Whyalla to Tumby Bay, Eyre Peninsula, SA

Saturday 1 December 2018
Today was an explore/driving day south along the coast from Whyalla to Tumby Bay, Eyre Peninsula.

To start with we did a little explore of the Whyalla area. We went to the lookout, saw the steelworks, went to the Maritime Museum and just had a general look around town. We then headed on our way down the coast road, stopping at Cowell, Arno Bay, Port Neill and finally at Tumby Bay for the night. We avoided one kangaroo today, past wheat fields, beaches, bays and missed the predicted thunderstorm. It hit Port Lincoln early and sidestepped where we were in Whyalla, which apparently happens quite often. We had little rain, but the winds were very strong and the temperature was quite warm. We had a nice day, even though we didn’t make it to Port Lincoln tonight. Oh well maybe tomorrow.

: Sunrise from our rooftop tent at Whyalla this morning.

: Foreshore of Whyalla Caravan Park.

: Home of Broadbent Terrace, Whyalla.

: Statue of Matthew Flinders at Whyalla Memorial

: Whyalla Steelworks

: View of Whyalla Beach. As the desert meets the sea.

: Looking out over Whyalla Beach

: HMAS Whyalla – a mine sweeping ship in World War II

: The anchor chain from the HMAS Whyalla

: Officers Communication room.

: DB heading down the stairs

: An Officer’s room – there were 4 on this ship

: Officer’s Dining room

: Explanation of Mine Sweeping

: Below steering room.

: Outside deck

: Engine Room

: Engine Room

: Galley where the meals for the entire ship were prepared.

: One of the chefs on the ship. They had scant detail about him until his daughter was on a tour and saw his picture. ShHe then provided all his information.

: Mess Room – where 70 crew ate, slept and spent their time when not working.

: If they were lucky they got a hammock..

: ..even luckier they got a bed. But often they slept on the floor.

: Gun.

: Bell for entry to the Captain’s Quarters

: Captain’s dining room was by invitation only..

: Captain’s Room

: Captain Fiona at the steering wheel of the Bridge

: The Bridge

: DB on the deck

: Mine

: Some Aboriginal Dreamtime stories for the area

: Arno Bay..

: ..the water was very beautiful..

: ..but the wind was howling so much we couldn’t see the windmills in the distance. There was too much dust .

: Wheat farm on the way to Port Neill.

: Port Neill

: We decided on taking respite from the wind in an apartment tonight. Wind gusts of about 50kmh forecast for tonight. It is nice to stay in a big room for a change.

: Whyalla to Tumby Bay, Eyre Peninsula – 119km