Category: Travel

Exploring the historic town of Burra

Posted on by Libby Withnall

I awoke this morning not feeling too great. Luckily we weren’t in a hurry to get anywhere so I was able to take it easy and have a soak in the clawfoot bath. Luckily I did feel better after this. Breakfast was another salad roll (Kevin had some cereal).

By 10.30am we set off to the visitors centre. It was close enough to walk but we needed the car for todays outing so we drove. The lady there was super friendly and helpful. We purchased the Burra Passport which provides a list of places to visit and a key which you gives to entrance to some of them.

We headed off. Kevin missed the turn to our first stop so we visited the old Railway station instead. They are currently turning the train into a cafe – which is a awesome idea I think. This town has such a fascinating history

We then drove back to our intended first stop – the Bon Accord Mining Complex. We watched a video explaining the history of the mine. And then walked around to see artefacts that had been collected. 

Including some amazing old fire trucks.

You could also see down into mine shaft. We all know the horrendous working conditions that miners suffered back in the day, but I was shocked to hear that the one hour descent and ascent to their place in the mine was not paid for !!!

We then drove to the mine lookout. There were three stages of the mine here. Firstly underground – in search of copper which wasn’t really found, then a small open cut mine – again not much found, then in the 70s the big open cut mine – where they did actually find significant amounts of copper. The open cut is now filled with water, which is a stunning shade of turquoise.

Next we drove to a lookout over the town of Burra.

Then finally to the reconstructed Cornish pump house (the only one of it’s kind in the world).

We walked up to the top for another view of the mine.

We then drove around to visit a number of other sights

including the Police Lock up….

And Redruth Gaol…

One of the old homes we stopped had a little sparrow(?) sitting on a window ledge singing away. It was so cute. And not fazed by us in the least.

Kevin had had enough by now so we decided to call it a day and we headed back into town. The cafe I wanted to eat at was still closed but there was another one close by that offered to make me a vegan wrap.

We had a little look in the adjoining shop

Then went back to the airbnb. Kevin always likes to have extra relax/downtime on holidays but isn’t always able to fit it in. On this trip he has been able to, which I know he has enjoyed and appreciated. We watched from more YouTube and then Kevin had leftovers for dinner while I had some potatoes with Asian Noodle Salad.

Staying in a Historically listed town

Posted on by Libby Withnall

Sadly it was time for us to leave Arkaba today. But before we did we met up with Abbie for an early morning walk (Greg & Alice had gone on the truck to see the swag camping places). She took it nice and slow (for me) and we walked along a river bed and then back to the home. It took us about 45mins which was quite enough for me (without overdoing things).

 We were greeted with nice wet cold cloth when we arrived back and had some time to cool down before breakfast. Unfortunately like most meals – they were running late and it was more like 9.30am before we were served breakfast. I had rice pudding – which was delicious and a change from the muesli. However, I didn’t get any more food, whereas the others had a hot course. I wasn’t too worried but it would have been nice. There was obviously some miscommunication somewhere between me and the chef.

We said our farewells to Greg & Alice who were headed back to Adelaide (they had been great companions to share time with and we really enjoyed their company. They are in the travel industry and very well travelled so we had plenty to discuss). We then went back to our room. Kevin wasn’t feeling too good so he laid down for a bit while I started packing and had a shower & got ready for the day. When Kevin was feeling better we got the car packed up.

Then it was time to make some tea for the road and say goodbye to our guides and host. We had such a wonderful time here and I’m thankful to Kevin’s work that we had the opportunity to stay and enjoy this very special place.

We left just after 11am and got the first drops of rains shortly after. Talk about timing. It was a rather cloudy day but the grey sky looked amazing against the wheat farms.

We made a stop to see one of the blades from the wind turbine ). It is huge !!! And I know they make larger ones than this.

We arrived in the historically listed town of Burra about 2pm.

We stopped “in town” to get some groceries and something for lunch. Kevin got a pie from the bakery and I bought some rolls. Yet another visit to IGA and we all set.

It was only a few minutes drive to our airbnb – Hollyhock Cottage. It is an old miners cottage built in 1860 and beautiful decorated, in keeping with the age of the cottage, yet has all the modern conveniences and comfort. This is definitely not my normal style/taste but it was really nice to experience it for a change – and very fitting when staying in a listed town.

Since it was now almost 3pm I made a salad roll for a rather late lunch.

We settled in for the afternoon since Kevin wasn’t feeling great (still/again) and it had started raining just as we finished unpacking the car. We had the option here of parking in the street in front of the cottage or around the back undercover – we chose around the back and Kevin was able to charge the Tesla. I also did a load of washing since there was a machine in the back shed.

Later I enjoyed a treat I had picked up at the bakery – though the icing was a bit too sweet so I left that part.

Tonights dinner was “chicken” green Thai curry, which we both really enjoyed.

And surprisingly we could even see a bit of the sunset from outside the cottage.

Another day on an Australian safari

Posted on by Libby Withnall

Not sure how or why but I was up early at 5.30am so I able to see some of the sunrise. I got go back to bed and read. Of course, I did fall back asleep again and didn’t wake until 8am. Which meant a quick shower and get dressed ready to meet and head off in the truck at 8.30am.

Yet another stunning day out around the property. We saw plenty of kangaroos, parrots, 3 wedge tail eagles, other smaller birds and, of course, more of the stunning scenery. I wasn’t feeling the best on the drive this morning, not sure if was because I hadn’t even had a cup of tea or just fibro related IBS.

Finally we stopped for morning tea (not quite sure why breakfast wasn’t first) and another pretty location. But there were quite a few flies around today (as you can see by Greg & Alice modelling their fly nets.

There wasn’t enough English Breakfast tea bags so I had a green jasmine tea – probably not the best choice since there was no vegan food (the others had a cookie) and I had NOTHING in my bag.

Patty picked up a blue tongue lizard that he spotted which was cool to see up close. We used to have them in our garden in Figtree but it’s quite some time since I saw one.

One part of the drive was a bit sketchy as we tried to get up a rather rocky path with a pretty steep cliff on one side. It took a few goes and engaging the hub locks before we made it up.

Finally at 11.30 breakfast was served – I had thankfully started to feel better. I had bircher muesli and some berries. The others also had a quiche.

We arrived back not long after 12pm and had a free afternoon ahead. I worked on a blog post and Kevin did some more work until lunch at 1.30.

Today with it being quite a bit warmer and more flies about, we had lunch indoors. There are so many lovely places to eat in this place – both inside and out.

Lunch today was a soba noodle salad for me and green curry & rice for the others. With some fresh fruit for dessert. There was some good conversation and we didn’t leave lunch until 3.30pm.

Kevin had a little more work to do, which he did while I worked on some blog posts, then we went up to have a swim in the pool.

The pool temp was lovely (though Kevin complained it was too cold until he got in) but there were a lot of wasps hovering over the water – which meant we didn’t use much of the pool. Luckily they didn’t try to land on us or anything. Kevin did manage to rescue 5 bees.

We only stayed in the pool for about 10mins because of the wasps, then sat on the sun lounges (which were nicely in the shade) and enjoyed the view for a bit before heading back to our room.

I finally caught up on writing blog posts before we went up to dinner at 6.30pm. Tonight we were back in the cool (& away from the flies) in the main house. Patty joined us again this evening.

Dinner was wonderful. Tonight I just had veggies, the roast potatoes being especially good. The rest also had salmon & kangaroo. There was lemon cake for my desert and white chocolate mud cake for the others.

After dinner we headed back out in the truck. We spotted lots of kangaroos our this evening.

Up on the hill we had post dinner drinks – just water for Kevin & myself and watched the day come to a close. Kevin flew the drone and got some very cool photos and video. We watched the stars come out again before heading back to the homestead.

I got a cup of tea, then it was off to bed to read for a bit before going to sleep.

Exploring Arkaba : 11th December, 2021

Posted on by Libby Withnall

I had a bit of slow start to the day. Kevin headed off to do some more work. I read for a bit before getting ready and heading up for breakfast. Kevin joined us and we enjoyed our meal with a different view today. I had bircher muesli and some berries, followed by mushrooms on toast. ALL of it was amazing.

We then head out in the truck again (well except for Kevin who had more work to do). We explored a different area today.  I really enjoyed the dry river bed with the gum trees.

And of course, the stunning view of the ridge (edge of Wilpena Pound) showing the clear levels of soil.

We saw lots of kangaroos hanging out in the shade – though they all took off when they saw or heard us coming. Also quite a variety of birds and plants

We stopped for morning tea down by a water hole (which used to be the aboriginal womens watering hole). There were lots of dragon flies.

Again, it was a very elegant affair. I wasn’t really in the mood for a chocolate muffin but felt I needed to have it since it was made especially for me. Luckily it was light and fluffy and rather delicious.

We arrived back about 1.15pm.

Lunch was supposed to be at 2.30pm but it was after 3pm before we ate. Kevin was late so the chef might have been waiting for him (or she might have just been swamped since she’s just on her own when there is supposed to 3 of them).

Then it was back out in the truck for more exploring. Luckily Kevin had finished most of his work and was able to come with us. 

This time we drove out to the old wool shed (Arkaba used to be a sheep station). The shed was built around 1840 so was a pretty fascinating place and pretty cool to explore and photograph it.

We also got to try a wild berry – which was pretty delicious.

Kevin spotted an emu up on the Ridgeline which was pretty cool. 

At 6.30pm we stopped for appetifs (??) with yet another awesome view – I mean I don’t think there is anywhere on this property that doesn’t have a nice view. As expected the food was amazing. I think I had 3 !!

From here Greg & Alice walked back to the lodge while we rode with the guide in training. She stopped a number of times to give us some info. We also saw more emus and found a bee hive (just like the one Winnie the Pooh likes to steal honey from). Kevin also chatted books with her recommending a few of his favourites on evolution.

We were back abut 8pm, not long before the walkers. Since dinner wasn’t until 8.30pm Kevin went to fly the drone while I sat outside for a bit with a cup tea and enjoying the sunset.

Dinner ended up being quite late (speaking the chef later she did not know we were there and waiting – no-one had told her). I had a tofu for an entree (the others had blue fin tuna) and I had celeriac root with other veg for dinner (the others had duck). Everyone seems to love what they had. I didn’t have dessert since it was so late (almost 10pm) the others had stewed pear.

Another fabulous day. I can’t believe we’ve only been here for 1.5 days. Back in our room I read for a bit before going to sleep.