Stand up paddle board (SUP)

Xtreme Kites and Paddle Board

STAND UP PADDLE BOARD:  1 hour hire & lesson $45pp.  PORT LINCOLN AND SURROUNDS

I'd been eyeing-off this Sport since I first moved to the Eyre Peninsula.  I've not seen so many paddle boarders in one area before.  There must be something about this sport that has so many people gliding around the bays.  This week, I made the phone call and booked myself in for an hour session.  Expecting it to be a bit like surfing I thought the board would be pretty hard to stand and stay up on.  I dressed in my bathers in anticipation of getting very wet!

SUP through the Marina

To my surprise, paddle boarding on flat water is pretty easy to get the hang of.  There's something beautiful about almost walking on water and gliding along. 

Step 2 will be to take the challenge and try and catch a wave on this board.  I'd definitely recommend giving it a go on flat water - I'm pretty confident that anyone can do it.  Xtreme Kites and Paddle Board cover the whole Eyre Peninsula, run by Jacqui and Scott who are both super friendly.  So if you're like me and have been eyeing off those folks out on the paddle board, skimming across the surface of the water, wondering what it's like? Just give it a go!

September Beach - Lincoln National Park

SELF DRIVE:  13km/15mins FROM PORT LINCOLN TO PARK ENTRANCE  

ENTRY FEE:  $11 per vehicle payable at the gate  

September Beach is approx another 20mins onwards

The Lincoln National Park never ceases to amaze me - so many beautiful hidden beaches.  One of those is September Beach.  It is at the end of Natinoal Park, just south east of Donnington. 

Map - Lincoln National Park 

 

Dolphin Watching - Sleaford Bay

There's nothing more lovely than going for a drive on a sunny, Sunday. Except, perhaps, pulling-up at one of your favourite lookouts and seeing a pod a Dolphins catching waves and splashing around.  There were about 16 Dolphins in this pod, frolicking from one side of the bay to the other.  Magical!

 

 

 

Bushfires

Bushfire Season has made an unfortunate start.  Last weekend the area of Sleaford and parts of Tulka were ablaze.  I drove out there today to take a look at the damage.  You can still smell the ash and burning. Be mighty careful this summer!

The view over Sleaford from Wreck Beach Sand dunes, the fire came right up to where these cars are parked.

 

A burnt vehicle

 

 

 

 

 

Fishery Bay

SELF DRIVE:  25mins ex PORT LINCOLN

 

Well, what can I say?  Fishery's is one hell of a nice beach.

If you have a 4WD you can drive it down onto the sand and set up for the day.  NOTE: You probably need to let you tyres down.  I got stuck here in my Dad's car - a Subaru Outback.  We made it all the way down and along the beach but just as we were edging up the hill, off the soft sand we got stuck.  Stuck for about 20minutes, without mobile phones and the smell of a burning clutch.  I managed to grab the one other person on the beach at the time (who was thankful that I had relieved him of his jog along the beach) for a bit of local advice.  Apparently Dad just wasn't 'givin' it enough guts.'  Sure enough with a bit more pedal to the metal, we were off and away.

If the wind's blowing in the right direction Fishery is a popular surf spot for beginner-intermediates and great bay to go stand-up paddle boarding at. It's also great if there's a northerly wind and you find the main beach in Port Lincoln too windy.  Just head to either end of this beautiful bay and you should find it a bit more protected.

Getting ready for a surf up on the cliffs to the left of Fisheries.

 

 

 

 

The Swimming Cage - Port Lincoln Jetty

Do you like swimming?  Swimming without the fear of a Great White?  I sure do.  The Lincoln town Jetty has an enclosed cage off to one side.  The water here is good and deep.  There's a platform you can dive off and jetty jump!  The kids have great fun on it (and so do the adults).  I like the view watching folks fishing and wandering up and down the jetty.
Now a few months back my husband and father had different opinions on the length of the cage.  One thought 25 metres, the other thought perhaps 50.  Thinking they were both wrong and wanting to prove it, I tried to Google and find out but there was no record.  I took my handy measuring tape down to the jetty to find out just how long this cage is.  Have you had your guess?  The answer's at the bottom of the page...

Kids having fun jumping off the ledge

Drum roll please...
The cage measures just over 50 metres.  Dad, you were closest!

Glen Forest Park

15MIN DRIVE FROM PORT LINCOLN
$12 ENTRY FEE

Glen Forest website
Something fun for the kids, or the kid in you! This little animal park has enough to entertain for a few hours. The highlight for me were the Kangaroo's. They're extremely tame,  allowing you to feed and pet them.
If you are considering a visit, be sure to check the feeding time for the Koala's. I won't tell you anymore to allow for some suprise!

Sleepy Kanga

Feeding time - You can purchase bags of grain to feed the animals

Albino Joey

Ostrich

Blue Tongue Lizards

On a hot day, driving along the EP you are likely to feel like you are playing a video game with the amount of Lizards slowly crossing the roads.  I lost count after about 10!  They are so funny to see because they kind of waddle along not paying any attention to the hundred's of cars flying along the freeway at 110km an hour!  The have so much character, everytime I saw they I could help but think about them being the stars of a Disney movie...
I didn't get to see the "blue tongue" although I was tempted to poke this guy with a stick to see if he would stick his tongue out but I lost my nerve, beside i was standing in the middle of the road....

The below information is from enchantedlearning

The Blue-tongued skink (also called the blue tongue lizard) is an Australian lizard. This solitary reptile spends its days eating and sunning itself. At night it rests, sheltering in fallen logs or leaf litter. It is a relatively shy animal, but can put up a bold front when cornered; when it is threatened, it puffs up its body, sticks out its long, blue tongue and hisses. The blue-tongued skink has a life span of up to 20 years.

Anatomy: Blue-tongued skinks have a long, bright blue tongue, tiny legs, smooth overlapping scales, and a short, thick tail that stores fat. The tail can break off when grabbed by a predator; it can partly re-grow. This skink grows up to 23.5 inches (60 cm) long.
Diet: Blue-tongued skinks are omnivores (they eat both meat and plants). They eat small animals (like insects, worms, snails and rotting meat) and plant material including flowers, fruit and berries.

Habitat: Blue-tongued skinks are native to Australia. They live in a variety of habitats, including grasslands, forests, rainforests, and deserts. They are now found all over the world as pets.
Reproduction: Blue-tongued skink give birth to 6 to 12 live young. Newborns are about 4 inches (10 cm) long and weigh about 0.5 ounce (14 grams). They are mature at about 2 years old.
Classification: Class Reptilia (reptiles), Order Squamata (lizards and snakes), Family Scincidae (skinks), Genus Tiliqua , Species scincoides.

Elliston - a quick glimpse

A few minutes off the Flinders Hwy is a little surf town called Elliston.  The town is pretty simple - a bakery, hotel, petrol station and a block of public toilets.  Somebody in town must be really good at painting mural's because half the buildings are covered in them!  Not that I mind at all - they add character to the town.  My favourite part of Elliston though, was through the town to the beach.  A beautiful curved bay and what looks to be, on the right day a great surf spot.
We only stopped in town to have a quick look but I'm sure with a bit more exploring there's plenty to do and see at Elliston.  The beach is very pretty indeed.

Looking out to sea from Elliston Beach

Possible surf spot?

Looking into the bay

Murphy's Haystacks

Murphy's Haystacks - need I say more?

Now, the thought of looking at a bunch of rocks doesn't over excite me - but Murphy's Haystacks are pretty cool.  Gigantic rocks (actually called Inselburg's) in the middle of a random paddock with sheep all round.  They're quite fascinating to look at and make for a nice stop along the Flinders Hwy.  Get your camera ready as you can get some pretty good shots - sunset and sunrise would also be a great time to visit.

Entry fee honesty box - don't forget some change

Winding through the fields

A close up of one of the rocks.

The path to the Haystacks.

Venus Bay

Okay, I think I'm in love with Venus Bay.  It takes your breath away. It's outback meets spectacular sea & crystal blue bays. Wow! This would have to be a highlight spot for me.  Besides, who cannot love a town that lists "peace and tranquility"as one of its main attractions?
Wed been in the car for a while on our way back to Port Licoln from Streaky Bay, feeling very hungry and needing our caffine fix we stopped at the Venus Bay General Store.  When you're in the outback you never really expect much - so any place that has Soy Milk always get a huge tick from me.  My Soy latte was excellent. Garfish sandwich for lunch anyone? 
I know why this is one of the most popular holiday destinations for people on the EP.  I definately could spend a week here lazing on the one of the many beaches!

A picture says a thousand words?

It's all happening at The General Store.  Venus Bay one stop shop.

The General Store even has a licensed cafe/wine bar.  Fancy.

 

 

The view from the balcony at The General Store.

 

 

Hello there!

Yes, the water is crystal clear.

Who needs a boat ramp?  The local car park.

Looking out to sea from Venus

Another view from the cliffs that make up the seas entrance to Venus Bay

Venus Bay Jetty