Coffin Bay SA 8th May,2023

 

Woke up to an overcast day and we had booked the Oyster FarmTours for eleven o’clock now hoping that the rain will stay away. The farm tours consist of getting set up in these least flattering waders 😂 Then we waded out into the bay where the oyster farm is, very close to shore. Had a chat about oysters from our tour guide then went over to their pontoon to sit and try the Oysters. Still walking through the water. Later in the day we drove through the Coffin Bay National Park which cost us $12,50. Spent a couple of hours driving out to the furthest point and back. Prob about 17km one way once we got to the end of the park. Got back to camp at 4.30pm to have a bit of relax before I started working on my blogg. Quite a busy day.

When opened our blinds up this morning looked out on these two. Mother and baby wondering around our van. Still haven’t seen any roo’s but know they come round at some time during the night as they leave their mark.

While we were waiting for our tour to start this morning PT noticed this wall beside the fence which is made from all the oyster shells which normally get thrown out, enclosed in wire netting. Good effective idea. There must be so many shells to discard each day.

Sun facing right at us when I took this to show you the Oyster Farm we will be walking out to.  

Head Quarters is the name of the Restaurant across the road which also do the Oyster Farm Tours. Which is written in the letter Q.

Here we are all dressed up in our waders to go paddling. What a sight when the eighteen of us were waddling around like ducks. Like we had big puffer coats on.

Here we are trying to balance in the water walking towards the farm behind us. Again sun behind us making it so dark.

We are now at their pontoon where we went aboard and sat on bench seats at long tables. Still wading through the water.

With the deal of the tour we had oysters included in their shell which we could eat. But we had to open them which the girl showed us how to do. I was surprised how easy it was  when you knew how and had the right knife. We have a bigger knife at home than what they use and wondered why it was so hard. So the secret is have a smaller pointed knife which does the trick. The platters above are an extra you could order to eat while the guide was telling the story. Delicious.

Finished our platters and a few oysters came out for us to open. Not very big ones. We thought we could eat as many as we like but we’re only given four each. Felt a bit hard done by. 

Then our guide brought out these two shells one hollow and one she reckons was still alive and they are hoping to break the record of the biggest oyster. I think that sounds like a bit of a story. It was quite heavy. Knowing the Aussies they probably put a stone inside it and glued the shells back together. Who said that 🤫

Now for our drive through the Coffin Bay National Park.

Long way out to point Avoid. Not what you would call a pretty park, just scrub like this all the way until you get to the point.

Right at the very end of the point looking down over the cliff. Oh  no not more cliffs and ocean!!!! Don’t worry Des I am not standing on the edge of the cliff. Standing back but don’t want all the top of  the cliff in the photo so aiming it up. So don’t growl at me.

Just round from the Point is this beautiful beach called Almonta. Look at those huge Sand Dunes in the distance. If only we could get up close to those it would be amazing.

This is Golden Island lookout. Looking over to Golden Island. Notice how flat the cliffs are across the top. This is how they all have been right back through the Australian Bight along the Nullarbor Plains. As though someone has gone along the south coast with a sharp knife and cut them all flat and level. People along the Nullarbor go out on these ledges and free camp out there in their caravans. One cliff I went out to, there was a row of caravans spread out along the cliff tops. I regret I didn’t think of taking a photo as it looked spectacular.

Looking out over to Golden Island from the car park above.

From the same parking area you look down the coast over Almonta Beach towards the sand dunes but the sun wasn’t shinning on them in this photo. It’s more about the bird.

Rain was threatening with faint rainbow but nothing came of it. Golden Island and Almonta Beach below.

Now on our way back out of the Park back to camp.

That’s our van sitting down on the left in the Coffin Bay Caravan Park all on its own.

Went for a quick walk back along part of the Oyster Bay walking trail that we did a small portion of it yesterday, to take these two photos above and below what they call the Shacks which are holiday homes. Probably people living in Port Lincoln or Adelaide having their holiday homes in Coffin Bay. Pretty flash Shacks.

They all have these private boat ramps in front of their houses

Above and below photos taken on the Oyster Walk which runs in front of the ‘Shacks’

Looking back at HQ Restaurant. You want to have seen the amazing food they presented. Looked yummy. This is also where we met for our tour.

Coffin Bay was a big area compared to some other bays.A fisherman’s dream. Many of the big rig caravans, big cars, more than likely are either towing a little tinny boat or have them on the roof of their cars. There are groups that travel together meeting up in their chosen Parks. This whole western coast of the Eyre Peninsula is very popular with recreational fishing. All you see on the roads along this coast is these big caravans with all their gear tearing both ways along these roads. That’s why all the caravan Parks are full this time of year as soon as school goes back they are all out there fishing. We have enjoyed this coastline but tomorrow we leave to go up the Eastern side of Eyre Peninsula with one night stop in Cowell. After that we head inland meeting up with the Murray River  and going inland across country through Canberra and finishing up at Sydney  where  we fly out of, on the 26th May for home.