Sealink Terminal

The Sealink is a vehicle and passenger ferry that that services Kangaroo Island. The terminal is about a hundred kilometres south of Adelaide and the ferry takes about forty minutes to travel the 20 kilometres across Backstairs Passage to Penneshaw.

Unfortunately it not always this calm. Many years ago I sailed my small yacht across to the Island in 4 metre seas; the ferry might have been a better option!

ABC Wednesdays - G is for Goolwa

The Goolwa Railway Station is now only used by the Steam Ranger Tourist Railway. On some occasions they actually do run a steam train, but the day I was there recently this diesel train was being used. Known as the Redhen, these trains were used on Adelaide's metropolitan lines between 1995 and 1996.


The railway, opened in 1854, was the first in South Australia, linking Goolwa and Port Elliot. At that time the train was horse drawn. The railway was built to transport goods carried down the River Murray. As the mouth of the river was too treacherous for shipping, the port was established at Port Elliot.

Ten years later the line was extended to Victor Harbor, as Port Elliot was also proved not to be a safe harbour.

Click here to see more ABC Wednesday posts.

Space exploration

This  is Deep Space Station 43, a 70 metre radio telescope, located at the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex at Tidbinbilla about 45 km from the city. This antenna is one of a series of large antennas that enable NASA to communicate with and receive signals from distant space craft exploring our Solar System.

The complex also houses Australia's largest permanent collection of memorabilia and hardware used in the exploration of space; all very interesting.

A380 visits Adelaide

Today the world's biggest commercial aircraft recently acquired by Qantas landed in Adelaide for the first time. Thousands of people took up vantage points at and near the airport to get a glimpse of the big 'bird'.

It was one of a series of training and promotional flights around Australia before it commences its first commercial service between Melbourne and Los Angeles on 20 October.

ABC Wednesdays - G for Ghan

The Ghan is one of Australia's great train journeys; a passenger train that travels between Adelaide and Darwin. Prior to 2004 the train only went as far as Alice Springs.

The original Ghan was a narrow guage railway, and traversed the route originally used by Afghan Camel Trains. The current name is an abbreviation of its nickname, "The Afghan Express".

The Ghan's 2979 kilometre journey takes 48 hours; departing from Adelaide twice a week on Sunday and Wednesday.

The Ghan offers a car transporting service for its passengers. Some people choose to travel one way by train and return or travel on to other places by car.

Accomodation ranges from reclining lounges up to fully self contained cabins with ensuite bathroom facilities. If you want to read out more go to the Great Southern Rail's website.

To find out more about ABC Wednesdays and see other participants' contributions go to the ABC Wednesdays' site or to see direct links to their own sites go here.

Roll-on/Roll-off terminal

Another relic of bygone days in Port Adelaide is this purpose built facility for the Troubridge; a vessel that provided an essential link for freight, vehicles and passengers to Kangaroo Island.

The Troubridge commenced service in 1961 and continued until 1987 when it was replaced by the Island Seaway which itself was withdrawn from service in 1995. Now the only sea link to Kangaroo Island is a ferry that runs from Cape Jervis, 107 km south of Adelaide.

Adelaide Airport

Adelaide has a new Airport Terminal; opened in 2005, it incorporates domestic and international flights. Singapore Airlines is one of five carriers that operates international flights from Adelaide; and is the only one that has direct flights daily.

It is hard to believe that it is almost a year ago that we returned from a wonderful trip to France on one of these planes. You can see a blog of our trip here.

Lake Bonney

The township of Barmera, about 200 km NE of Adelaide, is built on the shores of this lake. I took this photo one morning a couple of years ago from a youth campsite about 15 kms from the town.

Barmera depends on the lake for tourism, not just for the views, but also for the many opportunities it affords for water activities; canoeing, sailing and water skiing.

Popeye at Elder Park

This is Popeye's departure wharf at Elder Park. Upstream you can see the Adelaide Bridge; the main connector between the centre of the City and North Adelaide. The owners of Popeye also own a fleet of pedal boats, some of which you can see near the fountain.

A ride on Popeye or in the paddle boats; a must for tourists and residents alike!

Popeye on the Torrens

Whether you would like a sightseeing tour on the Torrens, or would like a ride the Adelaide Zoo, Popeye fits the bill. The Popeye fleet has been servicing Adelaide since 1935. The current three fibreglass boats were launched in 1982; replacements for the wooden boats that had served so well over the years.

This photo shows a Popeye cruising downstream from the Zoo back to its terminal at Elder Park.

It is about to pass under the University Footbridge. This bridge was built in 1937 to link the Adelaide University campus with its sportsfields and student accommodation across the river in North Adelaide.

ABC Wednesdays - J for jetty

There are six jetties along Adelaide's suburban beaches. The jetty shown is at Brighton; it was built in 1995/96 to replace the original 1886 jetty that was damaged beyond repair by a storm in 1994. The new jetty is constructed with concrete; unlike its predecessor which was made of wood. The structure on the end is a telecommunications tower.


Along South Australia's coastline there are numerous jetties which in the past were vital to the development of the state as they were serviced by cargo ships. Today they are primarily used by recreational fishermen and tourists.

To find out more about ABC Wednesdays and see links to other participants' sites go to mrs nesbitts place

Adelaide - Festival City

When people think of Adelaide they think of a place with a relaxed lifestyle. It is a convenient sized city which offers plenty of sporting, cultural and natural activities; nestled between the hills and the coast, there is something for everyone. It is also blessed with a temperate climate with plenty of sunshine.

Historically, Adelaide has been dubbed the City of Churches; a reflection of the religious freedom and a range of ethic peoples that have settled here.

In recent years, Adelaide has been promoted as the Festival City. In March we have the Adelaide Festival of Arts which has been held biennially since 1960.

Also we have the Fringe Festival, the second largest in the world, which is now held annually in March. The 2008 Fringe has 543 shows in 281 different venues.

The photo above shows the entrance to The Garden of Unearthly Delights, one of the venues which was set up in the parklands for last year's Fringe. The following photo shows the festive atmosphere in the gardens; several large tents were set up for performances.

Other festivals include the Adelaide Festival of Ideas, Adelaide Writers' Week, Feast Festival, WOMADelaide, Adelaide International Guitar Festival and Adelaide Film Festival.

I guess if I cover all of these in my blog I will not be short of material!


Today is a CDP theme day (When people think of my city, they think of...)
This month there are 135 participants. Please pay them a visit but keep in mind that not everyone lives on the same time zone so some blogs may not yet be posted.

Portland (OR), USA - Menton, France - Monte Carlo, Monaco - Memphis (Tennessee), USA - Manila, Philippines - San Diego (CA), USA - Anderson (SC), USA - New York City (NY), USA - San Diego (CA), USA - Mexico City, Mexico - San Francisco (CA), USA - Mumbai (Maharashtra), India - Mainz, Germany - Weston (FL), USA - Minneapolis (MN), USA - Turin, Italy - Las Vegas (NV), USA - Hobart (Tasmania), Australia - Bicheno, Australia - Durban, South Africa - Joplin (MO), USA - Nashville (TN), USA - Stockholm, Sweden - Kyoto, Japan - Tokyo, Japan - Brussels, Belgium - Chicago (IL), USA - Montpellier, France - Seattle (WA), USAMazatlan, Mexico - Saint Paul (MN), USA - Sharon (CT), USA - Sesimbra, Portugal - Toulouse, France - Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina - Susanville (CA), USA - Maple Ridge (BC), Canada - Saint Louis (MO), USA - Prague, Czech Republic - Helsinki, Finland - Pilisvörösvár, Hungary - Lisbon, Portugal - Mexico (DF), Mexico - Trujillo, Peru - Dunedin (FL), USA - Albuquerque (NM), USA - Port Angeles (WA), USA - Cottage Grove (MN), USA - Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - London, UK - Baziège, France - Jefferson City (MO), USA - Greenville (SC), USA - Selma (AL), USA - Mumbai, India - Naples (FL), USA - Norwich (Norfolk), UK - Silver Spring (MD), USA - Setúbal, Portugal - Stayton (OR), USA - Bellefonte (PA), USA - Sofia, Bulgaria - Arradon, France - Montego Bay, Jamaica - Athens, Greece - Austin (TX), USA - Singapore, Singapore - West Sacramento (CA), USA - Jackson (MS), USA - Wassenaar (ZH), Netherlands - Budapest, Hungary - Rotterdam, Netherlands - St Malo, FranceChandler (AZ), USA - Melbourne, Australia - Port Vila, Vanuatu - Cleveland (OH), USA - Nottingham, UK - Kansas City (MO), USA - The Hague, Netherlands - Crystal Lake (IL), USA - Wrocław, Poland - Chateaubriant, France - Cheltenham, UK - Moscow, Russia - Monrovia (CA), USA - Saigon, Vietnam - Toruń, Poland - Grenoble, France - Lisbon, Portugal - New Orleans (LA), USA - Sydney, Australia - Boston (MA), USA - American Fork (UT), USA - Boston (MA), USA - Montréal (QC), Canada - Wichita (KS), USA - Radonvilliers, France - Buenos Aires, Argentina - Christchurch, New Zealand - Rabaul, Papua New Guinea - Wailea (HI), USA - Aliso Viejo (CA), USA - St Francis, South Africa - Port Elizabeth, South Africa - Seattle (WA), USA - Pasadena (CA), USA - Vienna, Austria - Orlando (FL), USA - Torun, Poland - Delta (CO), USA - Santa Fe (NM), USA - Minneapolis (MN), USA - Haninge, Sweden - Paris, France - Stavanger, Norway - Niamey, Niger - Le Guilvinec, France - Bogor, Indonesia - Saarbrücken, Germany - Auckland, New Zealand - Wellington, New Zealand - Budapest, Hungary - Juneau (AK), USA - Bucaramanga (Santander), Colombia - Glasgow, Scotland - Chicago (IL), USA - Jakarta, Indonesia - Adelaide (SA), Australia - Sydney, Australia - Riga, Latvia - Subang Jaya (Selangor), Malaysia - Terrell (TX), USA - Terrell (TX), USA - -

Tram on Granite Island

Click on the photo to enlarge

One of Victor Harbor's main attractions is Granite Island. The island is connected to the mainland by a causeway. You can walk to the island or ride on the horse drawn tram. The tram has been serving the island for over a hundred years.

Click here to see another view of the tram.