Tuesday, 1 November 2011

Pt Lincoln – Whalers Way – Mikkira Station 1 November (Melbourne Cup Day)

Melbourne Cup Day! Were we off to the cup? Were we off to a lunch? NO! We were off to Whalers Way – It is at the southern tip of the Eyre Peninsula. It was first sighted by Matthew Finders in the “Investigator” in 1802. Everywhere we have been along the coast in WA and here, Flinders has been paramount in the history. The French navigators are also now being acknowledged.
The drive around Whalers Way was on an unpaved road and it was very rough in places as the road was over limestone. There were about 30 points of interest along the way. We were exhausted walking in and out!!! The cliffs were spectacular but after we had seen so many in WA and across the Bight, it was a bit passé. We did see seals on the point off Cape Wiles but could not find the resident Osprey. Went to Cape Carnot - the most SW tip of the Eyre Peninsula. It is also the home of the oldest rock in SA, approx. 2,643 million years old.
At the barbeque area, we found a big group of wrens and I tried my skills at photographing them – had some success.
By 3.30 PM, we headed off to visit Mikkira Station. It is a historic area and a picnic and camping ground. The owner told us that if we parked the car near the shed, the wrens would come and sit on car and look in the side mirrors. We sat and waited and down came the wren. I had a great time photographing him. We then did a big walk through the bush.
Again we were warned about the danger of snakes. As we were leaving the barbeque area at Whalers Way, a huge snake crossed the road and then another before we left the Way. There were lots of Scaly-backed lizards on the road as well.
Finally arrived home after 6.30PM and then we found out which horse won the cup!!!

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