We left Peterborough and headed to Port Augusta for a few groceries and a stop at the local bakery. Judy had taken us on a bit of a short cut that took us past wind farms and some picturesque scenery, road was narrow and bumpy.
It had rained the night before and was still a pretty gloomy day.
We stopped for the night at Iron Knob RV Park, a donation park, and $2 for hot showers. The best hot showers since I have left home.
Camping was on a gravel base which was great when the storm rolled in at 4.30am.
There was not a blade of grass around, plenty of spiky weeds and loads of flies.
The town of Iron Knob is situated at the foot of an iron ore mine on the North East of the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia.
Iron Knob began as a housing settlement for miners somewhere between the late 1800’s to early 1900’s. It is often said to be the birthplace of Australia’s steel industry, and the mine is among the oldest still active in Australia.
Star Date – 9/4/26
We stopped for a break at Kimba and boy were we impressed. We weren’t staying the night but plan to spend a few days there on our way.
We pushed on at stopped at the Star Base Wudinna at the RV park. $10 unpowered, $20 powered. Drinking water, bins, table and chairs, toilets and one shower for $2.
Aboriginal meaning is Granite Hill (Woodina), has a population of approx 500 people and is the largest town in the council area.
Star Date, 6th day of the 5th month in the year 2026.
After my enjoyable stay at Nyngan I headed towards Broken Hill, stopping at base camp at Wilcannia. We have driven through it several times but due to not finding any suitable places off road to stop for the night I elected to stay safely at the Victory Caravan Park that is council run. There were 9 other travellers there as well as a large group of locals staying a few days. Families with lots of youth from town coming and going. We had no issues at all, a friendly bunch having a great time.
I’d was at Broken Hill in Oct 2024 with Chris, we stayed here for several day exploring the local attractions. You can look back over past Captain’s logs to read what we got up to.
I stayed at the Event Centre and Racecourse where we stayed last night. We had a grassed non powered section all to ourselves. It’s a few km’s out of the main town area but that makes it nice and quiet.
After a brief stop at the shops it was onward to Peterborough SA. My meeting place to meet up with Judy. I was arriving a day earlier to relax a bit after my long few days of travel.
There are strict restrictions of bringing in fruit and veg, check before you cross the border to avoid having to throw out any food. The quarantine station was at Oodla Wirra, friendly man who gave Jess’s carrot the thumbs up and we were on our way.
I was excited and a little emotional to reach Peterborough. I had driven 1865km’s on my own over 6 days. It was a big deal, I said to Chris I made it and knew he would be so proud.
I drove straight to the self contained RV park, setup camp and chilled for a few mins before lunch. It’s like a big oval, people camping mostly around the outside, a big green area in the middle, mostly weeds rather than grass. Nice and flat. There are bins but no other facilities which is why you must be self contained. In town is a dump point and potable water. There is also a dog park very close by.
We mostly chilled for the afternoon with a few short walks with Jess.
7th April, Jess and I did the walk into town. About a 1km to the dump point area and then a very long street. Peterborough is known for trains. Steamtown Heritage Rail Centre and visitor information centre was unfortunately closed, due to the Council’s current financial position. Sounds like they are working towards reopening sometime in 2026.
There are several old steam trains around town.
Y Class Steam locomotive, in the town square.
Town Carriage Museum, a 1916 first class sleeping car, which was used on the first train across the Nullarbor from Port Augusta to Kalgoorlie.
Bob the Railway Dog, located in front of the carriage museum. Bob was the engine drivers companion, died at 13 years of age in 1895. Jess makes friends where ever she goes.
Judy also arrived today, so no more travelling solo for a while.
