Sunday 10th April 2022
This morning we woke to a much calmer morning on the water. The wind has died right down.
It didn’t last long as we travelled north east to Whyalla. The wind picked up and was pushing us over the road.
We arrived at the Whyalla Foreshore Van Park and checked in. We had a waterfront spot a few spots from Babcia and Dziadzio.
We had lunch outside of the van looking at the very tidal water.
After lunch we drove to a place called Hummock Hill. Hummock Hill had incredible views over the township, boat ramp and beach.
Hummock Hill
Hummock Hill was surveyed by Matthew Flinders on the 9th of March 1802. It was the site of the first European settlement at the turn of the twentieth century.
Iron ore was discovered at nearby Iron Knob in the mid-1800’s and BHP (Broken Hill Proprietary Company Limited) acquired leases to mine in November 1899. Around it a tramway was constructed to connect the coast to ore deposits at Iron Knob. This was followed by the construction of a jetty from which to load the ore onto ships, and the town of Hummock Hill was born.
A small store opened in 1903 and the first school opened in 1905. The first telephone service was installed in 1911. The settlement of Hummock Hill changed its name to Whyalla when the town was officially established in 1914.
During World War II it served as a gun battery and observation post.
We walked down to the Marina and had a quick walk around the new Whyalla Jetty and saw some dolphins at the marina.
We then went to the Whyalla foreshore playground. It was early evening when we arrived back at the caravan. We prepared and ate dinner before putting the girls to sleep.
Monday 11th April
We went from a walk along the beach to the foreshore again today, this time with Babcia and Dziadzio.
We played at the playground and also kicked a ball until it deflated after getting a hole in it. We also threw the frisbee on the nice green grass at Ada Ryan gardens.
We again walked to the jetty to check it out and this time did a lap around the Whyalla Jetty.
We had a lazy afternoon at the caravan. The wind picked up and started blowing a gale. We pulled the awning in very quickly.
Tuesday 12th April
We visited the Mount Laura Homestead and gained some insight into the first families of Whyalla.
Mount Laura homestead was built in 1922 by Mort Goode. In 1933, Mr George Andrew Nicholson bought the homestead and added it to the Roopena Holdings. Mr Nicholson owned just over 550 sq miles by 1933 which included 5 other stations as well.
The Cowled Family were the first European family to take up land in Whyalla in 1897.
We relaxed for the rest of the afternoon and sorted ourselves out for the move tomorrow
Tomorrow
We move on to Port Augusta.
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