A few days exploring the Limestone Coast (South Australia)

With a few days free we decided to head down to check out some of the countryside in South Australia's South East. With my partner in crime, Paul, living in Victor Harbor we decided to meet at the Wellington Ferry turn off.

So, it was off on a quick 100km buzz up the freeway before stopping for fuel and some breakfast at Tailem Bend


The river is flowing nicely




Soon we met at the turn off




And then headed off to some dirt. First to get a bit of air out of those tyres




Before finding some nice tracks south




Then the nice tracks became a little bit sandy




Until the combination of weight and lack of skill found us zig zagging around followed by falling off




With steep dunes in the distance we chickened out and turned to look for another way on. But first a bit of a breather was called for at Malinong (nice little spot for a break)




After being tempted once more




We soon found some less sandy tracks and headed south once more




Mt Boothby Conservation Park provided some interesting tracks




And then on to Messent Conservation Park






And more tracks until we popped out at Salt Creek




The burgers weren’t bad (and popular by the looks of it )




Then it was on to check out Tea Tree Crossing




When the Coorong levels are low it’s possible to get across the water of the upper Coorong to the ocean beach on the other side. With water levels now so high through the entire system this wasn’t an option




We then picked up the old road that winds its way through the Coorong National Park. There’s just something about the temptation of a salt lake



And picking the right moment to decide when it’s time to turn around!




After weaving our way through the park we eventually got down onto the beach at the “Granites”. Aptly named as it consists of a few big granite rocks sticking out of the sand



I nice place to drop a line… or laze around it you’re a seal




From there the beach stretches in both directions for many kilometres. For us it was south again along the hard packed sand to Kingston




Then it was on towards Robe and a camp somewhere for the night. Pine forests always provide a good place for some stealth camping, so the search for a good spot began.



It wasn’t long before we found somewhere right out of the way to set up camp and unpack





Next morning still had us heading south but via some nice out of the way (very old) tracks



One in particular followed close to one of the many drainage streams that criss cross the whole area. Lots of nice future camp sites out here



Even the gates were unlocked



A few quaint little bridges



Until we came to Woakwine Cutting not far from Beachport

Back in the 1950’s a farmer decided to try and organise a channel from the swamp on one part of his property across a range to give him access to more water. After disagreements with the Drainage Board re the plan he decided to go it alone and the 8 Kilometre channel including the 1 kilometre long, 30mt deep cutting is the result. Only took him 3 years and 5000hrs on a Caterpillar D7!



Now on the way north we picked up some nice trails and headed towards Bool Lagoon



We wanted to ride around the lagoon and check it out but the idea of paying an entrance fee to ride in a few kms of National Park put us off on principle (don’t start me on SA National Parks and Wildlife.. )



With it getting a later in the day it was time to start searching around for a suitable campsite.



After checking out a few likely areas we found and old fence that was (sort of) laying down



That led cross country through some scrub land



To a nice sheltered camp



Where we soon had a fire going



Next morning we filled up at Padthaway



in the heart of grazing and grape growing country



then north on to Keith for a late breakfast



before attempting a shortcut



that once again ended in retreat



After back tracking it was soon on to the Wellington turn off, then a quick sprint home up the freeway.

A top few days with plenty to check out on a return trip sometime soon!

Cheers

Looks like a good time!

Wouldn't mind finding out where some of those tracks are....

top effort!

Top RR, looks like a great ride, just how do you find those tracks, this is just what I want to get up to...going to order a Garmin 60csx, hoping it helps me find my way around.

Cheers Terry

i would also like to find those tracks as i have a couple of brothers in the south east and am heading that way soon.

great RR, looks like you found some great tracks. I could do with some sand practice,

Great RR bully, thanks

Is it very time consuming planning & logging in your routes to your gps before you leave or do you 'ad-lib' on the run ?

Great report. I'm another that wouldn't mind finding out the details of your route. Nice stuff.

Nice one, I did a bit of riding around Messent NP and Salt Creek on my Suzuki RM80 as a little tacker, great fun.

I once drowned the little Suzi trying to cross Tea Tree to get to the dunes....had to push it all the way back to Salt Creek....not so much fun, the things you do when you are 12

thanks for posting!

nice pictures :)

Another great RR. And I've downloaded your file from TAT. Ta.

Might be able to meld it with something I've been working on.

That last camping spot looks a gem.

Cheers,
Graeme

No worries Graeme, hope the file is useful in your planning.

Flick me an email if you want any more info re that camp site

Cheers

Cheers for the RR

inspired me to head down there myself and do some exploring!

Great RR.

Loved it. Must have around keith, Robe and penola soon. Thanks for the effort

Just stumbled on to this report and it's a cracker!
Love the South East but have mainly stuck to the tracks of Little Dip NP from Robe onwards.

Would love to follow your route one day, especially the sandy stretches
Cheers & thanks for posting.
Con.

Great report. I'm thinking of heading to Robe for the June long weekend and was planning to cross the Coorong at Ti Tree and ride up the beach all the way to Kingston. If I get to do it will put up a RR with shots etc.

I'll keep an eye out for your RR. Good luck

Cheers