Beachport to Adelaide and back to Melbourne



Looking across the narrows at Narrung.

Ferry across the narrows

Howdy folks, well we had a couple of very pleasant nights at Beachport before heading further west. We sauntered along the coast visiting Robe ( a truly beautiful little historical town) then through Kingston SE and along the Coorong. For a free camp we chose to for #44 which is just out of a small settlement of Narrung. The camp is just beside the ferry which transports (free) traffic across the narrows between lake Albert and Lake Alexandrina. We were a bit worried that the long journey around lake Albert from Meningie might lead to having to back track as the signs did not advise of the ferry but turned out to be a great detour. ( I might have missed the sign though) A great little camp with toilets and the ferry is big enough to take a bus.
We then head toward Tailem Bend but turned off at Wellington and took another free ferry across the Murray and headed towards McLaren Vale where we planned to catch up with our friends the Whites and cousin David.
No free camps that close in but a $25 pn van park with great facilities was found within easy walking distance to town centre. What a beautiful place this was, full of character and lots of old stone buildings. The whole Adelaide Hills were truly magnificent. We will be back when we have more time.
Went and saw "Stone Stompers" and was impressed with product quality so ordered one that will be in Melbourne when we return. This we hope will protect the fibreglass front of our van from the ravages of unmade roads and also protect the rear window of the cruiser.
After three lovely days catching up with family and friends we headed out back towards Victoria along the Mallee Highway. Our next night was at Lameroo just short of the border.Lameroo is the birth place of Julie Anthony. Turned out not a free night but $15 got us a clean shower and toilets on a great grassy spot.

Our next day took us through Ouyen then up to Nyah where we found a gem of a free camp (#333)behind the harness racing track on the banks of the Murray. The locals encourage free campers and there was toilets and a tap with potable water for refilling the tanks.  



The view of the Murray from our camp at Nyah

Our camp at Nyah through the trees with Kookaburra watching.

After a couple of very pleasant days here it was time to head in to Swan Hill for some minor welding repairs ( another legacy of our earlier problem but now fully sorted). By 2pm we were on the road again looking for our next free camp near Barham in the Gunbower state Forrest on the banks of Gunbower creek. This was another great free camp # 323 with heaps of birds and wild life. The drop toilets were not too nice but a great spot none the less.


Our camp on the Gunbower

After another couple of nights we then headed to Moama to find cousin Lynn and husband Chris, who live right on the banks of the Murray. What a sight watching the house boats and paddle steamers sail past. We were spoilt with dinner and  a night in a beautiful B& B room at their house.


View from Lynn and Chris's back veranda

Off again the next day as they had paying guests arriving so we thought we would head to the Barmah State park. A beautiful spot, not a sole there but despite "Camps 6" advising dog friendly #308 had lots of no dog signs. After this disappointment we thought we would try and find a freebie nearer to Shepparton where we planned to catch up with more family. Well freebies around here are scarce so we ended up in a budget van park at Tatura for one night but not nice enough to stay longer. After locating our cousin we decided to find another park close to Mooroopna and found a great small park as part of an over 55 village catering to grey nomads. $25 pn but very clean and friendly. It will do as our last port of call before returning to Melbourne to get ready for trip back home for the wedding next weekend.