Social Days for 2021
1. February Thursday 4 Picnic/BBQ at Kent Reserve, Victor Harbor.
(see photos)
2. March Thursday 11
Charles Sturt's House / Museum at Grange.
Contact Kent on 0466 284 603
3. April Tuesday 20 Hahndorf "The Cedars" 11.00am guided tour.
Lunch: Charlestown Hotel 1.00pm
4. May Monday 10th Treasury Building visit 11.00am
Lunch: TBA
See pics https://www.facebook.com/groups/1823391484620323/?source_id=267575853759692
5. June Friday 18 Old Adelaide Goal Tour 10.00am
See pics https://www.facebook.com/groups/1823391484620323/?source_id=267575853759692
6. July Tuesday 6 Mystery Trip
Victoria Hotel car park was once again the meeting place of 28 members on 6th July for the commencement of a Mystery Run down south. After a month with so much rain, we were blessed to have a lovely sunny day after a slightly chilly start.
With a destination of Clarendon Riverbend Park to reach for morning tea, the route for the first section wound its way through Happy Valley and Cherry Gardens, following the signs to Clarendon. Places of interest passed included Happy Valley and Mt Bold Reservoir Reserves, Scott Creek Conservation Park (where there was some evidence of the January 2021 bushfire), Cherry Gardens Soldiers Memorial Park, Minton Farm animal rescue centre, Christmas Tree Farm and Clarendon Weir. A visit to the graveyards of 2 historic churches identified some early settlers.
After morning tea the focus was the McLaren Vale Wine Region following a section of the Epicurean Way and traversing the back roads past numerous wineries (32 in total) identifying wineries, restaurants and various other associated features. The final leg was through the Onkaparinga River Recreation Park, a lovely drive adjacent the river into Port Noarlunga. A few missed turns were made but everyone eventually made it to the Port Noarlunga Hotel for lunch, where another 2 members were waiting.
The winning teams for the day were the Terrific Trio and Brendan’s Mates.
Attendees: Keith, Ron, Jacqui, Judy, Bob, Lesley, Wayne, Fae, Jim, Imants, Ludmila, Edith, Stuart, Tony, Yvonne, Julia, Bruno, Rick, Marie, John, Dawn, Brendan and 2 mates, with Lesley and Barrie and organisers, Rodney and Raelene, complementing numbers for lunch.
7. August Wednesday 18 Mannum day trip and cruise.
8. September Saturday 25th SteamRanger Train Trip
What a wonderful spring day was enjoyed by our steam train travellers as we wound our way through the picturesque Fleurieu Peninsula. Twenty four ARPA 4WD members, including some ARPA Bushwalkers, met at the bustling Víctor Harbor railway station and were in good spirits as we set off at 10am. We had carriage 2 to ourselves which meant there was much conversation and moving around as members caught up with each other throughout this relaxing journey.
The buffet car volunteers did a roaring trade providing coffees and cakes to all travellers, while other volunteers answered our questions as they walked through the six carriages drawn by the” Duke of Edinburgh”.
From the scenic shores of Encounter Bay, we stopped briefly at Pt Elliott and Goolwa to pick up a few passengers and then continued into vineyard country. We crossed the 23 metre high bridge over Currency Creek, then the Black Swamp viaduct at Tookayerta Creek and also the wrought iron bridge, spanning 27 metres across the Finniss River.
The train passed through areas of thick native scrub and gentle undulating farmlands until we reached Strathalbyn. There we could have a quick walk around the historic, restored railway station, until we heard the train whistle blow, summoning us to reboard
After crossing the nearby Angas River Bridge it was uphill all the way through the Bugle Ranges to Philcox Hill, the highest point on the line (398 metres above sea level.) We passed through tight curves, cuttings and embankments and lush, green, fertile farming country.
By this time the train was running behind schedule. We were due to arrive in Mt Barker at 12.30pm, but we didn’t arrive until 1pm, when our group was booked into the Barker Hotel for lunch. Luckily it was a downhill run to Mt Barker from Philcox Hill. The spread of suburbia and new housing developments was a stark contrast to the vast tracts of strawberry fields as we neared Mt Barker.
We were greeted at the station by John and Dilys who arranged to take Glenda, George and Val to the hotel. For others, it was a brisk 15 minute walk up the hill and around the corner. A handful of members chose to wander around and have lunch at either a bakery or cafe. The hotel meal was delicious and the staff did a fantastic job of serving us considering we arrived late and had to rush back to the train for a 3pm departure. Unbeknown to us, the train was having engine troubles and so we waited another thirty minutes at the station until it was ready to depart.
Two and a half hours later, some weary and less boisterous passengers arrived safely at Victor harbor after a very enjoyable day out. Members were invited to the nearby Crown Hotel for sundowners but the majority drove back home to Adelaide, seeing it was now 6pm. However, Dawn & John and Susie & John, who were staying overnight at the caravan park, lingered on with Judy, Bruno & Julia at the hotel.
Total participants: 26
Julia – ARPA 4WD Social group Co-ordinator
9. October Thursday 14th Mystery Trip
ARPA 4WD Group Mystery Trip 14th October 2021 Report
Despite a miserable weather forecast which included nasty words like “severe weather event”, “very strong winds”, “possible hail” &”25mm rain” a determined group of 26 members met at Federation Park in Gumeracha for morning tea at 10am. From there a printed sheet of directions led them on a drive north through Forreston, part of Mt Crawford Forest, Rowland Flat, back streets of Tanunda and on to Greenock (the mystery destination).
The weather turned out to be perfect for such a drive (none of the above nasty words applied). Scenery was magnificent with many shrubs in flower, lots of green rolling hills providing for a variety of contented animals such as sheep, cattle, alpacas, goats, horses and kangaroos. The view of the Barossa Valley from the lookout at Pewsey Vale was breathtaking.
A quiz set for the participants to ponder on the drive was won by Bruno & Julia.
Lunch was enjoyed at the Greenock Hotel, and after lunch a visit to the Greenock Aviation Museum had been arranged. This privately owned museum features a large collection of aircraft parts, cockpit sections, scale model planes, photos and more. There was also an engine from a military tank which was fired up for us.
10. November 21 - 26 Christmas Camp Pt Broughton
