When setting your GPS you sometimes need to select the ferry option as we did when crossing the Murray River at Tailem Bend! From Jervois we wandered onto Goolwa, Port Elliott and Victor Harbour for a few days in the sun by the sea. Last time we were on the coast we had rain and it happened again!
In the tradition of “keep it local” we enjoyed a Pinot Gris made at the Bleasdale Winery by the Potts family who’ve been growing grapes here for 150 years. Their slogan is “it’s such good wine you’re lucky we haven’t drunk it all ourselves”.
After a lazy start we strolled into Victor Harbour and caught the Horse Drawn Tram to Granite Island. On our walk around the island we saw Fur Seals in the water and resting amongst the granite tors along the coast. Ben the Clydesdale took us back to the mainland for Butterfish at the ‘original’ Victor Harbour Fish Shop!
Our transport to Granite Island
Granite Island
As the weather improved we walked into town again to catch the Cockle Train to Goolwa Harbour where we lunched on local seafood. The cafe scene is thriving in Goolwa compared to our visit 22 years ago. We had to stop at the Motherduck Cafe as our children often refer to me as Mother Puddle Duck. We enjoyed our day in the sun and the steam train back was almost enough to send us to sleep!
Mother Duck waddled into the Motherduck Cafe
Granite Island
Our day in McLaren Vale was shared with David’s family from Adelaide whom we haven’t seen for some time. We shared stories and local tasting platters at Angove and wine tasting at Chapel Hill which has a real chapel made from the local stone. Most of the wine from the smaller vineyards here is exported.
Our last city experience was in Melbourne two months ago so we gave Adelaide a try. We miss the campfire when we stay in caravan parks so a few days will do us! We’re not having much weather luck on the coast – the wind was wild and the sea rough but we did walk along the esplanade and out onto the pier at Glenelg. You can catch the tram into the city from Glenelg but we chose to drive out to Hahndorf for a true Cornish pastie and a stroll through the European style village.
The mall at Glenelg
Memorial to Pioneer Settlers 1836
The wild weather and dryness make us wonder how and why settlers stayed to establish the towns and cities of this southern area. Just as some of our family have done, I guess they established their homes and families and communities developed. Before we headed into the desert as we had expected, we bought new tyres in Adelaide.
NEXT: Kangaroo Island
See you On The Emu Track
Cheryl and David
