Two autumn walks

Walk 1: Onkaparinga River 
Last week we ventured north to the Onkaparinga River National Park. The sun was shining, a picnic lunch and thermos had been packed and we were heading into unknown territory. Anticipation was high. This is a large park with numerous gates opening off the main road and many listed walks. Unfortunately our 2010 map did not help as, apparently, all the gate numbers had been changed a year or so ago; hence Gate 6, our destination, was now Gate 11. (We only found this out after looking on the internet when we returned home.)  After some moments of deliberation, we decided to do the signed Echidna Trail.

The walk was not particularly scenic as a lot of the trees were regrowth eucalypts and, after the summer, everything seemed dry and crunchy. There were wattle trees, river red gums, peppermint box and she-oaks. I do love grass trees and there were many of them.

High on the ridge overlooking the river and gorge (though it was difficult to see any water at all) were the ruins of a house, built in the 1880s so our pamphlet said.

After the walk, we decided to visit Old Noarlunga, a village on a bend of the Onkaparinga River and settled in 1840s. Sadly, despite a detailed brochure extolling the historic atmosphere of the place, the sense of history eluded us. Many old buildings have been demolished and shops and businesses have closed. However, there were a few beautifully restored houses.

We had lunch on the banks of the river in a very peaceful setting.

On the way back home we impulsively turned off into Mt Jagged Winery not far from Victor Harbor where we sampled and bought a lovely semillon and a sparkling red.

The autumn light shone through the leaves.







Walk 2: Hindmarsh River Trail
Not far from home is the Hindmarsh River. There is a walk that follows its winding route to Encounter Bay. We walked the midsection which was called the Wattle Trail. The walk was flat and easy.

The river was fairly narrow at this point and lined with river red gums and swamp paperbarks

This was a beautiful section of the river.

We played Pooh sticks here, throwing our sticks in then hurrying to the other side of the bridge. Even though Steve threw his stick further out than mine, he still won.  Pooh!