New YORKE!!! peninsula

You must say the title in your best singing voice. With lots of emphasis on the New York (you know broadway style, arms thrown out head up) part and slide the peninsula on just at the end in a whispered fashion for then the trip will seem like we have been to the big smoke not just country SA ;-) go on do it, even just in your own mind. It will stick there I'm sure of it. You can thank me later for it. 

Sunday came around and we had a leisurely pack up and headed for Kadina to do some shopping. Then off to camp. We were at camp set up and chased inside yet again by the flies by just on noon. After lunch we went for a walk to see the beach. On our way we used the bathroom which is where we then decided we could no longer camp here. It was disgusting. I won't go into detail but we packed up and left. We had planned the next night about 130km down the road so we set off for there. After taking 3 wrong tracks we found camp. It was a stunning little bay. We could set up where we could see the water. The flies were the only issue. We strolled along the beach while in the water the flies were bearable. The water was much warmer then we had predicted. It was a nice warm afternoon to spend exploring the waters edge. 

Monday we didn't want to stay cooped up in the trailer all day so we packed up to move in the hope that the fly situation would be better else where. We were under 60km from the bottom of the peninsular which is where the Innes national park is. We pottered into camp and explored all the 5 camping areas before picking our spot. We found a fantastic little bay where we were able to set up to see the water and be moments from walking on the sand. As the afternoon progressed the water was calling so we wandered down for a look and swim. We met the only other couple staying in this camp ground also down strolling around. We chatted to them for a while then I went swimming. The water was so crystal clear and not too cold. It was nice to be swimming again but even nicer to not have flies buzzing around me constantly, for they don't swim. 

A side note here. South Australia is having a massive fly plague. It's the worst in many many years. The lady who sold us our very sexy yet practical head nets said last year she sold maybe 20 this year they have sold over 700.  Army guys, travellers and even school groups who do excursions are buying them. They sold out at one point and couldn't buy anymore from anywhere in Australia. They have about 4 different styles. Yes all fairly ugly but practical as hell when you need them. Even the people out fishing on boats are saying that the flies are chasing them. There's just no reprieve from it. As it gets to about 7pm the flies ease but then the mosquitoes come out. Grrrrrr.  

Tuesday we spent the day exploring Innes N/P. We went for a drive to Penguin point, through Marion bay and out to the light house, ship wrecks and various bays. We had planned on staying another night and possibly a third but the weather had changed. It was now blowing a gale and our nice little beach front spot was being hammered. At about 1pm we packed camp and set off to find an inland spot for the night to get out of some of the wind. It was one thing being trapped inside because of the flies but blowing a gale being thrashed around and trapped inside was extremely not fun. We took the scenic route up to a little free camp in a small town called Arthurton. It was just a dirt lot behind a church and community center but it had toilets and some protection from the wind. 

Wednesday on the move again. Back through Kadina to pick up a couple of things and onto Mt Remakable national park. This national park has flushing loos and HOT showers with no timers or restrictions. We had been using our portable shower but had not had access to a shower like this for well over a week. We were pleased to find a nice spot, other friendly campers and good facilities. The flies were not as bad as on the coast but still pesky. We went walking and exploring in the afternoon. We found a few walks we wanted to do so we made plans to stick around for a few days. 

Thursday we set of to visit Port Augusta. Back in 2004 we came through this town but back then we were told it wasn't really advisable to camp in town anywhere so we hadn't. It had a very rough and bad reputation. With not currently knowing exactly what the town was like we decided not to stay in town but visit and give it a chance. We were very pleasantly surprised. The mining industry has don't lots for his town and it has turned itself around. The streets are safe and friendly. The people are helpful and kind and there is evidence that time and money have been put into the town to make it that way. We explored the lookouts and parks. Had a picnic on the waters edge. James used Zumi to play at the skate park and we browsed through the shops. We even relented and bought ourselves head nets so we can go walking and not have flies on our faces. We finished off doing a load of laundry then headed back for camp. It left us feeling so grateful that a town can turn itself around and that we gave it a chance to show us how nice of a town it is. 

 First try of the head nets.

Friday we went out walking and exploring the park. It has many different walks for all different levels of fitness or energy. We picked 2 to do. The head nets were donned and we set out. The first walk was near to camp and flat. The second wound it's way through a gully up the side of a mountain and back down to camp with some stunning views. We would never have done the second walk if we didn't have the head nets. The flies were insane. We have been on the move so much this week it was nice to spend more then 1 night in any place. To have 3 nights was a luxury, especially with showers thrown in. Our parks pass again has more then paid for itself in this park alone. 

 Stoopid Flies

As we set to leave the Yorke peninsula I wanted to make a note of how different the 2 peninsular's have been. While the Fleurieu was lush, green mountainous countryside with tiny towns dotted along it either just surviving off tourism and their wineries or ghost towns of the past. The Yorke was agricultural and was built on copper mining. It is thriving and what we many times assumed would be tiny towns were larger centers bustling with locals and children all happily living in this stunning part of the world. Their properties are large and at times all you can see is hay and wheat fields right to the oceans edge. While it's not mountainous it's also not flat. Just gentle rolling hills with easy access to all areas, good roads and plenty of signage showing its proud history and evidence of a good strong future. We are now ever so curious as to what the Eyre peninsula holds for us. The previous two extremes couldn't have been more different and we certainly hadn't expected it. 

As we left Mt Remarkable NP I thought yep that was defiantly the place to stay. Easy access, walks to do, good facilities and we would recommend it to anyone. So if you find yourself near Port Augusta make sure you stop for at least a night. It's a remarkable place.  We were on the road and off to Whyalla early. First stop information centre. Then to find camp. The sports grounds let you stay out the back of their area for $10 a night with access to toilets and showers. It was fine for us. We don't need to hook up to power and for $10 who could ask for more. We went to the local shops for a look around and did a lap of the main roads to familiarise ourselves then back to camp for a  relaxing afternoon. Whyalla is another mining town with its own steel works also. Built on fishing initially it is now a large port for many things.