Moonta Bay – South Australia

We have had a few great days at Moonta Bay, South Australia. Other caravanners we have met along the way suggested the park beside the beach is well worth the stop. We were told that at Moonta Bay you can fish from the jetty that is close to the caravan park and catch squid, crabs, and a variety of other fish. Or wade through the shallows of the beautiful sandy beach during the ‘run out tide’ and rake for crabs. The sunsets can also be very spectacular.

Well all of the above are things that certainly can happen in Moonta Bay. We picked a site that was one row back from the beach so that we could actually face the ocean and enjoy our wonderful views. Graeme was fortunate to catch some squid at the jetty and that fed us for a couple of nights. We took our rake and bucket and went crabbing one afternoon but for us we came home with an empty bucket. But it was fun wadding way out to the edge of the seaweed. As for the sunsets they certainly were wondrous each night.

The town of Moonta is also renowned for its Cornish Pasties and so we stopped in at the Cornish Kitchen to sample a couple. The town also has been named “Little Cornwall” because back when there was a copper mining boom in the late 19th century, the South Australian government advertised for experienced miners. Many Cornish miners immigrated to the Moonta area and at one point 43% of the population was Cornish.

Moonta town is only a few kilometres away from Moonta Bay and is another one of those Aussie towns with so much history attached to it. Many of the original (heritage) buildings still stand and have been restored for use as commercial businesses or residences. We noticed some that were vacant.

From Moonta Bay we took a drive through Port Hughes to Maitland and then onto Port Victoria. Between Maitland and Port Victoria is a place called South Kilkerran. If you blink you will miss it. We noticed some for sale signs and it appeared as if this ‘hamlet’ was for sale. So we went investigating. Wow here is a little street, which was probably once the main street for the area, and what appeared to be an abandoned Post Office and old telephone exchange building. Next door was an old cottage and store, built in 1881 with 3 acres of land for sale. We checked it out online and found it selling for $179,000.00.

Another short drive from Moonta is Wallaroo and further along is Kadina. Both great towns that are full of mining history. So Moonta Bay is an awesome place to spend a bit of time and just chill. Especially if the weather is being kind. At the time we came we paid $33.30 per night for a powered site with the Top Parks member’s discount.

I guess we have been very lucky to come at a time when it’s not crowded as we were told by the lovely Judy from the Park that Christmas is absolutely booked out.

Well that’s enough for now.

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Happy Aussie Caravanning Lifestyle

Dixie and Graeme