20120321 SA Salt Creek, Wellington & Milang

21-03-2012  Stayed at Kingston and spoke to my little man Ash on Skype he's soo cute.  Were over the wind it's difficult to park up on a beach so we look for Parks away from the wind.  We saw a BP across the road and found they have hot showers for $2.00 bargain I can wash my hair.  Drove the tourist rout in Kingston S.E followed by a bit of shopping ready for the long drive along the edge of the Coorang National Park with it's large salt lakes. 

A fly by shoot of grape picking a bit easier than the old days.

The park we stayed in over night away from the wind.

Stopped at Meningie for lunch and a lovely cup of tea to warm us up, which is a small town situated on Lake Alexandrina.

A fly by shoot of the salt lake.

Des Heavy Haling, well that's what he recons.

Next Melang then I noticed, what I thought was a railway line but to our surprise it's a car ferry, shit now what do we do we didn't know if you had to book then we reed the sign it's free.  The ferry is a continuous transport back and forth non stop across the Murry how cools that. 

These Wind Mills were tucked away on the shore before crossing the Murry to Wellington which wasn't on our map.

Originally established as a private enterprise in 1839, the Wellington Punt was the earliest and most important ferry crossing on the Murray River.

In 1849 the South Australian Government took over its operation and constructed a new ferry landing which, in the early 1850s, served the escort coaches bringing gold to Adelaide from the Victorian gold fields. Reports for February 1852 indicated that a total of 1234 people and 1266 horses and bullocks, pulling 164 carriages, crossed the river during that month. Total fees collected were £64.

When getting off the other side I saw what looked like an old building and had to check it out, 170 years old we were told.  The museum was closed but when this lady asked where we were from and we said Brisbane she was kind enough to let us through.

 

The Courthouse was built in 1864 cost 1435 pounds and it's function were Courthouse,Police Station,Ferry House and Post & Telegraph office.

The back of the Courthouse

The Old Telephone Exchange

Original Bell used to summon the Ferry.

The court room, Des is on trial for fraud. 

The old pot belly stove and I just noticed the old stove poker with shovel and brush on the R.H.S is the same as the one we have at home.

The old typewriter I remember my Mother had one pity we didn't still have it, it would make for some great stock photo's for Nick.

And the old saddle and bridal rack or to tie up your horse.

Parked up in Milang and did our usual strolled around looking for somewhere to stay and the best place we could find was opposite a caravan park, "will we or won't we" Arr what can they do we parked up and walked to the Pub for tea, It's $9 chicken schnitzel night.  We spotted an old pin ball machine and had a few games then I smashed Des in pool.

Ya gotta love the old items and we've seen lots on this trip.

 

Holiday cabins on the water.

Midland has been occupied by settlers since 1832, however little development accrued until 1886, when the Midland Railway Company commenced operation.