A philatelic photo trip along the Princes Highway

KevinHedley · Post by **KevinHedley** » 08 Sep 2020 12:05

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Australia Post issued a set of four postage stamps on 11 August 2020 to celebrate the centenary of the Princes Highway. They have chosen to illustrate some of the cities and towns along the highway using early travel posters.

My initial reaction was disappointment that Sydney and Melbourne were again featured on postage stamps. After all there are many other attractive centres on the route and both capital cities (particularly Sydney) have appeared many times before. However, the concept of using travel posters is commendable and perhaps this narrowed the choice.

Anyway, the result is an attractive set and it will fit nicely into my thread My Collection - Australian Landscapes on Postage Stamps https://www.stampboards.com/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=83150&hilit=landscape

To make up for my negative thoughts I have decided to take members (and their guests) on a trip for the next few weeks. We will travel more than 2,000 kms along the Princes Highway with occasional diversions to visit nearby locations which have hosted Possum and I over the years.

My first recollection of the Princes Highway was a road we crossed to get to Sydney Airport – not to travel, but to see the planes. Then as a schoolboy in the 1950s I attended my cousins wedding in Forest Road Arncliffe and travelled the highway to get there.

Princes Highway at Arnclife, NSW

Regular trips to the Illawarra followed and then in 1962 Possum and I hit the highway at Orbost in Victoria while on our way to a Tasmanian honeymoon. Since then we have seen most offerings from this 100 year-old thoroughfare with the latest trip in 2019 on the coast east of Canberra.

KevinHedley · Post by **KevinHedley** » 08 Sep 2020 12:10

Now is a good time to note that the sources for this thread are many and varied. This thread is purely for the enjoyment of members. It is not my intention to provide substantiated information essential for those doing academic research. Much of the wording is mine although there are many quotes from various sources.

While Google is my friend and Wikipedia has steered me in various directions, I have also obtained information and images from various tourist associations, historical societies and other local bodies.

Some of the philatelic images are mine but most have appeared previously on Stampboards. The recent decision to save for posterity articles produced by the late Rod Perry has helped me a great deal. Another major source (specifically for Victoria) has been mcgooley’s ‘State of Victoria - early postal cancels illustrated’ and I can highly recommend it https://www.stampboards.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=16494&hilit=Camperdown

Readers may notice a large number of covers featuring racehorses and all I can say is thank you BigSaint.

If readers want more details about any image I should be able to provide a link. The lesser quality pictures are likely to be my old photos where the snaps and my memory have both faded.

KevinHedley · Post by **KevinHedley** » 08 Sep 2020 12:12

Even with a length nearing 2,000 kms the Princes Highway is only a small part of the overall national road network. The following image shows the route of “National Highway No 1” with the Princes Highway circled in green.

Google maps was the source for the following which clearly show routes, times and distances between the extremities of this vital road link.

Sydney to Eden

Eden to Geelong

Geelong to Mount Gambier

Mount Gambier to Adelaide

Adelaide to Port Augusta

Having set the scene we come to the Australia Post product, with this Stamp Bulletin description:

The Princes Highway was officially opened in 1920 as a major arterial road between Sydney and Melbourne via the New South Wales South Coast and Gippsland, in Victoria. The highway was named in honour of the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII and, after his abdication, the Duke of Windsor) on the occasion of his royal tour of Australia.

The first section from Melbourne was formally opened on 10 August 1920 at Warragul, Victoria, and the New South Wales opening took place on 19 October in Bulli on the South Coast of New South Wales. In 1922, approval was given to extend the Princes Highway to Adelaide via Geelong, Warrnambool, Portland, Robe and Mount Gambier. It was later extended to Port Augusta. This stamp issue commemorates the centenary of the Princes Highway, with early travel posters celebrating cities and towns along its length.

A more detailed description is this one from -

http://www.expressway.online/oldsite/photogallery/roads/nsw/ ... /index.htm

'The Princes Highway starts in Sydney at Broadway and City Road in the suburb of Chippendale, and heads south through Sydney's southern suburbs to the Illawarra region of New South Wales and the city of Wollongong. It continues south, through the Shoalhaven and South Coast of New South Wales, passing through towns such as Nowra and Batemans Bay, and finally crossing the border into Victoria just south of Eden.

In Victoria the highway travels through and around towns such as Cann River and Orbost, and then passes through the Gippsland region, the Latrobe Valley and continues heading west into the south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne, to Dandenong in several cases known as the Princes Freeway. While the road continues, the name subsequently changes to Dandenong Road and Queens Road, which terminates at Kings Way in central Melbourne. It then leaves Melbourne as the Princes Freeway, before becoming the Princes Highway again in the Geelong area. Traffic traveling through Melbourne generally don't use the section known as the Princes Highway to pass through the city, so the route between Dandenong and the CBD is numbered ALT-NR1. Most traffic uses the Monash Freeway (M1) which travels from the Princes Freeway in the eastern outskirts of Melbourne before connecting to the CityLink tollway and West Gate Freeway. The Princes Freeway name then reappears in the western outskirts connecting Melbourne to Geelong.

Through Geelong, and still heading generally west, the highway passes through Colac, before reaching Warrnambool. The Princes Highway then eventually passes through Portland before crossing the border into South Australia at Mount Gambier.

At Mount Gambier the highway head northward and is also known as the Jubilee Highway in the Mt Gambier area. Eventually the highway hits Murray Bridge and skirts its way around the town and over the Murray River into Adelaide. Beyond, Port Wakefield Road links Adelaide to the small industrial town it was named after, Port Wakefield, before the Princes Highway returns, and the highway continues north again from Port Wakefield to Port Augusta.'

Ubobo.R.O. · Post by **Ubobo.R.O.** » 08 Sep 2020 14:40

KEVIN. I can provide images of lots of the post offices on that route. Images were taken around 2005.

MargoZ · Post by **MargoZ** » 08 Sep 2020 16:22

Nice idea Kevin - look forward to future instalments

KevinHedley · Post by **KevinHedley** » 08 Sep 2020 19:45

In a country as large and diverse as Australia there are an abundance of features to entice international tourists.

Some of those attractions have already been featured on postage stamps such as these:

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Perhaps the best-known natural features are Uluru (Ayers Rock) and the Great Barrier Reef whilst the Harbour Bridge and Opera House in Sydney attract tourists by the millions.

KevinHedley · Post by **KevinHedley** » 08 Sep 2020 19:47

The problem for visitors is ‘where do I start’ given the tyrannies of time and distance. I had the same problem. I was tempted to start in Sydney (after all, that is where I was born and raised) as most sources tell us that the Princes Highway starts at Broadway near the Sydney CDB.

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But perhaps that should wait till last and there is some logic in heading for Port Augusta, a natural crossroads for rail and road travellers, a place of big horizons, of fresh starts and of never-ending possibilities.

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KevinHedley · Post by **KevinHedley** » 08 Sep 2020 19:50

But how do we get there?

For the purposes of this exercise I will start in Sydney and ignore the fact that coronavirus restrictions are in place.

The quickest way is normally by air.

We would start at Kingsford Smith Airport (immediately to the east of the Princes Highway) and catch one of the many flights to Adelaide. From there it is but a short hop to the Port Augusta airport. We could have breakfast in Sydney, lunch in Port Augusta and have a total flight time of about three hours.

On the other hand we could take the ‘slow boat to’ Port Augusta which was once a very busy port.

No scheduled passage is available. A super-maxi yacht might get us there in a week, and three-night cruises from Sydney to Adelaide are usually available.

Whatever mode is chosen the intrepid sailor would face the wrath, and the beauty, of the Tasman Sea, Bass Strait, past the Shipwreck Coast, into the Southern Ocean and the Great Australian Bight before the final 300+ kms up the much calmer Spencer Gulf.

Another alternative (not just to international visitors, but to me) is to utilise Australia’s rail network. After all Port Augusta is the hub for a number of important railway lines. The Indian-Pacific takes just over 24 hours to travel from Central Railway Station in Sydney to the Adelaide terminal. After that it partly retraces its path to Crystal Brook and finally reaches Port Augusta after a journey of less than 3 hours.

Finally, we could simply go by road.

It can be seen from the above that all commercial transport is routed through Adelaide and coaches are no exception. However, if we are to travel the Princes Highway we will do so by car and the most direct route of 1,547 kms from Sydney to Port Augusta will take us along the Hume, Sturt and Goyder Highways. Time on the road will be less than 18 hours with much variety in the landscape and a pleasant journey assured.

Now, before we start moving down the Princes Highway let us have a good look at Port Augusta.

KevinHedley · Post by **KevinHedley** » 08 Sep 2020 19:54

Ubobo.R.O. wrote: ↑
08 Sep 2020 14:40
KEVIN. I can provide images of lots of the post offices on that route. Images were taken around 2005.

Thanks Terry.

My preparation for this thread is well under way and I have already gathered together many photographs of post offices. Should I neglect to include a post office image you are welcome to add your photos in a later post.

KevinHedley · Post by **KevinHedley** » 08 Sep 2020 19:56

MargoZ wrote: ↑
08 Sep 2020 16:22
Nice idea Kevin - look forward to future instalments

Thank you dear lady.

Not as exotic as some of your travels but hopefully you will not be disappointed.

KevinHedley · Post by **KevinHedley** » 09 Sep 2020 10:48

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The previous post started our hypothetical journey in Sydney but many international visitors would first notice the distinctive aroma of eucalyptus in other places. Perhaps they would arrive in Perth on a direct flight from Heathrow. Many would start their journey in the top end, anxious to sample the vast Kakadu Wetlands.

In either case they would head through terrain found nowhere else in the world (picture the vast Nullarbor or majestic Uluru) and, via the Eyre or Stuart highways, find themselves in Port Augusta.

Now while this thread is about a vital road link my natural inclination is to look for railway resources and that mode of travel is certainly a valid option when the point of departure is either Darwin or Perth.

First day cover 1993 - railways

Two famous Australian trains are the Indian Pacific and the Ghan. The former plies between Sydney and Perth while the latter leaves Adelaide in the south and heads north towards Alice Springs before finishing the journey in Darwin.

First day cover 1980 - opening of rail

2004 postage stamp

But lets assume that this is a road trip and that we have arrived where A1 and A87 come together to form the Princes Highway

we see this sign

and we start our journey along the Princes Highway.

There are many towns and cities along the way and we will visit most of them. However, over the years the trend to by-pass towns and villages has accelerated and many communities are now ‘isolated’. We will visit some of them, perhaps with only a cancellation or a cover, but with an acknowledgment that each has a place in our history and a vital role in 2020 community affairs.

‘Port Augusta is a small city in South Australia. Formerly a seaport, it is now a road traffic and railway junction city mainly located on the east coast of the Spencer Gulf immediately south of the gulf's head and about 322 kilometres (200 mi) north of the state capital, Adelaide. The suburb of Port Augusta West is located on the west side of the gulf on the Eyre Peninsula. Other major industries included, up until the mid-2010s, electricity generation. At June 2018, the estimated urban population was 13,799, having declined at an average annual rate of -0.53% over the preceding five years’. (Most often our visits will be introduced in this manner with an unedited opening description from Wikipedia)

We move from Port Augusta West to the city centre over the headwaters of Spencer Gulf.

Major works on the highway are planned –
“The Australian and South Australian Governments have committed $200 million ($160 million from the Australian Government and $40 million from the South Australian Government) for the Joy Baluch AM Bridge Duplication Project.
The Joy Baluch AM Bridge is an important link in the National Land Transport Network at Port Augusta, providing access across the Spencer Gulf for commuter, commercial and freight vehicles in the northern region of South Australia. It is also a key tourist connection to the Eyre Peninsula, northern South Australia and beyond.“

KevinHedley · Post by **KevinHedley** » 09 Sep 2020 10:50

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Port Augusta continued

My family have twice travelled through Port Augusta. On the first occasion our return trip of nearly 12,000 kms was from Kempsey, on the NSW coast, to Dampier in the north of Western Australia and return, via the south-west during the wildflower season. The second time we visited the Flinders Ranges, then the Eyre Peninsular before heading to Adelaide.

Port Augusta town map

Port Augusta postcard

Although this involved five transits through the town I have little recall of its features. It appears many travellers have the same experience although it seems that there is now an active program to encourage visitors to stay, rather than drive through. Including these:

Wadlata Outback Centre
http://www.wadlata.sa.gov.au/?_ga=2.249569990.1528982559.1596016057-804298685.1596016057

Curdnatta Art Gallery
https://www.countryarts.org.au/news/curdnatta-art-gallery-st ... 1596016057

Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden
https://www.aalbg.org/?_ga=2.174459874.1528982559.1596016057-804298685.1596016057

The next link will allow the reader to virtually travel by car through Port Augusta:
https://www.portaugusta.sa.gov.au/attractions/promotional-videos

Post office at Port Augusta

Another video - A drive through Port Augusta
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrWNlwdm66I

Some links
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_Augusta
https://southaustralia.com/products/flinders-ranges/informat ... ion-centre
https://www.portaugusta.sa.gov.au/attractions
https://www.samemory.sa.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=1056
https://birdssa.asn.au/location/australian-arid-lands-botanic-garden/

And just to finish up. In December 2015 member Bunge reported that Port Augusta had recorded a temperature of 47.3c which is 117.14F.
https://www.stampboards.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=8663&p=4327648&hilit=Port+Augusta#p4327648

KevinHedley · Post by **KevinHedley** » 09 Sep 2020 10:52

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Port Augusta part 3

Philatelic bits and pieces

1964 cover

1975 Priority Paid cover

1970 First day cover - Commonwealth parliaments

1970 First day cover - Centenary of Melbourne Cup, Port Augusta West

1856 cover to England

PA Rail cancellation

Ubobo.R.O. · Post by **Ubobo.R.O.** » 09 Sep 2020 11:18

: Old Port Augusta West PO. May 2002.

: Inside the current Port Augusta West PO. May 2002.

: Stirling North PO. May 2002. 2km south of Port Augusta.

OldDuffer1 · Post by **OldDuffer1** » 09 Sep 2020 22:20

Very interesting thread even to we non "Aussies". Makes you appreciate again what a vast place Australia is!

Was stimulated to look for a description of the fastest lap of the whole Highway- here is one description:

https://www.caradvice.com.au/561588/highway-1-to-hell-fastes ... highway-1/

warm · Post by **warm** » 09 Sep 2020 23:45

Bon Voyage
looking forward to reading progress
Tony

KevinHedley · Post by **KevinHedley** » 10 Sep 2020 10:48

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Having left Port Augusta and passed the turnoff to the tourist destinations of the Flinders Ranges we traverse the often dry agricultural lands to the west of Spencer Gulf.

Satellite view

Welcome to Port Germein sign

‘Port Germein is a small sea-side town in the Australian state of South Australia located about 219 kilometres (136 mi) north of the state capital of Adelaide and about 19 kilometres (12 mi) north of the city of Port Pirie on the eastern side of South Australia's Spencer Gulf overlooking Germein Bay. Port Germein was named after Samuel Germein, who moved into the territory in 1840, although some credit his brother John to be the first European to traverse the area. The township was proclaimed in 1878. Port Germein's population in the 2006 census was 249.’

Port Germein town map

From http://portgermein.com.au/

'Welcome to the web site for Port Germein. We are located near the top of Spencer Gulf in South Australia. Located right on the sea front and nestled in the foothills of the Mighty Flinders ranges, panoramic views are the order of the day.

Stay in the Caravan Park and use Pt. Germein as your base to investigate the area on daytrips or fishing. National Parks, heritage, sleepy country towns and major regional cities are all within easy reach.'

Port Germein Post Office

Port Germein

Port Germein lighthouse

Some links

https://portgermeinheritage.com.au/
https://www.mtr.sa.gov.au/
https://www.pirie.sa.gov.au/

KevinHedley · Post by **KevinHedley** » 10 Sep 2020 10:51

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Port Germein philatelic bits and pieces

1936 Cover for the centenary of Port Germein

2013 Commercial cover

1927 cover

Port Germein cancellations

KevinHedley · Post by **KevinHedley** » 10 Sep 2020 19:20

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Because it is only 15 minutes drive to the junction with the Spencer Highway, and less than 10 minutes from there into Port Pirie, we will indulge in a little side trip to that erstwhile city.

‘Port Pirie is a city and seaport on the east coast of the Spencer Gulf in South Australia, 223 km (139 mi) north of the state capital, Adelaide. The settlement was founded in 1845 and at June 2018 had an estimated urban population of 14,188. Port Pirie is the eighth most populous city in South Australia after Adelaide, Mount Gambier, Gawler, Mount Barker, Whyalla, Murray Bridge, Port Lincoln.

The city's economy is dominated by one of the world's largest lead smelters, operated by Nyrstar. The smelter is currently undergoing a $650 million upgrade to replace some of the old existing plant and to reduce airborne lead emissions drastically. It also produces refined silver, zinc, copper and gold. Port Pirie is the largest city and the main retail centre of the Mid North region of South Australia.’

Port Pirie streets – old and new

Port Pirie Post Office

Some links

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_Pirie
https://www.pirie.sa.gov.au/
https://www.pirie.sa.gov.au/tourism

towradji · Post by **towradji** » 10 Sep 2020 22:06

Correcting an earlier comment.

Yes, you can travel on the Indian Pacific from Sydney to Port Augusta but getting off is the tricky bit.

The IP doesnt stop at Port Augusta, and hasnt for some years.

Cook & Rawlinna are more interesting stops.

KevinHedley · Post by **KevinHedley** » 11 Sep 2020 09:43

Thanks for that.

https://www.greattrains.com.au/timetables/indian-pacific-timetables

KevinHedley · Post by **KevinHedley** » 11 Sep 2020 09:44

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Returning to the Princes Highway we motor past the local post office in the Warnertown service station until we reach Crystal Brook.

‘Crystal Brook is a town in the Mid North of South Australia, 197 kilometres north of the capital, Adelaide. It was named after the spring-fed creek next to which it was founded. In 2016 the population of the agricultural town was 1,515. Crystal Brook is the second largest town after the city of Port Pirie in the Southern Flinders Ranges area. The shady peppercorn trees grace the main street, Bowman Street. The area where the present town is now was founded in 1839 by Edward John Eyre who was passing through the region. He named it after the beautiful sparkling clear water and named it 'Chrystal Brook'.

Crystal Brook is 197 kilometres (122 mi) north of Adelaide. The town has had some growth over the past year or two with more proposed job opportunities in the region. Crystal Brook is situated on Goyder's Line near the border of two climate systems. The township of Crystal Brook is surrounded by an intense farming region. As the town has experienced some growth in the past few years it has pushed housing development to the western side of the original township and across the creek.

The town benefits from a temperate mediterranean climate zone, making possible slightly more intense farming in the region. To the south to south-east and west lies more intense farming and to the north-west lies some marginal, semi-arid farmland.‘

Crystal Brook shopping centre

Crystal Brook post office

Some links

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crystal_Brook,_South_Australia
http://www.crystalbrooksouthaustralia.com.au/
https://www.walkingsa.org.au/walk/find-a-place-to-walk/histo ... tal-brook/

Philatelic bits and pieces

Crystal Brook cancellations

KevinHedley · Post by **KevinHedley** » 11 Sep 2020 22:25

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Between the larger hubs of Port Pirie and Port Wakefield is a rural service centre called Snowtown. A typical south Australian town except for one event as indicated in the following extract from Wikpedia.

‘Snowtown is a town located in the Mid North of South Australia 145 km (90 miles) north of Adelaide and lies on the main road and rail routes between Adelaide and Perth — the Augusta Highway and Adelaide-Port Augusta railway line. The town's elevation is 103 metres (338 feet) and on average the town receives 389 mm of rainfall per annum.

In 1999, Snowtown became notorious as the location where the remains of eight bodies were found in barrels of acid stored in a disused bank vault. The Snowtown murders or Bodies in Barrels murders, as they came to be known, occurred in several locations in South Australia between August 1992 and May 1999. The bodies were held at a series of locations around Adelaide for some time, and were moved to Snowtown in early 1999, a few months before their discovery.

Only one victim was killed in Snowtown and none of the victims or the perpetrators were local to the town. Most of the murders had actually been committed in the outer northern suburbs of Adelaide, located on the outskirts of the South Australian capital.’

Snowtown post office – the old and the new

Some links

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snowtown,_South_Australia
https://www.wrc.sa.gov.au/ourcouncil

Philatelic bits and pieces

1902 Snowtown to England with South Australian postage stamp

80 years later - official mail

Snowtown cancellation

This post was prepared some time ago. However, this week Australia Post has issued a set of four postage stamps showing art on water towers. Here is the one for Snowtown.

From AusPost:

Across the country, water towers and tanks have been transformed from familiar functional containers into startling works of art.

In 2018, in the small NSW town of Gulargambone, Jenny McCracken painted Lucky Dip on the local water tower, showing a bright blue kingfisher diving for fish in a trompe l’oeil giant glass of water. Guido van Helten’s grisaille painting, on a Country Fire Authority water tank is located in the Winton Wetlands, near Benalla, Victoria. It shows three local CFA volunteers, including the depicted Colin Hooke from Chesney Fire Brigade. The water tower in Narrandera, NSW, was painted in 2019 by a team of four artists from Apparition Media. The town’s name is derived the Wiradjuri word for “place of lizards or goannas”.

The disused water tower in the centre of Snowtown, SA, was painted in 2018 by Vans the Omega with Sam Brooks. It features portraits of notable locals, including longtime CFA volunteer John Hansen.

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Ubobo.R.O. · Post by **Ubobo.R.O.** » 11 Sep 2020 23:47

: Snowtown SA Post Office. 09/05/2005. Peggy Hayes photo.

Nine years before the image above.Note the signage changes.

KevinHedley · Post by **KevinHedley** » 12 Sep 2020 10:17

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The Princes Highway meets the Copper Coast Highway

Port Wakefield is a progressive coastal town of the Adelaide Plains. The town is situated 98.7 kilometres (61.3 miles) from the Adelaide city centre and lies on the Port Wakefield Highway section of the A1 National Highway.

Port Wakefield is situated on the River Wakefield, at the head of the Gulf St Vincent and is serviced by a dual lane highway which passes through the Eastern edge of the town. It is seen as a major transportation corridor for both commercial and domestic travellers and provides numerous services to support such an industry.

Port Wakefield town map

The town itself is a hidden treasure. Little do people realise that a few hundred metres West of the transport corridor, there is a township steeped in colonial history that sits on the coast of the upper reaches of Gulf St Vincent. It was a town created to cater for the needs of the early settlers. With the development of the agricultural, mining and later the fishing industries of South Australia, Port Wakefield became the pivot point for such products. A port was developed to cater for the increased production of such commodities as ore from the mines at Burra, hay and wheat from the farmers both locally and surrounding districts. The town grew steadily and thrived on the emerging industries until the introduction of the railway system.

Due to its strategic location, Port Wakefield is now known mostly for its roadhouses and trucking stops, including Shell, United and BP. Travellers between Adelaide and any of the Flinders Ranges, Yorke Peninsula, Eyre Peninsula or the Nullarbor Plain will likely travel through Port Wakefield.

Port Wakefield has several adjacent beaches and caravan parks. Accommodation is available at several places in town, including the Port Wakefield Motel (located just off the highway) and the Port Wakefield Caravan Park.

Port Wakefield post office

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KevinHedley · Post by **KevinHedley** » 12 Sep 2020 10:19

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The Port Wakefield Overpass and Highway Duplication Project, is a joint initiative of the Australian and South Australian Governments.

Port Wakefield Road typically carries 8,800 vehicles per day, however, this can increase to around 16,000 during holiday peak periods. As a result of high holiday traffic volumes and conflicting traffic movements at the intersection with the Copper Coast Highway, lengthy queues have been experienced causing substantial delays. The Augusta Highway and Copper Coast Highway intersection north of Port Wakefield is one of the State’s busiest regional road intersections being a national and regional link between Adelaide, Port Augusta and the Yorke Peninsula.

Some links

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_Wakefield,_South_Australia
https://www.portwakefield.sa.au/
https://dpti.sa.gov.au/infrastructure/road_projects/port_wak ... uplication
https://www.wrc.sa.gov.au/ourcouncil

Philatelic bits and pieces

Cancellations

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KevinHedley · Post by **KevinHedley** » 12 Sep 2020 19:23

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No, we are not in Ireland. While this satellite view does indicate some greenery alongside the St Vincent Gulf it is definitely not the Emerald Isle.

The Princes Highway leave the coast at the head of the gulf and traverses agricultural and grazing properties before reaching the northern fringes of Adelaide.

There are three Local Post Offices along the way including this one at Dublin.

But before we get that far the discerning traveller will notice this roadside sign and, as ALL Stampboarders are entranced with birds, the car will turn towards the Adelaide International Bird Sanctuary.

'Whilst being one of Adelaide’s longest continuous conservation areas, the Bird Sanctuary is home to 263 unique fauna and flora species. In particular, the Bird Sanctuary helps protect resident and migratory shorebirds, including threatened species such as Curlew sandpiper, Ruddy turnstone, Red knot and Eastern Curlew as well as productive mangroves, marine and coastal assets, river systems and many significant terrestrial species and ecological communities.'

https://www.parks.sa.gov.au/find-a-park/Browse_by_region/Ade ... ional-park

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Ubobo.R.O. · Post by **Ubobo.R.O.** » 12 Sep 2020 19:41

: A snippet from the Australia Post employees magazine.

Date of snippet unknown but probably c2005.
The post box has been replaced with an all red one and shifted to the kerb edge.

Canada stamper · Post by **Canada stamper** » 13 Sep 2020 10:09

KevinHedley wrote: ↑
11 Sep 2020 22:25
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This post was prepared some time ago. However, this week Australia Post has issued a set of four postage stamps showing art on water towers. Here is the one for Snowtown.

From AusPost:

Across the country, water towers and tanks have been transformed from familiar functional containers into startling works of art.

In 2018, in the small NSW town of Gulargambone, Jenny McCracken painted Lucky Dip on the local water tower, showing a bright blue kingfisher diving for fish in a trompe l’oeil giant glass of water. Guido van Helten’s grisaille painting, on a Country Fire Authority water tank is located in the Winton Wetlands, near Benalla, Victoria. It shows three local CFA volunteers, including the depicted Colin Hooke from Chesney Fire Brigade. The water tower in Narrandera, NSW, was painted in 2019 by a team of four artists from Apparition Media. The town’s name is derived the Wiradjuri word for “place of lizards or goannas”.

The disused water tower in the centre of Snowtown, SA, was painted in 2018 by Vans the Omega with Sam Brooks. It features portraits of notable locals, including longtime CFA volunteer John Hansen.

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I love the water tower stamp!!

towradji · Post by **towradji** » 13 Sep 2020 10:14

And well done to Kevin, a very interesting thread

KevinHedley · Post by **KevinHedley** » 13 Sep 2020 10:25

Thanks all

KevinHedley · Post by **KevinHedley** » 13 Sep 2020 10:28

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The path of the Princes Highway takes it into three major cities which, between them, have a population of almost 12 million people. Each of these centres have a proliferation of museums, gardens, theatres, sporting arenas which meet the needs of locals and tourists alike.

It follows that we could spend many days, even weeks exploring the points of interest and that is beyond the scope of this thread. As a matter of interest we spent five days in Adelaide some years ago and regretted that we could not stay longer.

Just because I can, I will make sure the Glenelg tram is pictured even though it is nowhere near the Princes Highway.

‘Adelaide is the capital city of the state of South Australia, and the fifth-most populous city of Australia. The demonym Adelaidean is used to denote the city and the residents of Adelaide.

Adelaide is situated on the Adelaide Plains north of the Fleurieu Peninsula, between the Gulf St Vincent in the west and the Mount Lofty Ranges in the east. Its metropolitan area extends 20 km (12 mi) from the coast to the foothills of the Mount Lofty Ranges, and stretches 96 km (60 mi) from Gawler in the north to Sellicks Beach in the south.

Named in honour of Queen Adelaide, consort to King William IV, the city was founded in 1836 as the planned capital for the only freely-settled British province in Australia. Colonel William Light, one of Adelaide's founding fathers, designed the city centre and chose its location close to the River Torrens, in the area originally inhabited by the Kaurna people and known as Tarndanyangga ("place of the red kangaroo"). Light's design, now listed as national heritage, set out the city centre in a grid layout, interspaced by wide boulevards and large public squares, and entirely surrounded by parklands.

Route of Princes Highway through Adelaide

Adelaide could well have been included in the current issue of 'travel poster' postage stamps:

Another old view of Adelaide

And a more modern city

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KevinHedley · Post by **KevinHedley** » 13 Sep 2020 10:40

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With trams and buses

Adelaide General Post office - old and new

Some links

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adelaide
https://www.cityofadelaide.com.au/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTaUIShldFI

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KevinHedley · Post by **KevinHedley** » 13 Sep 2020 10:42

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Adelaide - Philatelic bits and pieces

Due to the size of Adelaide there would be numerous examples of cancellations posted on Stampboards and other sites. I will content myself with showing the many covers I had already assembled for this thread.

1935 embossed commercial cover

2003 Farewell Frama

1951 First day cover Antarctica

1999 Frama Adelaide Stampex

1982 Greenpeace save the whales cover

1981 commercial cover

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KevinHedley · Post by **KevinHedley** » 13 Sep 2020 10:45

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Adelaide - Philatelic bits and piece, continued

1968 First day cover Olympic games

1931 First Flight cover Adelaide to Ireland

1957 embossed commercial cover

1962 embossed commercial cover

1976 embossed postcard

2010 minisheet Stampex '10 National Stamp Exhibition, Adelaide

1996 First day cover Adelaide town hall

1989 First day cover Adelaide Botanic Gardens

Parcel post cancellations

2010 cancellation

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KevinHedley · Post by **KevinHedley** » 13 Sep 2020 10:46

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Postage stamps featuring Adelaide

1936 SG161

1936 SG162

1936 SG163

1990 SG1271

2008 SG3059

2013 SG4008

2012 SG3724

2007 SG2865

1989 SG 1201

2004 SG2360

2013 SG3998

BigSaint · Post by **BigSaint** » 13 Sep 2020 10:47

Kevin

Enjoying thread immensely, something from the Snowtown Philatelic Society:

: Centenary of Snowtown 1878 - 1978
Souvenir Covers produced by the Snowtown Philatelic Society
Pictorial Postmarks 13th, 14th & 15th October 1978 - APM #6880.

And from Channel 9 in North Adelaide:

: NWS Channel 9 45 years in Television in North Adelaide - 1st September 2004 (APM #36520)

Ubobo.R.O. · Post by **Ubobo.R.O.** » 13 Sep 2020 12:52

: Glenelg SA Post Office. 2002. Peggy Hayes photo.

: Stepney SA Post Office. 2002. Peggy Hayes photo.

warm · Post by **warm** » 13 Sep 2020 15:46

Love it all

great to have the maps to orientate as we go

…could be a good book…

I should not write WELL DONE - what I really mean is WELL DOING. Excellent. What a project

BigSaint · Post by **BigSaint** » 13 Sep 2020 18:35

Kevin

Some old postcards of the former Victoria Park Racecourse which was a short walk from the Adelaide GPO on Fullarton Road. It opened in the 1840s & closed in 2008:

: The Lawn Victoria Park Racecourse Adelaide - colourised

: Adelaide Machine Cancel - 19th October 1913?

: The Lawn Victoria Park Racecourse Adelaide - Black & White

: Adelaide cds Postmark - 6th May 1907

: Racing Down the Home Straight

KevinHedley · Post by **KevinHedley** » 13 Sep 2020 18:40

Thanks for the contributions and the comments.

I could almost have managed this thread just using horse racing covers from BigSaint.

However items like those above just add interest to our journey.

KevinHedley · Post by **KevinHedley** » 13 Sep 2020 18:45

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Time to leave that city traffic and head for the hills – the Adelaide Hills, to be precise.

When we come to the last major intersection at Glen Osmond it is tempting to turn right into Cross Street and continue down to that marvellous beach (and the trams) at Glenelg.

However it is time to head south-east along the aptly-named South Eastern Freeway. There are any number of small urban areas in the Mount Lofty range but I have chosen Hahndorf as our next stop.

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But before we get that far let us take one last look at Adelaide, this time from the peak of Mount Lofty.

Returning to the fast-flowing freeway for a short while we then head for one of the picturesque villages which abound in the Adelaide Hills.

‘Hahndorf is the oldest surviving German Village in Australia and is a popular tourist destination. Many of the original buildings and traditions have been retained and Hahndorf's village atmosphere is complimented by a myriad of cafes and speciality shops.

There are hotels, restaurants, galleries, artisans at work, gourmet food outlets and a wide selection of accommodation. Several wineries showcase the best of Adelaide Hills' wines a short drive from Hahndorf.

The Hahndorf township is just 20 minutes from the city along the South Eastern Freeway. Hahndorf is a short drive from Mount Barker, the Adelaide Hills' main shopping and business hub.’

Hahndorf post offices – c1885 and now

Some links

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Lofty_Ranges

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hahndorf,_South_Australia

http://www.exploringaustralia.com.au/showplace.php?s=adel&p=92

https://www.mountbarker.sa.gov.au/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LCBin--aDA

Philatelic bits and pieces

Postcards Hahndorf and Melbourne

1917 Hahndorf socked on the nose

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KevinHedley · Post by **KevinHedley** » 14 Sep 2020 10:53

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Having made that little detour off the Highway it is now time to look more broadly at this part of our journey.

It can be seen that we are still very close to Adelaide and must now cross the ‘mighty’ Murray River before heading down past the Coorong to that area of South Australia known as the Green Triangle.

‘Reflecting its name, the “Green Triangle” is one of Australia’s major forest regions. It has extensive plantation softwood and hardwood resources. There is an established, world competitive softwood processing industry in the region including pulp and paper manufacturing, sawn timber, wood panels and woodchip export. The forest industry is a mainstay of the local economy. The Green Triangle spans the border area between the states of South Australia and Victoria with ready access to the capital cities of Melbourne and Adelaide and covers an area of 6 million ha. Processing activities are centred around the cities of Mt Gambier in South Australia and Portland in Victoria which also provides the region’s port.’

https://www.agriculture.gov.au/sites/default/files/sitecolle ... t_ver8.pdf

Now we will head to Murray Bridge.

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KevinHedley · Post by **KevinHedley** » 14 Sep 2020 19:25

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‘Murray Bridge (formerly Mobilong and Edwards Crossing) is a city in the Australian state of South Australia, located 76 kilometres (47 mi) east-southeast of the state's capital city, Adelaide, and 77 kilometres (48 mi) north of the town of Meningie. The city had an urban population of approximately 18,779 as at June 2018 making it the fifth most populous urban area in the state after Adelaide, Mount Gambier, Victor Harbor - Goolwa and Whyalla.’

‘The city services a farming area including dairy, pigs, chickens, cereal crops and vegetables (including "stay crisp lettuces").’

Murray Bridge town map

Murray Bridge main street

Murray Bridge post offices – old and new

Some links

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murray_Bridge,_South_Australia

https://www.murraybridge.sa.gov.au/

http://www.murrayriver.com.au/murray-bridge-visitor-information-centre-1227/

http://www.murrayriver.com.au/murray-bridge

https://lavenderfederationtrail.org.au/video-postcards-sa-20 ... ion-trail/

Philatelic bits and pieces

1938 Airmail cover to Canada

1960 First day cover Melbourne Cup centenary

1987 Commercial cover

2003 Farewell frama cover

Another 2003 Farewell frama cover

1892 cancellation

1869 cancellation

1935 cancellation

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Ubobo.R.O. · Post by **Ubobo.R.O.** » 14 Sep 2020 20:07

Post Offices located between Hahndorf and Murray Bridge.

: Old Callington Post Office. 2002. Peggy Hayes photo.

: Callington Post office. 2002. Peggy Hayes photo.

: Monarto South Post Office. 2002. Peggy Hayes photo.

KevinHedley · Post by **KevinHedley** » 15 Sep 2020 10:43

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The next part of our trip will take us along the Murray River.

Before we leave it seems appropriate to have a closer look at this vital waterway.

‘The Murray River … is Australia's longest river, at 2,508 kilometres (1,558 mi) in length. The Murray rises in the Australian Alps, draining the western side of Australia's highest mountains, and then meanders across Australia's inland plains, forming the border between the states of New South Wales and Victoria as it flows to the northwest into South Australia. It turns south at Morgan for its final 315 kilometres (196 mi), reaching the ocean at Lake Alexandrina.’

‘The water of the Murray flows through several terminal lakes that fluctuate in salinity (and were often fresh until recent decades) including Lake Alexandrina and The Coorong before emptying through the Murray Mouth into the southeastern portion of the Indian Ocean, often referenced on Australian maps as the Southern Ocean, near Goolwa. Despite discharging considerable volumes of water at times, particularly before the advent of large-scale river regulation, the mouth has always been comparatively small and shallow.’

To put the Murray into context it is necessary to realise that it is just a part of a much larger catchment area.

‘The Murray–Darling basin is a large geographical area in the interior of southeastern Australia. Its name is derived from its two major rivers, the Murray River and the Darling River. The basin, which drains around one-seventh of the Australian landmass, is one of the most significant agricultural areas in Australia. It spans most of the states of New South Wales and Victoria, the Australian Capital Territory, and parts of the states of Queensland (the lower third) and South Australia (the southeastern corner). The basin is 3,375 kilometres (2,097 mi) in length, with the Murray River being 2,508 km (1,558 mi) long.

Most of the 1,061,469 km2 (409,835 sq mi) basin is flat, low-lying and far inland, and receives little direct rainfall. The many rivers it contains tend to be long and slow-flowing, and carry a volume of water that is large only by Australian standards.

The Snowy Mountains Scheme provides some security of water flows to the Murray–Darling basin, providing approximately 2,100 gigalitres (7.4×1010 cu ft) of water a year to the basin for use in Australia's irrigated agriculture industry, which is worth about A$3 billion per annum, representing more than 40% of the gross value of the nation's agricultural production.’

Some links

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murray_River
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murray%E2%80%93Darling_basin
http://www.murrayriver.com.au/about-the-murray/locks-weirs-dams-barrages/

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KevinHedley · Post by **KevinHedley** » 15 Sep 2020 19:23

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Having crossed the ‘mighty’ Murray it is only a short journey to our next destination on the left bank. The slightly adventurous might choose not to cross the river at Murray Bridge. Instead they would take the Jervois Road and use the ferry, a mode of transport once often found on the Murray.

Between these two roads are highly productive irrigated agricultural lands.

‘Tailem Bend is a small rural service town on the banks of the Murray River. It is surrounded by fertile river soils which are used for dairying, pig farming and growing grain. The town's main attraction is the huge Old Tailem Bend Pioneer Village which has more than 90 historic buildings. It is configured like a South Australian town from the 1940s or 1950s.

Located 96 km east of Adelaide and 21 metres above sea level, Tailem Bend is one of the last towns on the banks of the Murray River before it disgorges into Lake Alexandrina.’

Tailem Bend town map

Tailem Bend main street

Tailem Bend Post offices – old and new

Some links
https://www.aussietowns.com.au/town/tailem-bend-sa
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tailem_Bend,_South_Australia
http://www.murrayriver.com.au/tailem-bend/

Philatelic bits and pieces

1998 Train pictorial cover

1988 cancellation

1994 cancellation

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KevinHedley · Post by **KevinHedley** » 16 Sep 2020 09:02

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If we were looking for the quickest road to Melbourne then the Dukes Highway would be our choice. However, we want the scenic route and that just happens to be the Princes Highway.

Road sign south

'Meningie is a town on the south-east side of Lake Albert in South Australia. It is on the Princes Highway near The Coorong and was surveyed in 1866. At the 2016 census, the locality of Meningie had a population of 1118 with a median age of 51 while its town centre had a population of 852.'

Meningie town map

'Meningie has attractions and amenities for travellers and is the closest township to the Coorong National Park. The Lake provides visitors with many scenic locations and places to fish, swim, kayak, jet ski and water ski / wake-board. Bird watchers also enjoy coming to see the range of rare and vulnerable wildlife that the Lake and wetlands support.
There are local 4WD tracks, bush walking trails, and indigenous cultural journeys at Camp Coorong. The Meningie Cheese Factory Museum Inc. is wholly owned and operated by volunteers, and is both educational and a tourist attraction for the town. It is alongside the Cheese Factory Restaurant and the Lake Albert Caravan Park which is directly opposite.'

Meningie post office

Some links

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meningie,_South_Australia
https://www.coorong.sa.gov.au/

Philatelic bits and pieces

2008 Pre printed envelope

1873 Meningie cancellation

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Ubobo.R.O. · Post by **Ubobo.R.O.** » 16 Sep 2020 10:30

: Meningie SA Post Office. May 2002. Peggy Hayes photo.

Since this photo was taken the post office has had a make-over. New paint job, signage and one phone box removed.

KevinHedley · Post by **KevinHedley** » 16 Sep 2020 20:37

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One of Australia’s special places is the Coorong, especially after it featured in the 1976 classic film Storm Boy.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0076767/ and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Storm_Boy_(2019_film)

'A little over two hours drive from Adelaide and north of the Limestone Coast you will discover a spectacular natural ancient landscape…an unspoilt and untouched coastal wilderness that is breathtaking and abundant…welcome to Coorong Country!

Soak up the peaceful atmosphere and relaxed lifestyle of our laid back waterfront towns. Meningie is the gateway to the Coorong National Park and Coorong Country however you’ll enjoy Salt Creek, Narrung and Raukkan on your adventures in the region as well. We surround the shores of vast Lake Albert; a freshwater lake separated from Lake Alexandrina by the Narrung Narrows at the northern end of the Coorong and fed by Australia’s great Murray River.

Enjoy a local Coorong Country Drive and experience the best of a rugged windswept coastline and good farming and grazing lands ...'

The Princes Highway skirts this important waterway for quite a distance as indicated on these maps: