Adelaide 2011

Day1 - Sunday 1st of May

Left home at 7:30 a.m. An overcast day with a few drizzly periods. Had breakfast at McDonalds in Ballarat. Continued on to Horsham where we stopped to buy lunch and drove on to a wayside stop just past Nhill. After lunch, followed the Western Highway to Conalpyn then turned left to head south west. Got to Meningee at about 4pm and decided to stay at the Lake Albert Caravan Park. On the way we saw an emu running along the road half way between Conalpyn and Meningee. Still drizzly and overcast but a nice sunset across the lake. Anna took a couple of arty photos of the sunset with a pelican silhouetted against the sky. Had tea at the Menningee Cheese Factory Restaurant.

Start speedo 142443 end 143083 - 640 km today. $70 worth of petrol at $1.48.

Day 2 - Monday 2nd of May

Up early to see the sunrise over Lake Albert. On the road by about 9:30 am and off towards Langhorne Creek and then Strathalbyn. This town reminded us a bit of Richmond or Ross in Tasmania - many delightful stone buildings and imposing churches. Had morning tea here and then headed off to Goolwa, which was as pretty as Strathalbyn. Went across the bridge to Hindmarsh Island and had a look at the Murray Mouth before exploring a new canal estate. Back into town and headed south to Port Elliot for lunch. Another beautiful town with fantastic coast line. After lunch went to a lookout and saw dolphins swimming in the bay. We then went to Victor Harbour for a look around. It was pretty busy there. Time now to head towards Adelaide via Mount Compass and Wilunga, then Aldinga and Port Wilunga. This side of the peninsula not as pretty as the other side. Headed to Glenelg and booked into The Oaks Plaza Pier room 331. Very comfortable and well appointed. Watched the sunset over Vincent Gulf. Had tea in our room - smoked Handorf vienna frankfurts and mashed potatoes and peas. Fantastic weather today. About 20 degrees and clear skies.

Start speedo 143083. End 143367. 284 km for the day.

Day 3 - Tuesday 3rd of May

Both slept well. Breakfast in our room then on the tram to the city. Walked Hindley Street, Rundall Mall and North Terrace before catching the City Loop bus to Central Market. Had lunch at a dumpling style Asian cafe. Continued on the City Loop bus to Adelaide Rail Station and took the train to Grange. The plan was to then catch two buses back to Glenelg but without a route map it was a bit hard to do so we took a bus to Henly Beach and then another to the city. Tram back to Glenelg. Watched the sunset again. Brad went for a run along Boat Harbour / Sturt River track to the airport and back. Had toasted ham and cheese sandwiches in our room for tea.

Another perfect weather day. About 23 degrees and despite forecasts of light rain, it never came to be. Clear skies for us but some threatening clouds over the Lofty Ranges that did not worry us.

Day 4 - Wednesday 4th of May

Today we decided to have a day in and around Glenelg. Anna got up early and read her book. Later we went for a walk along the foreshore to Somerton for a coffee then returned just before a light shower of rain. The rest of the day was spent reading, swimming in the hotel pool, or relaxing in the sauna and the spa. What decadence! And we did manage to fit in another walk in the afternoon across the boat harbour to the new estate there. Later we wandered down to Jetty Road for tea. After a bit of indecision, we went for Italian.

Weather today was variable with a couple of light showers but periods of sunshine inbetween - about 19 degrees.

Day 5 - Thursday 5th of May

Anna got up early again and walked to Jetty Road to top up on supplies. Later we drove to Brighton, parked the car and walked south almost to Seacliff. Returned to Jetty Road, Brighton, for coffee (and saw a dog just like Sophie). Walked back through the back streets. A very attractive suburb. Back in the car, navigated our way to Marino, Hallett Cove and then to the main road to head north. Went all the way up to Port Adelaide and Semaphore. Back to the apartment for lunch. After lunch walked to Jetty Road, Glenelg, to do some shopping. Watched our last sunset after relaxing and reading novels. Had dinner at Pan Thai. Delicious.

Weather overcast with a cool southerly breeze and the coolest evening so far. Purchased 74litres of petrol for $55.

85 kilometres today..

Day 6 - Friday 6th of May

Time to leave Adelaide has come so soon. We had our last stroll along the foreshore path to the jetty and then headed off on the road at about 9:30 a.m. Had a good run along Cross Road considering the time of day and then onto the freeway to Mount Lofty lookout. Great view of the city. We then toured around to Hahndorf which looked especially pretty with the leaves on the trees starting to turn. Walked up and down the full length of the Hahndorf township and bought some German treats. We had lunch in Mount Barker in a park. It’s surprising how busy this town was. More traffic here than in parts of Adelaide. We then took the Princes Highway towards Monarto and onto the freeway again to get to Murrray Bridge. We were considering stopping here for the night but we were disappointed with the lack of attractive places to stay so headed on towards Tailem Bend. Another disappointment. Anna rang the caravan park at Meningee and ascertained that a cabin was available so we headed off the main highway there. We were glad we did. Lake Albert was looking very peaceful again and the pelicans finished off the scene perfectly. Had dinner at the local pub. (^) Cheap and cheerful.

Another mostly fine day - but cool on the mountain and in the shade. About 18 degrees.

Start speedo - 143435. End speedo 143679. 244 km for the day.

Day 7 - Saturday 7th of May

Up at 7:30 a.m., had breakfast then packed up and said our goodbyes to Meningee just after 9am. Anna took the first shift driving. Off to Conalpyn but didn’t see any emus on that roadtoday - unlike last Sunday on our way in. Drove on through Keith, Bordertown and Kaniva, all of which had potential accomodation - unlike Tailem Bend and Murray Bridge yesterday. Stopped to buy fuel at Bordertown. $61 for 42 litres at $1.48 per litre. Had lunch in Horsham next to the Wimmera River near the Botanic Gardens. Brad took over the driving from Horsham for the home leg. Stopped for afternoon tea at Pikes Creek Reservoir and got home around 5 pm.

Start speedo 143679. Final speedo 144309. 629 for today.

Total trip distance is 1866 km.