Elliston 9/3 to 14/3

Sometimes things just don’t go to plan or perhaps we should have planned more carefully.  While Elliston is a lovely place as I’m sure you’ll see in the photos, we only planned to stay here a few days. That was before we discovered that Adelaide Cup meant a public holiday and long weekend in South Australia.  Most places on the Eyre Peninsula were booked out, so we decided to stay here until Tuesday.  Consequently we have spent 6 days doing all the ‘ing’ things....fishing, resting, reading, washing, socialising, drinking.  We have met some lovely people who have made our stay much more enjoyable.

The other problem we have experienced lately, resulting in us spending 6 days in a caravan park is that the council-run freestays in this area are not very enticing.  Although right on the water at wonderful beaches, they are covered in rubbish with amenities that you just couldn’t use.  It is such a shame as this is the first time we have encountered this so far on our trip..  The National Park Facilities in South Australia have been wonderful, and we have recommended them to a lot of fellow travellers.

We travelled only 166 kilometres from Coffin Bay to Elliston, stopping en route at Cummings Lookout, named after a boatie lost at sea; and Sheringa Beach.  The coastline on the western side of the Eyre Peninsula is very different from the east.  There is a tourist drive from Elliston which is known as Elliston’s Great Ocean View, which is similar, but on a smaller scale to Victoria’s Great Ocean Road.  Elliston lies on Waterloo Bay,  which used to have rich abalone beds until the 1960’s when overfishing decimated them.  There is now a hatchery and because of rehabilitation the abalone population is now on the increase.  

View south from Cummings Lookout

Elliston's Great Ocean View

Point south from Waterloo Bay. Previous land bridge?

Michael & Ryan, you would be proud of me.  I’m getting more confident using the bike off road. Check out the pics!

Donna riding around the point

Yes! Up and down the hill!

On Friday we drove to Locks Well Beach which has a long stairwell down to a famous salmon fishing beach.  They hold an annual salmon fishing competition there each May.  While we could see a school of salmon from the beach they were too far out to be able to catch.  Another notable feature of the beaches here is that walking along the beach is very difficult as you sink ankle deep into the sand with each step.  After walking a kilometre down towards the black school of salmon, trying unsuccessfully to catch a fish, trudging back the kilometre, the 259 steps seem to have grown to thousands.  I thought it was a strategy to ensure everyone stops to admire the view on the way.

Going down was not too bad........

The way back up, more daunting!

Yesterday, we went fishing at Waterloo Bay.  While we were all successful and a variety of fish was caught, there were only 3 keepers.  Kathie & Donna both caught their first King George Whiting and enjoyed sharing them at dinner.

Kathie's first King George Whiting, surely 30cm

Donna also caugt a KGW

Elliston is also known for its Sculptures on the Cliff, holding a competition each Anzac Day Weekend. It’s interesting to see how these towns try to attract tourists to keep their towns alive.

Farewell from Waterloo Bay & Elliston.  Next stops should be Venus Bay, Streaky Bay & then Ceduna.