On the road to Port Augusta

Port Augusta SA
Odometer 184674 – 615 km

It was a crisp morning that awaited us when we emerged at 07:00 a.m.. Clear skies though. Only one train during the night. Sore shoulder though. Skipped breakfast for the option of being on the road to Mildura by 8:00 a.m. Couldn’t get the tent closed properly due to all the bedding so strapped it down and will remedy the situation tonight. It needs a good dry out as it’s a bit damp from all the rain in Melbourne. Set the cruise for 90 kph and were there a tad after 9:00 a.m. First port of call was Hudak’s Bakery in 15th Street for some breakfast where we then bought a 10 litre drum of oil at Auto barn and a set of welding goggles. Down to the sale at Rays tent city for a blanket and I bought some bargain cold weather items that are bound to serve me well in the Simpson later in the trip (thermal top, gloves, beanie and neck warmer $54).

Fuelled at Safeway utilising a most needed 20 cent per litre discount voucher. Full price for diesel being $1.89 per litre. Headed out of town via the tourist info centre for a map of Oz for Gaby. One the road at 11:00 a.m. heading to the SA border and Renmark. The driver acknowledgement started around 40 km west of Mildura. You know you’re on the road with fellow travellers now. The Arctic cat trailers drew a lot of attention on the road from passing traffic that’s for sure. Had to quickly rearrange fruit and vegies before the Yamba in section point and ditched the last of the old limes. Headed on through the Riverland to Monash, and then on to Burra and eventually Crystal Brook on the highway above Adelaide. We’d come back under a cloud band once we hit the Riverland and managed to drive out from under it once we hit the spencers gulf.

Moved on to Port Augusta where we checked in to the Big 4 caravan park. I got a spa suite (the only option left). Now that's camping! It was close to 5:30 p.m. and getting dark but I managed to clean the car down and get a quick coat of duco protector on. Filled up with fuel at the Shell again utilizing a 20-cent discount voucher. Pleasantly surprised in that the mileage had improved greatly to 7.22 kpl. The 85 –90 kph cruise and high pressure in the tyres (42 psi cold) has improved the mileage by better than 15%. Had dinner at Ian’s West End Hotel – a steak with oysters and Kilpatrick sauce. This is living.