Kelpie Country

Casterton, Victoria, is the birthplace of the Kelpie breed of dog, which Casterton claimed in 1996.   

The Kelpie dog is an uniquely Australian breed of working dog, very clever and an absolutely whizz with mustering farm animals.

The breed started with a female dog called 'Kelpie" named after the Scottish legend 'A malignant water sprite haunting the fords in streams in the shape of a horse'.     'Kelpie' was a black and tan collie, bred from a Scottish collie breed in the Casterton district.     'Kelpie' was then mated with two working dogs in New South Wales which then started the Kelpie breed of dogs.   

The photograph below was taken from the sign on the Kelpie Information Centre in Casterton.

Casterton is a small town, close to the border of South Australia.   We have passed through here a  couple of times, and this time we thought we would stay for two nights.    

Like all small country towns the shops close at 1 p.m. on a Saturday, so it is important to buy everything in the morning otherwise you have to wait until Monday morning.

We made sure we stopped up on fuel!

The main street of Casterton on Saturday morning, and I know it looks empty but it was buzzing with people, and parked cars.     We spent a bit of money in the bakery/cafe.

                                                  

A beautiful old railway station, now fenced off, but it would appear that it was a museum for a while.   The railway to Casterton closed in 1977.

The platform with its lovely roof.     All the buildings on the other side of the line are still there.

There were many old timber houses on the street by the railway station.   Most had lovely gardens, including the house in the photograph below.

The Glenelg River runs through Casterton.   It starts in the Grampians, a small mountain area not far away.   Casterton is in a valley and apparently they have had some major floods in the past.

We are in the caravan park, run by the council.    It is beside the huge sports complex which has two football fields, tennis and netball courts, bowling and croquet greens plus acres of grassed areas and trees. 

The path (trail) below runs beside the river.

The showgrounds are part of the parkland/sports complex.    The building in the background houses the poultry on show days.

A side branch of the Glenelg River.

Tomorrow we drive home, through the Coonawarra wine region, then onto the main Melbourne/Adelaide highway which is called the Dukes Highway in South Australia.

Out and about in South West Melbourne

Werribee South Caravan Park was such a good find, with plenty of space, green grass, very good facilities and opposite boat ramps, a clean beach and walking paths.    The caravan park belongs to the local council and is beautifully maintained.

Our caravan and Piper, in glorious sunshine, which did not last very long, unfortunately.

The view from the window by my bed.

The clean sand and grass, and I presume clean water.

The view south, with a reserve in the distance.

Although some distance from central Melbourne, the train from Werribee runs every 20 minutes and takes 40 minutes to get to Flinders Street.    Most people seem to disappear from the caravan park during the day so I guess they had taken the train to Melbourne.

However we were there to visit Jackie, who lived a short distance from Werribee South.    A twenty minute easy drive, with very little traffic, from the caravan park to Altona Meadows, which is in South West Melbourne.   We were impressed!

Werribee South also has acres and acres of market gardens, which meant half of our drive each day was through pleasant fields of cabbages, broccoli and other greens.

I could not resist taking a photo of this old house, obviously the owners moved into a bigger and more comfortable house.   

Jackie's lovely house in the suburb of Altona Meadows.   

Altona Meadows is part of the wider suburb of Altona, with Altona Beach, and Altona.   A very large suburb.  There was once a huge power station here, but  now it is filled with pleasant streets, parks, and reserves.  

Jackie was an excellent tour guide, as we circled around Altona and Williamstown.   Some of it was through areas of light industrial buildings, quite often the most direct route, but mostly it was through lovely housing and parkland.    I was most impressed with the number of footpaths and cycling paths which wound through the numerous parks and reserves.

On one of the mornings we stopped for coffee, and then later on, for lunch, at the closed off to traffic part of Blyth Street.  We enjoyed excellent coffee, cakes and pizzas.  

The distant view of central Melbourne across the water.

The rocks were most unusual, black volcanic rocks.

We drove to Williamstown which is the next suburb.   Jackie lived there in the 1980.   It is an older suburb and filled with gorgeous buildings and houses.

One of the shopping streets.

The Williamstown Timeball Tower, only one of three left in the world, I think.  It was built in 1849, of local bluestone, and was originally a lighthouse before becoming a Timeball towner in 1861.   At 1 pm every day the Timeball would descend, and this enabled ships keep their timepieces accurate.

A view of Melbourne city, across the harbour, from Williamstown.

The harbour was full of small boats, all anchored out on the sea.

Lunch at a trendy little cafe in Altona Meadows consisted of avocado on bread, with a perfectly poached egg.   The choice for Jackie and me, whereas Walter chose a double hamburger and chips.   All delicious.

We enjoyed catching up with Jackie, and spent a fair bit of time talking and reminiscing, and for us learning about living in Altona.    The three days went too fast.    A truly delightful time.

A lovely few days in Point Lonsdale

 We set off in perfect weather, with blue skies surrounding us, the last we would see for a while.     It was a pleasant drive on the Western Highway to Melbourne, with not too many trucks on the road.

We thought we would stop in Horsham for coffee but the town was too big, and busy, and not a long car park in sight, one that would take a car and a caravan.

Finally we saw the Giant Koala in Dadswells Bridge, and because we were desperate by this stage we stopped for a coffee break.   But first we needed to admire (or not) the faded and very shabby Giant Koala, left over from the days of 'giant things' in Australia.

The cafe beside it was also rather dilapidated and needed a good clean, but the friendly staff helped, and thankfully the coffee came in take away cups.    And it was quite pleasant sitting in the sunshine outside, watching the traffic roar past.   No one else stopped there.

                                                

The lunch stop was in a delightful town, name forgotten, where we found a quiet road, beside a closed school and ate our sandwiches, again in beautiful sunshine.     I took Piper for a walk to have a look at the church which was on the hill above us.

After taking a complicated and long route through Ballarat, courtesy of Google maps, we finally came to the road that led to Geelong, and then onto Point Lonsdale.

The school holidays started the day we arrived in Point Lonsdale, so the Big4 caravan park was heaving with families.    Most of the park was taken up with units and reminded us of the caravan parks in England with the onsite vans, plus entertainment for everyone.    This Big4 had the usual playground and jumping cushion, plus a cafe, carts for hire, activity rooms, gym, and an indoor swimming pool.   

There were two small camping areas at the back, and yes we were squashed in, without much room between caravans and tents.   We were at the end thank goodness, but needed to park on the concrete space, otherwise the passenger side was against the bushes.   The toilet block was next door to us, which was very convenient.

There was a narrow road which we had to take to get in and out of the park, and it was always full of children on bikes or scooters.

Still everyone seemed to be having a great time, regardless of the overcast skies and rain.

We met up with Rudolf and Conny, which was fantastic, and spent a lovely three days with them, catching up on news, and reminiscing about days gone by.   Such a special time.    It was very difficult to say goodbye at the end of our time there.  

One morning we had morning coffee at the cafe by the harbour in Queenscliff, where the ferry goes across to Serrento.      Lots of expensive looking boats in this harbour.

The main street in Queensliff, a very trendy area.

Rudolf and Conny live in a lovely retirement village in Point Lonsdale, with landscaped gardens, and a huge clubhouse which houses a cafe, library, swimming pool, meeting rooms, lounge.   Fantastic facilities.  

Some of the flowering trees were providing the first colour of the season.   I loved the pink flowering tree in the photo below.

The retirement village is part of the wider community, with spacious green areas and a lake.  Plus plenty of cycling and walking paths in which to explore the wider area.

On the second morning we had coffee at a lovely cafe which was part of Van Loon's nursery, which sold a variety of beautiful plants, homewares and clothes and it was difficult to be strong.   I bought a small succulent.  I think Walter was quite relieved, as he thought we might be carrying back an assortment of plants.

We ate giant scones, with cream and jam.    No need to have lunch after eating this beauty.

We were thankful to drive out of the caravan park without taking a post and bush with us, although Walter had to reverse the caravan a couple of times in order to avoid doing this.    He also received plenty of advice from men walking by, as well as from the driver of a large van blocking our way.    

Men in camping grounds love to give advice!

Three nights in a delightful town 'Nhill".

On the move again.   This time we are travelling through Victoria, destination Point Lonsdale and Werribee, which is on the western edge of Melbourne.    We are also catching up with Rudolf and Conny and Jackie.

We are mostly travelling on the main highway between Adelaide and Melbourne, initially called the Dukes Highway (South Australia) and the Western Highway (Victoria).

Nhill is about half way between Adelaide and Melbourne.

Nhill is a great place to stop for a night, or for a rest, but we have always been fascinated by the town so thought a few days here would be a great way to see the place, without the need to rush off, either to Melbourne or to Adelaide.

But first a photograph of the Murray River.    Our first stop at Murray Bridge Big4 Caravan Park.   Not overly impressed but we must return and have a good look at the town.

The camping ground in Nhill is a delight, with a revamped and luxurious ablutions block.   Luxury plus.   The Hindmarsh Council now manages the park and have certainly done a marvellous job.   Sadly I did not take any photographs.   Perhaps tomorrow before we leave.

Nhill is in the Wimmera region and is known as the 'Abode of Spirits' due to its Indigenous name.   It is also surrounded by an enormous grain growing area.

The main street has the usual number of empty shops, and shops that look closed but are open, but just with dim lighting.   We were fascinated with the dim lighting when we visited about ten years ago.

I counted four cafes, two of them bakeries, so they must get plenty of people stopping for coffee, cakes and pies.  We were not disappointed with our coffee and cakes.

                                              

The Western Highway runs through the town centre, which is a pity, as the big trucks are very noisy.   They are called B-double trucks and consist of a prime mover (truck) pulling two semi trailers.   They are big brutes.   I was impressed though with the wide gap (marked) between the parked cars and the road.  It means you can open your car door without the fear of it being swiped by a vehicle.   And you too, of course.

The public toilets.    Ten years ago they included classical music as well.   Walter informed me there was no music today.    There are no pedestrian crossings or lights on these roads!

 

The old Post Office building, still in use.

Many of the houses were built of timber and and have an ornate verandah on three sides.   

The local Catholic Church.

The wooden Presbyterian Church, named appropriately as St Andrews.

Underneath the protective roof there is a very old two roomed wooden house, which was the home of a local poet, called John Shaw Neilson.   Well at least he lived in it as a child.   It was actually situated in Penola in South Australia and moved to Nhill in 1972.    

Next to the camping ground there is a beautiful park.  No photos sadly.   However behind the park, is a large swamp area, which is home to many birds, plus a few snakes too, no doubt.   And through part of the swamp there is a very long high wooden walkway.   Most impressive.

There are also walkways around the edge of the swamp, with plenty of reflections in the water.

In the centre of it all there is a lake, partly used for swimming, and the rest for boating, on even numbered days for rowing boats, and on odd numbered days, for speed boats and water skiing.  However, only one speed boat at a time is allowed as there is limited space.

Such a beautiful area

The Saturday morning ParkRun uses these paths.    Now that is a picturesque route.

Today we drove into the countryside on very narrow bitumen roads, which were surrounded by grain fields.   They have obviously had some much needed rain here as the crops looked very green and healthy.

Tomorrow, a long drive to Point Lonsdale.   An early start, I think.

Port Hughes

Port Hughes, on the western side of the Yorke Peninsula, has turned out to be a lovely choice when we decided not to travel to the western side of the Eyre Peninsula.

It was also a fluke that we came to Port Hughes Camping Ground, as we thought that we had booked into the port a few kilometres north, called Moonta Bay.     We tend to get the two places mixed up for some reason, both have jetties but that is the only similarity.    So pleased that we made a mistake as Moonta Bay Camping Ground has very little space, few trees and the top level now has cabins that block the view of the bay.   There is also very little beach there.

The view of Port Hughes beach, taken from the wooden walkway over the sand dunes.   So beautiful, white sand and perfectly clear water.    The algal bloom has not reached the western side of the peninsula, so it is pristine.    

The view north towards the jetty.   Piper is loving the beach here, after not being near our beaches since May.   And for people who are not aware, the algal bloom, which started in March, at the bottom of the Fleurieu Peninsula has now spread into the St Vincent Gulf.    Our beaches are littered with seaweed and dead fish.   Quite distressing to see.    

We went for a walk on the very long jetty.    The place was full of boats, as there was a fishing competition on, to see who could catch the largest whiting.   

Port Hughes tavern and store/cafe at the front.    On the Saturday, we drank our coffee here, while sitting on the deck in the sun.   Perfect.    However, a different experience on the Sunday.   it was overcast so we sat inside, no atmosphere,  and the owner was quite negative.   That has put as off the place rather.   A pity.

The camping ground as an enclosed dog park, which Piper loves.   It includes plenty of rabbits too, although they disappear very quickly when they see us.   Luckily it is fenced off otherwise Piper would be away into the sand dunes.

The beautiful swimming pool, with the recreation room behind it.   A perfect setting, but a bit cold at the moment.

Our caravan sitting out in the open space.   We chose this spot as it was the sunniest place, and with a view of the dunes, swimming pool, and plenty of grass.   However, the downside is that we get the full force of the wind, I thought we were going to take off last night.      

The camping ground is quite empty of people at the moment, a few caravans plus about five people in their permanent caravans.    

The permanent caravans.   And lots of them in this park.    They are enclosed around the bottom of the caravan, with an annex built on the side.  Some have a toilet/shower installed in the annex.   There is a similar arrangement as in the static caravan parks in the UK, where people buy a static van (like a mobile home) pay a large fee for the year, and then can use their van for a set number of months per year.        

 We had a mad moment before I retired that we would sell our house and buy a static caravan in the UK and a permanent caravan with an annex in Aldinga Beach.   We then aimed to spend six months in each place.

Thankfully we realised this was not a sound Investment, as the vans would depreciate in value, and we needed a solid house to live in, in our old age.  But it was a lovely dream for a couple of months.  

We saw the most amazing sunset a few nights ago.   It rained the next day.

This part of the Yorke Peninsula is known as the Copper Coast, due to its historic copper mining history.   There was a significant copper boom in the 19th century that brought about rapid regional development and a large influx of Cornish miners.

Moonta which is a short distance from Port Hughes, is the most well known of the towns.   It has plenty of atmosphere, and great shops.   There is a museum and a little train that travels around the site. We did this a few years ago, although Piper was not impressed with the train as it rattled and shook.  

Moonta has plenty of beautiful old buildings.    

The town hall.

There is a very large antique/second hand store there, with a hardware and camping store at the back.   An interesting shop to visit but I thought the antiques/second hand goods were a bit pricey.   I bought a hot water bottle cover and Walter bought a book.     So we contributed a little money to the economy.

The coffee at this cafe was excellent.   Now that I have started drinking decaf coffee it is even more important to find the perfect cafe.

The next town we visited was Wallaroo, a few kilometres north of Port Hughes.   Wallaroo is also part of the Copper Coast, although now it has huge silos with two jetties which can accommodate large ships that collect the grain.

Wallaroo also has had a major makeover, and is now quite a tourist hotspot. 

The very low verandahs on the main street.    Most people were across the road in the new supermarket complex.   Typical.

   

Another beautiful town hall.

The mural painted onto the edge of the old railway platform.  The railway station is now the library.

We stayed in Wallaroo three years ago, for Walter's 80th birthday.    All our Adelaide family stayed in this old church building, over the Easter break.    We had the most fantastic time.

When we stayed there the church had a fence, palms and shrubs at the front.   Now it looks very bare, but I guess there are plans to do something else with the front.   

And of course it is no longer a church.

Poor Piper visited the vets in Wallaroo, due to developing diarrhoea, from whatever cause we do not know.   A lovely vet and helpful staff, not that Piper thought so.   She thought we were entering a house, until she sussed out that the place had a familiar smell.   The hated vet smell.    She got some medicine and is on the road to recovery.

I must include a photograph (with the shadow of me in it, and Piper too) of one of the bike tracks.   There is a huge network of them here, including one between Moonta Bay and Wallaroo.    A pity I do not have my bike here.

The area around Port Hughes and Moonta Bay is undergoing a massive redevelopment, well more to the point, the land around here is being used for redevelopment, mainly luxury holiday houses, with some permanent residents.    There are a couple of areas set aside for over 50's lifestyle villages.   Who can retiree at 50 these days!

I can remember visiting the Gold Coast, Queensland, in 2011, and being astounded at all the luxury holiday houses there.

Now these type of houses are being built in South Australia now, on the Fleurieu Peninsula, and here as well.    They are huge!

What happened to the shacks!    There must be some money around.

A view of Moonta Bay, just as the clouds are about to let go of the rain. 

Walter looking very happy.  Today we had lunch at the Moonta Bay Cafe.    I had fried noodles with prawns, and Walter had calamari and chips plus salad.    The Seniors' menu, priced at $18 per meal.   And the meals were delicious.    The place was packed with retirees!

A great week.   So happy we came to Port Hughes.