Small World at Cape Jervis

With it being New Year’s Eve we thought it was as good a time as any to move on before it got really crazy with all the party goers kicking on in the area.  Gosh we must sound so boring but we seem to have come use to more quiet locations without the idiots out there who go too far with the drinking and noise level.  We also had booked onto the 6am ferry to Kangaroo Island on the 2^nd of January, so rather than drive there New Year’s Day it made more sense to go the day before.

The drive between Port Elliot and Cape Jervis was very scenic with lots of winding roads and up and down hills.  We had booked into the Cape Jervis Station so when we pulled in I went to check in and I mentioned how I grew up in central Queensland.  It turned out that the owners lived outside Blackall for twenty three years and she also knew my Mum.  We had a nice and easy site to get in and out of so we could quickly exit for the ferry.  I thought I would try my luck and call Sealink to see if we could get a later ferry over and was in luck that we could fit the car and caravan on the 7am ferry.  A whole extra hour sleep will be very much appreciated.

Coming down the hill into Cape Jervis with Kangaroo Island in the distance.

We then decided to head out exploring a little bit as we had been told of two great camping areas down this way and we have the time to stay at one so we just needed to work out which one.  Jason also needed a new hose connector so had to go to the nearest Mitre 10 which was thirty kilometres away.  On the way there we called into Rapid Bay which was one of the areas.  It is very scenic and beautiful but was totally packed out.  We thought it would be a great place to camp if it lost a few people before we get there, which will most likely happen considering New Year’s will be over and a lot of people probably have to return to work next week.

Kayla pretty much slept the entire drive but by the time we got back to the van she woke up.  We thought we would be the only van in the park, but slowly as the day wore on more and more rolled in.  A lot of people stop here overnight to catch the ferry over to the island the next morning.  As it is a station we then walked around and saw some emus, chickens, guinea pigs and of course the ole faithful sheepdogs.  It really is a beautiful spot.

Saying hello to a local emu.

The view from the caravan.

That evening we got chatting to the station owner and found that they were originally from this end of South Australia and that he had always wanted to go to central Queensland.  He went out there and found a place for sale so came back to his wife and said that he thought they should buy it.  She asked if she could look at if first and he agreed to a quick look.  They had all the mod cons in their house down in South Australia and when they bought this place it was a little hut with no power or phone.  It was a total change.  They even told him when they bought it that it had a donkey so he thought – at least I have livestock.  He soon learnt they meant a donkey hot water system.  The smallest paddock was two thousand acres.  So he bought two thousand and the next day he decided to go out and check on them.  He couldn’t find them so he went home and told his wife that they needed to buy some more.  It is great hearing these stories, and of course he said the sheep where there, they just weren’t as easy to find in such a large paddock.

Happy New Year from the McCulloch Family.

New Years was seen in true McCulloch style - we were all fast asleep!  Actually no, I think Jason was awake as he said he couldn’t sleep that night.  So naturally all except poor Jason woke up the next morning all nice and refreshed and ready for the day ahead.  Our intention was to go and watch our fellow neighbours board the ferry that morning, and even though they were on the 9am ferry, we just weren’t organised in time.  Instead we caught the unloading and loading of the 10am ferry and even got to watch a caravan get loaded on.  I took my hat off to them as it didn’t seem that easy at all, especially as they had to reverse on.  Certainly one Jason can do whilst I am inside having a coffee and not watching!

Watching him reverse on.

Nearly there, just removing the planks.

Modern lighthouse at the point.

We then went to check out the Deep Creek Conservation Park which had some lovely views over to Kangaroo Island.  Most of the walks though were not suited for us so we would just admire from the lookouts and continue on.  We also drove around the Stringybark Campground at Deep Creek as it had come recommended to us.  It is a beautiful bush camp and we could easily get our caravan in there, though there were only a few sites where we could actually fit the van that weren’t too slopping. 

Hamish with some local roos.

Who is checking who out.

Great views.

Not that our kids cared, there was a table to play on!

Pretty much the whole time out Hamish kept asking when we were going back to the van, but at the campground he saw other kids and wanted us to move the van there straight away.  Instead we headed back to the van and with Kayla asleep we were looking forward to the down time.  Back at the station another family had arrived so Hamish was happy to play whilst Kayla had a nap and we got to relax reading and enjoying the view.  As the day wore on, more and more vans arrived and so did more families with kids.  So needless to say our kids were in heaven running around playing with them all and it was 10pm before we got them asleep. 

Driving around the national park.

So pretty and a great place to camp.

Leadlight in the window of the old barn.

The old barn at the station is now a function room.

All hooked up and ready for our early start the next morning.

We learnt so much from one of the fellow travellers and he pointed out some must see places in Western Australia and some great free camps over there.  So excited to be getting the ferry over to Kangaroo Island tomorrow, it is going to be so awesome.

Sunset that evening.