In the fourth largest state of Australia, on the Fleurieu Peninsula, we visited lovely places we never heard about before. We enjoyed the beautiful beaches of the Southern Ocean, the small towns, and the stunning landscapes.
Day 28, Thursday, October 3: Flying from Perth to Adelaide
After two hours of flight from Perth on Qantas airlines, we arrived in Adelaide (the capital of South Australia) at 2:40 pm. Steve’s friend Linda, whom he met 44 years ago on an Australian outback bus tour, waited for us at the airport. As we came out from the aircraft, she was right there, by the gate, like it used to be more than 23 years ago at airports. We have not seen this anywhere since then.
Just before getting out from the airport, we spotted a big advertisement for a glass exhibition. Seattle’s glass artist, Dale Chihuly’s exhibition runs at the Adelaide Botanic Garden from September of 2024 until the end of April 2025. It would have been interesting to see it, but Linda lives outside of Adelaide and we were planning to stay with her there for a few days.
Before we were on our way to her place, we stopped in one the suburbs of Adelaide at an Apple store. My computer was acting up for a few days, it needed an expert to look at it. The problem was solved in 10 minutes for free! Then we drove for an hour and a half in the beautiful countryside arriving at Sandergrove estate.
Calming and very nice views, a house built in 1856, thick walls, antique furniture, unique interior design, art. Linda’s friends, David and Cherry are the owners but live in a different house. They visited late afternoon for some snacks and drinks and lovely chat on the porch. Linda takes care of the house when she is not away for work.
Warming up by the wood-burning fireplace before retiring to bed about 9:30.
Day 29, Friday, October 4: Sandergrove
This morning I realized I had probably the best sleep in many days (total darkness, silent night, comfortable and warm bedding). Slow and lazy morning: tea on the sheltered corner of the porch overlooking the countryside, hearty breakfast, orange trees, doing the laundry, then heading out to explore the area around noon.
Linda showed us an Aboriginal canoe tree. The bark of the tree has been removed by Aboriginal Australians for creating canoes, shields or other artifacts.
Visited Coorong National Park and the town of Goolwa (the barrage with black swans, pelicans and seals, the beach).
Spent part of the afternoon at Horseshoe Bay.
We saw the steam tourist train (SteamRanger Heritage Railway) depart from Goolwa to Victor Harbor. We learned that the train is run by volunteers from the Australian Railway Historical Society and that the Coral Street level crossing gates are the last hand-operated swing wooden gates on a rail crossing in South Australia.
We walked in Victor Harbor for a while. Checked out Rosetta Head Wharf and part of the Heritage Trail.
Had our dinner at a local pub, then tasty homemade ice cream at Sandergrove.
A busy but very good day!
Day 30, Saturday, October 5: Sandergrove
After breakfast, we delighted in the estate’s trees, shrubs, flowers, and looking for birds.
The first stop on today’s drive was the Methodist chapel not far away from the house.
Then came the town of Milang on the shores of Lake Alexandrina where we visited the Milang Lakeside Butter Factory restoration fundraising book- and art sale.
Early afternoon, we had tea at The Pickle Pot cafe in the charming town of Strathalbyn (founded in 1839 by people who came from Scotland). We walked around enjoying the nicely restored buildings as well as the beautiful park that was full of roses.
We spent a relaxing late afternoon and evening by the fireplace (!) and started packing for our next day’s departure from this uniquely nice place.
