Le Grand Nomads: Streaky Bay to Port Lincoln Week 47

Streaky Bay to Port Lincoln

Week 47

As we begin on journey down the Eyre Peninsula, we have encountered extreme conditions. Sunday found us coping with 48 in the sun and 43 in the shade. Dennis, you won’t believe it after that photo you sent, but we donned our togs and waded out to the bay. The water temperature was sauna like and we had to wade to thigh deep water, about 100m out to find comfortable water. Very pleasant cooling effect when you stand up in the air - instant cooling.

Streaky Bay is a very popular destination for holiday makers, even though the school holidays here are now over, and despite the heatwave.

Monday found us completing a couple of tourist drives, all on gravel roads to check out the areas bays and cliffs. Much of the time we are reminded of Mariah Island in Tassie, just a big difference in temperatures.

Luckily we are back to short distances between camping destinations. We only to to travel for a couple of hours to reach Elliston. The big plus here is grass, glorious grass and shade.

Because of Cyclone Yasi we have been somewhat distracted from touring this week. First we were worried about what could happen, and being so far away, we could only sit and keep our fingers crossed. The television coverage was very detailed, too much at times because you felt they had started a bit early and it was worse than waiting for a baby to be born, but I guess of of you experiencing the cyclone wish it had stayed away totally.

There are big silos here, but most of the park are fishermen, the other big attraction in the whole of the Eyre Peninsula, assuming you don’t get blown away.

We spend a pleasant three days here, feeling somewhat relieved our worst fears have not been realized. We were mentally preparing for driving home and cutting short the trip. Desiree in Innisfail, East Palmerston to be more exact came out the worst and communication at the moment is difficult as mobile coverage is bad and there is no way to recharge batteries. The power situation looks dire for her for quite a stretch, but fingers crossed, the school nearby will put her area up on the recovery list and it won’t be quite so long a wait as when Larry struck five years ago.

Moving further south in the peninsula, it is becoming less like the Nullabor and more like Australian bush. To finish the week and begin the next we head for Coffin Bay. Horrible name, but it was named after a friend of Flinders, nothing to do with shipwrecks and deaths.

It is a quiet little town, famous for oysters, and of course a fishing destination.

There is a national Park here with some two wheel drive destinations and lots of four wheel drive opportunities. We stick to the two wheel ones and limit our dune and beach wandering because the strong winds over the sand and the dunes batter you like a sandblasting machine. We stop to avoid emus a few times and let wandering lizards cross the road in peace. We are again in an area prolific with bird life.

Some galahs are having a day on the beach but find themselves sheltering on the roughly eroded cliff edges. The gulls by the water are jumping over the incoming waves like youngsters frolicking at the beach, so despite the wind, we enjoy our little exploration of the park.