Day 6 – Paringa to Burra

Although it rained most of the night, we woke to a pleasant, if slightly chilly, morning.

We left the caravan park and joined the queue of traffic as we approached the Paringa Lifting Bridge. On checking the time it was close to 9.30am, so we suspect that the traffic hold-up was due to the bridge having been lifted to allow river traffic to go underneath.

Traffic delays at the Paringa Lifting Bridge

We bypassed the main part of Renmark as we had been there about 12 months ago.  Being a public holiday nothing much was open anyway.

Skirting Renmark

Further along the highway we went through the small town of Barmera and again, nothing much was happening. Just out of town, however, we found a great bakery which was open and we stopped there for morning coffee.

Barmera main street on ANZAC Day

Barmera coffee house

There was very little activity anywhere much, other than the occasional ANZAC Day celebrations at RSLs, etc.  We continued through to Waikerie, where we couldn’t find the bakery (say that sentence out aloud).

Waikerie

From Waikerie we headed along very quiet roads to the Historic Port town of Morgan where we caught the ferry across the mighty Murray River.  When we told our son Phil about this later he commented that Bertha had temporarily become a houseboat!

Views along the highway

Approaching the ferry at Morgan

On the ferry at Morgan

Once off the ferry we stopped for lunch at a great spot overlooking the river where there were BBQs, tables and seating for families, a boat ramp, all well occupied by families having a day together.  We could also hear some young men obviously enjoying liquid refreshments while listening to a football match somewhere nearby.

River views at Morgan

From Morgan we proceeded along the Goyder Highway through “saltbush lamb country” to the historic town of Burra, where we had a quick look around.

Saltbush lamb country

Views around Burra

From the town centre we then went to the historic copper mine just out of town and drove up a rather steep and winding road to the mine lookout.  The trip was worthwhile as the views of the mine and associated buildings were fantastic.

Views of the mine from the lookout

Views from the mine lookout

Views over Burra from the lookout

Turning around we could also see wind turbines along a line of hills.

Wind turbines in the distance

Heading back down the hill we drove the short distance to the Burra Showgrounds where Arty the friendly caretaker set us up on a powered site next to the Poultry and Pigeon Pavilion (no birds are present at the moment).

Burra Showgrounds

We will do more exploring in Burra tomorrow when the shops are open.