27.09.2016 Port Lincoln

Storm in Lincoln NP and power outage

Port Lincoln is famous for several things here. For example, it is said to have delicious seafood and you have the opportunity to observe white sharks while sitting in a cage (Shark Cage Diving). Once again, it was quite cold and we decided to take a look at the Lincoln National Park as long as the sun is still shining a bit.

We drove a 40 km long off-road track to Memory Cove. A lonely bay located in an environmentally protected area. To get here, you have to ask for a key at the information center to be able to drive through the gates.

It is even allowed to camp here, but only if there is still a free spot available. Since we dawdled a lot today, it was already a bit late when we arrived there. It took us about 1.5 hours for the 40 km. So we just looked for a campsite afterwards and set up our camp.

From our place right on the water, we had a perfect view of the city and everything was brightly illuminated at night. enlightened.Am The next morning, we basically saw the rest of the national park. There are not many hiking opportunities, but there are some beautiful bays with turquoise blue sea.

After returning the key to the information center, we went fishing at our next campsite. Mike caught some fish, but unfortunately they were too small to eat. The evening became very windy and cold, so we retreated to the car when it got dark. did.Am On the third morning, we found out over the internet that the worst storm in 50 years is coming towards us and should last until Saturday morning.

Tornado warnings were even predicted a bit higher up from us. But a tornado could also occur in our region. Otherwise, wind with up to 100 km/h and 11 meter high waves were announced. Plus rain, thunderstorms, and hail. It was advised to spend as little time on the streets as possible in the next few days. To avoid any risk, we decided to go to the Youth Hostel in Port Lincoln and booked a room there for the next few days. Then we finally had the opportunity to do laundry again and update the blog, or at least we thought so. It all started great, the hostel was very nice and cozy and the owners were also very helpful.

The weather began to get worse and sandbags were already being filled in the city to protect against floods.

From noon onwards, there was a power outage. But this outage affected not only us, but the whole of South Australia and part of Western Australia. In some regions, hail the size of table tennis balls was reported, and there were already floodings.In Adelaide. In the hostel, we cooked together by flashlight and waited for the night.

At around 7 pm, the power came back on and the news reported that the night was going to be particularly bad. Since we were lucky to spend the night in the hostel, we can only report that it was damn loud outside. In the middle of the night, the fire alarm went off even though there was no fire, and then the power went out again at 2 a.m. We thought we would just go back to sleep. we.Am The next morning, we still had no power, and neither did the whole of South Australia.

The news reported that a cyclone had formed on the water during the night, but luckily it did not reach the mainland. The power outage will continue throughout the weekend and all the shops are closed except for one in Port Lincoln. Only one gas station is open, and there was already a line of cars with up to 100 cars in front of it. People seemed to really freak out, as if the world were ending. Some people even walked on foot to the gas station to carry gasoline home in canisters. And the city has never been so crowded before.. we really wondered where everyone is going when you can't refuel. At home, we would just enjoy it and do nothing.

Our phones didn't even have a network. In order not to just sit in the hostel, as it also got damn cold without heating, we drove to the coast to watch the waves. Unbelievable, the waves don't come across as gigantic in the photos as they actually looked. Where we were walking on the beach under the cliffs, which were about 5 meters high, yesterday, there was water everywhere. It is fascinating how cut off you are without electricity. Actually, it is almost like camping right now because of the lack of electricity.. just under a roof.