Elliston SA to Coffin Bay SA, 7th May, 2023

 Guess what no cliffs, no ocean views. Quiet day driving down to our next two nights stop at Coffin Bay. Apparently Kangaroos and Emus wonder around the camp grounds maybe during the day, but probably  more at night.Hopefully we might see some. The temperature has dropped with a cool wind hence having to put the warm gear on. PT in his trackies, he’s comfortable. We are always really cosy at night as we have the heating going all night. Coffin Bay was  named in 1802 by Mathew Flinders in honour of his British friend Sir Isaac Coffin. The name was nothing to do with fatal shipwrecks, wooden boxes or a rock that is shaped like a coffin. Coffin Bay is also well known for their Oyster farms so looking forward in trying them tomorrow. Tomorrow will do the National Park Scenic Drive so probably there will be sea and cliff views( Oh No everyone is thinking)

Not a lot happening today so our first stop on the road was to read about the local history of this Drystone Walling. It was used by the early builders in foundations, as flag stoning in floors and roads, to line cellars, wells, to hold eroding soil, and to strengthen dams. It is still used in walls and fences . The stone is selected hard, flint  like limestone.Drystone walling dates back to the 1850’s. It was a cheap form of fencing. Men were paid 10 shillings per chain (20 metres) and a good man would do 2 chains per day. Many miles of the fencing was built over on the west coast. You can see all the rocks lying around on the ground in this area.

Sheringa Roadhouse apparently  it has all sorts of things to buy. A bit weird for me. This is a place of interest due to its quirkiness, spooky place with a funny old man peering at me. I took a quick photo and got out of there, I don’t think he liked me just stopping to take a photo and not go in to buy something,

Now this is better  Lake Hamilton Eating House. Constructed between 1851 - 1857. It was used as a stopping place for coaches and travellers passing through to have something to eat until the 1880’s. It was restored in 1972. The Lake Hamilton Eating House stands proudly today as a reminder of a forgotten age.

It’s just left unlocked for people to have a look through. It isn’t attended by anyone. Really interesting to see how they lived in those days. Going through the front door through to the back door.

Out the back door. Look how tall PT looks standing at the door. He is higher than the roof. Smaller people in those days.

It’s a two bedroom cottage like this bedroom.

This is the lounge. That fireplace would have kept the little place warm with those thick walls. As well as the cooking of course. 

And finally the kitchen and that’s all no bathroom as in those  days that would have been an outhouse. Enjoyed going through the cottage. There was a place to leave a donation.

We were passing  what I though was a big group of lakes all in the same area. But then realised it was one big lake, called Lake Hamilton with many small islands.They were beside us for many kms.

Getting into different scenery than we have been having. Even reddish coloured roads.

We now have hills 

Passing through a continuous tree line road haven’t had that before.

We then arrived into Discovery Parks Coffin Bay Caravan Park where we are staying for two nights. The home of great oysters fresh straight from the sea. Settled into camp, very nice park, before we went for a walk along the coast just to get an idea where we are. The sun was out so off we went.

The Oyster walk was a 12km walk around the town. We just walked about a km just to see a bit of the Bay. So far it looks a really nice area. Probably biggest area we have been too. We will see much more tomorrow on the scenic drive.

 

On the small walk we liked what we saw. This walkway along the waters edge goes along the front of some very upmarket holiday homes. Probably people that live in Adelaide. Their own jetty as well,

Looking out from in front of one of these homes.

After walking in front of many homes the path continues on.

There’s always a fisherman to talk to. Alway see the locals trying to catch a feed off the wharf. And you know we have been to several places with these jetties that they fish off.

These are the not so flash holiday homes. I must remember to get a photo of the better homes tomorrow.

We have wild Emus walking around camp in the late afternoon.

We are told that the kangaroos come along at some stage but haven’t seen them . Probably more at night. Probably out there now in the dark. No just had a look can’t see any.