15th Feb - To Kimba via Koppio

We decided to do a diversion off the east coast of the Eyre Penninsular when leaving Port Lincoln to visit Koppio Smithy Museum.  There is a couple of houses in Koppio and the museum, out past White Flat where the tar turns to dirt.  But we persevered as we always do.    It is a good little set up and we spend a couple of hours here.  This is the site of the original Blacksmiths shop and cottage which built in 1903.  Other buildings on the site relocated there from surrounds are a school, bank, post office.  A number of sheds displaying farming equipment etc.

A more recent addition to the museum is an exhibition from the 2005 bushfires of Lower Eyre Penninsular, called "Burning Issues". The fires took 9 lives, destroyed 64 homes, 160 farms, 47,000 livestock and 83,000 hectares.  The Koppio Smith Museum only just survived with the flames lashing at the surrounding fences.  Amongst the melted items on display was what is left of this motorbike. 

Now, I didn't really know what to expect of the Barbed Wire and Fencing Equipment display shed.    Barbed wire is barbed wire after all, right? Apparently not, it seems to be quite an art and how many different styles of barbed wire are out there?   Hundreds and hundreds and they were all on display here.  

You know, I don't mind a hard working farmer boy....  Sorry Darl I thought that was you dressed up in the farm gear.   Lucky he was only a dummy.

From Koppio we found our way back to Kimba.  It was a nice drive through rolling hills, looking lush and dotted with old run down stone cottages, some were restored and still lived in.   We went back to the coast via Tumby Bay (for lunch) then a look at Port Neill, heading inland again up to Kimba.   After Koppio I wasn't expecting Kimba to be that big a town.   It is still a small country town with a population of 1,200 give or take.  We decide to park up for night at the Lions Apex Central Park, I got in a swim and shower at the pool next door.   

There is actually 3 free camps in this little township, however donations are encouraged and really you don't mind a few dollars for good, clean facilities.    We went for a cruise around town on the pushies.   They have a great pub, a great souenir/gift shop Pine 'n Pig and a great little dress shop here.  What more could a girl want?  There is also the landmark 8 metre tall Big Galah to great visitors.  

Kimba, is also renowned for being the halfway point across Australia from east to west coast.  Pastoral leases first granted back in 1872 and the district still remains one of SA's major grain belts.

Kimba is also the gateway to the Gawler Ranges.  A number of travelers stay at Kimba and utilise those free camps just about every night. 

These magestic chaps standing tall and proud on top of White's Knob lookout, an ironstone conglomerate just on the outskirts of town.  Oh yeah forgot to mention for such a small town they have quite a number of clubs - 16 all up, from Senior Citz, Bowls, golf, Footy, motorcycle, vintage car, camera, Buckleboo??  That one got me.   Nice spot and we enjoyed our stay here.