Whyalla 28 February 2007

Had a look at the local folk museum in the morning, which had a number of interesting exhibitions, including an example of the first computer that Peter used – rather frightening! Stopped at Cowell for lunch – a small hamlet near the water with lots of charming old buildings. It had another fine folk museum that was preserving the history of the district. It is hard to believe that the small villages we pass were once vibrant communities with a wide range of services. As we drove north the countryside changed from wheat fields to paddocks of salt bushes. The first impressions of Whyalla were not inspiring – a dirty, dull city covered in red dust, with a rather sad and neglected CBD. The main shopping mall has been built a few kms away and has divided the town. We went down to the harbour to find the campsite mentioned in the camp book, only to find ‘no camping’ signs everywhere, so we settled down at a rest area just out of town.