ON THE ROAD with Clyde & Charmaine Issue #0026 August 2014 Official newsletter of www.caravancaravan.com.au Cruising on the Coorong by Clyde Camel South Australia’s Coorong is a lagoon and wetland system that extends for about 200km from Goolwa to Kingston SE along a narrow strip that is separated from the Southern Ocean by a an extended system of sand dunes. The dunes form 2 peninsulas separated by a narrow channel which is the mouth of the Murray River. This mercurial river mouth has seen much tragedy from the earliest days of European settlement and exploration of the area. Ships were wrecked and lives lost as a result of the unpredictable sandbars that are ever changing in position and size. The Coorong is separated from Lake Alexandrina by a series of 5 man made barrages, built during the 1930s to keep the salty sea water from inundating the lower reaches of the Murray River on which hundreds of thousands of residents depended for their domestic and irrigation water supply. During dry periods, the lower reaches of the Murray River are below sea level. The barrages act like the dykes of Holland, to keep the sea at bay. The Coorong provides a natural breeding ground of many species of fish and birdlife as well as numerous animal and reptile species. It is a nursery and habitat that is under constant threat from both natural climate variations and interference in the delicate natural balance, that has occurred since European settlement. This is Storm Boy country and just as in the 1976 movie, pelicans show off their antics and their wonderful display of flight. It is a natural wonderland, and a place unique in Australia and the world. Before Europeans arrived, the Ngarrindjeri People lived here for thousands of years. Unlike most Aboriginal nations, they were not nomadic, as everything they needed was here in plentiful supply all year round. Life was good and nature’s larders overflowed with food. Cockle shells provided an important part of their diet and large mounds of cockle shells can be seen among the sand dunes, deposited over many generations. They built their homes here from the scrubby wattle trees which were woven into igloo style huts, to protect them from the gale force winds that sometimes sweep through the area. Spirit of the Coorong is a family owned cruise boat business that provides a range of cruises, with a choice of 2hr, 4hr or 6hr excursions. The cruises include some landfalls which provide the visitor the opportunity to touch and see the natural dune environment close up. Captain Jock Veenstra has been working in and operating his family business for all of his adult life. His father Keith founded the operation as a cruising boat service on the Murray River in the 1960s. This has grown, branching out to include the Spirit of the Coorong Cruises. Storm Boy country The magnificent Coorong from the air
Transcript
ON THE ROADwith Clyde & Charmaine
Issue #0026 August 2014Official newsletter of www.caravancaravan.com.au
Cruising on the Coorongby Clyde Camel
South Australia’s Coorong is a lagoon and wetland system that extends for about 200km from Goolwa to Kingston SE along a narrow strip that is separated from the Southern Ocean by a an extended system of sand dunes. The dunes form 2 peninsulas separated by a narrow channel which is the mouth of the Murray River. This mercurial river mouth has seen much tragedy from the earliest days of European settlement and exploration of the area. Ships were wrecked and lives lost as a result of the unpredictable sandbars that are ever changing in position and size.The Coorong is separated from Lake Alexandrina by a series of 5 man made barrages, built during the 1930s to keep the salty sea water from inundating the lower reaches of the Murray River on which hundreds of thousands of residents depended for their domestic and irrigation water supply.During dry periods, the lower reaches of the Murray River are below sea level. The barrages act like the dykes of Holland, to keep the sea at bay.The Coorong provides a natural breeding ground of many species of fish and birdlife as well as numerous animal and reptile species. It is a nursery and habitat that is under constant threat from both natural climate variations and interference in the delicate natural balance, that has occurred since European settlement.
This is Storm Boy country and just as in the 1976 movie, pelicans show off their antics and their wonderful display of flight. It is a natural wonderland, and a place unique in Australia and the world. Before Europeans arrived, the Ngarrindjeri People lived here for thousands of years. Unlike most Aboriginal nations, they were not nomadic, as everything they needed was here in plentiful supply all year round. Life was good and nature’s larders overflowed with food. Cockle shells provided an important part of their diet and large mounds of cockle shells can be seen among the sand dunes, deposited over many generations. They built their homes here from the scrubby wattle trees which were woven into igloo style huts, to protect them from the gale force winds that sometimes sweep through the area.
Spirit of the Coorong is a family owned cruise boat business that provides a range of cruises, with a choice of 2hr, 4hr or 6hr excursions. The cruises include some landfalls which provide the visitor the opportunity to touch and see the natural dune environment close up. Captain Jock Veenstra has been working in and operating his family business for all of his adult life. His father Keith founded the operation as a cruising boat service on the Murray River in the 1960s. This has grown, branching out to include the Spirit of the Coorong Cruises.
Cheap as ChipsIf you visit Colac in Victoria’s Lakes and Craters Region, you may find at some point that you have a craving for some hot potato chips. Which would be quite convenient, as Colac has a Fish and Chip shop like no other.Captain Georges Fish & Chips Takeaway has been run by the cheerful Van Lam Phan for over 13 years. It is located at 90 Murray Street, (the main drag through the town) and is right opposite the central Memorial Square. It serves all kinds of takeaway food and includes a great choice of fish to go with the chips. Van Lam Phan sells a generous serve of hot chips for just $2.50. It will warm you on a cold winter day and fill that empty corner in the tummy. When asked how he was able to sell chips at such a low price, Lam explained that he purchases potatoes
from local farmers and peels and chips them himself. So the chips are fresh and cost less.Colac is home of some of the farms that produce the frozen chips that are sold in supermarkets.http://www.caravancaravan.com.au/entity/memorial-square-colac/VIC
The cruises are well run, with interesting and informative commentary as the purpose-built boats glide over the billabongs that make up the Coorong, leaving almost no disturbance in the water.Out on the water, countless species of water birds and waders can be seen, some having migrated from as far as Siberia, China and Japan. New Zealand fur seals romp in the water close to the boat, waving their flippers in the air as if waving to the visitors. In fact this action is to help them to regulate their body temperature. On the sand dunes there are kangaroos, wallabies, emu, echidna, wombats and a host of reptiles.The Spirit of the Coorong boats can be nosed up onto the sand so that passengers can step ashore without getting their feet wet. On the Coorong Adventure cruise, a hearty and delicious lunch is served comprising of a selection of cold meats, salad and pasta. This is capped off with a coffee or tea and later followed by afternoon tea or coffee with cake, to replenish the energy of the visitors after their excursion into the dunes.The skippers of the boats provide commentary
about the history and the natural environment of this unique area. It is an unforgettable experience and a day well spent with numerous photo opportunities at every turn.
The Diamantina Shire in the far west of Queensland has a total population of 322 people. That is right. The entire shire has a population that is less than the staff of some councils in the big cities. The best known town in the Diamantina Shire is Birdsville, with a population of 120. That is, for 51 weeks of the year. But as the beginning of September approaches, something unusual begins to happen out here in the desert. Like insects to a candle in the dark, thousands of cars, trucks, motorcycles, motor homes and caravans begin to rumble across the dusty plains heading for Birdsville. For the first Saturday in September is Birdsville Cup Day.The airport, located across the road from the pub, receives planes and helicopters of every description. There are joy flights of course and a popular destination is Big Red, the large red sand dune about 30km south of town on the edge of the Simpson Desert. If you want to make a statement on race day, you can arrive at the track by helicopter for just $70 (one way).This tiny town of 120 people has learned how to cater for about 6,000 visitors on this week in September each year. It is amazing how they
do it. Most places putting on an event of this size employ hundreds of staff to cope with the needs of the crowd, yet the highly organised folk of Birdsville not only cope, but put on an outstanding event that runs like clockwork and no one has any complaints about service. While vacant lots and spaces in the town turn into tent suburbs, all along the banks of the Diamantina River, caravans and motohomes find their place in the sun or the shade.This is Burke and Wills country and one of the Waddi trees (Acacia Peuce) that were marked by these brave explorers is on the river bank just outside town.Every street in town is transformed into a sideshow alley, with entertainment, food stalls and goods of every description on sale by traders who descend on the town from all over Australia. The week of the Birdsville Cup is a carnival. The atmosphere is exciting and everyone has a great time.
Affectionately know as the Melbourne Cup of the Outback, this race has been held here for the last 132 years with just one exception. In 2010 the races had to be cancelled due to the wet weather. Even so, the crowds hung around to enjoy the atmosphere for the duration.
Langhorne Creek on the Fluereau Peninsula in South Australia, is situated near Lake Alexandrina and kissed by the cool moist winds from the Southern Ocean. The region is internationally renowned for its quality wines.The rich black soil on the river flats of the Bremer River and lighter soils on the gently sloping higher ground provide a variety of styles in the grapes and the wine of this region. But wine is not the only industry of this beautiful and fortunate landscape. Olives, fruit and vegetables, meat and dairy are among the many and varied produce of this district. In 1840 a drover by the name of Alfred Langhorne arrived with a mob of cattle that he had brought overland from New South Wales. Crossing the Bremer River, he found rich pastures to rest and feed his herd.A decade later Frank Potts settled here and in the 1860s planted the first vineyard in the district. The vines thrived and others followed to create what is now, Langhorne Creek wine district.One of the more unusual crops at Langhorne Creek is horseradish. Newmans Horseradish Farm and processing facility has a virtual monopoly in South Australia’s supermarkets and delicatessens. The business was purchased from Fred Newman in 1947 by the Meakins Family and moved to Langhorne Creek in 1985. Brian and Anne Meakins are the owners and operators of this unique and highly successful enterprise, which has been featured on the ABC TV Landline program.The Meakins run the ultimate value adding business, where they grow the crop, harvest it and then process it into products that are iconic on all of the major supermarket shelves. The well recognised red label stands out among the rest and is accepted by the South Australian public to the extent that even the
giant multinational food companies no longer try to compete in South Australian shops. It is also well recognised interstate.Horseradish takes 10 months from planting to maturity. During the winter, the crop becomes dormant and to the uninitiated, the field looks like a bare black soil plot, ready for planting. But come the springtime, the plants send forth fresh green shoots and resume growing. By summer it is ready to harvest. However it will happily stay in the ground for an extended period of time, allowing the crop to be harvested as and when required.The Meakins family also produce quality Langhorne Creek wine from Semillon, Pinot Grigio, Cabinet Savignon, Shiraz, Zinfandel and Durif varieties, under their label; “Rusticana”. Rusticana is the Latin name for Horseradish, but you won’t find any horseradish in this delightful drop. We promise!
Vines at Langhourne Creek after their winter haircut, awaiting the spring sunshine.
Range of products at Newmans Horseradish Farm Horseradish sleeps through the winter
Wine tasting at Langhorne Creek
From root to jar. The ultimate value add operation.
