Part 12
We are staying at The West Beach Caravan Park, as it’s in a perfect position to the airport, between Henley beach and Glenelg. Also not far from my Aunt & Uncles in Fulham. Our set up here was perfect at the end of the street, so not really near anyone! Or Toilets!
1st of December 2021
This morning we went off for a bike ride in the Glenelg direction. It was such a nice, sunshiny day today. Kirsties mini me, so she had a plan to ride to Seacliff, as we had never been that far. Summer definitely was in the air today, so many school breakup beach days going on. We stopped at Seacliff and walked up to the Tjilbruke Stone sculpture, the views where great up here, looking back to Glenelg!
Then stopped off for lunch at Brighton Beach, Alimentary Eatery for lunch as Kirstie had done her research! Very nice 👍
Lots of Happy Christmas vibes on this bike ride!
2nd of December 2021
We left West Beach Adelaide today for a Big 4 at Port Willunga beach. On the way we stopped for a coffee at Aldinga at Maxwells, very nice! Such a trendy little village of nice shops and gardens. We got set up quickly and booked an ensuite site, Luxury after many months on the road! Mostly as Kirstie is with us and has been sharing for almost 2 years straight, I’ve booked this caravan park based on reviews on wiki camps to be near McLaren Vale wineries. No review happen to mention we are 2 minutes away from a nudie beach. So as we where driving out to go exploring the beaches around here, we happen to drive past a guy hanging his washing outside his caravan in his G-string. The three of us where in stitches laughing at what the hell we might be in store for, the rest of our stay. And memories of the three of us in Mykonos years ago!
Our first stop on the tour of the beaches of The Fleurieu Peninsula, was Port Willunga.
Aldinga Beach was our next destination, here anyone can drive onto the beach. Meaning any car will do! It looks fun as you just take your car down and sit beside it and use all your things out of the car, no dragging stuff down the beach!
Next stop along the way was Sellicks beach, here again you can drive along the beach. Kirstie and I walked along the beach to find the instagram famous spot, Peter was worried the tide was coming in so stayed on the beach with the car. While he was with the car a local kid, Cooper asked Peter for some help moving his fishing gear off the beach, and hitting him up for some cash for more bait. Off course Peter obligated and got a bit of local fishing tips from him.
3rd December 2021
Kirstie made her signature breakfast this morning, oats and banana pancakes with berries. Missed this so much!
Today is our McLaren Vale winery day, so here we go! First stop of the day D Arenberg winery. This place is like Wow, to me it leaves Mona in Tasmania for dead! This is a very eccentric kind of place, I would love to have a drink with the Chester Osborne, the crazy guy put this place together! Inspired by the complexity and puzzles of wine making! The Art here is very clever,my friend Sally would be here for days! Review 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ fun place nice wine, toilets win 🏆 over the top!
Our second stop for the day was Molly Dooker winery. Here we did a tasting which was really nice 😊 as it’s one of our favourite wines.
After the two wineries we went back to the caravan for an afternoon nap, before going to our next winery!
Down the Rabbit Hole was our last stop for the day. This small winery is so lovely, the decor is really nice 😊 We got a great spot sitting in the sun watching Aidan Jazzy playing guitar and singing very smooth old songs, loved his voice so much.
Chasing the sunset for that perfect picture over the vines, the last tick off the list for today!
4th of December 2021
Today we are up for a quieter one. First stop the Willunga Farmers Market, for some fresh produce. Then off to Sellicks Beach for a fishing attempt no 1000, note to self fishing app tides lie! One thing I’ve learnt on this trip, patience to be a fisherman’s wife. Also it’s so much easier, cheaper, time effective to just buy the dam fish!
This afternoon Jacky, my sisters two daughters Bianca and Megan and their families came over for happy hour, which the kids had a lot of fun on the caravan park playground.
More Netflix tonight- Little Fires Every where, glad to finish the first series, addictive and not really my cup of tea, as I haven’t slept well after watching it!
5th of December 2021
This morning was a little lazy, Kirstie made some home made granola and fresh fruit for breakfast, very delicious too!
Kirsties itinerary today, so off we go on our first stop of the day, Port Noarlunga beach. Here the Onkarparinga river meets the sea. So the river was flowing fast into the sea, lots of paddle boarders and kayaks coming down the river. We where watching as people and dogs where being swept quickly along the river. It looked like so much fun too!
Our next item on the list today was The Hallet Cove walk. This walk was so good, as I love a good boardwalk particularly by the sea.
For lunch we stopped at Agatha’s in Port Noarlunga, very nice again! We both do our research 🧐 as in she got my crazy’s!!!!
Now time for the paddle board session on the Onkaparinga river, only by now the winds changed direction going up stream. So Peter and Kirstie took the boards in near a walk over the river, and I met them with the car down the river. They had a bit of fun!
Back to the caravan park for Peters afternoon nap, me a blog session. Before we head off down to Port Willunga beach to try for a good sunset shot.
6th of December 2021
We decided on an extra day here at Port Willunga caravan park, right near the The unclad beach! So today headed down the Fleurieu Peninsula to Second Valley, this beach was so like being on a beach on the Amalfi coast. Concrete paths around the rock walls, Rockpool’s and cliff spots to jump from. Really nice small beach! One for the list of best beaches.
We happen to bump into a family we met at Bullara station, Jane, Rohan, Hugo and Archie so after a long chat, saw them again at Rapid Bay.
Our next stop for a picnic lunch at Rapid bay. Kirstie and I went down the end of the beach for a relax, while Peter fished off Rapid bay jetty and caught 2 Squid. Very happy with himself too.
7th of December 2021
Today we moved from Port Willunga to Port Elliot Big 4 caravan park, by the beach. We had breakfast along the way at our favourite little spot in Aldinga “Maxwells grocery store” , actually Kirsties favourite spot! We arrived at Port Elliot, set up and did a stack of washing. Then Peter and I went off for a walk to explore the town, and ended up at the Hotel my dear ol uncle Paul suggested for happy hour!
8th of December 2021
Next stop to check out the beach at Middleton, along the way to Goowla.
Mother Duck in Goolwa for lunch, well researched by Kirstie, once again.
9th of December 2021
After months on the road and no decent hair cut, I got into Rollo hairdressers in the industrial estate in Port Elliot. First time ever going pink! Kirstie did a Pilates class next door to the hairdressers. Then later we had lunch and a shop, perfect girls day out!
10th of December 2021
This morning Kirstie and Peter went for a walk around to the other side of Port Elliot, while I packed up the inside of the van to move sites.
After we moved sites so we can store the van, while we go to Kangaroo island, we met Helen and Paul at Hugh Hamilton winery in McLaren Vale. Which was super nice, very pretty winery and as it was Friday, not busy at all. We had a tasting here and cheese platter sitting in a beautiful scenic, outside table! Living the life!!!!
Our next stop today was lots of fun, Chalk Hill winery combines with Never Never Gin Distilling Co. So obviously if your with The President of the Cosman Family Gin Club, you just have to try The Gin! Loved it here as being near Christmas, lots of parties on here today, a great happy vibe! Great having seasoned relatives to show you around the top places to visit! Thank you Helen and Paul once again, you don’t disappoint!
11th of December 2021
Up early this morning to catch the 10am ferry at Cape Jervis, for Kangaroo island. Getting Kirstie up we’ve found, she’s not to good until she gets a coffee in! So on our way to the ferry this morning in a hurry, we went through a MacDonalds drive through in desperation for a coffee on the way in Victor Harbour. She instantly became a much nicer person after the coffee! We all had a laugh! We caught the ferry in time and happy our ferry time was changed to an earlier one.
Next stop Prospect Hill, Kirstie and Peter raced to the top here for a stunning view!
We stopped at American River and had some oysters from the shop there, Peter loved!
Funny here, the waitress near fully demanded we do the six course special. After we got done, we watched her with all the other customers and they all did the 6 course special, she was extremely pushy! Lucky the food was so good.
12th of December 2021
This morning we headed down early to the wharf area at Kingscote for the market, to catch up with Maria and Tony a lovely couple, that became good friends with Helen and Kevin. They live here on the island and has this little stall of their crafts. We had a nice fun catch up, very friendly people! Crazy guy with his pet snake walked by, of course I had to get a picture, and Peter had to have a chat about his friend!
Next stop Coffeee!!! At Cactus again. Then off on a big day of exploring. Our first stop was Stokes Bay, where we walked through a secret entrance to a stunning beach.
Onto our next stop at The Flinders Chase national park, for Admirals Arch and the Remarkable Rocks. Here we saw lots of seals having a fabulous time, climbing up the rocks and slipping down again. Absolutely Stunning scenery overload here! Blessed to see it without crowds!
First stop at this gorgeous lighthouse, The Cape Du Couedic Lighthouse. Followed by the boardwalk to view lots of cute seals frolicking in the water below.
Back at the Motel later, Peter went off for a fish while Kirstie and I went for a sunset walk out the front of the Motel.
13th of December 2021
Kangaroo island day three! Coffee first of course, our third visit to our favourite little cafe here, Cactus. Being away from Australia for a while Kirstie wanted to go to a wildlife park, so that’s what we did for the morning,
Vivonne Bay stop off for a jump off the jetty and me a walk at the point, with lots of big swimming rock pools. Then we went over to the surf beach here, where the water was crystal clear. Unfortunately the general store was about to close, so I bought a salad from here and added to it for tea.
We stopped by a little late here at Dudley Winery just enough time to “slug” (as the waiter said) a glass of bubbles down! Here you can smash a few golf balls down the cliffs , very cool! And picturesque, looking down the valley out to sea.
14th of December 2021
Today up early to leave Port Elliot for Adelaide. We headed straight to the airport to drop Kirstie off, flying to Brisbane. We parked the van at Bunnings near the airport, to drop her off and find a commonwealth bank. I spent three hours trying to source a new fridge for home, as ours has died. Crazy times we are living, to buy a fridge apparently is near impossible due to covid delays! Kirstie today waiting on covid test results to fly interstate! What the hell is life coming to??? Not a fun morning for sure.
Blanchetown so much bird life! We Absolutely loved this little gem of a caravan park. We sat out for a long happy hour, talking to a young couple and the lovely caretakers. Definitely a happy vibe here! Beautiful Afternoon!
15th of December 2021
Blanchetown to Robinvale today
16th of December 2021
Robinvale to Forbes via Quandialla
We made a last minute call to pop into Quandialla to see Hazel and Penny Allen, and relive some old memories of Pennys wedding thirty odd years ago, with the Allen family. Particularly remembering the fun times we had with Robin, who we both miss very much, he would kick our butts if we didn’t call in. So we called into Hazels and shared a cup of tea, and caught up with the Allen family news. Then drove onwards to Forbes, where we caught up with Simone and her children, Pennys daughter.
17th of December 2021
Forbes to Tamworth
After Peter got up at the crack of dawn for a wander around the lake, he bought a take away coffee and croissant back for breakfast, 10 points given! We took off on our way again. We stayed the night at a caravan park In Tamworth near the main shops. It was really hot, and we stopped to get some supplies at the local shopping centre. Here’s where I judge a town, the locals where in a major hurry to get to Dan Murphy’s, I almost got mowed down by two tradies in the car park here! So therefore was not keen on venturing out here, so dinner in our van tonight.
18th of December 2021
Tamworth to Sandy Hill
Today the drive from Tamworth to a free camp, stopping for lunch in Armidale at the Tattersalls hotel. This hotel is beautifully renovated Art Deco style, and the lunch was very nice. As a country town everything closed by twelve, so not a lot of choice here.
We arrived at this free camp late afternoon to only one other car. A van with all the windows covered and no sign of anyone. We walked over to the toilet that had written in big black writing “Watch out for the big black snake!” So I wasn’t feeling great, until another van rocked up with two ladies travelling together from Mullumbimby. Safety in numbers for me!
19th December 2021
Sandy Hill to Tweed Heads
Yay so today is the last leg of the journey to Tweed Heads from Adelaide! We stopped of in Casino for a late breakfast, then arrived early afternoon at Tweed Heads finally!
Review – This is a once in a lifetime way to the Gold Coast! The winding roads on the last part is a way, I’m happy not to repeat towing a van! I’m happy we saw the towns in between, but for me the coastal route can not be beaten!
