Around Australia: Day 33, Cape Jervis to Millicent

Summary: On day 33 of my trip Around Australia on my Burgman 650 Executive, had beaches, vineyards, sheep and cattle farms lining my way. I am thinking of giving up on the Big Things theme... it is a nuisance in a FarRider context, and I don't like stopping.

Diary Entry for May 26, 2010

My initial, short entry in my "Around Australia" diary for the day read as follows:

Day 33: Cape Jervis to Millicent
I was a bit too keen to get going this morning, and arrived before sunrise at Cape Jervis Harbour to photograph the ferry and the lighthouse. It did not take long though for the sun to provide at least some dim light. Headed to Clayton and had no idea as to why. The GPS did not show the Big Yabby. The same happened with the Big Olives in Tailem Bend. Oh well, I am starting to think this Big Thing theme is a bit silly in a FarRider context anyway. Too many stops for taking photos of some silly Big Thing. Will need to rethink my approach to this.
The roads I travelled on today — along the Southern Ocean and the Riddoch Highway — had bends that could be easily taken at the allowed limit. Nice long sweeping corners. The scenery interesting, changing from vineyards, to kettle and sheep farms. Magnificent trees along the road. The only wildlife encountered after dark was a fox.
I settled for the night in Millicent.

Photo of the Day

"The Coorong" between Magarth Flat and Policeman's Point, South Australia

Cape Jervis to Millicent

I was up at 05:54, packed 06:10 — breakfast = a banana and a muesli bar; gone by 06:35. Hmm, I was a bit too keen to get going this morning and arrived before sunrise at Cape Jervis Harbour to photograph the ferry and the lighthouse. It did not take long though for the sun to provide at least some dim light.
I noticed the red-flashing LED on my personal satellite tracker (SPOT), indicating that the batteries should be changed soon. I had heaps of spare batteries, and while I was waiting for the sun to rise, I changed the batteries. SPOT came on green. 

Cape Jervis Harbour, Cape Jervis, South Australia

I left Cape Jervis at 07:05 following Bear Ride #79 from Cape Jervis to Victor Harbour. This road features a lot of at-speed-limit bends through forests, farmland and bush. The road follows the ridge-line; the road surface in very good condition. Some of the ridge tops were submersed in clouds, combined with early morning fog along the way.

Fleurieu Ridges, near Victor Harbour, South Australia

I did not spend much time in Victor Harbour, heading to Finniss, and then to Clayton. Clayton seemed to be a sleepy village; not sure what they make a living from, and I asked myself: "What the heck are you doing here?" I had no idea at the time that I included this location to catch a photo of the Big Yabby, one of Australia's Big Things. A similar thing happened with the Big Cook in Murray Bridge (another IBEM location) and the Big olives in Tailem Bend. I would figure out later this evening that I have to upload the way points to the GPS in addition to the routes. I thought the GPS is smart enough to include the waypoints needed for the uploaded routes  — this is not so.

Rail Bridge over River Murray, Murray Bridge, South Australia

I was making my way south, passing Lake Alexandrina, to Lake Albert, then Meningie.

Lake Albert, Meningie, South Australia

The Princess Highway along The Coorong and Coorong National Park was awesome. The park was formed in 1966 as a sanctuary for many species of birds, animals and fish. It attracts many migratory species. It provides refuge for these animals during some of Australia s regular droughts. The 467 sq km park also supports coastal dune systems, lagoons and coastal vegetation. One of the unique things about the Coorong is the interaction of water along its length, with sea water and Murray River water meeting rainfall and groundwater. The freshwater supports the fauna of the area while the sea water is the habitat for much of the birdlife.

Waterfowl, The Coorong National Park, South Australia

I left the Princess Highway at Policeman's Point, heading east to Tintinara on the Dukes Highway, then to Keith. Keith was the start of Bear Ride #83; I was going to complete the leg to Mount Gambier the next day. First on the cards was Penola, then west to Robe, and then to Kingston S.E.

Southern Ocean, Robe, South Australia

The weather was holding, dark clouds everywhere, but also wide open patches of sky, allowing for more colourful photos to be taken along the way. The temperatures ranged from 16 to 19 °C, peaked 20 °C and back to 16 °C. Farmland alternated with vineyards, then forests and shrubs. A different landscape to what I have seen so far on the journey.

Farmland, near Barooka, South Australia

I arrived in Kingston S.E. at around 13:00-ish. Had a banana and a leak down at the beach. The town seemed fairly quiet; maybe everyone was at work. The town was clean too. The northern entrance to the town is dominated by the Big Lobster, fondly named "Larry" by people of Kingston S.E.
Bloody "S.E." — I wondered why Kingston has these post-nominals. It stands for South-East. There is another Kingston in South Australia, which is now called "Kingston-On-Murray".

Cape Jaffa Lighthouse, Kingston S.E., South Australia

Next was the road from Kingston S.E. to Millicent, Bear Ride #82, via Robe, past Lake Eliza and Beachport. A nice quick run.

Big Lobster, Kingston S.E., South Australia

The roads I travelled on today — along the Southern Ocean and the Riddoch Highway — had bends that could be easily taken at the allowed limit. Nice long sweeping corners. The scenery was very diverse, changing from vineyards, to kettle and sheep farms. I saw magnificent trees along the road. The only wildlife encountered after dark was a fox. I settled for the night in Millicent.

Two bananas and some nuts and fruit made my dinner; quite nice actually — tasteful. I am bit worried about the state border and the fruit fly zones. I still have some fruit left.  Huh, I also figured out the waypoint issue with the GPS. After downloading the waypoints form a separate file, they all appeared in the simulated routes. Great! Problem solved!  On the other hand, I do not like stopping for these Big Things… and have decided, if I go past one, I take the shot, if I have to go looking for it, I will give it a miss.

Trip Data for the Day

845 km over the elapsed time of 12 hours.

Accommodation for the Night

My room at The Diplomat Motel Millicent, Millicent, South Australia

I stayed at the  The Diplomat Motel Millicent in Millicent for the night. Cost: 90 AUD.

My comment: Hmm, there is not much I can remember, which I think is a good thing; it was clean, nice comfy bed, and an average bathroom. Yes, would stay there again.

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