile program at Woomera had begun.

Another whoops, which crashed.

One of the five Launching pads at Lake Hart.

North Adelaide to Port Germein, 29th April, 2024

 Left camp at 8.30am, dropped by the shops then headed north travelling about 225km to Port Germein. Had lunch then went for a walk out on the old Jetty. Port Germein was originally built to export grain to Europe. Prior to the construction of the Jetty in 1881 goods from the area were loaded at high tide onto flat bottom barges then the grain was transferred to ships anchored in the channel. As you can see in the photos how far the tide goes out, therefore the big ships couldn’t get in hence building this extremely long Jetty. After our walk just relaxed and did some sorting out after our rushed unpacking yesterday.

This was mainly the scenery we saw on today’s road trip. These are the wheat fields which have recently been harvested.

This is an old tide clock which was erected at Port Pirie several kilometres down the coast. It is now sitting up at Port Germein on display.

This old photo shows how it was used sitting up high on pillars.

A few metal art pieces. The lighthouse originally was out past the end of the Jetty to indicating how far out the shallow water went. The tide was out a very long way out when we were there. Much much further than Snells. 

Looking down the jetty it seems to go for ever. This shows how far out the tide goes. In 1882 the Jetty was extended by 400ft to measure 1680mts. This made it the longest Jetty in the southern Hemisphere . Wild seas and high tides have battered the Jetty causing severe damage loosing the last 130mts closed to the public. They never had the money to repair it so it was left to slowly break away due to the high winds they get here. These sorts of stories are told all around  Australia where there are many places that have built these long Jetty’s in the shallow areas so the ships could deliver. I have gone on a bit re the Jetty but their stories fascinate me as we have seen a few in our previous travels.

We only walked half way down.what you see is only half the Jetty.

There were stairs going down to the water which was good to go down and get this photo.

We were not even half way out when I took this photo looking back at the very little township. Very quiet place these days. Had a pub, Post Office, camping ground, police Station and a store. It was a good quiet place to stay just for the night while travelling north.

These old photos show the old ships that used to come to the end of the jetty in the deep water to pick up the wheat grain to ship to Europe.

Off to Woomera tomorrow 480kms north of Adelaide, famous  for missile testing and space exploration. The start of the outback. And the start of our adventure. Two days travelling to get there.

Adelaide North 28th April, 2024

 We have had two enjoyable days walking around Adelaide and the weather has been fairly kind to us. The weather was again perfect today although we couldn’t be out there enjoying it. Today we left the hotel at 8.15am and got a Uber out to pick up our Maui Motorhome. It was ready to go so went through the drill then got on the road. Firstly we stopped in at Cole’s supermarket to stock up for our outback trip. Could only take so much so  not sure how long it will all last. A bit bigger than some fridges but freezer quite small. But it is amazing how much we have jammed pop in. Then only drove north for half hour and got into camp shortly after 11.00am. Thank goodness we decided not to go further, instead had the rest of the day to unpack our bags and get the shopping put away and even got the washing done. It was our hottest day, so hard going organising everything. Had it all done by about 4.00pm buggered. Should sleep well tonight.

We were very lucky we got upgraded and the Wagon has only done 7,200kms o. We couldn’t believe it just looks brand new. Looking through from the back. Bathroom front right.

Taken from the cab. As we have the dining area on the left we can leave the bed made up at the back which is really another table with seating all round under the windows. It makes a great sitting area but we prefer to leave the bed made up rather than converting it into a lounge. I forgot to take a photo showing it as a lounge and table.

Lovely camp, the grounds are well kept surrounded with palm trees.

PT sitting on the bed, on the left is a good size shower area and toilet. Most of the places we stay at have very good amenities which we use as well.

Quite a spacious bathroom. Shower has a sliding door.

It’s a small area to get in to take a photo showing the whole bathroom so did it in three shots.

So you can see nothing interesting took place today just the pick up, shopping, a short drive then a big afternoon sorting everything out. Tomorrow staying a night at the top of the York Peninsula harbour then on Tuesday we head into the outback. Looking forward to that.

Adelaide and Glenelg : 27th April, 2024

 Today, Saturday,  we took an Uber out to the coastal beach Glenelg. We have been here before some fifteen years ago when we came over to do the Murray River hired  boat trip with the Kellys.

It was a beautiful sunny day all morning then the clouds came in. When we got to Glenelg we immediately recognised the place, lovely seaside town with a beautiful beach. Big contrast from the city which is inland more. Bev you will recognise the photos. Got back to our hotel and being Saturday it’s so quiet after yesterdays noisy traffic and sirens. Such a difference . Everyone seems to leave the inner city over the weekend. Last night in Adelaide and leaving tomorrow to pick up the wagon.

Before we went out to Glenelg we walked down to the Rundle Mall again passing this lovely stone church dated 1887

This is Rundle Mall. As we were so early 8.00am there weren’t many people around and sun wasn’t very high up making it dark. The two silver balls is what you see below.

The idea of these balls is to stand under them and look up and take a photo of your reflection. Saw one of these in Canberra last year. In the top ball is me taking a photo of me. 🤔

Now arrived at Glenelg Beach. Quiet after  the inner city yesterday.

Walked out to the end of the pier.

Looking back to the beach

Started chatting to a chap out at the end of the pier fishing. Look at this set up. Everything a fisherman needs right down to a chair to sit on. Two rods out, buckets for his catch, water bottle on the side, bait box measuring tape on the cutting board. Amazing what more does a guy need. Just wheels the whole set up, out from his home. You could tell he just loved it. The whole time we were talking to him he had the green cloth in his hand just continuing wiping down everything.

Walking back looking along the beach from the pier.

A bit of fun at the beginning of the pier. Couldn’t get PT interested in going up.

Back behind the wheel the town square. The red tram on the right goes between Glenelg and through the city last stop at the Royal Adelaide Hospital which is opposite our Hotel.

We decided to get the tram back to our Hotel probably took about 40mins so that gives you an idea how far from the coast the city is.

After trying to work out how to pay for a ticket to go on the tram we then were told it’s free in the weekends. ( Don’t know who that old bugger is smiling at me.) We had considered getting the tram out to the beach but decided on an Uber at $41. Would have taken the free tram if we had known.

Auckland to Adelaide : 26th April,2024

 Left Auckland 8.25am right on time on Air New Zealand. Five hour flight. Stayed overnight at the New Pullman Hotel at the airport which only opened 4 months ago, very nice. Good flight, time went very fast especially as they had wifi on board. Great crew.  Went to our hotel Riviera Adelaide  pretty basic but OK just for two nights. Arrived at hotel about mid day but our room wasn’t ready so walked a couple of kms into the heart of the CBD. Got back to the hotel at 2.00pm rested up for a bit then went out for an early meal. A long day  adjusting to time difference of two and half hours. I think we could be in for a noisy night as the hospital is just down the road and ambulances are flying by all the time. Never heard such  loud sirens. Hope we get some sleep.

Walking down Rundle mall  very busy so many people around. Not sure about this guy.

 

Walked around looking for somewhere to eat. The colours looked good as the sun was going down. Some very old buildings.

Mixture of the old

And the modern, right across the road from the hotel. 

Looking out of the hotel window. Buildings catching the sun as it goes down. Only two nights here then pick up our Motorhome on Sunday. Exciting,