Port Augusta to Streaky Bay

 Our motel turned out to be in a quiet part of town and we had a good night's sleep. We have around a 4 hour drive to Streaky Bay, so get under way at 8.30 am. After a bit of fiddling around refueling, we were on the highway by 8.45 am.

Today looks like it may be a more interesting drive than yeaterday, and of course, Streaky Bay should be a more attractive destination. About 70 km out of Port Augusta on the Eyre Highway, we come to Iron Knob. Easily identified by the piles of iron ore.



We can see Iron Knob in the distance


Stockpiles of iron ore

Our planned coffee stop is the town of Kimba, a further 90 km on from Iron Knob. Kimba, an agricultural town with a number of claims to fame. firstly it claims to be the centre of Australia, ie halfway across the continent, secondly, it has silo art and thirdly it has the Big Galah. Apparently, it is about halfway across the country.


The silo art is real


As is the Big Galah

We are also pleased to report there is a nice cafe in town that had excellent coffee, and the scones were pretty good as well.


Not much to look at on the outside, but quite homely on the inside


Back under way, we hope to get to Streaky Bay by around 1.30 pm, so back on the highway at 110 km/hr awaiting the next tourism experience along the way. We reached our next one at Wuddina, an agricultural town with a number of attractions. The "Australian Farmer" granite statue on the side of the roads as you get into town is perhaps the main one.

Created to capture the spirit of the Australian Farmer, and produced by a Croatian artist with strong support from the Croatian Community Australia wide, not to mention considerable corporate sponsorship, it is now an imposing piece of art in this small community. The gardens are another thing that immediately gets your attention in Wuddina, a pleasant break from the dry surroundings.



There is another attraction but it is too much of a diversion for us on this trip and that is a large monolith, Pildappa Rock, a large granite outcrop a bit like Wave Rock in WA.

Streaky Bay is well within striking distance for lunch, so we push on, finally arriving at 1.30 pm, checking into our Hotel. the Streaky Bay Hotel located right on the waterfront.


Streaky Bay Hotel

Once settled into our room, we wandered down the street to a bakery cafe, for a light lunch and a coffee. It was then time to explore our surroundings, and as we are right on the waterfront our first instinct is to go for a walk out on the long jetty that extends out opposite the hotel.


Walking out along the jetty, there is a caged swimming area, and a small yacht on a mooring in the bay


The local shags have taken custody of the swimming pool fence




Looking from the end of the jetty back towards the hotel


The water frontage of the town

It was then time to have a walk through the main street (which didn't take long), but we were lucky enough to fina a Visitor Information Centre that was open !!!! The lady there was very helpful and given our short time here, she suggested we might take a drive to do the Cape Bauer Loop, the highlight of which is blowholes and 'whispering rocks'.


It is the green coloured loop just to the NW of Streaky Bay

Another dirt road, but what spectacular views. 








There is a long board walk down to the seafront and we can aready hear the not so quiet 'wispering rocks' and see the blowhole in action







There is a decent swell and the waves crash up onto a shelf before entering the blowhole



Back up the boardwalk, we move on to complete driving the loop, taking is some great scenery

Just before town, we stopped at a great boat ramp facility and see the first pelicans we have seen since Lake Eyre.


and another small yacht on a mooring


Soon back in town, the drive was about 14 km and well worth the time taken


After a short rest we went to the bar of the pub to watch the sunset


This tree across the road is full of Galahs





Dinner tonight at the pub bistro was packed, despite the lady at reception telling us there was no need to book as it is very quiet at the moment. We did find a table without a lot of trouble and thoroughly enjoyed our Coffin Bay oysters, King George Whiting and Clare Riesling. 

Port Lincoln tomorrow.

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