South Australia

Leaving Broken Hill, I headed to Port Augusta, at the northern tip of Spencer Gulf. From there a journey to Whyalla on the western side of the Gulf and back for the night.

Park leading to ship yard and/or steel works

The caption on this slide says Whyalla Ship Yards. Which is entirely possible, as Australia was still building ships at this time. Sadly no more. There is also a steel works here, which is still in operation due to the nearby source of iron ore.

Looking down suburban street to large bay with light green water and overcast sky

Spencer Gulf as seen from some residential street in Whyalla.

Road in flat country leading to mountain with middle being cut out

The mountain/hill in the middle is at Iron Knob, and probably is "the knob". It is iron ore, ready for smelting at the steelworks in Whyalla, which is about 60 km away - and the reason for the steelworks being there.

Quiet road with small hall and iron ore hill behind

Iron Knob from the township of the same name, though I suspect this was from the edge of town.

Journey Home

Just before sunrise with light in sky, but no sun

Dawn is about to break, as seen from my motel room in Port Augusta. From here, it was the beginning of the return to Sydney.

2 lane road, trees on both sides, running through small town

This is likely (or at least near) Wilmington, in the Flinders Ranges of South Australia. The journey home was via Renmark, Mildura and Hay and on towards Sydney.

2 lane road through township hidden by trees, with hill in the distance

The town of Greenock (so says the sign!) near Nurioopta, South Australia. The map shows this town has now been bypassed by the highway heading to Mildura.

Renmark

Street with wide grassy divider and mature trees hiding shops opposite

The main street of Renmark, which was the day's destination. This is the heart of South Australia's Riverland district, which was and still is, a major fruit producing region. Especially citrus fruit.

Bridge with one lane road on each side and rail line down the middle

Another combined road/rail bridge on this journey (the other being in Menindee). This one is near Renmark.

Bridge over river showing girder section and lift section

The same bridge as above, complete with truck crossing it. This is the Murray River, the source of irrigation water for the district - when there is not a drought. The river flows into the Lower Lakes before entering the sea (when there's sufficent flow). Adelaide also draws water from it, though the Murray does not flow through there.

Rows of grape vines, irrigation sprinklers and rows of trees further away

There is a viewing tower to let visitors see over some of the district. The nearby rows are grapes (another product of this area - the Barossa Valley is not too far away), as well as citrus - the trees a bit further away.

Well, the photographic record stops here. I think this was the trip where I thought I had a toothache starting, and wanted to get home in case the dentist was needed. It turned out not necessary, but better to be safe.

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