Australia 17 - Adelaide & South Australia (Chapter)

(Darren Dugan) #1

Adel Aide & South Au


Str Ali A


LIMESTONE


COAST


Adel Aide & South Au


Str Ali A


SLEEPING


&EATING


Adel Aide & South Au


Str Ali A


ROBE


entire Coorong ecosystem was under threat
through salination and species decline. A
momentary reprieve from climate change?
Time will tell...
The Princes Hwy scuttles through the
park, but you can’t see much from the road.
Instead, take the 13km, unsealed Coorong ̈
Scenic ̈Drive. Signed as Seven Mile Rd, it
starts 10km southwest of Meningie off the
Narrung Rd, and takes you right into the
landscape, with its stinky lagoons, sea mists,
fishing shanties, pelicans and wild emus.
The road rejoins the Princes Hwy, 10km
south of Meningie.
It looks a little shabby, but Camp ̈Coorong
(%08-85751557; www �ngarrindjeri�net; PrincesHwy;
museumadmissionper car $5; hvary) – run by
the Ngarrindjeri Lands and Progress Asso-
ciation and 10km south of Meningie – has a
museum and is a great place to learn about
Ngarrindjeri culture. Call ahead to make sure
it’s open.
With a 4WD you can access Ninety ̈Mile ̈
Beach, a well-known surf-fishing spot. The
easiest ocean access point is 3km off the
Princes Hwy at 42 Mile Crossing, 19km
south of Salt Creek.
On the southern fringe of the Coorong
is Kingston ̈SE (www�kingstonse�com �au) with
a population of 2230. The town is a hot-
bed of crayfishing, and hosts the weeklong
Lobsterfest in May. One of Australia’s ‘big’
tourist attractions, the anatomically correct
Larry the Lobster is a famed resident.
For a watery perspective, try Spirit of
the Coorong (p751) in Goolwa, which runs
ecocruises into the national park, including
lunch and a guided walk. Adelaide bus con-
nections available.

4 ̈Sleeping ̈& ̈Eating
There are 11 bush camp ̈sites (www�environ
ment �sa �gov �au; per person/car$7/13) in the park,
but you need a permit from the DEWNR,
available from the Meningie visitor informa-
tion centre or the Meningie petrol station.
There are also ‘honesty boxes’ at some of the
larger campgrounds.

oDalton ̈on ̈the ̈Lake ̈ B&B $$
(%08-85751162, 0428 737 161; admason@lm�net �
au;  30  Narrung Rd,  Meningie; d from  $130;a)
Generous in spirit and unfailingly clean, this
lakeside B&B goes to great lengths to ensure
your stay is comfortable. There’ll be fresh
bread baking when you arrive, jars of home-
made biscuits, and bountiful bacon and
eggs for breakfast. There’s a modern self-

contained studio off to one side, or a reno-
vated stone cottage − book either, or both.

Lake ̈Albert ̈Caravan ̈Park ̈CARAVANPARK$
(%08-8575 1411; www �lakealbertcaravanpark�com �
au; 25 NarrungRd, Meningie;unpowered/powered
sites from $23/30,cabinswithout/withbathroom
from $70/95;aW) A breezy park with a beaut
aspect overlooking pelican-prone Lake Al-
bert (the best camp sites are absolute lake-
front). The four deluxe two-bedroom cabins
($150) are the pick of the cabins.

Coorong ̈
Wilderness ̈Lodge ̈CAMPGROUND,CABINS$$
(%08-8575 6001; www �coorongwildernesslodge�
com;  off  Princes Hwy;  unpowered/powered sites
$15/30,dm/d/cabins,$40/90/200;a) At iso-
lated Hack Point, 25km south of Meningie,
this fish-shaped conference centre is run by
a local Ngarrindjeri family. The bunkhouse
and camp sites here are a bit ordinary, but
the new kitchen-cabins are lovely. You can
also book a bush-tucker walk ($30) or hire a
kayak (half-/full day $40/60).

Cheese ̈Factory ̈Restaurant ̈ PUB $$
(%08-8575 1914;  www �meningie�com �au;  3 Fie-
big  Rd,  Meningie; mains $19-28;hnoon-2pm
Tue-Sun,5�30-lateWed &Sun) In a converted
cheese factory (you might have guessed),
this outfit gives the Meningie pub a run
for its money. Lean on the front bar with
the locals, or munch into steaks, lasagne,
mixed grills, Coorong mullet or a Coorong
burger (with mullet!) in the cavernous din-
ing room. The very lo-fi Meningie ̈Cheese ̈
Factory ̈ Museum (www�meningiecheesefac
torymuseum�com;  admission $3; h11am-5pm)
is here too (butter churns, old typewriters,
domestic knick-knackery)

88 Information
Meningie Visitor Information Centre(%08-
8575 1770;www �meningie�com �au; 14 Princes
Hwy; h10am-4�30pm)Coorongcamping
permitsand local info �

Robe
POP 1130
Robe is a cherubic little fishing port that’s
become a holiday hot spot for Adelaidians
and Melburnians alike. The sign saying
‘Drain L Outlet’ as you roll into town doesn’t
promise much, but along the main street
you’ll find quality eateries and boundless
accommodation, and there are some magic
Free download pdf