24/05/2026
Going North, the 2026 Mid North and Yorke Peninsula tour organised by the Federation of Historic Motoring Clubs of SA, got underway at Willaston on Saturday, 16 May and wrapped up on Saturday, 23 May. Nearly 70 people from a wide spread of South Australian clubs joined in. For more than 20 years, these tours have brought historic vehicle enthusiasts together from across South Australia and, from time to time, from interstate as well.
MAPS has hosted the tour before, and it was lovely to see some familiar faces among the regulars.
Like many events, tour numbers and duration have eased a little in recent years due to COVID and an ageing membership, but these tours still have a character all their own. A lot of planning happens behind the scenes, from pre-tour runs and contacting venues and clubs to preparing and sending out costed entry forms. It takes a great deal of effort to make it all come together.
With the help of several MAPS members, Going North 2026 highlighted and involved three Yorke Peninsula clubs. After a warm send-off from the Gawler Car Club at Willaston, our first stop was Goode Restorations, with support from NARC members. Lunch and a presentation in Clare featured before-and-after images of the 1923 Buick owned by Richard and Marg Bastian. We then stayed overnight in Burra, with some in caravans and others at Paxton Cottages, which many thought may well have been the best accommodation of the trip, followed by an evening meal at the local bowling club.
On Sunday, we visited the impressive collections of NARC members Merv and Aileen Robinson, where the recently restored Buick was on display. From there, we headed to Peterborough for the night and enjoyed an adapted version of the Steamtown show, along with the hospitality of the Old Picture Theatre. With the Steamtown venue closed, members of PUMPS (Peterborough United Machinery Preservation Society) and the local Rotary Club stepped in to make sure the visit was still a success.
On day three, after taking in displays around the area, we travelled along the R.M. Williams Way to Orroroo for lunch, before continuing to Quorn for a three-day stay. There were plenty of highlights: a silo light show, trips to Hawker to see the Jeff Morgan Mural, and lunch at the ever-popular Craddock Hotel. Evening meals were provided by local groups, including the Postie Bike Challenge team, which has Northern Yorke Peninsula connections. Wednesday’s run took us to the Port Augusta HVR clubrooms for lunch, although our stop at Ticklebelly Hill Café meant we were already very well fed before the generous spread put on by PAVRC in their spacious rooms.
Thursday took us through Wilmington and Melrose before we arrived at Booleroo Centre, where the Steam and Traction Centre treated us to plenty of food and some fascinating stories about a wide range of agricultural machinery. After the slightly testing drive through Germein Gorge, we reached our Port Pirie accommodation and finished the day with dinner at the Sporties Club, joined by a number of PADARC members.
On Friday, the main group made its way to Ardrossan via Port Broughton and Kadina, where MAPS members John and Norma Moss, together with their helpers, served a terrific three-course meal. Dinner in Ardrossan on both Friday and Saturday nights was outstanding, both for the quality of the meals and the friendly service. One useful lesson from the trip was the value of keeping menu choices manageable and making sure everyone records them clearly, although the mix-ups did give us all a bit of amusement.
Saturday’s run took us to the Harry Butler Memorial at Minlaton after the cliff-top meetup. Roadworks caused no trouble, and directions to the Minlaton stop were excellent, thanks in no small part to our President, Geoff Wall, who was impossible to miss in his day-glo vest with signboard in hand. The running-board lunches were organised by the Southern Yorke Peninsula Historical Vehicle Club and prepared by the Minlaton Bakery. Our thanks go to Kali and Richard Germein and the other SYP members. Geoff then headed 15 km further south to the marshalling point to guide participants to the day’s visit at Bublacowie Military Museum. Owner Chris Soar and his daughter Jo made us feel very welcome, and we split into two groups to look around. The size and variety of the collection really have to be seen to be believed. If you have not been there recently, it is well worth another visit.
Coffee, tea and other refreshments were kindly donated, and Trish from Wilma’s on Yorke Café at Ardrossan also generously supplied 100 paper cups free of charge.
By mid-afternoon, we were back in Ardrossan and gathered at the Ardrossan Hotel Motel for the final meal. We were joined by Trevor and Lynne Clerke, our current President Geoff Wall, and Thomas Johansson. Thanks also to Geoff, Trevor and Brian Davey for helping with meal distribution. Their assistance was greatly appreciated, as was the cheerful service from the Top Pub staff.
All in all, it was a wonderful example of clubs and people working together.
