After our train trip we returned to our motel in Pt Augusta. The next morning the six of us went exploring our surroundings. Pt Augusta is quite an important town. It is situated at the tip of Spencer Gulf. It is a sea port and the crossroads of Australia. The north/south and east/west railways and highways all intersect here. The town was founded in 1852 and named after Lady Augusta Sophia Young the wife of the governor of South Australia, Sir Henry Edward FOX Young. (Did you see that name? Same as our grandson.)
Off we went to the Water Tower Lookout and climbed up many steps to the top. We look over part of Port Augusta and Spencer Gulf.
We jumped in the car and off to Matthew Flinders Lookout (He was the first sailor to navigate all the way around Australia) We could see the Red Cliffs, no points for guessing why they are called that.
Then it was time to be at the little dock ready for our booked cruise up to the tip of Spencer Gulf. While waiting I got a kick out of the signs. The distant one says "Swimming Prohibited" and the other you can read. So can't the swimmers read or are the locals disobedient?
I also checked out the wild flowers nearby....I just can't get enough of them.
The luxury cruise boat arrives. Hee hee
We took a closer look at the Red Cliffs. The colour was stunning even on a very dull day. Can you imagine how it looks with a big blue sky at the back?
All along the banks there was red soil, mangrove bushes and lots of birds.
The gulf got very narrow with Eyre Peninsula on one side and
Yorke Peninsula on the other
On the way back we were accompanied by frolicking dolphins who like surfing along side the boat catching the wash.
Diane, have read back through every post of yours and my you pack a lot into your life, so energetic and positive, a role model for us all.
ReplyDeleteThis area is of particular interest to me as am planning on driving across to SA in July and stay for a month exploring an area I have never yet seen. Your information is detailed and informative.
Elizabeth
Thankyou for this posting. The red cliffs are fantastic aren't they? I think they are part of the same formation that is part of those along the Murray River near Murray Bridge and Mannum. There is a lot of beauty here.
ReplyDeleteBeautifull post again, I love all those signs and those red cliffs amazing.
ReplyDeleteyou do have some great adventures
He He and I thought Fox was a fancy modern name.
ReplyDeleteFox is a lucky boy in having such a wonderful family, but he will also be very proud of his name. I just love reading about all your wonderful adventures and knowing you two are out there having fun. Enjoy! Beautiful photos!
ReplyDeleteDiane, what a neat tour. The Red cliffs are gorgeous. I have heard that the dolphins like to play in the wakes behind the boats. You got a great shot of this dolphin. They are so cute. I do enjoy going along on yoru trips. Wonderful photos.
ReplyDeleteIt's a long slog to get to Port August (or Porta Agutta to locals or folk who used to live there) but it's well worth the trip. Your photos highlight the oranges of the soil very well!
ReplyDeleteDiane!!!!
ReplyDeleteYou are really stretching your imagination with the Fox part????
It is remarkable how red the place is, almost moonlike???. Well that is my opinion and I am sticking to it! Ha Ha!
Dolphins are one thing in that Gulf area, pity you were not able to photograph a Great White Shark, and I am not referring to Greg Norman! I guess if you did jump off the "luxury" little boat, someone would have got a shot of a terrible incident.
A most informative report, as now expected! Well done again for your overseas viewers. At this rate they will be getting history and geography lessons FREE!!!!
Cheers
Colin (HB)
those red cliffs are incredibly beautiful!
ReplyDeletegorgeous shots! so glad to see the last photo of the dolphin.
what an adventure! thanks for sharing these gorgeous pictorial tour.
hope you have a great day!
What a great red cliffs, and to see a dolphin so close is amazing, he looks so cute. Had to laugh about the signs, sometimes they are very confusing indeed.
ReplyDeleteI had to laugh at Kath's comments about the pronounciation. When my girls were small we travelled between Pt Lincoln amd Pt Augusta many times and they would always say "we're nearly to Porta-Gutta" - it was only as they were a bit older I heard them referring to Porta-Gutta and realised that they thought it was the actual name!!
ReplyDeleteLove your pics of the red cliffs Diane.
Lovely, Diane.
ReplyDeleteTo Kath and Dianne: We were booking into our motel at Port Augusta and someone in our group mentioned the name 'Porta Gatta', we were quickly put in our place by the receptionost, who, in an indignant voice said 'It's called Port Augusta.'
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful tour and I love those red cliffs
ReplyDeletewoo hoo nothing better than flowers and frolicking dolphins.
ReplyDeleteI know the white cliffs of England but have never seen such red cliffs ! Rocks yes, but not cliffs ! Now I am in love with red cliffs !
ReplyDeleteBeautiful scenes.
ReplyDeleteI think the signs are hilarious.
I love travelling around Oz with you! Your photos are amazing: so original (the signs) and you capture the wildflowers beautifully. I love the red cliffs too. Greetings, Jo (PS I've linked your blog to mine in tomorrow/Friday's post)
ReplyDeleteThanks for another great bit of arm-chair traveling Diane. Enjoyed this post very much.
ReplyDeleteMuch larger town than I thought.
ReplyDeleteThe magroves and the cliffs are great but the dolphin that follows your boat, what more can you wish. It is always great to follow your articles.
ReplyDeleteGreetings,
Filip
You must have enjoyed seeing those playful dolphins. Have a good weekend!
ReplyDeleteoh dolphins What a great shot. I love these animals so much. Close to where I live are the Hector dolphins, these are the smallest dolphins in the world. The red colour of the cliffs is magnificent
ReplyDeleteHi Diane, I can't get over those red cliffs/red soil... So interesting.
ReplyDeleteNice little boat ride (on that luxury cruise boat---ha)... I love seeing the Dolphins.
Pt. Augusta looks like a neat city --and a busy city/port...
Thanks for taking us with you on your tour.
Hugs,
Betsy
Ok first off I am playing tag and you have been tagged by me, go to my blog and check out the rules.....
ReplyDeletehttp://jo-annemotherandnanna.blogspot.com/
Secondly I do love coming here and seeing such wonderful photos of places I would love to visit
Oh, my... Awesome!
ReplyDeleteBShell
I haven't been to your neck of the woods yet but I have been to Australia several times. It is a beautiful country.
ReplyDeleteI really love your top photo and the house I see on stilts in the foreground. It reminds me of my first trip to Oz in the area of Cairns, FNQ. Quinessential Australia.
came Via Jo in Kenya. She spoke so nicely of you, and I encore that. You were the few early blogger friends I made, and we are still blogging.
ReplyDeleteThe red cliffs look so dramatic! I love how dolphins are so trusting and playful.
ReplyDelete~~~~~~@~~~~~~~~~~@~~~~~~~~
Thank you for your kinds words of sympathy to me on the losss of my Mother. They were deeply appreciated.
The red cliffs are beautiful and remind me of home and southern Utah. Don't see many dolphins in Utah, but we are seeing them in NZ. I've had a good time this morning catching up on all your adventures. You see so many interesting sights. Some day I'd like to just follow you around on all your trips!!
ReplyDeleteI have missed quite a few posts and will need to return to catch up with them all. Those red cliffs and the red sands make such a dramatic impact. Altogether another wonderful trip, Diane.
ReplyDeleteLoved this leg of your journey! Beautiful cliffs (yeah I guessed ;>)...and the 'luxury' boat (which looks like a lot of fun) and great catch on the funny contrast of the signs.
ReplyDeleteVery nice to follow in your footsteps; Beautiful pictures and I also enjoy the captions. T♥
ReplyDeleteRed OZ DOES love it!!! I've been to Pt Augusta - but haven't ever done the cruise! Now I see I'll have to ... FAAAAAABULOUS!!!
ReplyDeleteThe red cliffs are amazing and beautiful. I think they look magnificent even on an overcast day. You got a great picture of the dolphin.
ReplyDelete(I came over from Jo's blog.)
ReplyDeleteYour post is so interesting. I'll have to keep an eye out for this spectacular scenery when my husband and I go around Australia by cruise ship in March and April.
Margaret