Although my wife and I have been reading Grey Nomads for quite a while, we have just retired and want to plan some caravan trips for the next few months. We would like to travel from home in Brisbane to Broken Hill then down to South Aus. A guy told me that it is a waste of time to go to the Yorke and Eyre Penninsulas any time after Easter as the whole area just about closes down. (He could be a bit envious of our plans.) We would like to go April May this year. Any advice would be most welcome.
Matey if you are going to Broken Hill forget Bell's Milk bar, $32.00 for 2 milkshakes and 2 slices of week old Quiche, we stayed at Silverton caravan park, pretty basic but ok, we found Broken Hill to be a great place but it would seem that most shops including the new Coles to be a bit pricey.
I hope you enjoy your trip.
Welcome to the forum firstly Teo. We have enjoyed Broken Hill on a number of occasions. I guess the shops that have a 2 day truck trip to stock them will always be pricey. We didn't let that spoil our stay and Bells Milk Bar is still worth a visit even if you don't buy a milk shake. It's a walk down memory lane. We did Yorke Peninsular in May/June and loved it. Eyre we did on a different trip when it was summer. The fish may not be biting in April/May but it will be easier and cheaper to find sites and freecamps won't be all taken. We used a lot of 'B' roads (gravel) to travel and found them wide and well graded as the harvesters use them. We went across from Broken Hill to SA in dry weather but rain was coming and the farmers were all dry-seeding so we went through a good dust storm. 4 weeks later when we left, the rains had come and the fields were green with barley. We stayed at Moonta (lots to see) and Wallaroo (great pie shop near the wharf) and based ourselves in Minlaton to do the south part. Enjoy. We did, even if the groceries were a bit 'pricey'!!! (Although I don't remember them being too dear but I was probably comparing prices to where we live)
Teo, we went to Broken Hill and thoroughly enjoyed it. It looks a bit like Kalgoorlie. Bells Milk Bar is worth a visit even if you don't buy a milk shake. My wife bought some syrup from there and is still having milkshakes. She was born in Broken Hill and her father use to work at one of the mines as an ambo. It's a walk down memory lane. There is lots to see in Broken Hill. We headed to SA via Burra and Clare. We did Yorke Peninsular and stayed at the first caravan park as you come in Port Vincent. This is where we based ourselves. Had a water front site and loved every minute of it. You can go crabbing with a rake and a bucket. We did the Eyre Peninsular on the way back from WA. Loved Port Lincoln.
We also stayed at Moonta.
You will find things are pricey once you get out of the major city centres, but that's the way it is. This also why lots of Aussies (especially Westys) go to Bali. A good time can be had at a fraction of the cost.
For us, we are happy to stay in Australia and see what there is to see.
Just remember, you are doing this for yourself. Someone else's disappointment maybe your joy. Try it and see, you might like it.
Larry
I'm a South Australian so I'm biased. As far as closing down after Easter that's a big furfy Eyre and Yorke Peninsulars have some of the best scenery in Oz, also fishing, camping etc second to none.
Make sure you see pildappa Rock and murphies haystacks when on Eyre Peninsular, spectacular scenery.
Must have been a Victorian slagging SA.
Take care and happy travels
-- Edited by Crockie on Wednesday 7th of January 2015 07:10:36 PM
Whoever advised you is a glass half empty person. South Australia has some wonderful places to visit. The small towns around the Gulfs have some of the best wharves. I have found that from august on it can get windy on the Peninsulas.
welcome Teo - Mar-April-May are the best times to be on the southern coast anywhere in Oz. We love both peninsula's so don't be put off by negative comments.
-- Edited by villatranquilla on Wednesday 7th of January 2015 08:23:13 PM
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Jenny and Barry
2009 Roma Elegance / 2013 Colorado. Permanent travellers 2011-2015 now just travel for 4-6 mths
The Eyre Peninsular is great , a lot of accessible coastline - and the Oysters !!! Plenty of free camping on the way , we liked Broken Hill as well - Bells milkbar was ok (pricy) and were were underwhelmed by the Living Desert Sculptures (having to pay to visit) ....the miners memorial atop the waste dump in town was very good .
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Eyre Peninsula definitely worth visiting - but there is no way I would want to do it in the real summer months! We have found April/May there to be very pleasant - over several trips.
If you can find your way around my blog, the travels one has a section on a 2010 trip that included Eyre Peninsula and some photos that will show you that the scenery is superb.
Having lived & worked on EP for over a decade, we can say that best time to visit is winter months. Far cooler and free of roasting hot Nth and NW blasts. Snorkelling best then as well as cooler waters are clearer waters, less rubbernecks as well. Fishing is great all year round, the folks are delightfully friendly.
Re Broken Hill and Bells Milk Bar - we thoroughly enjoyed our visit there in September 2014 and whilst a bit pricy was well worth the visit.
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Cheers - Ian
I slowly realise as I get older that I am definitely NOT the fastest rat in the race.
Also the older I get the more I realise I do not know.
