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We moved around to the west side of Lake Alexandrina to finish our Murray leg of our trip. Fellow travellers told us about this good free camp at Langhorne Creek. It was a good free camp with lots of people staying there for all different periods of time. So we decided to make this our base and do a few day trips.

Tuesday we took a drive into Stathalbyn, a beautiful little town with so many old buildings and touristy shops (that you can’t take 2 active boys into). There is the most stunning gardens with old bridges, views of old buildings and a tribute to our fallen soldiers. I could have spent hours walking around it finding different things, once again boys don’t allow for that.

Wednesday we took a drive to Goolwa and the mouth of the Murray. A bit of a highlight.
We got to the mouth at low tide. Looking out Matt & I thought yeh we could walk across to the mouth. But once we got to the channel, that had been dredged, there was no way we could. We tried to walk until our map on our phones said we were in the centre of the mouth. But the tide turned and made it a bit hard.
We found out that due to drought and agricultural factors the Murray isn’t pushing enough water into Lake Alexandrina to keep a good flow of water to enter the ocean. Therefore the ocean is stronger than the Murray and is pushing sand into the mouth which is why they have to dredge it. And to maintain some salt water in Lake Alexandrina (it’s nearly all fresh water) for the habitats. Fellow travellers at another spot (local to the area) told us that they stopped dredging it for the past 4 years but have had to start it again.

Goolwa had a great park where we had lunch and let the boys play (big & little).

Oscar W, the paddle steamer, is docked at Goolwa wharf. There is a whole room full of Oscar W’s adventures even had Echuca in there.
I have a new love for the history of the paddle steamer’s so much I brought a book that tells you where they were built what ventures they went on and where they are now. I know I keep going on about how much I love the Murray but I just can’t help it with all new things I learn about it makes me love it more.

Thursday was mean’t to be doing things that Matt and I like, doing the wineries but that didn’t happen. This makes me laugh. Why on earth would we think that the boys would allow us to spend half an hour doing something we like, when they can’t sit still for more than 20 minutes unless there is a movie on. We took a drive to Mount Barker and came across our first camping shop since Renmark so we went in and purchased a washing machine and new big chair for Ethan. Then went to Matts favourite shop (all males favourite shop) Bunnings. Thank god for playgrounds in Bunnings stores. The boys played while Matt took his time looking at everything.
Then to another great playground for lunch.

Friday we packed up and left our beloved Murray. Saying goodbye to our dearly loved friend. Was a bit emotional.
We moved to the west side of the Fleurieu Peninsula and set up a home base for 10 nights at great caravan park in Port Willunga. We spent the afternoon and next day just swimming, getting some supplies and driving around the area.

Sunday we drove back over the other side of the peninsula and had a look at Victor Habour. A beautiful coastal town that was very busy. We caught the horse tram across the bridge to Granite Island and walked round. The water across was crystal clear and we saw a stingray swimming. Under the water there is sea grass growing and all different sea plants. I would like to go back and snorkel/explore this area.

Granite island was quite impressive with all the rocks and their formation. Over time the rocks have rounded off, some have broken away. Just amazing. And the trees around the coast are so wind swept that the are growing at 90 degree angles.
Matt told the boys to walk through the trees roots then told them that a witch lived there poor Natey freaked out.

We walked back over the bridge. Another great park down by the beach. With a boat and skis behind it so we all had a go at skiing in the southern 80.
We then drove round to Cape Jervis where you catch the ferry over to Kangaroo Island. Seems like a small little fishing town. Not much else there from what we could see driving through, except beautiful views.

We drove back along the coast to the caravan park. We went through Normanville which looks like a great coastal town. For us to explore next time. We called into the beach at Sellicks beach and had our first swim. Forgetting that Nate hasn’t ever been swimming in waves before, so he didn’t know to jump over the waves. Hilarious for us but poor boy got dunked. He soon figured it out. Was a great swimming beach.

Some things that I’m loving about South Australia, the old buildings, throughout the countryside there are old buildings, some falling down, some abandoned but they are left standing. They are gorgeous and all over the place. The hills to the ocean. I love the east coast for this but it’s completely different here. The hills have been cultivated and you are driving along appreciating it then the ocean is just there. The vineyard’s are just everywhere (can’t wait to come back without the boys). It’s just so different to coastlines I have seen else where in Oz. It’s stunning.