Day 25 Barossa to Burra

After a couple of days off line, we're back, so we'll catch up on what you've missed. (first... 12/1/10). A cool change brought some relief overnight, it was overcast this morning although it was a bit muggy. We packed up and left Nuriootpa in the Barossa Valley for our next destination of Burra - a historic copper mining town. The journey was only 117 km's but we planned a 20 km detour to visit another historic little town, Mintaro.

The road took us via Kapunda which claims to be the oldest mining town in Australia. We were greeted on the way into town by an 8m high miner. He was called 'Map Kernow' which means 'Son of Cornwall' as many of the early miners were men and boys from Cornwall in England as they had a reputation of being fine copper miners.

Driving on, it began to drizzle, in fact at one stage it was like we were driving in a heavy mist! The drizzle eased as we arrived in Mintaro. We parked by the playground and the kids had a play. After a quick lunch in the caravan we attempted a bit of a walk... but got saturated as the rain returned heavier... but it was somehow refreshing after several very hot days! Mintaro was full of character, most of it was run down and rambling, not regal and fancy like some historic towns. There was the 1858 blacksmith's which had various bits of iron in the forms of horse shoes and other bits and pieces scattered around the overgrown yard. The picture below is of William Hunt's carpentry shed which didn't have a straight wall to it. It was built in 1856.

There were a few other old cottages and businesses including 'Tea-Rose Cottage' which used to be a butcher (1862), 'Devonshire House B&B' (1856) complete with dense growth of vines around its verandahs and the Magpie & Stump Hotel. We chuckled as we got into the car, all wet and bedraggled! As I said, it was refreshing... if a little unexpected after recent days.

It was only another 33 kms to Burra and we were soon setting up in the rain. It was the cheapest caravan park since our first night in Camperdown at $20 per night. Although a council one and quite small, it was nice, by the creek and with clean and modern amenities. We could see the old Catholic Church through the trees from our back window. As we set up 3 very large ducks came and visited... they must have been the local welcoming committee.

Daz & Zac went for a walk into town and purchased a 'Heritage Passport' which gave us a key and information book with map that allowed us to explore at our leisure the historic sites around the town. There were 8 sites that we could let ourselves into including the mine itself, the former prison and some miners dugouts. That would be tomorrows adventure.

Daz & Zac also got some fresh mince at the local butcher and we all enjoyed a fantastic shepherds pie for dinner. Jet also whipped up a tasty apple crumble using the caravans griller... and she did a top job of it too! Our welcoming duck committee returned and Daz and Gemma sat on the step to threw them some bread... they virtually climbed on our laps... one actually leapt up and tried to take the bread off us.

We had a thunderstorm and heavy rain during the evening. It was a doona and jammies night. Ironic really... the weather goes from one extreme to the other.