A quick trip to Port Jervis

 in early April, before I travelled to New Zealand, we stayed for a few days at the Big 4 Port Jervis Caravan Park.    And an interesting few days it was too, although it was not a particularly scenic or comfortable caravan park.     It is for sale, if anyone is interested.

Our view from the back of the caravan, with Investigator Strait and Kangaroo Island in the far distance.   

The local steers were very interested in us, not that I was going to venture over the fence.   Nor let Piper off the lead.    As she was a cattle dog, she would have tried to round them up, without any training.

I asked for a drive through site on the watered, and therefore green, level ground, but was told that they were booked, which was not true, as they were mostly empty.   It would appear that these sites are reserved for caravans, mostly large, that require a one night stay, either on the way to, or returning from, Kangaroo Island.

Our site was on an uneven slope, and the caravan beside us (not in the photo) was very close.   I had an interesting time reversing the caravan down the slope, taking care of the other caravan, plus making sure I put one wheel onto a ramp.   Walter gave very good directions, but not one of our better moments.  

Then we found the lights, toilet flusher, and the sparker for the stove would not work, all ran off the 12v system in the caravan.    Luckily we had plenty of battery operated lanterns for the evenings.

It was very dry, everywhere, as we had had no rain since January.   

Another view across the dry farm land, towards Investigator Strait, and Kangaroo Island.

The ferry to Kangaroo Island.   Not for us on this occasion, although the water looked calm.    A few years ago we decided to make a day trip over there.    A big mistake!    The ferries are twin hulled boats,  catamarans, which rock and roll at the same time, if the water is rough.    And the water was very rough on the day we went, and Walter became very seasick.   The trip was only 45 minutes but a very long 45 minutes for Walter.

However, we had a relaxing two days (three nights), and visited quite a few places that we had not been to in years.

The brown rolling hills and white gravel roads were quite picturesque.

I can remember when there was nothing much in Port Jervis, before they built the harbour.    Prior to the harbour, with ferries running between it and Kangaroo Island, there was a light house and a few shacks.    Now there are many holiday houses, a tavern and a large camping ground.

We ate dinner one night at the tavern, very rough and ready, but with good food.    

There is one small beach, at the bottom of a very steep hill.   The steep slope had not stopped the 4WD brigade from driving down to the beach, as there were lots of wheel marks on the sand.  We did not attempt it.    I thought it was a little out of my league.

The camping ground was once part of a large farming property.    There were two large old homesteads, a small stone cottage plus extensive staff quarters. 

One of the homesteads is now a home, small store, reception area, lounge and bar.   Unfortunately they no longer open the bar, nor is there a cafe there, although the signs state this. 

The homestead below has been divided into five self contained units.  

It was fascinating walking around the buildings

There were two hen houses with lots of hens, the normal red hens,

and exotic looking white ones.

Plus two emus.

We drove to Victor Harbour, for a civilised coffee, and to spend some money in the shopping centre.   

Our first visit to Rapid Bay, which was a few kilometres north of Port Jervis, and we found it all quite interesting.   My knowledge of Rapid Bay was founded on the number of shark attacks there, probably not many really.    But to my mind Rapid Bay is synonymous with sharks.

It is a popular place to go snorkelling and deep sea diving.   Plus the added attraction is the large marine park there.

There is a lovely beach, and a very long jetty, although most of it appears to be falling down.   The jetty was used to load the ships with lime.

Limestone was quarried here by BHP from 1942 to 1981, and was used in the Whyalla, Newcastle and Port Kembla steelworks.

The cottages that housed the workers at the quarry have been converted into very nice holiday homes.

When we took the caravan to the repair place we found out that the fuse had blown in the battery, which meant no 12v power!    We now have a few spare fuses in the drawer.  

Australian caravans are strange beasts.   In our minds anyway.