Grenfell to Burra

On Tuesday the 11th April we awoke after a pleasant night sleep at Grenfell. Our destination for the day was Balranald. It was 491km away so we had an early start, 7.45am I think. We drove through West Wyalong where we stopped for coffee takeaway. Then onto Weethalle where we stopped to have a look at the Solo Art. The artist was the same one as painted the Grenfell silos which I mentioned in the previous post. ‘That’s art.’ So talented.
As we reached about 50km east of Hay the forests gave way to open plains and we were now in ‘big sky country’. That is a casual term for being able to see the massive expanse of sky to the horizon in every direction. It was so good to be out here again and looking at the bug sky. Just awesome. Linda tried to take a pano but it didn’t work so this photo doesn’t do it justice.
We stopped at Hay and filled up with water and had lunch. We pushed on to Balranald and went to the swimming pool free camp. This is where Jan & Ross, Linda’s sister and brother-n-law, joined us for our trip. They were all set up and so we relaxed with them for a chat and happy hour. I forgot to get a photo of our camp for the night. It was nothing special but the price was good. Wednesday morning we left Balranald and drove to Mildura. We grabbed a coffee and I shopped to replenish my stock of flannelette shirts while Linda did some grocery shopping. We then left Mildura and headed to Renmark. Linda and I stopped at the border for an obligatory photo.
We went on a couple of kilometres to the SA Quarantine station where the Border officer inspected our vehicle and van fridge and pantry. We had previously ensured we had not prohibited fruit and veg so no problem. At Renmark I filled with fuel and filled the jerry cans. As we were heading further west and more remote the prices were going to start climbing a fair bit. I paid $1.91/ltr for diesel which is good for this current economy. Ross had found a free camp on Wikicamps called the Mallee Fowl Restaurant & Campground. It was 10km or so past Renmark. That was a 300km day. So in we went and found a spot. That actually took some doing because there wasn’t many level spots and we were confined to parking in the trees as the neighbour had been complaining to council about the camping in the open area. Why that was an issue I have no idea. The owner though is a good guy and made us feel welcome. So we found a good spot and firepit and had our first fire for the trip. Nothing like a fire to help you relax.
Next morning there was no rush as we gave ourselves only a 200km trip to go to Burra, SA. Time therefore for a decent breakfast.
The owner of the restaurant is quite a character. He has fitted out the property and restaurant with a lot of funny stuff. He has many animals as well.
Last weekend they had about 160 guests with music on the stage.
‘Truck for sale, needs parts.’
‘Hot springs.’
We left the Mallee Fowl and headed for Burra and stopped off for coffee at the Murray River town of Morgan. It is a nice town perched on the Murray. Then it was onto Burra where we pulled into the caravan park there for the next two nights.

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