Category: SA

Caravanning Hints, SA11 Comments

What, 4 degrees out?!

Itching for Hitching

Mar 2018, Adelaide, SA I don’t know about you, but when we’re on a caravan park concrete slab we don’t bother to check if we’re level. We just assume that the slab is perfect and they normally are. Except one night in Adelaide camped only a few vans from the beach, when I got up to go to the bathroom and… walked into the fridge. I’m quite sure that the slab was level when it was laid but nature and the sand had other plans. Great spot though! Continue reading What, 4 degrees out?!

Point of Interest, SA6 Comments

Pildappa Rock

Itching for Hitching

Mar 2015, Minnipa, SA When people say that the Nullarbor is boring and best overwith I know that they haven’t yet seen Pildappa Rock. The breeze whispers around this large granite outcrop giving a feeling of complete tranquility. Climbing it is easy and the views to the horizon of wheatfields and the Gawler Ranges is superb. Freedom camping is available so there’s no need to rush, become one with this mighty mammoth and breath in the splendour. Continue reading Pildappa Rock

Hobbies, SA5 Comments

Finding Francis

Itching for Hitching

Mar 2018, Kapunda, SA Kapunda, home to Woody’s Great Great Grandfather for 30 years in the 1800’s is looking neglected and run down. When copper was discovered here it saved the fledgling colony of South Australia from bankruptcy. Now Kapunda appears to be struggling to survive. The Main Street still has a lot of original buildings but not many bustling businesses. I visit the Info Centre and their resident historian whisks me upstairs and helps me locate on town maps where the family owned sections of land. Once we are back in the car and drive along the Main Street … Continue reading Finding Francis

Hobbies, SA12 Comments

When you hit a genealogical brickwall try birdwatching

Itching for Hitching

When I first retired and joined U3A (University of the Third Age) I had particularly wanted to trace our family histories. Naturally I joined the U3A Genealogical class that was held at the local Family History Library and was instantly hooked, became a library member and commenced delving the dusty past. My husband’s family was a bit of a mystery as he and his brothers had no knowledge of their ancestors beyond their paternal grandfather. I was on cloud nine the day that a marriage certificate revealed that Woody’s ancestors were early South Australian colonists and much of their daily … Continue reading When you hit a genealogical brickwall try birdwatching

Freedom Camp, SA2 Comments

Kingston S. E. RV Park

Itching for Hitching

Kingston S.E RV park on South Australia’s Limestone Coast is one of those well-situated parks on the foreshore overlooking the sea. There’s no need to unhitch as it’s only a short walk from the main shops. The camp ground is a large grassy area behind a white sandy beach with a toilet block. Opposite is a long jetty, Marine Parade’s stand of tall Norfolk pines and a fishmonger. There is a 48hour limit. Kingston S.E? Well the ‘South East’ differentiates it from South Australia’s other Kingston on the Murray River.   Continue reading Kingston S. E. RV Park

SA, The Pubs3 Comments

Caledonian Inn

Itching for Hitching

March 2018, Robe, SA Late in the afternoon I pop into the Caledonian Inn (1858) to pick up a crisp white for dinner. We’ve eaten at this pub many times over the years. We’ve even stayed in what I call their ‘Rooms in the dunes’ cottages that back onto the beach overlooking Guichen Bay. “Lovely day” I say to the young assistant. “It’s a real pearler isn’t it?” She says. You’ve just gotta love The Cally. Continue reading Caledonian Inn

Point of Interest, SA7 Comments

Martindale Hall

Itching for Hitching

In the Clare Valley of South Australia not far the small village of Mintaro, think appealing stone buildings, autumnal vineyards of gnarly vines, long lunches and complex rieslings, is this handsome Georgian style mansion. It was built in 1879 by a sheep farmer. A 21 year old sheep farmer, Edmund Bowman. For the movie buffs Martindale Hall featured in the movie ‘Picnic at Hanging Rock’ in 1976. Continue reading Martindale Hall