An Aussie Camino – walking with St Mary MacKillop

We decide to walk the pilgrimage route of Saint Mary Mckillop. In the pioneering spirit of Saint Mary, we make a few changes to the route to take into account the snakes, heat and the need for the State Emergency Service to try out their new rescue buggy. It is as Saint Mary would attest, a walk to enrich faith and understanding.

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September 24 Day 8

Dear Friends and Family, After the very late night 2 nights ago and an early start yesterday and having to put the clocks back a half hour, we ate dinner somewhere around 6.00, cleaned up and headed off to bed by 8.00! Not one of us could be bothered sitting up even with the choice of Netflix!

So that meant waking up at 6.00 with light coming into the room. I did think it was Mary letting us sleep in a little as were weren’t planning to walk as far, but no, it was still a 6.00 get up for a 7.00 drive in the car back to our starting point in Port Mac Donnell. Our good friend Maxine at the library was very accurate in her directions, so a big thank you to her.

Our walk began on a bitumen road but soon changed to a regular farm track which led between two farms. As this is all farming around these parts, we had cows either side of us, none of them like the noisy ones yesterday, but still very curious, coming up close to the fences then stampeding off as we got closer. Occasionally there would be a paddock with sheep, an odd black sheep among them.

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House ruin on the track

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The weather starts off crisp each morning, requiring for me, gloves and a beanie, but these are discarded after the first half hour or so especially if there is no strong breeze blowing like down along the coast on the GSWW. The days have continued to be overcast, so not too hot for walking in the open and not too cold either.

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We crossed over a few “major“ roads, all the while keeping Mt Schank in our sights. Along the way we passed another herd of steers which kept coming up to the fence then taking off again. When they got to the last fence line, we thought that would be it. Oh no! Some silly steer suddenly charged through the fence! I truly hope it has happened before and the hole was already there. Wouldn’t want the farmer to think we were spooking his cattle!

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Just before we started the walk along the Mt Schank road, we came across the old community hall which is being renovated by and independent school group to become a 3 bedroom home that will be rented out. It’s in the area where Captain (later Sir) Grey ascended Mt Schank on the most southerly side. (You can tell I read the plaque!) so on we went skirting the edge of Mt Schank until we reached a little park where one path led to the top of the Mount.

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Day 8 cont...The Minor Maar. the Major Maar is the big crater of Mt Schank.

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We knew we were close to finishing when we reached Bellum road, about another kilometre and we were at the Bellum hotel. This time a coffee while we waited for Phil, but no stamp here, so went drove back to Port Mac Donnell to the Victorian Hotel where there was supposed to be a stamp. “No, we haven’t had one for a while, try the community centre / library.” We’ve decided Luke must carry his stamps with him, “This is my Camino and my stamps and no one is going to get one unless they’re with me.” we can hear him say.

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Day 8 Sept 24 cont..

Again very helpful staff, a sticker then the Port Mac Donnell community centre stamp, that’s better than Luke’s as far as we’re concerned. And say thank you to Maxine for us, her information was great and we didn’t have to venture on the main road at all. A snack at the Periwinkle cafe and back to Mt Gambier, time to clean up and think about a spot of sightseeing of the Blue Lake, as you do when in Mt Gambier.

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September 25 - Day 9 on Mary MacKillop walk

Good Afternoon one and all, Another lovely day, and a short walk to boot! We began up Bellum road about 1/2 km from where we finished beginning with opening the first of a number of farm gates. The lanes led between 2 farms. Again most of the cattle were either dairy or beef with an occasional paddock of sheep.

Like yesterday, they were mostly curious and would come up to the fence in front of us then take off in a stampede, then gallop ahead up further. That kept happening until we came to the paddock with cows and calves. Then the “get out of here” chorus began! And kept going and going well after we’d gone past their paddock and the next and the next! I’m sure they’ll end up with very sore throats!

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DAY 9 cont..

Mostly the cattle were curious but at one point the “get out of here” chorus began!

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DAY 9 continued.. On we strode between farms always within sight of the main road. At about the 6km mark we needed to head back to the main road ready to tackle the traffic. Not too bad, just an odd truck or two, mostly cars, but all going at 100km, so walking on the shoulder was a little hairy at times.

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Just ahead a group of shops. Could one of them be That shop? Yes, Noreen Vas ice-cream! We’ve made it! Mary did do the licorice and jaffa and I opted for the hokey pokey and licorice. Well deserved we agreed and topped off with a coffee. The very friendly owner said we looked better than the regular pilgrims - they were hot and sweaty after walking closer to 30+ kms. We were sensible, a mere 16 at that point. Luke needs to re-assess what he makes his pilgrims walk.

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Day 9 cont..Mt Gambier

Refreshed, we continued the last few kms into Mt Gambier and our accommodation getting in at 12.30, a record (but then we didn’t walk as far, but who’s keeping check!)

Quickly re grouped so we could go to the gallery to watch a film about how this region was formed, called Volcano. Very interesting learning about the the volcanoes and maars, like an inverted volcano. Water from the Blue Lake actually flows underground to the sea. The presenter bent down to taste the water, us thinking it was salt water but in fact it was clear fresh water. Amazing. Mary and I did have to really concentrate through the film, tiredness was setting in.

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headed out again to walk around the Blue Lake. Added another 5 kms tour walk for the day. Well done is all I can say. To date we have walked around 200 kms, only another 60+ to Penola over 3 days. If we were with Luke we’d take just 2 days. Glad we’re not with Luke.

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DAY 10 on an Aussie Camino continues..From Mt Gambia to Tarpeena. The road went up and down for 8 kms until it just petered out to pine plantation.

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DAY 10 CONT - Getting across a prohibited work site and a long limestone road