Day 43 Smoky Bay to Ceduna

Sad that we didn’t manage to hang out on the pier with Tony and Hilary this morning Tony had this fabulous idea of doing a drone shot of us all standing together on the pier but the weather was definitely not conducive to this plan

So off they went towards streaky Bay

Before leaving smoky Bay we decided to do a little bit of a tour around starting with parking along the foreshore and taking a photo of the wild ocean across to the pier

As we were parked there this other AOR van pulled up

We stopped and exchanged pleasantries and they offered for us to go inside for a cuppa but we decided to keep going

Continuing along the foreshore

Taking these shots along the foreshore



Then turning back around towards the town spotted this sign where there is obviously further development meant to be taking place here

Drove past this little gem of history that’s actually beside the walk that we ended up not doing due to the weather



Pity about the weather as this walk would have been interesting

We decided to drive around the aquaculture Park checking out all the buildings





There is obviously a lot of oyster production in this area

On the road now to our turning point of our trip



We had considered doing a side trip to reach Ceduna but decided that it was not worth it due to the type of road and the time frame

So continuing on the Eyre highway to Ceduna











Took this photo as this was where we turned off from our trip around Australia in 2018 where we had just come from Penong and Eucla and were continuing on hence at that time did not take this turn into town but continued on the Eyre highway. Hence our wish to at least go into Ceduna





Hilary and Tony had told us about the caravan park that they had stayed at so we headed straight for there and because it was blowing a gale when we got there we left the van with the top down unhitched the car and drove into town.

Our first stop was the information centre where we got a map and a little bit of information about the town and the surrounds we also asked about the road conditions for us to consider when heading home and were given some useful links with information about the roads that were closed

We then headed for somewhere dry and warm to have lunch we found this gem of a pub on the waterfront with fabulous waterfront views that we unfortunately could not enjoy outdoors because of the terrible weather

We decided to spend the afternoon exploring the vicinity firstly driving out along the foreshore where it was very wet and blustery

We then drove out to Thevenard

To check out the port facility

There was a slight respite in the weather where we actually got some sunshine here which highlighted the silos and the storage containers



We walked down to the beach here

Where we got views across to the conveyor to a ship which was tied up at the end of the wharf



Took these photos at the entrance to the port



And drove past the piles of salt



To the pinky point Lookout



Where there were good views across to the port



And lots of things to take photos of here

All pretty well self explanatory

































This would have been another lovely walk to have gone on but we drove along the road beside it instead









And pulled in at the Puckridge boat ramp



Next we headed for the oyster shack which held special memories for us as this was where we pulled up after crossing the Nullarbor for some oysters and this was where we started our return journey home across to Brisbane when we did our trip in 2018

The oysters were pretty special then because we were not heading into Ceduna or heading anywhere along the seafood Trail and realised that we would not be getting oysters on the rest of our journey so we thoroughly enjoyed them and we were  ready to enjoy them again but discovered that the oyster shack was not open on a Monday ☹️





We stopped off at the information boards next to the oyster shack to read some of the information







Next stop was the quarantine station that we had forgotten about. For our afternoon drive we realised that we were heading out of the area and into the restricted fruit and veg area. Because we had lots of fruit and veg in our fridge in the car we didn’t want to have to give it up when we came back in so I went into the office and explained our situation and we were given a special pass

Glad I thought to ask on the way out as they may not have believed us on the way back in

Dark threatening clouds ahead



And more rain

As we headed into Denial Bay

Spotted this rainbow whilst taking a photo of McKenzies platform with the port in the background

We followed where the point of interest spot for McKenzies platform was on WikiCamps to this place but in fact it was incorrect 

So we went back to the jetty at Denial Bay

Where we found this interesting information about the oyster farming in the area

And about McKenzie and the landing





And realised that this was McKenzies Landing out in the water

Took a photo of this sign as we had been told previously to be very careful to lock everything away in Ceduna as it was well known for robberies

Murals on the walls at Denial Bay





This is the jetty at Denial Bay

Our next destination was McKenzies ruins where we spotted this double rainbow on the way

On reaching McKenzies ruins we spent a bit of time exploring around there















Heard a baby parrot squawking when we were standing here. Bill deduced that it was down inside this hollow tree trunk



More threatening clouds and rain in the distance as we were about to leave looking at the ruins

We headed out on this track but I didn’t really know whether it went through back to the Eyre highway but the map indicated that it did

Lots of water on the road and we drove through quite a few muddy puddles and the car ended up getting quite dirty

Was a pretty drive through the country though made special by this double rainbow

Suddenly I noticed that it was a full rainbow

So of course had to stop and get some photos

Thank goodness this road ended at a junction next to the railway line



Where we were able to cross the line

And continue on

Until we reached the Eyre highway

Passing the quarantine station



Where we stopped and showed our pass

Driving past the Oyster Shack and then turning back into Ceduna

This was our travelling record for the day

And this is the area where we went exploring



When we got back to camp we noticed lots of cars like this one. It turns out there is a Perth to Sydney car rally recreating part of a rally that took place in 1968 stopping off for the night here in Ceduna

Because we had had a main meal lunch we decided to have a light salad dinner which we ate in the van with the van shaking with the wind howling around outside

And this continued all night where we both got very little sleep