Mildura it was as we headed out on a beautiful morning stopping at Bonney Lakes overnight for our next night which turned out to be very cold but the Hilton held up well and we met some more amazing people travelling around Australia with a young family. On a cold morning it sure was nice to eat a hot breakfast on be on our way. With pelican and a beautiful lake to look at we were spoiled with such an amazing view. Having a quiet time by the lake as the sun rose over the water was a truly memorable experience. So after packing up and putting everything back we were off again, after checking all the nuts and bolts that could come loose. A short stop at the Banrock winery gave us a look into their wine making operations and then after that we continued along a very long boring road that was same, same, same, same, getting us ready for the Nullabor I think. We stopped at the Hattah Roadhouse as I saw 2 enduro bikes so we had a chat and purchased the most expensive wedges in the world and moved on. From there more of the same road but with an exception we entered an are of sand plains that were so smooth it looked as though someone had laid it down with a precision spatula, and coming from this was bright green spinifex plants, hundreds of them, and the contrast was an incredible sight (sorry no photo was in the moment not recording it).
BIG LIZZY
Following another brown sign we visited Big Lizzy a heavy duty transporter made years ago in 1915 with a capacity of 80 tons and able to move at up to 3 klms per hour on a wheel system called a dreadnought. Being a tech guy with an engineering background I was all over this thing seeing how it worked and what did what. The wheels had spokes thicker than my thumb and the specs of this machine were pretty big considering the day and age they were made in.
No visit this way would be complete without a pit stop in the Barossa Valley to visit our favourite winery Seppelts. The last time we visited it was much smaller with less areas developed and it had a very different feel to it. The staff were amazing But I couldn’t help feel a lot of the intimacy and what made this place special to us was lost a bit. There was no doubt the restaurant was beautiful and they had a jam factory dedicated to art and artists showcasing their skills and talents. I knew they were good artists as I didn’t understand much of it so it must be good. Of course we tried a few tastings which were not as nice as the last time we were here – I am beginning to think I am stuck in the past or my memory is remembering things better than they actually were. I have decided that nostalgia is not as good as it used to be. One thing that excited me way more than it should and I realised I may have just become my father was when I saw diesel for 139.9 and almost danced at the bowser at the thought of that cheap fuel filling the Hilux.
Our final stop was Encounter Bay in the beautiful Victor Harbour to stay with some dear friends Phil and Alison and also take the opportunity to catch up with Stevenson family. If you have the opportunity make sure you take the walks around the bluff area of encounter bay as many stories are attached to each bench along the way and the views are brilliant. We are here for a couple of days before we head toward WA and the incredible and diverse landscape that awaits.
