From Bordertown to Port Pirie and Port Augusta
Lots more traffic on the road but good news – the weather is warming up! Quite a long drive up to Port Pirie which is fairly small, but quite pretty – though signs of hardship evident in some business closures.
Loved the casual atmosphere – couches outside the pub on the pavement … very laid back, totally in keeping with outback lifestyle …
Booked into a cabin in a complex of about 100 cabins set fairly closely together but not many people staying.
Had a good coffee in a restored church SaFAVI which was lovely, then went to the Tourist Bureau to enquire re getting my car checked before going on to Port Augusta. Very nice lady referred me to Les’s Auto Centre, where her husband takes his car for servicing. So off I went to see Les, who was very obliging and checked my tyres, water and oil for me. I said I would give him a mention in my blog for doing that – so thank you Les, it’s nice to know there are people like you around to offer help – https://www.facebook.com/Less-Auto-Centre-271944043313154/
En route to Port Augusta I stopped at Port Germein, a little town just off the highway. Walked the length of the jetty, which is supposedly the longest in the Southern Hemisphere (and heritage listed). The tide was very definitely out until almost the end of the jetty. If you can be bothered enlarging and reading the history, I think it’s really interesting and the decision to go to Port Germein was spur of the moment, so glad I acted on my intuition!
The rather spooky end of the jetty!
The scenery is constantly changing out here, from sparse and scrubby to more vegetation. And contrary to what I envisaged, there are quite a few rolling hills which cause a few traffic build-ups, amazingly enough. The highway up to Port Augusta has many places where you can overtake traffic safely (though Bluebird and I tend to sit back and just amble along) I’ve learned the particular type of drivers who raise a couple of fingers (to say hi) when they pass. It’s usually the drivers towing camper trailers, funnily enough. Those in ordinary cars tend to go past with both hands clutching the wheel (very focused?)
I was surprised how big Port Augusta is, and how busy. I didn’t do any sightseeing here, but again, it’s very scenic.
Onwards … to the real outback!!
2 Comments
Good to hear everything is going to plan…happy travels ..sounds great..good on you sis!!!😀😀
Tina some great photos already…love the pier at Port Germaine.