Port Augusta - The gateway to the outback

26^th October,2011

We are now in Port Augusta, the gateway to the outback.  We had four days in Adelaide relaxing sightseeing and organizing some things for the bikes.  We met a very interesting couple Nick and Ye, Ye is from China and as well as showing us how to cook vegetables the Chinese way gave us some information about China.  We left Adelaide on a beautiful sunny day and rode along the beach front before we had to tackle the Adelaide traffic. As we left Adelaide behind we rode through farmland, mainly wheat. Anyone who has driven along here will remember the figures in the paddocks including a robot and a giant beetle. We made it to Wakefield, 108kms away, that day.  Wakefield is typical of the coastal towns we have seen, a petrol station, takeaway, pub and a caravan park.  The next day was 35 degrees and a hot head wind, after 15 kms we decided not to travel any further.   Setting off early the next morning after our enforced day off we wanted to have breakfast at the next town Locheil but when we arrived at 8 am nothing was open.  We had not been too keen to stop at the infamous Snow Town but now we had no choice.  The sign post to Snow Town say Big Blade and we were a bit worried what that might be but to our relief it was a mounted blade from a wind turbine. It was huge.  There are lot of wind farms around here we can see them on the hills as we ride along. We had a good day riding the wind was with us and despite some rain got to Crystal Brook 85kms away.   The next saw us arriving at Port Augusta after 110 kms of riding.  Mainly wheat farming with the Flinders Ranges now in sight, flat roads and a lot off road trains.  We need to prepare for the next stage of our journey so we will assess and shop here today and head of to the West tomorrow.