Fitzgerald Bay to Lipson Cove

Day 21 - Fitzgerald Bay to Lipson Cove

Fitzgerald Bay, Whyalla, Cowell, Arno Bay, Port Neill, Lipson Cove

Friday, 8 February 2013
Decided to have a drive around Whyalla. A small town with a major steelworks. Walked around the beach foreshore and then up to the Hummock Hill Lookout. Spectactular views of Spencer Gulf, the industrial centre, the town and the Middleback Ranges.

During the 100km drive from Whyalla to Cowell the vegetation changed from saltbush to scrubland and then to fields of barley. Cowell is an attractive town with main street leading to a park and beach. We walked down the main street and I bought some groceries and bread. It has a harbour (Franklin Harbour) which contains many oyster leases and is a growing commercial industry for the town.

Was going to camp at Port Gibbon. A tiny village with access by dirt road but the camping ground was situated up on the cliff with a steps to the beach. So no access for Tuka to the beach. Tried to find the Port Gibbon bush camp but track got too sandy so I turned back. I didn't want to get bogged in the middle of nowhere.

Stopped at Arno Bay. Had a walk along the 1.4km Mangrove Boardwalk through the mangroves, mudflats and ending at the creek mouth. Boardwalk built by local community with grants from governments.  Next stop was off the main road at Port Neill. Stopped at the park so that Tuka could have a walk.

Turned off the highway onto a dirt road and drove Lipson Cove about 3pm. Pretty site with only four caravans already there. Set up camp and then Tuka and I had swim, a late lunch, some walking and then I did some reading while Tuka slept. No reception for either Telstra or Optus so no connection with the outside world.

	Whyalla [Map]		Whyalla industrial centre [Map]
	Pub at Cowell [Map]		Mangrove boardwalk at Arno Bay [Map]
	Park and jetty at Port Neill [Map]		Lipson Cove [Map]