Crystal Brook, South Australia, AustraliaIt was really cold this morning, so I was not keen to get out of our cosy bed. Hard to imagine a few days ago we were sleeping without a top sheet! We left Wirrulla by 8.20am, travelling through the small rural towns of Cungena, Poochera, Minnipa and then Wudinna. At Kyancutta we took the road to Port Augusta and stayed on the Eyre Highway. We could have gone straight ahead to Port Lincoln on the Tod Highway.
I couldn't help noting as we went through Minnipa that the town sign said 'Centre of Excellence in Low Rainfall Area'. We have been discussing the previous farming season in this area and the paddocks don’t look like it has been all that good. The Goyder Line seems to pretty much follow the line of the Eyre Highway. I have found a map showing the Goyder Line. Peter and I talk of it often when travelling in South Australia.
This is probably boring to the reader, but for Peter and I it is interesting, hence my reason for recording in this blog. It's all about the 'Goyder Line in SA'. With barely 30 years' knowledge of this new country, farmers needed reliable information about the climate and growing conditions. In 1865 George Goyder, the then Surveyor-General of the colony, was asked to map the boundary between those areas that received good rainfall and those experiencing drought. After traversing an estimated 3200 km on horseback (not including the Eyre Peninsula) in November 1865, he submitted his report and map to the state government on 6 December. The map included a line of demarcation, the areas north of which being those Goyder judged 'liable to drought', with the areas to the south deemed arable. He discouraged farmers from planting crops north of his line, declaring this land suitable only for light grazing. Goyder's report was based on the information already in his office, supplemented by the observations made during the 1865 journey to observe the effects of drought. He was guided in drawing the line by the changes in vegetation, especially various kinds of saltbush. Ample rains fell in most years between 1867 and 1875, prompting farmers to ignore Goyder's report and settle in the north, starting farms and planting crops. A few years later, many had to abandon their properties. The land was indeed unsuitable for crops and Goyder was proved correct. Many farmhouse ruins can still be seen in the vicinity of Goyder's line. Information thanks to Wikipedia.
There has been quite a discussion between the two Pam's and Pete re the Goyder Line as I put this blog together. We think that the web image is a bit harsh! It comes down very low on the east side of the Eyre Peninisula and across to the Yorke.
We stopped for morning tea in Wudinna and once again visited the Australian Farmers Monument constructed from Gawler Range Stone. We also stopped at what we thought was a relatively new pullover area with information panels on the area. We think we might check out the Gawler Ranges on our way home. I even opened my Geocache App and found one nearby. So I have another smiley face Bob! But I do have to admit this was my kind of cache...dead easy!
Next stop was Kimba where we fuelled up and checked out the campground and bowling green. We were both very impressed and look forward to our visit around the 8th & 9th May. We emptied the toilet at the campground, filled up with water and picked up some veges from the local store. We decided to see if the pink and grey galah half way across Australia was still as shabby as it was in 2018. We were very glad he or she has had a face lift. The local bakery was doing a roaring trade, so we decided that a potato pie would hit the spot! Lunch done we were soon on our way to Port Augusta.
Road works west of Port Augusta slowed our progress. When we found traffic was detoured to the PA shopping area, due to the construction of the new bridge, we were glad we had shopped in Kimba. We would be at my friend Pam's in the Beetaloo Valley by mid afternoon. Pam had given us clear directions, but we did miss the turnoff into the house. When Pam saw us go past she worried that we wouldn't find anywhere to turn around and had jumped in her car to come to the rescue! But it all worked out fine. Peter had found somewhere he could turn around and was going no further! The road was not bitumen and it was quite narrow.
Pam has a lovely home with a view from every window. The area is dry at the moment, but once the season breaks the view will be even more to die for! She has 3 caravan bays at the side of the house, power outlet at the shed and even a dump point. She lived in her motorhome for three years while she was sorting the plans of her home and building. We actually have the guest wing, which is very comfortable. We set ourselves up at the kitchen table yesterday afternoon and scrapped together. Peter chipped out some weeds and then fixed Pam and Graham's first ride on lawn mower and proudly mowed a patch of grass. We are very much enjoying the hospitality of 270 Beetaloo Valley Road.
Jenny
2022-04-06
As I'm reading your "boring to the reader" portion of your blog, I wondered if George Goyder and Edmund Delisser, both surveyors, knew each other and if they did, probably shook hands on many occasions. It was August 1865 when he named the Nullabor Plain. I was pleased to see that the pink and grey galah has had a facelift. He looked a bit worse for wear when we visited in 2019. Keep up the good work Peter, while Pam and Pam do their scrapbooking! ;-)
Jocelyn
2022-04-06
Great reads and pics so far Pam - esp Peter on the mower doing a great job; just a reminder that Kimba is home turf for Barbara Schaefer and Nancy Faulkner - did you come across a sign for Pinkawillinie - just love the names of the towns in SA.
pamandpete
2022-04-07
Hello Joc. Yes I did see the sign for Pinkawillinie. Does Barbara Schaefer still live in Kimba? If she bowls we may even see her.
pamandpete
2022-04-07
Hello Jenny. I think we could safely say the George Goyder and Edmund Delisser would have known each other and shook hands on many occasions whilst riding those remote areas on horseback. I wonder if George Goyder ever thought about the fact people would be still be talking about the line he mapped out 157 years later!
Jenny
2022-04-08
I wonder if they did realise they'd be talked about in years to come? Will we be talked about in years to come. Best leave your mark now :-)
Sandy Horwood
2022-04-08
Wow it has been quite the journey already. Those cockatoos look quite friendly with each other! :-)
Margaret Spencer
2022-04-08
Hi Pam! I love reading your travel blogs. I have only just figured out how to comment ha ha. Potato pie is by far the best. I am beyond jealous of Pam’s 3 caravan bays! I am looking for a new one that will withhold my travels with my husband Clint to Alice Springs. What caravan would you recommend. Looking forward to the next blog! Safe travels Pam and Peter :-)
pamandpete
2022-04-15
Hello Sandra and Margaret. Thank you both for your complimentary comments re my travel blogs. I’m curious to know how you found my blog and where you are from. Look forward to hearing from you.