13 – 19 OCTOBER 2021 PORT TURTON
Our home for a week, at Port Turton is fabulously sheltered by the cliffs from a now disused old flux quarry. The jetty which reaches out into the beautiful Hardwicke Bay is just down from the van park entrance, and we have gorgeous glimpses of the aqua blue waters of the bay. As soon as we had the van set up for the night, we ambled down to the jetty to explore our immediate surroundings . A pelican was perched high above on one of the jetty lights. We made sure to give it a wide berth, just incase nature called.
Over the next week, during our early morning ambles, Rosie and I got to know Port Turton in all its moods; from serene and gentle to very wild and woolly. We have experienced all weathers from lovely sunny days and gentle breezes to stormy rain and icy cold winds that blow right through you. The water can be the most glorious aqua blue right through to grey and menacing. There is a hardy group of locals that gather early in the morning for a swim a couple of times a week, not to mention the keen fishermen, both local and visitors who hopefully cast their lines from the pier. Meanwhile on the weekends, the numbers of fishing boats that are launched from the boat ramp multiply by many.
At nearby Port Soutar Norm found a huge razor clam shell during our amble along the beach. .
AMBLING AROUND THE ‘FOOT’
1: YORKETOWN
It was lunch time when we arrived at Yorketown with it’s impressive Bakery located on one of the corners at the five way junction in the middle of town. Cornish (or in this case,Yorke) Pasties were the feast of choice.
2: EDITHBURGH
This is a pretty fishing town with a fabulous tidal pool and jetty that was built back in 1873. We popped in to the museum where I found the perfect totem for Coomalie in the form of a beautifully crafted green ant.
3: COOBOWIE
On the outskirts of this pretty seaside town, we came across a huge installation of grain silos. Below them is a long pier with conveyors to load grain onto ships. Apparently the silos are not in operation now.
4: WOOL BAY
We were fascinated by the interesting ruins of an old lime kiln built under the cliffs at Wool Bay. It is the last standing one of six kilns that were built between 1900 and 1910. They burnt lime to creat quick lime, which is used in mortar and brick making.
5: STANSBURY
There are several painted water towers on the Yorke Peninsular, including the one at Stansbury. It features a marine theme with a lovely blue swimmer crab amongst the images.
The craggy cliffs along the water front provide convenient nooks and crannies that many local birds, including the galahs and swallows, call home.
I loved the mural painted on the walls of the Blue Lime Café and Deli in town.
WEAVER LAGOON
7: BUBLACOWIE
A very impressive military museum has been developed at the old Bublacowie School site. The curator and owner, Chris Soar converted the school into his private home. Over about 20 years he has gathered an incredible number of military, and historical items of interest from all kinds of sources, including old RSL’s that have closed down, Community Halls and Churches, Auctions and many other places. He has set up displays in several buildings on the property. As well, he has created beautiful memorial gardens in which the ashes of many local veterans have been laid to rest with respect.
https://veteranssa.sa.gov.au/event/bublacowie-military-museum/
Norm and I spent several hours at the museum, and could have spent several days there to take in all there is to see. Below is a brief slide show overview.
8: CORNY POINT
I was amused to discover that this seaside area on the north-west tip of the Yorke Peninsular was named by Matthew Flinders in 1802 due to the fact that it resembles a corn on the toe of the Yorke Peninsular.
There are a number of walking trails around the Yorke Peninsular, referred to collectively as ‘Walk the Yorke’. When we arrived at the scenic lookout over Berry Bay, a huge group of walkers were making their way along the beach. There was a ‘Walk the Yorke’ sign near the track down to the beach.
9: MARION BAY
Marion Bay is a pretty seaside town that is close to the Innes National Park. While we were exploring the pier I was excited to spot a stingray drifting by. Soon after that a young boy and his day caught a lovely Southern Calamari.
10: DHIBA GUURANDA – INNES NATIONAL PARK
https://southaustralia.com/products/yorke-peninsula/attraction/innes-national-park?ef_id=Cj0KCQjwtrSLBhCLARIsACh6RmgIdyIJRSbR-yrqxET-vPjNaV8DXdonGadKTnQbSmZQPmf8W46by_0aAgKVEALw_wcB:G:s&s_kwcid=AL!11357!3!350559881887!e!!g!!innes%20national%20park&gclid=Cj0KCQjwtrSLBhCLARIsACh6RmgIdyIJRSbR-yrqxET-vPjNaV8DXdonGadKTnQbSmZQPmf8W46by_0aAgKVEALw_wcB
We would have loved to spend days here at this beautiful park. There are many great camping spots, and so much to explore. Of course we could not camp there with Rosie, so maybe another time. During our short few hours there, saw several of the local wild life including emus, a shingleback, a black snake, a couple of cyclists and wallabies. There is spectacular scenery, and many interesting walking trails.
11: FOUL BAY
This a another pretty spot, and is most undeserving of its unfortunate name. I read somewhere that it might have been so named because of a foul smell from the rotting sea grasses on the beach. Fortunately for us there was no such odour when we visited.
12: WHITE HUT AND DALY HEAD
Norm and I were both taken back by the beauty of the long beach of white sand and huge sand dunes behind it. Rosie was very keen to run down the long wooden stairs leading down to the beach, but we were were put off by the thought of the return clamber back up. The surfers who use this beach must be very fit. Not only because of the climb down, but there seems to be a huge rip to contend with as well. Not to mention the possibility of hungry white pointers.
13: SOME YORKE PENINSULAR PLANTS
ON THE ROAD 