We have farewelled family and travelled north via the Tod Highway. We spend time checking out the 100’s of ducks, stilts and many swans at Big Swamp, just out of Port Lincoln, then stopping for lunch at the Bakery at Cummins (very good).

We find other back roads to Carappee Huts campground. It’s quiet, no other campers and we have a clear view of Carappee Hill. Also, there is very interesting geology.

There are two campsites, one within Carappee Hill Conservation Park, its sole amenity is seemingly un-maintained and it’s a case of user beware (of many things). It does look like it has had to weather tempest, storm and fire, quite simply, it looks like it has had the #^!* beat out of it. The huts is the second campground, open, plenty of space and a single maintained drop toilet. It is located on private land, so please respect the property and landscape, it’s a generous arrangement that requires respect.

The patchwork of rural cropping, mallee and rocky hills is picturesque in the soft light. The night sky was fantastic, with no light pollution or moon, every star was brilliant.

Next day we travel north along the conservation park track, it too is not well maintained, not suitable for caravan and or two wheel drive vehicle, especially if wet. Check out the photograph showing some of the erosion found along this track. Best way for such vehicles to gain access to the campground is via the southern access road.

Once clear of the park and a few more smaller back roads we ventured onto the Eyre Highway, stopping at Port Augusta for resupply and lunch. A quick stop at Ororoo to look at a 500+ year old red gum then to Peterborough (the Steam train town) for a camp.

We take the opportunity to see the night light show at the old rail yards, now the Steamtown Heritage Rail Centre. This was informative and wonderful, we never knew how big and important the railway was in this town and to South Australia, 1,200 staff, steam trains in use until 1975 and at one point the busiest rail system in the world. The light show is a real must see, a well put together production. We walked back to camp under a clear star lit night along the town streets lined with old stone buildings with beautiful colours emanating from their stained glass windows.