Day 21 (21/9) – Grampians (Vic) to Naracoorte (SA)

As expected for the day we were leaving the Grampians, woke up to a lovely sunny day. Headed out anyway, first checking again with the Visitor Info Centre re my watch (no luck) and filing a lost property report with the Halls Gap police. Our insurance might actually cover the loss less an excess – amazing (and quite unexpected)! Back via Stawell and Horsham with a stop off at Mt Arapiles – lump of rock rising out of the plains that is a mecca for climbers and has fantastic views of the surrounding countryside. With Canola fields in flower and wildflowers everywhere, you can tell that spring has arrived (even though the temperatures could be a bit warmer!). Ate a celebratory vanilla slice and apple and cinnamon muffin at the top of Mt Arapiles (acquired from Waacks Bakery yesterday) and then set off towards SA. Chris was keen to see the Little Desert National Park, bit north of where we were so wandered off along small country roads to find it. Quite different countryside – dryer, more stunted flora and quite sandy. Interesting interpretive trail (2 loops that joined up actually) although some of the flora represented on the interpretive signs had obviously died or been eaten since the signs were first placed. left you wondering if the desert she oak was a small weed-like plant growing at the base of the sign, or something else entirely.
More fruit and vegie dumping at the SA border – getting quite tiring having to dump everything every time we cross a border, but guess there are good reasons for the restrictions. Arrived Naracoorte ~ 2.30pm and found the World Heritage listed caves via an interesting route plotted out by the intrepid Jen. Just in time for the “Bat cave tour” at 3 om (and they were running late anyway). Fascinating tour – two local caves where the southern bentwing bat is found (critically endangered). One a cooler cave for hibernation in winter and the other a warmer cave for delivering and nurturing the young (often the embryo is conceived a year prior and carried in a dormant state until the appropriate conditions the following year are achieved). Extremely helpful parks offical (Julie) organised our parks pass, our overnight camping in the parks campground (fantastic location, small campsite, quiet and good amenities with hot showers – highly recommended. No specific check out time either. “Stay as long as you like”. Even the busload of schoolkids that rolled in that evening (staying in the bunkhouse) couldn’t detract from the surroundings.