Mt.Gambier was our halfway point on the road trip to Adelaide. It truly felt like a throwback to the fifties as you can see from Cheryl’s photographs. It is built on the base of an inactive volcano with three distinct craters of which two are filled at their base with lakes. One of them turns a magnificent blue in the Australian summer as you can see (photochemical reactions and the like).
There are also cenotes and caves in town as a result of the limestone collapsing due to volcanic activity. All very beautiful. There was also a wildlife area at the base of the craters with the most fantastic birds and sounds. Brightly colored parrots and an assortment of colorful small birds. There were also kangaroos and koalas but they eluded us in our short time in the crater. Unfortunately we did see a large Red Kangaroo dead on the side of the road. Unfortunate road kill. It was sad.
On our way to Adelaide we drove through one of Australia’s largest wine regions, Coonawarra. Vineyards such as Penfolds and Lidermanns are here. We had a fantastic 5 star lunch at Hollick Vineyard with excellent wine tastings. They do not import to the USA however. The remainder of the drive was through agricultural lands. Lots of sheep again. We also passed some interesting tree carvings done in memory of the early settlers. On the way we also passed through a “town” (one general store-no gas) called Fred’s Landing. Fred-this one’s for you!
Adelaide is full of parks and we will get a chance to walk around tomorrow before departing for Kangaroo Island. Tonight though was the Zombie Festival. Think Greenwich Village Halloween Parade!
Oh yes!! I remember it well as I once touched down there. Emergency, you know(fouled plugs). Quick plug change and off we went. Nice of them to name it after me especially since I spent so little time there.
Fred