We weren’t expecting much from our Walk the Yorke ride between Port Arthur and Port Clinton, but how wrong we were!
As a section which swings away from the coast to avoid having to go on the Yorke Highway, we expected some kind of fill-in route, much as we had encountered between Stansbury and Edithburgh, when Walk the Yorke goes inland to circumvent the mine at Klein Point.
Instead we enjoyed a challenging, hilly ride with beautiful views to the coast and a very interesting historic wool storage shed and prison from the 1870’s.
Port Arthur
Most people would not be aware that we have a Port Arthur in South Australia. As part of the shallow, northern section of Gulf St Vincent the word “Port” is probably an overstatement. However, in the 1870’s bales of wool were loaded from here onto barges during low tide, then floated out on the high tide. Waiting ships would then transport the wool to Adelaide and England.
Before beginning our ride, we took a short detour to see the mangroves and shallow waters of Port Arthur. It was hard to believe that this area had once been so busy, even boasting a hotel!
Then we were off on our Walk the Yorke ride to Port Clinton, starting with a low gradient climb on Shed Road to the historic Port Arthur Woolshed.
Port Arthur Woolshed and Prison
This shed was built in the 1870’s to store wool, shorn from Yararoo Station sheep. Later, it was used as a repository for mining equipment on its way to the copper mines at Kadina, Wallaroo and Moonta.
Sadly, it’s also a place where, in the early years of white occupation, Indigenous people were imprisoned and massacred. In the words of Ngadjuri elder Quenten Agius “That’s how they dealt with the ‘Aboriginal Problem’ in those days.”
In a reflective mood, we continued cycling up Shed Road and turned left onto Kellys Hill Road. The gradient of the climb steepened.
Port Arthur Shelter
After five kilometres of climbing, we reached the Port Arthur Shelter.
As well as the beautiful views to Gulf St Vincent, this shelter provides information signboards, a water tank and a picnic table.
After a suitable break, we continued our climb
up to Yararoo Road.
Yararoo Road and the descent to Port Clinton
Yararoo Road was an undulating ridge-top road with occasional views to the gulf. After eight kilometres, it was time for the fun bit – the descent.
The roll down to Port Clinton was quite corrugated, but still enjoyable after quite a few tough climbs.
Port Clinton
At Port Clinton the tide was out.
There was a charming picnic shelter, picnic tables and public toilets in front of the caravan park.
After taking a break and eating some of our lunch, it was time to start on the return trip.
Of course we had to first take the obligatory “We made it to Port Clinton” photo.
Then we began our way back up the hill.
Return Journey to Port Arthur
The five kilometre climb out of Port Clinton was long and quite tough, due mostly to the corrugations.
We were glad of a rest at the bench at the top.
On Yararoo Road we encountered quite a headwind. Brian chivalrously provided a wind break for Rhonda.
Turning onto Kellys Hill Road, we found it was more undulating than we remembered. We had to push through a couple of steep climbs.
From the Port Arthur Shelter, it was a steady roll with beautiful views.
Down, down and past the old woolshed
all the way back to where our cars were parked at Port Arthur.
Summary of our Walk the Yorke ride from Port Arthur to Port Clinton
All together, we had cycled 41 kilometres and climbed 329 metres. We all agreed that it had been a really enjoyable ride.
Nevertheless, our favourite Walk the Yorke ride so far is still the section between Port Moorowie and Edithburgh.
For more information about this section of the trail see the Walk the Yorke website.
Top photo by Kerri Newell
