Mount Gambier – South Australia’s second most populous city, after Adelaide. Some 28000 people, surrounded by not a lot on the surface.
We saw a little under the surface as we passed through miles of forest on the way from Beachport: some native, the bulk planted conifers from Europe or North American. Of the latter it’s mainly softwood radiata pine, a native of California – used for paper and particle board. The plantations are valued at over 1.2billion Aus Dollars.
We’ve also seen a large number of farms for sale for whatever reason. A very pleasant rural landscape dotted with sheep and cattle – as well as the ubiquitous rape seed. A few small settlements including Millicent and Glencoe, a wee place – not even a one horse town.
Water is a predominant theme – either being pumped to the surface or drained.
One coffee/garage though gave a welcome warming spot from the cold wind. The lady there was keen to tell us convicts should be sent into a desert or distant place and left to fend for themselves. I had to quietly say “we tried that a few hundred years ago and you seem to have thrived”. I’m not sure it registered, maybe just as well.
Today Barbara tried out some magpie swooping deterrent on her helmet. Very fetching and it might have worked. Certainly made a noise.
Great names of some roads: Agricultural Boundary Road; One Mile Hill Road. This was a clue how long the hill (a gentle 5% or so) lasted.
Arriving in Mount Gambier – a town on the boundary of an extinct (hopefully) volcano, on a lovely rail to trail path. Broad gauge if of interest with wooden sleepers.
Travelling reflections 