We've arrived on the Fleurieu Peninsula and isn't Meningie a little gem!

Another great day exploring this beautiful country and 29 degrees of spectacular sunny weather!

We were reluctant to leave our idyllic backyard at Meningie, but the road called with more adventures in store! An important job though before we headed out - a bit of TLC for the MH - a well deserved bath!

With the MH all "smiley" and spruced up we scooted up the flat, flat, flat Princes Highway (H1) to Wellington where we crossed the mighty Murray on the car ferry and headed to the wine regions of SA's Fleurieu Peninsula -  Langhorne Creek  and Strathalbyn. 

A pretty little historic town, Langhorne Creek was settled in1850 by Frank Potts on the banks of the Bremer River and was one of Australia's first grape-growing districts. Today it is still one of the fastest growing districts, reputed to have produced more Jimmy Watson Trophy winners than any other Australian wine region. Vineyards sprawl in all directions on the river's flood plain. Bleasdale Winery, established by Frank Potts, still displays the extraordinary giant red gum wine press.

LOL! Guess the name of this "Farm Gate" art work?

The town park had lots "Farm Gate" art scattered in it for the Farm Gate festival - very clever pieces, like the one above!

Strathalbyn! Think I fell in love with it!!! So pretty, full of life and rich in history - settled in 1839 by Scottish migrants, there is the Celtic influence throughout the town and its buildings - loved all the old stone work, the cast iron lacework, and the slate. Heritage listings are big here! Pioneer families still have descendants living in the town.  Apparently it is also a mecca for antique hunters! The centre piece to this lovely town is the Soldiers Memorial Garden that flanks the gentle Angas River that flows through the town. A very productive farming area surrounds the town.

The town's named derived from "Strath" a valley and "Alben", the old name for Scotland.

The Terminus Hotel
So named because the Horse Tram stopped here. First built by Thomas Gollan in the 1840's, the hotel was burnt down in 1867 and rebuilt in iys present form by Richard Hooper from Cornwall, son in law of Col.Dawson.

The Savings Bank, and the Christian Chapel 1873 and Masonic Hall 186l -the oldest buildings

The impressive Savings Bank built in 1930

Argus House, now a craft shop, funky cafe and restaurant - very popular!
Built in 1870 for Joseph Elliot, the owner and Editor of the Southern Argus. It is one of the States oldest newspapers.

The Mill House 1879 and Grain Store 1860.

Blackwell House 1860's, and the Old Power Station 1917-1939

Blackwell House
It was built in the 1860's as a General Store and was later a butchers shop.

The Council Offices in the old Library, the modern new Library behind - blend well!

Beautiful St Andrews  Uniting Church
It dominates the centre of the town from its magnificent position above the St Andrews Bridge  and park..
A small Presbyterian Church built in 1844 was gradually enlarged over the years, and the square tower was was added in 1869 to house a bell, given by Edward Stirling, which proved too heavy for the existing tower.
The clock was installed in 1896.

The beautiful park and gardens and river

The Children's Bridge was given by William Richardson of "Dalveen" in 1919, in memory of his wife, and is a very early example of a reinforced concrete arch.

On the left of the bridge  Dawson Creek runs under Mill Bridge to join the River Angas. The old weir was once the towns swimming pool, before the modern complex was built on the edge of the park

Park residents -the White Cockatoos!

White cockatoos - bit smaller than the Sulphur-Crested ones and not as noisy!

The new modern swimming complex above Dawson Creek

The imposing National Bank building, 1867 overlooks the park with the Angas River meandering peacefully 

The Children's Bridge, and the Bandstand (1912)

The Victoria Hotel- 1860's

The National Trust Museum occupies the old Court House of 1867 and the Police Station and House of 1858, both on the Australian Heritage list.

This cottage is the style (with variations and different sizes) and building materials that are used in many of the historic cottages and homes in the town

Goolwa was our next port of call! :) It was once a thriving river port with a colourful history - the last on the Murray River before it reached the Southern Ocean - where paddle steamers and steam trains met to carry inland produce for shipping overseas. Today it is a busy regional centre and gateway to Cooroong National Park and the lakes system the mouth of the Murray. Like many of these southern coastal towns the wonderful old stone buildings from the 1850's stand proud and add to the charm and beauty of the town. Loved out walk around the State Heritage area which surrounds he Information Centre.

The micro brewery is a popular spot on the wharves.

The old paddle steamer PS Oscar W

The wharves along the Murray, once used when it was a busy, bustling port. The railway line conveniently runs behind the wharves.
 The river width is amazing at this point - looks like a sea!

The bridge across the mighty Murray to North Goolwa and the Cooroong

The Cockle Train - you can ride the historic steam train between Goolwa and Victor Harbour -only operates in the school holidays

Part of the State heritage area - kept immaculately!

Ballast Stone showcases the wines and wineries in the region

We reached our destination, Victor Harbor, nestled on the wide sandy arc of Encounter Bay, mid afternoon - what a spectacular view of the town and harbor we came over the hill at Kleinig Lookout!

Our first glimpse of Victor Harbor as we came over the hill

Encounter Bay and the CBD is propped right on the shores.
Rosetta Head (The Bluff) making an appearance behind the pines. 

Granite Island is connected to the mainland by a causeway.
It is a Recreational Park and is home to seals, Little Penguins and seabirds.
A tramway operates along the causeway -pulled by a draughthorse. An option if you don't want to walk!

Lucky again! Encounter Bay is our backyard for the next few days! :)

Our backyard :)

Also, a quick dash to the electronics store rescued me and I now have a new card reader so I can resume downloading our road trip pics!  Might take me a few days to get the picture-less posts pictured! :)

Looking forward to exploring Victor Harbor tomorrow!

(have put the pics up for the Naracoorte Caves)