• home
  • articles
  • editorial
idea mater

Day 4 & 5 & 6 | Nelson - Coorong National Park - Adelaide Hills

10/15/2014

1 Comment

 
<<Previous Post                        Next Post>>

August 16th & 17th

Given we spent the night on private property, we decided to start our day extra early and head towards Mount Gambier.  This big, small town was our pit stop for groceries, but also an unpleasant surprise in the form of the realization we had a punctured tire.  We continued south towards the coastal town of Port MacDonnell.  Once the second largest port in Australia, this town proved to be quite deserted during the winter season.  Nonetheless we had breakfast by the sea, and headed inland to find long, straight highways lined with never ending farming plains. 
Picture
Enjoying the sunny day on the plains of south-east South Australia
With the intent to be in Adelaide the next day, we pulled into Coorong National Park where we were greeted by a few emus and swarms of mosquitoes. 

Picture
An emu scurrying away
Although unpleasant at night, the morning provided breathtaking views while we made yet another breakfast on the road. 
Picture
Enjoying breakfast in Coorong National Park
The unusual, and stunning landscape of Coorong National Park convinced us to try to get as close as possible.  We therefore took an off road track along the coast where land was separated from the ocean only by a long cape-like dune.
Picture
Off-roading in Coorong National Park with dunes in background
Long sandy roads, and a few wrong turns got us to a small aboriginal settlement, but nowhere closer to the fuel we desperately needed.  Once back on the right course to Tailem Bend, we had the opportunity to cross the Murray River on one of its legendary weirs.  This cable-guided platform is one of many that have allowed Australians passage across the Murray River anytime of day and free of charge for the last 200 years. 
Picture
Crossing the Murray on the weir
Tempted by the numerous pelicans, Edmundo took this opportunity to try to capture their beauty, only to forget to apply the hand brake while also leaving the car in neutral.  With Tara in the passenger seat, nothing was holding down the 2 ton Pajero (affectionately named Bertha) when the weir came to a stop.  Basic physics propelled our dear Bertha towards the river only to be stopped by a flimsy looking gate.  Although quite panicked we were told by the operator this occurrence happens twice a week.  With fuel economy as our top priority, we continued to Tailem Bend, reaching the gas station with only 2 liters left.  This busy day finished by sneaking into a tourist park on the outskirts of Adelaide.  Although starved, we took the opportunity to take a warm shower, only to be reminded that we must leave before 8am when the reception desk opened.
1 Comment
Kayvan Alavi
11/10/2014 02:11:44 pm

Thank god for that gate, god bless us all.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    idea mater is a series of articles, ideas and reflections written and compiled by Rafael Fraga and Edmundo Rodrigues. Topics such as history, science, art or life-style are presented with a hint of personal opinion.

    Hot posts:
    I do not drink. So what?
    Ravel and Barnes: art and corruption
    Andon cord of life + 2 football stories
    Power of time: Lapse photography
    Travels, books and bad journalism
    Camera assassin: the smartphone
    Ladies and a virgin in the Red Light
    Subscribe idea mater HERE and get regular notifications

    RSS Feed


    Archives

    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    September 2013
    May 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013

    Categories

    All
    2014
    Alchemy
    Amsterdam
    Architecture
    Artifacts
    Australia Road Trip
    Books
    Cell
    City Life
    Earth
    History
    Nasa
    Opinion
    Phone
    Photography
    Portugal
    Revolution
    Science
    Symbols
    Technology
    Travels

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.