“It’s All About The Experience – Yours and Ours ” Volume 11 Issue 1 Telephone : 08 8356 1874 January 2009

may not have been altogether cottish accidental, as she was a former maid S born John and he had married “below his station”. Riddoch is a prominent figure he theme of the trip was hristmas Eve was an in Penola’s "Coonawarra - Australia's opportunity to visit some of history. He settled T other Red Centre" - an C the many attractions in Penola in the area in excellent marketing logo from the -including the Mary McKillop Centre, 1861and had a Coonawarra Vigneron's Association, “Never Too Old” Antiques shop and profound impact being a group of wine companies that Di Giorgio Family Wines. on the district. have joined together to promote Coonawarra and its wines, and to protect In March 2002 the Di Giorgio Family His crowning the interests of their members. became the achievement was proud owners the establishment Our trip began through the Tatiara of the second of the Penola Fruit Colony in 1897. Country (“Tatiara” is an Aboriginal oldest winery The magnificent two storey homestead word meaning “the good country”, and in the “Yallum Park” was built between 1878 took in an historic drive through the Coonawarra. & 1880 for John Riddoch, and is said to 1870’s Stations of Buckingham, This winery be the best preserved Victorian house in Cannawigra, Wirrega and . had been original condition within Australia.

Incidentally, the main Adelaide to known since the early 1950’s as Melbourne road passed through It features one of the largest collections ‘Rouge Homme’ and holds enormous of William Morris wallpapers, and has Mundulla until 1940. importance within the ‘winescape’ of Italian Australia. painted South of Naracoorte doors and f particular interest was a many is the iconic 2005 Coonawarra fortified homestead O original; Shiraz. Made in furnishings Struan part from shiraz vines House. and dating back to the fixtures. John Robertson had the house built in original Coonawarra All decorations date from 1879. 1875 as his “retirement home”. It was fruit growing colony of sold to the State Government in 1946 1890, this wine is a great Yallum Park was purchased by the and is now occupied by Primary example of the heritage Clifford Family in 1914 and we were Industries and Rural Solutions SA. of the DiGiorgio privileged to have a guided tour with 91 year old Mr Glen Clifford. Coonawarra vineyard. The renovations completed over the last Staff, family and friends A Christmas Day Church service few months are in keeping with the gathered late in vintage conducted by Fr Paul Gardiner original charm and character of the to hand pick the super preceded the arrival back at our motel building. ripe shiraz grapes. of a very convivial man in red suit.!! A tour of the house introduced us to the Following open story of “Frances” who died there in After a traditional Christmas lunch we fermentation and gentle 1927. Her (friendly) ghost is said to be took a short drive to Bool Lagoon pressing the wine was present in the building. Game Reserve and Hacks Lagoon fortified with pure brandy spirit and Conservation Park. Although birds She was the wife of Alexander matured in old French oak. were few due to the drought conditions, Robertson, and there is some conjecture This wine can only be purchased at the we enjoyed a stroll along the very her fall from the tower of the building cellar door. pleasant Tea Tree boardwalk.

DESERT SKY TOURS……….. 1998 Finalist – Small Business Award Finalist …….. 2002 Winner – Northern SA Business Awards

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Christmas 2008 (continued) Editorial

Christmas night showcased the talent of our people, with elcome to our first newsletter for 2009! everyone taking part in a “Murder Mystery”, and several W Jenny and I hope you have a happy and dressing in costume appropriate to their allocated prosperous new year. character!! Last year was a busy time for us—and I’m in no doubt that The Duke of Felthorpe had suffered a tragic accident while 2009 will be just as busy., especially as this is the last year locked in his bathroom. Was his death as innocent as it of our coach tours. Also, recent rain has rejuvenated the seemed? And did his last will and testament remain outback and whetted (!) the appetite to visit this remarkable unchallenged? part of Australia. Did we find out “who dunnit”? ……….Absolutely!! Rawnsley Park reported 4 inches of rain during a 4 week Proclamation Day included touring Mt Gambier (the period to December 14th—this being mostly monsoonal Umpherston Cave gardens were at their best), then on to Port moisture from the north. Up to 70mm was recorded in the McDonnell through , where it is interesting to Birdsville area. stop at the sink hole in the middle of the road. Many tons of stone were tipped into the sink hole opening in an effort to Our full itinerary is printed on the back page of this make a solid foundation for the road to be built. newsletter, and our trips commence on 1st March to the The sink hole simply swallowed all the rubble and left a southern most point in Australia -Wilson’s Promontory. gaping hole. The road still divides around it. (The itinerary also takes in the Grampians and Great Ocean Road). As mentioned in our October newsletter, we have Continuing on to Port chosen the comfortable Meeniyan Motel as our base for McDonnell, we vis- exploring the Prom.

ited Dingley Dell— Later in March we have two trips to Kangaroo Island—the the home of Adam first of which has been filled through members of the Tea Lindsay Gordon, one Tree Gully Probus Club. of Australia's famous poets. A new trip this year explores central and southern Eyre This eccentric and Peninsula. The 5 day itinerary is modelled on our talented character Christmas 2007 trip, and is based in the picturesque seaside from Australia's past lived at Dingley Dell from 1864 until town of Tumby Bay. It includes the SeaSA ferry from 1867 and the time he spent there was probably the most Wallaroo to Lucky Bay, a day trip around the western coast fortunate of his colourful life. It was during this time that he to Point Drummond, Coles Point, Dutton Bay and Coffin indulged in his two great passions, horses and writing. Bay, and visits Port Lincoln, Sleaford and Koppio.

Gordon was not known as an excellent horseman, but he rode with daring and instinct. The tale of his leap at the Blue The popular Birdsville/Innamincka and Cooper Creek trips Lake is part of local folklore . Gordon was renowned for commence in June with a trip up the Strzelecki Track to training his horses to jump at angles and heights normally Innamincka and the Cooper Creek Homestay. difficult for a horse. We have two Birdsville departures- July and August. On 28 July 1864 he was riding with some friends near the Blue Lake in Mt Gambier when he spurred his horse forward 2009 will be an interesting year, with the financial sector in across the road and over a four foot high picket fence, land- such an unpredictable state. We do know that travellers ing at a dead stop on a narrow eight foot ledge. Beyond the don’t stop travelling, they just look to adjust their plans and ledge was a sheer drop to the waters of the Blue Lake below. seek out travel which offers value for money. This feat has never been imitated to this day. It was during his stay at Dingley Dell that his first poem was In addition to the Coach tours, we have set dates for published outside a newspaper or magazine. four personalised tours—including Coongie Lakes! These 4WD trips may also be available at other times Nearby is and Cape Banks Lighthouse depending on our itinerary program. which is the area where the Admella was wrecked in 1859.

The Admella is one of Australia's worst shipping disasters Desert Sky Tours is a secure business, a member of and events are planned for the 150th Commemoration during The Travel Compensation Fund, and does not “live on 2009. cash flow”. Our accommodation in Penola was at the Coonawarra Motor Lodge, with meals in the Bushman’s Inn. We recommend both as excellent. Where will we go this year?? …...watch this space!

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Big Red Desert Challenge Bon Bon Station

ow here’s something different! on Bon Station, a 217,000 hectare sheep

N The world’s toughest long-distance team walking and B station west of Coober Pedy, is now a private running event will be held across the Simpson Desert protected bush reserve thanks to a unique agreement with the State and Federal Government. in May 2009. The route will take participants from the start near the junction of The property has been bought by Bush Heritage the Colson Track and the French Line eastwards across the sand Australia with the assistance of funding from the SA dunes to Poeppel Corner. From here the route runs east again, Department of Heritage and the Federal National cross-country, staying south of the QAA Line to Nappanerica Reserve System

Dune, the fabled "Big Red" near Birdsville. Remotely situated in between the The six day event averages 40km over 100 dunes per day, total- Great Victoria Desert and the large salt lakes of Eyre, ling 240 km across the largest parallel sand dune desert on earth. Torrens and Gairdner, Bon Bon Reserve is a desert The entry fee $3595 includes transport from Alice Springs to the jewel of around 216, 810 hectares (approximately race start, a $200 donation to The Friends of The Simpson the size of suburban Sydney). Desert, and 10 litres of water per day but does not include food or emergency evacuation. Bon Bon's scenic desert landscape is dotted with Entrants will need to be self sufficient for minor first aid needs, shimmering salt lakes, freshwater wetlands, mulga cooking, and camping. shrublands, bluebush plains, and arid-zone woodlands. Teams are not permitted to have their own support teams for this These provide a rich diversity of habitats for the event. Any team seen receiving assistance from other people will region's wildlife including species that are rare or threatened. be disqualified and evacuated to Birdsville. If you would like further details, visit the website at: It protects seven regional ecosystems, three of which http://www.escalade.com.au/sdindex.htm are listed as threatened at the state level. It lies within a pastoral landscape, and provides an outstanding Snippets from around opportunity to safeguard ecosystems that are currently not well protected in other reserves.

or the first time in the long history of the Peterborough While Bon Bon is regarded as being among the most Christmas Pageant, the elements combined to cause the F ecologically intact sheep-grazing properties in South cancellation of the event which had been planned for Australia, some of its habitats will need to be actively months. Ironically, requirements by ETSA Utilities regarding restored. Returning them to health will help improve the attachment of council’s festoon lighting also meant that 2008 the resilience and productivity of this arid landscape was the first year that the Christmas lighting could not be lit. and its importance for the local wildlife Snowtown residents joined in the hype and excitement of the Bush Heritage aims to dedicate 1 per cent of Australia's recent opening of their new wind farm. The $220 million, 47 land mass to conservation and CEO Doug Humann turbine wind farm “will help develop a positive new image for says that Bon Bon station is their thirtieth purchase the town”. and particularly unique. A new housing estate will see 50 houses built at Tumby Bay in "It's important because the landscape is so significant." coming years. Adelaide company Kiebrox Development has he says. "This is unique because the funds have come opened up 50 blocks for sale on McCallum Street near the directly to Bush Heritage from the South Australian marina, with more to open up in stage two later down the track. government. Then to have additional funds from the Iron Knob is slowly slipping back into fame and interest of Commonwealth was also very important”. researchers after a 3150 million year old rock was discovered approximately 10km south west of the forgotten town. The rock which has been informally named Coyerdoo Granite is the oldest rock discovered in South Australia so far.

Locals are How to contact us: optimistic that the finding could spark  PO Box 683 further research by GLENELG SA 5045 mineral processing  companies and the 08 8356 1874 Lake Puckridge—Bon Bon Station government.  [email protected]

 www.desertskytours.com

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Penola News Simpson Desert Itinerary for he Penola Bypass Road is a he South Australian Govern- 2009 T major road project planned by T ment has closed the Simpson for the Desert Conservation Park from Penola Township and forms part of 1st December 2008 until mid-March Council's Penola Freight Access Birdsville/Innamincka this year, and tourist officers are now (9 days) ~ $2050 pp Project. waiting for the Queensland Government Saturday July 18 Current figures indicate that there are to do the same for Queensland's national Saturday August 15 approximately 550 heavy transport park. vehicle movements through the Penola Cooper Creek/Innamincka Lyn Rowlands from the Birdsville (7 days) ~ $1625 pp township per day and with the narrow Visitor Information Centre says up to Wednesday June 24 carriageway and significant pedestrian 15,000 tourists a year visit the park, but traffic in Church Street, these concerns Flinders Ranges/Arkaroola temperatures of up to 50 degrees during (5 days) ~ $1050 pp are certainly warranted. summer makes it dangerous to travel. Including “Ridgetop Tour” Sunday September 20 At the Council meeting held on 9th "There's a lot of inexperienced drivers, Wednesday October 14 December, 2008 Council resolved to especially the overseas one who half the Gawler Ranges formally acquire the land required for time haven't even experienced our heat (5 days) ~ $895 pp the Penola Bypass road corridor . out here let alone driving through sand Monday September 7 dunes and it just gets a little bit dicey for Council will now undertake the formal them ... it's not a decision that has been Kangaroo Island survey of the road corridor and lodge (4 days) ~ $925 pp taken lightly, it's taken quite a few years documentation with the Surveyor- Tuesday March 24 to reach this decision and I'm just so General for formal approval of the Tuesday March 31 happy they've decided on it now," she road openings by the Minister in said. Mungo /Hattah National Parks March, 2009. (5 days) ~ $945 pp Saturday April 18 hose who attended our Christmas Day Church Birdsville News Tumby Bay & Eyre Peninsula T (5 days) ~ $845 pp Service in Penola met Fr Paul Wednesday November 18 Gardiner. He has since stepped down The Queensland State Government has as postulator for the cause of canonisa- announced an historic campsite used by William Creek & The Painted Desert (9 days) ~ $1845 pp tion of Blessed Mary MacKillop—a explorers Burke and Wills, and known Friday May 1 role he had been in for 25 years. The as 'camp plant', north-west of Birdsville, new postulator is Sister Maria Casey. has been protected under the Heritage Wilson’s Promontory & Great Ocean Rd In a recent interview Fr Paul remarked Act. (9 days) ~ $1825 pp Sunday March 1 “The best thing about being a In 1861, Wills buried his astronomical postulator was it gave you a bit of instruments and other gear in the hope status in the Vatican. When you went they would return later to collect them, to see someone and they asked ‘who but both men died soon after. Personalised 4WD Tours are you’ it was a help to say: ‘I am the postulator ’.” (a postulator is one who No-one will be able to enter or remove looks after the case for sainthood ) anything from the site without a permit. Coongie Lakes & The Cooper Creek

(7 days)_- $1995 pp Don Rowlands from the Wangkangurra Thursday May 21

Lake Eyre Yacht Club people says while that is welcome - it has been a long time coming and too Mungo & Hattah National Parks (5 days) ~ $1075 pp The Clubhouse Building Program is in late to recover some of the lost items. Tuesday February 17 full swing with the building lifted and "Well it is too late, but the bottom line is Sky-trek & The Flinders construction of the wharf commenced that protection is now happening and (5 days) - $995 pp in 2008. However materials are in any protection is good for the site," he Friday August 28 short supply - in particular secondhand said. corrugated iron and hardwood framing Yorke Peninsula & Southern Flinders "I guess people searching for this camp (5 days) - $995 pp timber (4x2, 4x1.5, 3x1.5). If you are over the years have taken bits and pieces Tuesday October 27 renovating or demolishing a building from time to time. between Melbourne and Marree, Adelaide and Broken Hill and would "It's a really historical site, so it's really Other Personalised tours in 4WD vehicle can be arranged by request be prepared to donate materials they sad that things have gone missing." will pick up.