Didn't rush too much this morning as only had to drive 127kms today but as usual still lots to see on the way. Left Streaky Bay for a busy day continuing down the coast to Elliston via Venus Bay.
Our first stop was Murphy Haystacks. 47km south of Streaky Bay in Morgan’s area.
These granite formation are a 1500 million year geological wonder, but who’s counting. One of the most visited attractions on the Eyres Peninsular.
Pink Granite boulders standing high on the hill top named Murphy Haystacks.
They were named by a Scottish Agricultural adviser who saw the landmark in the distance that looked like Haystacks. He asked how could the farmer produce so much hay. As the farmer was a man called Murphy, hence the rock formations became known as Murphy’s Haystacks.
The farmer charged $2 per adult which we put into a honesty box. Or you can overnight camp there for $10.00 per night.
They were an amazing sight and as we passed the farm from the main road I looked up and said to PT there they are, which would have been about 1km away, sitting proudly up on the hill. So in some ways I thought yes maybe they could be mistaken for haystacks from that distance especially if it was such a clear day. 🤔
We have now arrived a Venus Bay 49km from the Haystacks. Venus Bay is a very large sheltered bay almost surround by land except for a small entrance from the wild seas and high cliffs. On our arrival we drove out to Needle Eye car park to see the fantastic views along the cliffs. It gets the name Needle Eye as somewhere where we couldn’t see is a jutting piece of rock with a tiny hole going right through it hence the name. The cliffs were so flat on top as most of them are and you can walk all over these areas. No fencing with cliffs below with a sheer drop down. PT is always screaming at me to stand back as I try to get a better photo. It amazes us how they can get away without fencing these areas off a little back from the edge. Wouldn’t get away with that in NZ. It seems a lot of these bays down this side of Eyres Peninsula have enclosed calm bays with these huge cliffs protecting them from the rough ocean. Streaky Bay now Venus and will let you know about Elliston tomorrow although what I have read sounds like it will be the same as we have high cliffs which we can drive along the top of. They might be all similar but very different in their own way.
We have driven through the very small town of Venus straight through to the Needle Eye car park. To see the famous views from the cliff tops. PT said I am posting too many photos of the sea and cliffs and that everyone will be sick of them but here I go again.
Standing just back from the sheer drop cliff edge looking down the south coast.
Looking over and down.
Now looking the other way to the harbour entrance.
Walking around further looking north at a different angle it looks like the cliff is hanging right over at the top but I realised it’s two islands in the background of the above photo.
At this angle you can see the real hang over which is far enough if it gave way.
We left Venus and now another 62kms south taking machine on her first metal road trip. We are only allowed to go no more than 6kms off the sealed roads. PT not too happy but when he saw the width of it he knew he could turn round if it got two rough but it was pretty good compared to some. So here we go down to see the Talia’s Caves. There are so many sights we can’t see due to these road conditions that’s why we rented a car the other day. This road is 6kms from the main road turn off.
Well we kept going and made in one piece. . The first cave is called the Woolshed, which I will tell you why under the photo, it is a large cavern carved out into the granite cliff by the wave action. A walkway and 75 wooden steps provide access onto the rocks to view the cave with its honeycomb ceiling.
Nearly at the bottom. Another wow.
Now on the rocks which we walked around in before we went to find the cave.
Looking north up the coast,
Found the cave entrance. Where the water was swelling up to it from the big waves that were rolling in.
Got to the entrance, tide too high to walk in so only way was to try and walk along the very slanted rocks on the left. Not as easy as it looks . They were dry and not slippery but!! They had a very dry powdery surface so I wasn’t confident enough to keep going in. I was disappointed as the best photo shot was to go up into the back of the cave and take a photo from the inside looking out to sea.
I go far enough in to turn round looking out to get a shot of PT looking in. He looks like the Denmark Mermaid sitting on the rock.
Now let me explain this one. As I couldn’t make it to the end of the cave, especially as the water was higher than shows in this photo and bigger waves coming in, I have cheated. As I had seen this photo before I knew I desperately wanted it to explain why it is called Woolshed Cave. As they say it looks like honeycomb all over the ceiling and sides which could also look like sheep’s wool after it’s all been shorn. Hence the name. 🤔
We have now walked back up to the top of the cliffs .While PT isn’t adventurous as me he went to make a coffee while I continued around the top of the cliffs for a look from there. Got quite a different look. These big boulders with all the red colours of the granite.
More different shapes.
Great looking down over this cliff.
We could have gone another 2kms around the cliff tops to see another cave called the ‘Tub’ but didn’t want to risk anymore of these roads. It is a large crater with a tunnel connection to the sea with a granite base.It is 10to 30 metres deep and 50 metres across. Beyond the ‘Tub’ is a cliff top with views over Talia Beach to the south. It would have been great to see this but have to think of our restrictions with the van.
Walking back to the Motorhome to have my coffee. A few people out here.
Now nearly at Elliston (60kms from Venus) where we are going to have two nights . This little bakery shop is in front of a farm house who provides home made baking. Bread, sticky buns etc and leaves it all out in this shed with an honesty box. Help yourself. I had read a lot about it so had to stop and get some sticky buns and yes they were excellent. So many cars stop as it’s got a very good name.
Nearly at Elliston another 20 Kms to go and looking ahead we could see rain.
We weren’t wrong it hit us quickly and very heavy. Which was good as it cleaned the dust of the waggon after the dust of the metal road. The rain did stop so had a quick walk into the very small town then spent the after noon getting sorted for another day of exploring around Elliston tomorrow.
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