Another 4 day weekend so off to Robe and Mt Gambier

[Matt_01]

It is school holidays and another 4 day weekend so we are off to Robe and Mt Gambier and maybe else where. This will not be a detailed trip report rather a collection of photos. Also after burning a small hole in the pocket at wineries on KI we agreed that the 4x4 would not be used to haul wine. So an hour later than planned we left and on the way the first stop we made Meningie. Some nice old buildings however I noticed a statue of an ostrich and wondered what that was about, apparently there was a bush ranger in the 1890s who used an ostrich as his mount, The birdman of the Coorong

Along the way I did consider using the beach road for a bit of fun but decided against it as I had not brought along any of the kit that I would need if I became stuck.

Next stop was Kingston SE so the obligatory photo of the big cray fish.

Also drove past the light house that was relocated some time back but was more interested in the story of the life boat.

 

[Matt_01]

So I mentioned in the first post we agreed the vehicle would not be used to haul wine, we had not made it to Robe before we made our first diversion. This winery is small and the cellar door is rustic however there was quite a good range.

By the time we left we had already broken the agreement

Coming into Robe we stopped to take a photo of this place. It has some sentimental value, it used to operate as a B&B, not sure if it still does however we stayed there around 28 or 29 years ago when MrsM was still MissH and MissM was not even a thought that crossed our minds.
On arrival we dropped the luggage off and headed out (walked) to a very small winery that MrsM wanted to go to called Aunt Alice. It is a cracker of a place, the lady running the cellar door also makes the wine and she pointed out that is made in the big shed in their front entrance (yard) but did mention the white wine was bottled in Adelaide. The artwork is by her husband, it is a family affair so you also get to meet their baby and the dog. We decided that a chocolate platter was in order, the flatbread was not standard and we asked for it to be added as it looked quite good. It turns out that the flatbread and biscotti is made by ‘Grandma’. Also the wine was actually quite good so it looks like the vehicle will be making a visit to Aunt Alice tomorrow.

 

[Matt_01]

Back to the accomodation I had just picked a place listed on stayz, when we lived in Melbourne we owned a weekender in Daylesford that we used to rent out through stayz when we were not using it. This place was booked based mainly on the location and is a very nice property, MrsM quite likes it and made a comment along the lines of I could live here, ‘do you think they would consider selling it’

 

[Matt_01]

Dinner was at Sails and it was very good.
Menu

Specials

Starter
Garlic sourdough and oysters (shared)

Mains
Ocean Trout

Roast veg and cheese

Crumbed chicken and veg (not on the menu but had been arranged in advance)

Dessert
Brûlée

Affogato

Sorbets and Ice creams

All washed down with a bottle of Cape Jaffa Sav Blanc. If you planning to visit Robe this restaurant is worth a look.

 

[VPS]

Back to the accomodation I had just picked a place listed on stayz, when we lived in Melbourne we owned a weekender in Daylesford that we used to rent out through stayz when we were not using it. This place was booked based mainly on the location and is a very nice property, MrsM quite likes it and made a comment along the lines of I could live here, ‘do you think they would consider selling it’
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This looks lovely. I would love the link to the property

 

[Matt_01]

This looks lovely. I would love the link to the property

I will send you the details and other information when I get back to ADL.

 

[Matt_01]

So this morning we went to a camel farm, who would have guessed that someone would farm camels in Robe. My mother used to tell me camels were horrible things that spit at you, these ones were quite nice.

In the milking area I was surprised to learn that camels can control the milk flow to each udder and to milk them an individual has to sit with each beast to encourage the flow otherwise they just stop. They produce about 3 liters per day and the process is labour intensive but the camels line up and wait to be milked as the wheelie bins contain treats and it has become a morning routine.

The little camels waited in the pen next door and a slightly older one was waiting to be fed, the owner told us that this one shows up on opening days and waits for treats.

I was a little late in catching up with the rest of the tour and before long was surrounded by little camels.

At the end of the tour we got to taste the milk, it has an interesting taste as in its raw form it is quite sweet but salty at the same time. It can be used to make gelato or soft cheese. Making hard cheese or yogurt is apparently quite difficult due to the high protein and low fat content. The gelato was pretty dam good. It is available in Adelaide and it is something that I would easily drink on a daily basis however the cost per litre is not cheep.

 

[Matt_01]

When we arrived back in Robe the girls decided they want to go to the shops and as I generally dislike shopping I just when on a walk and would met up with them later.

 

[Matt_01]

After walking around for a while MrsM called to say they had found a place for a late lunch when I arrived it was another cellar door, and more nice wine. They had eaten as you are able to bring your own food to this place and just taste or buy the wine we did both and I did end up ordering their samosa plate.

MrsM decided to walk off lunch however after I mentioned there was another cellar door up the road she decided we should go there first and then go for the walk. So another cellar door and this time with a gallery.

These cellar doors are small local wineries that do not have any presence in major chains, have facilities at the vineyard which were within 15km of robe. These small wineries are right up my ally and our plan/agreement not to bring home excess baggage is failing

 

[Daver6]

Was MsMJnr doing the driving?

 

[Matt_01]

Last night we went to a place called the Back Swan it was Robe’s version of a tapas bar, the food was simple and tasted ok.

 

[Matt_01]

So this morning we headed off to Mt Gambier via the Naracoorte Caves. Driving to the caves I had feeling like this leg was more reminiscent of our international travel (less the plane and going international) in that getting up earlier which the girls are not good at, running late however once underway they are asleep and I can sit in silence listening to what ever I want with no disruptions. We arrived at the caves and this is the Victoria fossil cave.

Apparently this used to be the end of the cave

Until a couple of chaps in the late 1960’s were exploring and got a bit lost and found the bone fossils.

 

[Matt_01]

Some other random photo’s of reconstructed mega fauna. A flat faced kangaroo and a marsupial lion.

As it just happens a pop up cellar door was on the grounds of the caves information center. Another small winery and the talking to the lady their family grows and sells grapes to the major makers but started holding some back to make their own. This brand was owned by the lady and Her sister, they both have 4 children and said that is how they came up with the name ‘Eight at the Gate’. She also mentioned that the pop up cellar door is their shop front and only if they expect it to be a busy time, it was quite nice wine.

Driving to Mt Gambier through the Coonawarra it was so temping to stop along the way as there are many good wineries to visit, all well known with vineyards grown fence to fence. I suspect that if I started to stop I would still be travelling to the accomodation and having to teach unlicensed MissM to drive The accomodation at Mt Gambier, it booked via QFF as I was changing the accomodation I had booked for the AFF gathering during the 3 points offer.

There is another bathroom but forgot to take a picture of it.

 

[Matt_01]

After a short rest we headed down to Port MacDonnell, I would have taken a few more photos and liked to explore a little further however while we were there the heavens opened up and within minutes we may have well stood in the shower fully clothed, think SIN afternoon storm but without lightning, thunder and just cold. The old customs house is now accomodation and we would have like to take a look but by now saturated.



On the way back we stopped at Mount Schank the plan was to walk to the top however it was now getting cold and we were still wet so time and weather permitting the plan is to come back tomorrow.

 

[MARTINE]

Thankyou @Matt_01 . I have really enjoyed this vicarious experience with some great restaurants and sights explored. Some links to accom would be great. Very enjoyable

 

[jb747]

The walk around Mt Schank is very good. Port McDonnell has a good pub, and a very strange car museum.

 

[VPS]

I have been to Port McDonnell numerous times and even in summer it is always bleak

 

[Matt_01]

So after getting back to the hotel it did not take long to get out of wet clothes and start to think about dinner. MrsM and I were happy to eat at the hotel restaurant however MissM did not like this idea. She wanted Asian food so after a family debate if there is such a thing with a 14 yo girl, her argument had some merit, I made her go to Sails, she does not eat seafood, MrsM selected a tapas bar, she is under age. MissM had had found a Chinese restaurant near by so it was agreed she won, it used to be so much easier when she was younger. We walked there in the cold and after been seated, even more cold and hungry we ordered way too much food.

The food was good and we tried hard to eat most of it but there was just to much. It was washed down with Brown Brothers Sav Blanc

 

[VPS]

Are you going to eat at the Barn - excellent Waygu

 

[Matt_01]

Are you going to eat at the Barn - excellent Waygu

It was on my list however I have learnt to pick my battles. MrsM is basically vegetarian but will eat some fish and occasionally chicken, MissM will eat red meat but is following in her mother’s footsteps and chooses not to. I am a carnivore and will remind them that I gave into their whims at some point in the future.