We are sooooo over this weather. It has been another cold, wet and windy day. Mind you the wind has dropped to a strong breeze so that is a relief. We keep saying that we just have to go with the flow regarding weather but it's getting harder and harder to do. This is now our eighth month of being grey nomads!
There are three scenic drives that leave from Streaky Bay and today we drove the longest of the three to Point Labatt where there is a colony of Sea Lions. The brochure that we were given tells us that we need to allow a half day to do this drive. It wasn't far off as it took us just over three hours. Our first stop along the drive was Sceale Bay. This is a very sleepy little town with a population of 42 (2016 census). As we drove down the Main Street we felt that all eyes were on us. I don't think many tourists would bother to turn into this town but you know us, we have to explore.
After Sceale Bay we follow the gravel road that runs alongside Baird Bay for around 17kms. It still amazes us that there are crops growing so close to the ocean, but they are certainly healthy crops.
Arriving at Point Labatt we have to vie for a parking spot. The Sea Lions are a very popular tourist attraction and why wouldn't they be. The lookout at Point Labatt looks straight down onto the colony of Sea Lions and there are dozens of them. The males look extremely big from where we are standing so I can imagine they would be huge if you were up close to them.
The ocean is wild in this corner of the Eyre Peninsular but there are some beaches that are perfect surfing beaches that attract many surfers. They just have to keep their eyes peeled for the Great White Sharks that inhabit the area.
It was extremely windy and cold on top of the cliff so we didn't stay too long. Back in the car and it takes us around forty five minutes to arrive at Murphys Haystacks. No. Haystacks they are not. These are colourful weathered granite rocks that are estimated to be 1500 million years old. The scientific name for them is "Inselbergs". Some are boulders (detached from the earth) and others are pillars that are still attached to the underlying bedrock. They are quite magnificent.
Murphys Haystacks are on private property and you are asked for a $2 donation to enter the field. The farmer keeps the grounds well mowed and the paths are very easy to traverse. There is also honey for sale and as we need to replenish our supply I decide to purchase some. The only problem is that all we have is a $50 note in our wallet. We are now the proud owners of 3kg of honey 😂😩😂😩. Just as well we love the stuff.....
Yesterday afternoon, after I posted my blog, the sun was still high in the sky at 6pm so we went for a walk down to the Streaky Bay Jetty. The sun was warm on our backs as we walked the two kilometres but just as we reached the end of the jetty the rain came from seemingly nowhere and it turned bitterly cold. I tell you, that two kilometre walk back to the van in a strong and cold headwind is not something to be desired....
Tomorrow we will drive the other two scenic drives that are much shorter. We are promised soaring sand dunes and Whistling Rocks and Blowholes! It should be an interesting morning.
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