10 April 2025 (Clicked over 1000kms)

Five dollars a night at Langhorne Creek, I thought, why not? Even a general store nearby.

Hmm, disappointment all round. The General Store only sold takeaways, and the $5:00 site is right by the road and very busy. Still, I secured some shade under some tall eucalypts and bought a filled roll and a ‘sorry looking’ cake for tea.

I was going to spend two nights at Langhorne Creek, but decided a night in Strathalbyn looked a better option, even though it was only 20km down the road.

Such is the life of a traveller, decisions, decisions.

Good decision. Langhorne Creek didn’t feel particularly safe (concern for bike), so I trialled the fishing line attached to bike and my sleeping bag😂😂.

Started raining first thing, then on and off for most of the day. Not the drenching South Australia needs, but a bit of a thirst quencher, nonetheless. Curtailed my activities somewhat and ended eating too much and drinking too much coffee, just to kill time…

Strathalbyn is a very much the colonial town. Stone buildings, English gardens, tree lined streets, hedges, and lots of tourists… not particularly pleasant. The caravan park is full, with caravans very close together, obviously privacy is not a priority.

Early start on what turned out to be a very busy road towards Goolwa. Thankfully, a generous shoulder kept me ‘sort of safe’.

A swift 40km through rolling countryside with one interesting stop, an Aboriginal canoe tree. Apparently, there was quite an art (and tradition) to remove bark from a tree in a particular way to construct a canoe. A unique piece of history hanging on for dear life next to a busy road, with little protection. I can understand why First Nations people get so annoyed with the way their history is treated. https://www.goolwatourism5214.com.au/goolwa-stories/river-and-sea/canoe-tree-currency-creek

Goolwa is quintessentially a tourist town at the mouth of the Murray River, which I’ll explore over the next couple of days.

But I’ve based myself on Hindmarsh Island, as the campground has good shade, which is needed with +30 degree days ahead. Thermometer has just topped 30 now (midday).