Streaky Bay to Port Lincoln



 We packed up in light drizzle and only 17 degrees. There were patches of blue sky and we felt it could go either way. Reminded me of NZ really and as it happens we mostly had low cloud with snippets of sun and only 19 all day. The pesky wind didn’t let up either. However none of that detracted from an amazing coastline which we had to get off the main road to explore. 

We spent a lot of time on dirt roads today but they were mostly in good nick. The wonderful coastline of the western side of the Eyre Peninsula is spectacular by any measure. 

The first detour was called the Westall loop and we were just blown away by the rugged beauty of this landscape. 


At the end of this loop was a natural tourist attraction called Murphys Haystacks. A series of weather worn rocks that are nothing like anything I’ve seen before and in the context of the barren landscape they sit in, is a truly unique sight.    




We hit the main road again and arrived at a little seaside village called Elliston, I could definitely have a holiday home here, it seemed to have everything, sheltered and safe swimming beaches, a surf break and a reef for crays and fishing. It reminded me of Castlepoint in many ways. It also had an excellent bakery, the pepper pie and coffee were excellent. 

Again along the main road and the landscape was as barren and windswept and full of rocks, kind of like the rural Irish landscape. 




( Mark getting as close as he could! ) (R) 

There was the occasional field of wheat but mainly just barren grassland with a bit of scrub. 

We turned off again onto a gravel road and checked out another rugged beach landscape called Sheringa. Beautiful and if the weather had been better we would have camped here. 


Then back on the main road for the next 130km of  mostly arrow straight road mainly lined with scrub until we turned off to visit the oyster growing village of Coffin Bay. Again a very pretty place with some very nice holiday homes as well as permanent residents. An unusual feature was a flock of Emu’s which were wandering about the town seemingly oblivious to any human goings on around them. Certainly they did not seem interested in two old Kiwi motorcyclists. 

There was a large and very busy campgound, obviously a popular spot for the grey nomad brigade. 

We had been going all day by now so we were a bit knackered especially with the constant wind and the number of times we hopped on and off the bike today, so we set off for the last 45km to our destination, Port Lincoln. The largest place we have been in a while and first impressions are very positive.

We have a waterfront hotel called the Hilton, I’m not sure how they get away with that.We had a nice meal at the pub down the road. 

We are looking forward to chill day here tomorrow with a day off the bike as we recharge our batteries ready for the final few days of this amazing journey.



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