As we continued our Flinders Hwy run toward our next stop, Elliston, we passed through the locality of Colton. It's a 'blink and you'll miss it' spot. Going through, I spotted an old derelict church there. It's flies to a honeypot for me when such a structure is standing out on its own, and in a farm paddock to boot. I suggested to Nik that we set up in Elliston, about 20 kliks further on, leave the van, and get back to photograph the church.
How times must have changed when a community has abandoned a well-built little chapel like this. It remained for us to get back home to the West before I got around to researching what happened here. All hail Google! Seems that the local Roman Catholic villagers paid for St Aidans Church to be built in the late 19th century, at a time when the community was already starting to wind down. So its fate was sealed, and all that remains is this silent monument to a parish long gone. There had also been a small Anglican church a short distance away as well, but it has disappeared into the mists of time, along with most traces of Colton as a settlement. But across the road from this Catholic church is a little graveyard, a veritable 'boot hill' that has its own claim to fame.. and although locals have still relatively recently made use of it, it lies largely forgotten and neglected.
There is an avenue of small bushes up the rise into St Aidans Church cemetery. The weatherworn little gate near the highway has a sign, fallen and neglected that tells the visitor that up the track lies the body of South Australia's first Greek migrant, and his wife. It does seem a shame that this rather historic person is left somewhat unnoticed out here in this lonely spot, surrounded by wide paddocks and weeds. At least the stonework on his grave is in good condition and is a fine memorial.
There lie the bodies of George Tramoundanas, SA's first Greek migrant, and his spouse Lydia. Considering how important the Greek community was to become for Australia, this seems a somewhat sad end to an important personage. What gems we can find when we take the trouble to check!
Back in Elliston, we were to find another gem. Elliston is a typical small coastal settlement, with a tiny supermarket, bakery/coffee shop and not a lot else, but its best scenic feature is the nearby coastal clifftop drive. It's just a few kays long, but if you miss it, you're not doing yourself any favours at all!
The very best time to check out and photograph the Clifftop Drive's attractions is at dusk.
The much photographed sculptures along the drive add an entertaining extra.
Repairmen work to restore a clifftop shelter, damaged in the September storm. Evidence of the tempest was to be found all along that stretch of coast. What a spot it would be for a picnic lunch or evening sup.
Elliston's long jetty, also closed until storm-damage repairs were carried out.
Elliston Caravan Park is situated just before the village proper, and within walking distance from the long jetty. Attention anglers! Although the jetty was closed while we were there, it is a noted angling venue, as are the waters anywhere nearby. The park is a great stay with good facilities and a friendly, chatty park manager. Recommended.
-- Edited by JocknNik on Wednesday 5th of July 2017 01:10:18 AM
Have stayed in Elliston a few times overnight on earlier trips. Lots of Australian Salmon along this section of coast off the beaches further south. The Jetty would be great for Squiding.
However we seem to come through when the weather is poorly. There's A Pub & Bakery. A hot meat pie go's down well on a cold winters day.
Keep em coming.
Jim
Felicia said
05:36 PM Jul 5, 2017
Thanks for posting this, really enjoyed it. Photos are great. I really like to look at old churches and cemeteries, they always tell a story of the past.
Lynda
JocknNik said
11:43 PM Jul 5, 2017
Thanks kindly folks. I read elsewhere there's a fishing competition at Elliston with salmon featuring large, Jim. It's a great little place which I wished we'd had more time to explore.
Yep Lynda, the stories behind the old buildings are one of my fascinations.
Dunmowin said
10:02 PM Aug 29, 2017
We passed through Elliston a few years back, Mr D was suffering from a middle ear infection, and I had to drive. We called in at local medical centre before checking into small caravan park. Met with some tenters, (who have remained lifelong friends since). They took Mr D fishing for salmon locally. They caught fish, Mr D did not (story of our life), but what a beautiful spot. Thanks for the reminder.
As we continued our Flinders Hwy run toward our next stop, Elliston, we passed through the locality of Colton. It's a 'blink and you'll miss it' spot. Going through, I spotted an old derelict church there. It's flies to a honeypot for me when such a structure is standing out on its own, and in a farm paddock to boot. I suggested to Nik that we set up in Elliston, about 20 kliks further on, leave the van, and get back to photograph the church.
How times must have changed when a community has abandoned a well-built little chapel like this. It remained for us to get back home to the West before I got around to researching what happened here. All hail Google! Seems that the local Roman Catholic villagers paid for St Aidans Church to be built in the late 19th century, at a time when the community was already starting to wind down. So its fate was sealed, and all that remains is this silent monument to a parish long gone. There had also been a small Anglican church a short distance away as well, but it has disappeared into the mists of time, along with most traces of Colton as a settlement. But across the road from this Catholic church is a little graveyard, a veritable 'boot hill' that has its own claim to fame.. and although locals have still relatively recently made use of it, it lies largely forgotten and neglected.
There is an avenue of small bushes up the rise into St Aidans Church cemetery. The weatherworn little gate near the highway has a sign, fallen and neglected that tells the visitor that up the track lies the body of South Australia's first Greek migrant, and his wife. It does seem a shame that this rather historic person is left somewhat unnoticed out here in this lonely spot, surrounded by wide paddocks and weeds. At least the stonework on his grave is in good condition and is a fine memorial.
There lie the bodies of George Tramoundanas, SA's first Greek migrant, and his spouse Lydia. Considering how important the Greek community was to become for Australia, this seems a somewhat sad end to an important personage. What gems we can find when we take the trouble to check!
Back in Elliston, we were to find another gem. Elliston is a typical small coastal settlement, with a tiny supermarket, bakery/coffee shop and not a lot else, but its best scenic feature is the nearby coastal clifftop drive. It's just a few kays long, but if you miss it, you're not doing yourself any favours at all!
The much photographed sculptures along the drive add an entertaining extra.
Repairmen work to restore a clifftop shelter, damaged in the September storm. Evidence of the tempest was to be found all along that stretch of coast. What a spot it would be for a picnic lunch or evening sup.
Elliston's long jetty, also closed until storm-damage repairs were carried out.
Elliston Caravan Park is situated just before the village proper, and within walking distance from the long jetty. Attention anglers! Although the jetty was closed while we were there, it is a noted angling venue, as are the waters anywhere nearby. The park is a great stay with good facilities and a friendly, chatty park manager. Recommended.
-- Edited by JocknNik on Wednesday 5th of July 2017 01:10:18 AM
Hi Jock,
Nice photo's again.
Have stayed in Elliston a few times overnight on earlier trips. Lots of Australian Salmon along this section of coast off the beaches further south. The Jetty would be great for Squiding.
However we seem to come through when the weather is poorly. There's A Pub & Bakery
. A hot meat pie go's down well on a cold winters day.
Keep em coming.
Jim
Lynda
Yep Lynda, the stories behind the old buildings are one of my fascinations.
We passed through Elliston a few years back, Mr D was suffering from a middle ear infection, and I had to drive. We called in at local medical centre before checking into small caravan park. Met with some tenters, (who have remained lifelong friends since). They took Mr D fishing for salmon locally. They caught fish, Mr D did not (story of our life), but what a beautiful spot. Thanks for the reminder.