Human Nature

Last night we decided to do some bush camping at Lowly Point rather than go into Whyalla. This way we could also do some sight seeing along the way without having to double back the next day.

What we have found is that we enjoy the bush camping so much more than staying in caravan parks, despite the lack of facilities.

We drove along eleven kilometres of winding goat track to get to this place, here and there four wheel drives were parked along the edge of the shore looking out to the magnificent Fitzgerald Bay. Eventually we came to a beautiful little beach with a few holiday shacks along it and we were so hoping that this was it...but, no signs to indicate that camping was permitted here.

Into the GPS went the co-ordinates, still 1.1km to go so off we went.

Ah, there it was, three very large dust bowl parking areas with a playground at the top and a toilet block alongside and....at least fifteen caravans!

The view out to Port Pirie is spectacular but along the point is a break wall to protect the fishing boats that come in.

Should we go back along the goat track and check out camping at Fitzgerald Bay or will it be identical to this one?

We decided to stay. Beautiful sunset, although cloudy on the west side, still meant that the eastern sky over the Flinders Ranges was a pastel pink purple.

But let me tell you a little bit more about this normally would have been a jewel in SA.

On the point is a lighthouse.

On the Fitzgerald Bay side a breakwater has been built for the aquaculture industry which farms yellow tail kingfish. It seems it's also a popular spot with fishermen and the back drop is the southern Flinders Ranges.

On the other side, we have the little beach we found accidentally on our way in. At the end of the beach is a pier. On the other side of the pier...is Port Bonython Santos plant. Yay, you can clearly see the plant from many vantage points...as if people come here just to view the plant.

What do they do here at the plant?

Crude oil, napthas, propane and butane (LPG) are made and stored, then pumped to the end of the 2.4km jetty to waiting tankers.

If you're interested, there's an information bay about the plant. (We haven't seen this yet).

Have a nice day.