Day 18: Thu 02 Mar 23 - Strathalbyn to Port Elliott

Thu 02 Mar - Strathalbyn to Port Elliott (Towed 58 km)

Minimum of 16 Deg overnight to 20 Deg at Port Elliot. It was overcast all day and the 15-20km/hr southerly winds made it feel much fresher. 
We packed and left Strathalbyn by 0930, and despite needing to take a longish detour due to bridge works on the Alexandrina road (Strathalbyn to Goolwa), we arrived near our destination located at Encounter Bay in good time. With time to kill before we could check in, we stopped 4 km away at Middleton for coffee. Unfortunately it was a very ordinary coffee -  and it cost substantially more (coastal tax! ). After a walk through town, we continued the short distance to the Big 4 Breeze on the north side of Port Elliot. We would have been parked and set up a lot sooner if old mate in the office didn’t have so much trouble sorting out the problematic boom gate. After eventually getting access and setting up, we drove into Port Elliot to the bakery, and returned for lunch at the van. It's a very large park, with very spacious grassy sites, and despite the number of sites, we don't feel crammed in. We are also located near some wonderful coastal walking trails which I can't wait to explore. After a little lie down, we got back in the car and drove into Victor Harbour for a wander around and visit to the information centre. Unfortunately the lady who served us was not that informative, so we just grabbed a few brochures and headed back to the van via the supermarket to get a few things for dinner. When we returned, I got on my bike and had a nice ride back into Victor Harbour along the coastal bike paths with some fabulous views, and unfortunately too much wind. A nice big juicy steak cooked on the Weber with a couple of glasses of Pepper Jack wrapped up the day nicely. As I write, (draft only as we have no internet), I’m enjoying the the sound of the waves washing up onto the beach. Tomorrow we plan to venture back into Victor Harbour for a better look around, and walk across the jetty and around Granite Island. 


Coffee stop in Middleton - a surf town

Historic steam driven mill in Middleton converted into a private home

Old mill now private home

Middleton

Our home for 4 nights - The beach next to the caravan park with Port Elliot in the background

Lookout towards Victor Harbour in the background

Lookout to Victor Harbour

Victor Harbour War Memorial Gardens

Horse drawn tram returning across jetty the rom Granite Island at Victor Harboor

Southern Right Whale Skull in the Whale Centre at Victor Harbour

Victor Harbour

Victor Harbour

Victor Harbour - Old SA Bank


Victor Harbour

Victor Harbour War Memorial Gardens

Coastal Ride from Port Elliot into Victor Harbour

Coastal Ride from Port Elliot into Victor Harbour

Coastal Ride from Port Elliot into Victor Harbour

Coastal Ride from Port Elliot into Victor Harbour

View from Freeman Lookout over coast and the caravan park at Port Elliot 



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