South Australia for TDU 2023

Mark Grahame
Aug 13, 2022
5 min read

Updated: Mar 19, 2023

Our annual South Australia trip with a few modifications:

Visiting Theresa, Loppy and family in Temora 8th-12th January
Based in Hahndorf from 13thJanuary to 20th February
Cancelled Mannum as underwater owing to Murray River floods
Replaced with long weekend in Barossa Valley
Indian Pacific to Perth booked 16-18th Feb
Dubbo Zoo overnight 22nd February
Return to Brisbane 24th February

The Route

With the floods in Western NSW and the closure of the inland highways we opted to head down via the Coast route. An overnight at the Taree showgrounds (fabulous and would do so again). And then off to Temora. Then a dash to Mildura before heading to Hahndorf. On the way home another 600k leg to Hay (fabulous caravan park) then Dubbo. We drove north from Dubbo and landed in Milmerran with an unexpected surprise at the caravan park and adjacent pub (both fabulous... will return).

Temora

Theresa's ex-sister-in-law Theresa, her husband Loppy, wonderful family live in Temora on a wheat and pine nut farm. T and I were spoiled rotten by their family and relatives. Highlight for me (Mark) was:

just chilling on the property with a few cold beers
catching and consuming yabbies (our first time!)
the aero museum
the Chinese Garden
the outstanding country hospitality
very indebted to them all

Hahndorf-Adelaide-McClaren Vale

This was year 8 for T and I in the Adelaide Hills and surrounds. I could wax lyrical for pages but in summary:

The Hahndorf Resort (caravan park) is just wonderful. Excellent facilities. Sensational view. We shall return in 2 years time.
Lots of vineyards with highlights being The Lane, Sidewood (wow), The Cube, Somerled, Lofty Estate... I'm sure I've forgotten others
The CYCLING. Cautious start led to SE Freeway/Lofty/Euraidla climbs and loops. Loved it. Wilunga and the wine trail. Menglers loop in the Barossa. SA is blessed with so many bike routes.
The WALKING. We discovered the walk from Waterfall Gorge up to Lofty more challenging than cycling. And of course our walk along the Torrens from Adelaide 14kms up to the Gorge.
Catching up with Shaun and Sally at Henley Beach.

Great Cycling and Walking

Did some fabulous walks and cycling. Started out "easy" and then built up. Fell in love with Hahndorf, River Road, up to the SE Freeway, then up to Lofty then rolling hills via Euraidla and Balhannah, then the back road back into Hahndorf. And the Amy Gillett Bikeway out to Mt Torrens.

The statistics are:

Cycling we rode 639 km and climbed 8384 metres
Walking was 94 km and climbed 1149 metres

Here's a snapshot of photos.

This one from Norton. Our riding increased in elevation during our stay. And our favorite became: Hahndorf, Aldegate, Stirling, Crafers, Lofty (once with a SE Freeway down and up tossed in), Euraidla, Balhannon then Hahndorf via the Lanes Vineyard.

Another is Hahndorf, Lobethal and return. Great recovery ride was Hahndorf to Mt Torrens along the Amy Gillett bikeway. And McClaren Vale to Wilunga Hill.

So many great rides in Adelaide.

Planning to return in 2025 and base ourselves in Hahndorf again.

This is our Norton to Lofty climb and return. WARNING: long video

Monsarto Zoo

The attraction was an open plains zoo and lots of "experiences" on offer. Mark adores Meerkats and feeding them was a drawcard not to be missed. Along with calling the Lions into their night quarters, meeting them up close and hand feeding them.

And they have walking tracks around all of the enclosures. We did not walk the lot as had "experiences" booked.

Next time.

Barossa Valley

With cancellation of our stay on a riverside site at Mannum and our 4 day river cruise we rebooked into the Barossa. Stayed at the Jacobs Creek Retreat (fabulous). Next door we discovered the Moorooroo Vineyard. WOW totally focused on organic reds, simply sensational and thankfully all three cartons arrived safely in Brisbane. We've subscribed!

Lots of highlights:

Menglers Hill cycling
The walk into Tanunda.
Dining at St Hugo, Fino's Seppletfield and Harvest Kitchen.
THE MOOROORO VINEYARD wine tasting and meeting the most wonderful couple who founded the vineyard. And signing up for regular shipments of their wine!

Indian Pacific across the Nullabor

This was a bucket list item for Theresa and I. Our 4WD map had the Nullabor blank so we decided to explore via train rather than drive. Our choice being the Great Southern Rail and splurged.

WOW. WOW. WOW. Faultless experience. Fabulous people we met in our carriage. Superb staff who took care of us. The chef and his team created amazing dishes on board the train. The scenery. The rocking of the train. The bottomless Bollinger, beer, wine, spirits, cocktails to your hearts content.

Worth EVERY CENT and has motivated us to include the Ghan at some stage in our bucket lit. 2025 is Safari, WA and Ghan home (watch this space).

We flew back to Adelaide from Perth to collect the Triton and van to head off for the next stage of our adventure.

A selection of photos.

Just could not edit the videos. WARNING: Long video!!

Perth

Sadly no time to explore. Arrived late afternoon. Stayed at the Hilton overlooking the river. The rooftop bar sounded great but was CROWDED with non-guests so headed to a little bar on the river. HOWEVER dinner in the restaurant was first-class. Would not stay here again, prefer to head for the beach.

We plan an extended stay in Perth in 2025 when we are combining African Safari with an extended Triton/Van tour of WA up to Darwin.

On the Way to Dubbo

Took the backroads. Always interesting scenery. And our HEMA satellite navigator has never failed us.

ALWAYS BE AWARE of large loads on country roads. The support vehicles in advance did not warn us. The Police vehicle in advance did so very politely. We've had this occur quite a few times.

Dubbo Zoo

We visited Monsarto Zoo in SA and thoroughly enjoyed the open plains concept and the Meerkat and feeding Lions experiences. Dubbo Zoo offered the opportunity to stay overnight in a glamping tent overlooking the savannah.

ZOOFARI LODGE. Faultless. Amazing. Sensational.

One too good to ignore.

We walked the zoo on the first day. Only 8km but we saw so much more than those who cycled, had a golf cart or self-drove! The Zoo is very well planned, approaching "paddocks" you do not see the fences, ditches etc EXCEPT for the carnivorous beasties which have large, secure fences!

That night we stayed at the Elephant Tent #1 on the edge of the Savannah Plains. Loved our wines and watching the giraffe, rhino, zebra, ostrich and antelope/deer.

Reinforced our bucket list item to experience a Safari in Africa in 2025.

Dinner that night in the lodge. WOW. The Chef and his team created an exceptional culinary experience based on African dishes. And the cocktails... explosive.

FABULOUS.

Some photos to enjoy.