Earlish morning to get going along the Eyre Peninsula for a getaway break. The kayaks were loaded in the back of the Elgrand and the boat hitched to the tow ball and we were off for a four and a half drive through to Whyalla.
Stopping at Redhill for a Mrs Mac Pie and some air in the tyres, the car ride went quick going past lovely ocean views once we passed Port Pirie. Just outside of Port Augusta the scenery changed with the Aussie classic red earth and low lying plants dotting the roadside with the occasional kangaroo sticking their heads up to watch the cars pass by from their vantage points in the bushes.
Whyalla isnt a town that when you first enter you go Oh wow or perhaps you do but not in a good way. Clouds of smoke fill the horizon on the left from the smelter factories that Whyalla is well known for. The tuffets of bush are sparse, lush green grass doesnt grow here in winter like you may see in the Adelaide Hills and many of the houses are of an older style, or semi detached with bricks from the 70s and
A few kilometres in and you hit the beach. We chose the Whyalla Foreshore Discovery Park. Lots of little cabins, plenty of space for campers and some decent facilities overlooking the ocean. The water was flat with a few small ripples and after unpacking the car we decided to drag the kayaks to the beach and kayak along the foreshore. Passing under the new Whyalla jetty that has not officially opened to the public we kayaked through it to the marina to see if we could view the resident dolphins. A family of dolphins hang around the marina, having made a habit of following the recreational fishing boats in to hopefully get some of the fish the fishermen have caught. They were curious of us, approaching Kym in his up so close that one their eyes was level with the water to look at him and swim playfully under the kayak. They came close to mine but as neither of us had fish they didnt hang about long.
it was like glass, every virgin sand ripple visible with the occasional seaweed floating by. We werent sure if we saw a ray or if it was a large mound of seagrass but we passed over it watching the sky change colours of orangy pink to a pinky violet as the light faded and we peacefully kayaked back feeling connected to the ocean. Kayaking close to shore we were both amazed that even though the light was dimming the clarity of the ocean floor was still so clear right back to the caravan park.
A quick change of clothes and we set off for dinner to the Sundowner. It was busy, steak night special and it felt that half the town had joined us. Meals took over an hour but our waiter kept us updated, apologizing for the delay and asking if he could get us anything. Thats the thing about good customer service, as much as we were annoyed that dinner took so long because we were kept informed and checked in on how could you get upset. The steak was amazing and downed with a glass of shiraz it went down a treat. The people
on the table in front of us were celebrating a birthday and after helping to sing Happy Birthday to the very embarrassed lady and photobombing their photo we were offered a piece of tasty moist chocolate cake. Winning!
Back in cabin and a couple fo reds and we were ready for bed, excited for the following day; snorkelling with the giant cuttlefish.
