Larry the Big Lobster, Kingston, South Australia
No Comments »22nd August, 2007; Category: South Australia
On our way home from our recent holiday in Robe we stopped briefly at the seaside town of Kingston. A few years ago we enjoyed a lovely holiday there in the beach house of people we knew. Kingston is a small but very friendly community. It supports thriving farming and fishing industries and tourism is becoming very important too. The rapid growth of holiday homes along the beautiful beach has been a feature in recent years.
On our most recent visit we pulled off the road and stopped for morning tea next to the beach. North of the town one can actually drive on to the beach but here you must stop a few metres short of the sand. My wife and daughter stayed in the car to have their cup of tea because of the freezing cold wind. Mother-in-law and I braved the chilling conditions and went looking for a few shells on the sand. We found very few. After about ten minutes we, too, retreated to the warmth of the car.
As we left the town I stopped to take a photo of Larry the Lobster on the northern entrance to the town. This giant replica lobster is one of a series of giant structures all over Australia. I know of a big orange, a big sheep, a big banana, a big koala, a big pineapple and a big Galah. Other big things around this country include a big guitar, apple, Murray Cod, pelican, pumpkin, prawn, penguin and peanut. This list is just a selection of many, many more. They are all listed on the Australian Big Things website, along with photos and descriptions.
Larry the Lobster, Kingston, South Australia
Coastal vegetation, Robe, South Australia
Coastal vegetation, Robe, South Australia
While we were at Robe in the south east region of South Australia for a holiday recently, my wife asked me to take a series of photos of the coastal vegetation.
Click on the photo to enlarge the image.
Coastal vegetation, Robe, South Australia
Coastal vegetation, Robe, South Australia
Coastal vegetation, Robe, South Australia
Coastal vegetation, Robe, South Australia
Coastal vegetation, Robe, South Australia
Coastal vegetation, Robe, South Australia
Along the coast south of Robe, South Australia
Coastline south of Robe, South Australia
On our last afternoon in Robe on our recent holiday we went for a drive along the coast south of the town. There are a number of rough tracks from the main road leading towards the coast. From time to time one gets a glimpse of the beach and the waves, like in the photo above.
Along the main road the traveller also encounters a series of lakes. Some of these are salt lakes and others contain fresh water. The lakes vary in size from the area of a tennis court through to some that are many kilometres around the perimeter. Most are very shallow.
Old Man Lake, south of Robe, South Australia
These lakes are part of the Little Dip Conservation Park. Camping and picnics are allowed in designated areas near some of the lakes and beaches. We stopped at Old Man Lake for a short picnic. Some home made biscuits and a cup of tea was very welcome. We were entertained by some Superb Blue Wrens and Red Browed Finches hopping around us as we had our picnic. Unfortunately none of them came close enough for a photo. By then the shadows were making it too dark for good photography. (Click on the names of the birds to see photos taken elsewhere.)
Old Man Lake, south of Robe, South Australia
Even though the light was failing as we finished our picnic, I managed several good photos of the reflections on the still water of the lake.
Beacon Hill, Robe, South Australia
During my recent holiday in Robe in the south east region of South Australia I did quite a bit of walking. I find walking to be the best way to investigate an area, as well as lending itself to extra photo opportunities.
Road to Beacon Hill, Robe, South Australia
One day I decided to go on an extended walk through some of the nearby bushland. My immediate target was the lookout called Beacon Hill. This slight hill overlooks the whole town and gives extensive views to the east and south over nearby farming areas as well as Long Beach to the north. It took me about an hour of solid walking to get to the top from the cottage we were renting. It was easy going along a road leading to the top.
The view from Beacon Hill, Robe, South Australia
The view from the top was not as good as I had hoped because of the overcast conditions. I had not only untaken the walk for the exercise but also to go birding. I also hoped to get some photos of birds not normally seen here at home. The walk was good exercise taking over three hours, but the birding was quiet and the photos disappointing. This is just a good excuse to return another day.
Pub Lake, Robe, South Australia
After leaving the lookout on Beacon Hill I followed a well marked bush track east through some dense bushland. The vegetation was beautiful but the birding was quiet. I eventually made my way out to the main road and followed this back to Pub Lake.
Matthew Flinders Monument, Robe, South Australia
Matthew Flinders Monument, Robe, South Australia
Near the Lake Butler Boat Haven in Robe there is a very special monument. This commemorates the time when explorer Matthew Flinders passed by this point while exploring the coastline of South Australia in 1802.
The photo below shows the plaque in more detail. (Click in the photo to enlarge the image).
Matthew Flinders Monument, Robe, South Australia
Across the road from this monument is another special plaque. It commemorates the landing of thousands of Chinese immigrants who passed through the port of Robe on their way overland from Robe to the Victorian gold-fields in the 1850s.
Chinese Memorial, Robe, South Australia