Day 7 - Mount Remarkable NP to Willow Springs Station 1807km

Left Mt Remarkable for Quorn where we stopped for last minute supplies - a characteristic & quirky old SA town with a railway museum.  2 big pubs with wrap around lacy veranda and pavements with bull nosed covers overhead mean it gets very hot here in summer!

On to the Flinders Food Co. at Hawker.  Upon parking up a voice from over the road yelled out “Hey Stan!”
Rob & Jackie, Guests from a Taz Hikes Tour - who would have thought! They were in the Walls of Jerusalem with Stan & Jack & were doing their own tour of the outback. They recognised our car.  After a lovely catchup and a quick coffee & cake stop it was on to Wilpena Pound.

A 7.2km Walk from Wilpena Information centre wound through stunning Eucalypt forest then climbed up to a couple of lovely lookouts which also took in a historic homestead. A poignant history of early settlers:  The Hills Family who farmed in “The Pound”

The night was spent at Willow Springs, a working farm & homestead of 700,000 hectares.  We decided not to do the 6-7 hour four wheel drive track that the farm is known for!  Our well organised camp was at “Eagle 1” & the next morning we were welcomed by a small flock of Apostle birds.

Hot showers and spits of rain encouraged an early night!

Day 6 - Coorong NP to Mt Remarkable NP 1585km

It was a big day on the road today, travelling over 550km through Adelaide where we stopped for some more supplies. (Woolen Underlay, food & gas).
We continued through Adelaide, Port Wakefield & Port Pirie and arrived at our camp in the Remarkables National Park around dusk.
Had a campfire, put a roast lamb in the camp oven, streamed the State of Origin and downed a few wines. What a great day!

Day 5 - Portland to Coorong National Park 1028km

 From our overnight stay in Portland we next hit the big smoke of Mount Gambier. We stopped and had a look at Umpherstone Sink Hole (top pic) and the Blue Lake, which is the cities water supply. The lake sits in an huge crater.
From Mt Gambier we opted to take the Coast road to Adelaide via the Coorong Coast and Meningie. We found an awesome campsite along this coast and we did a 3km walk through the dunes that evening.
Woke up the next morning to a wicked frost, but it was worth it!

Day 4 - Port Campbell to Portland 720km

Just polishing off the last section of the Great Ocean Road today, visiting London Arch and the Grotto (picture). Stopped at Port Fairy as well. We aim to do at least a 1hour walk each day, whether it’s around a town or a short bush walk. We have stopped at the town of Portland tonight and will head through Mt Gambier tomorrow and beyond. PS - The kilometres on the heading of each post, is the total of the kilometres travelled so far from St Marys.

Day 3 - 560km

Stopped over last night at Wye River, a pleasant camp ground and amenities. Visited Cape Otway this morning, which was pretty interesting, followed by the Twelve Apostles. It was very busy at the Apostles, got there in the arvo so photographically, no the best time. At Port Campbell tonight.