Week 2 Sun 26 Feb - Sat 3 Mar

Week 2          Sun 26 Feb – Sat 3 Mar

Seal Rocks (via Toncurry-Foster) – 26 – 28 Feb

 

Seal Rocks is a place of dramatic coastlines.  It is volcanic area of black rock that spans the cliffs with huge fault lines everywhere.

We are staying at Seal Rocks Holiday Park which is located across the road from the beachfront. The weather was overcast and a little bit breezier than previously days and a little cooler and I had to put the coat on for the first time. 

Drove up to Sugarloaf Lighthouse, but had to contend with a film crew – people, vans, equipment everywhere.  They are filming a movie with Naomi Watts right here at Seal Rocks – how’s that for timing. And they have taken over the town.

Sugarloaf Lighthouse is a small ½ walk up the hill and it has lovely accommodation at the old Lighthouse Keepers cottages.  They are beautiful, classic 1800 buildings, stark white with white fences and chimneys with the backdrop of the Lighthouse. The area is amazing, with very dramatic cliff faces and rocks everywhere. A fantastic place to stay, if you want to pay the price, ranging anywhere from $420 to $590 a night.

Drove around to Treachery Head and walked the 1.2km (one-way) walk out to the Point, to have views back to the Lighthouse and as far South as you could see. Finally returned to camp and had a very relaxing afternoon, lunching, coffeeing (yes we have a coffee machine) and getting the washing in.

Getting very chilly and again the coat is on.  Roast pork, roast potatoes and vegetables tonight – can’t get better than that!!

Day 2 here we decided to go for a drive to Wallingat National Park.  We did all the roads over and travelled up to the Whoopa Whoopa Lookout.  We had lunch at Sugar Creek Picnic area and did the little 2.5km walk – it was very hot and sticky.  After lunch, on the way back called into Sandbar to have a look – nice caravan park on Smith’s Lake and then a stopover at Neranie Bay camping ground on Myall Lakes – very nice and a great place to stop.

Decided to go for a swim, not sure why (as I was hot and sticky) – the water was freezing but after a while very refreshing.

Sydney – 29 Feb – 2 Mar

The drive to Sydney was a good run.  We could see that the weather was changing and getting overcast the more south we drove.  Stopped off at Heatherbrae for a Pie at the Heatherbrae Famous Pie shop (seems to be a trend going on here!).  Yet again we ran into a film crew – are they following us!!  We arrived at Sydney Hills Tourist Park around 2.30 pm and as we unhitched the drizzling rain commenced. The weather had arrived.  It rained all night and as I was sitting watching TV I had a spot of water hit my foot.  Looking up wondering where it was coming from – we appear to have sprung a very slow leak on the seal – the roof needs a new silicone coat as the water is getting in.  Very frustrating and annoying as we can’t do anything about it until it stops raining, and that is not likely to be anytime soon!!!

Thursday we took off relatively early for us into Sydney city.  We were fortunate that the rain had stopped and there was some blue sunshine – the weather gods were looking out for us.  We caught the 642 Hillsbus from opposite the caravan park at 8.50 am (impressed it was on time) and took the 1 hour journey into the city doing the sites of the suburbs on the way.

We had a very packed and busy day.  Starting off we headed to the Botanical gardens until we weaved our way to the Mrs Macquaries Point to take advantage of the views of the Harbour and the Opera House. You forget how impressive this structure is and the magnificence of it.  The Bay was a busy as usual with ferries, pleasure craft, police ships, divers etc.    We seemed to hover in this area for ages, before deciding at 11am that we were hungry – so taking the opportunity while we could we got 2 hotdogs.  They were devoured in no time and then it was off again.  We made our way around the cove to the Opera House getting closer the more impressive it was.  What seemed like another century we went around, up and over the place taking copious amounts of pictures while the weather was holding off. In fact it was actually getting a little hot and humid. 

Hunger pains were calling again so Circular Quay was our lunch stop – Hungry Jacks of all places.  We were definitely getting our fat intake today!!  We made our way to the Rocks area and walked and shot our way around as we weaved in and out of side alleys and streets.  Such an amazing place and you could imagine what it was like in the old days.

Next stop was Darling Harbour, another amazing place with ships and boats and shops on the promenade all the way around and the monorail buzzing by overhead. By now we were craving a coffee and found this great little coffee shop that was part of a Thai Restaurant. Wow, how we enjoyed this coffee, which we both swigged in about 3 seconds.  Our day was coming to a close and the time was getting on, plus we had to confess we were getting a little tired from the non-stop walking for 6 hours that was now taking its toll.  So our 642 bus journey home was a pleasant end to a lovely day of which the weather was kind and not too hot with lots of photos to show for it.  As we arrived home the drizzle commenced and seemed to set in yet again for the night.

 

Our last day in Sydney was raining and it was heavier than before.  What a horrible day.  So we did what we normally do when it rains and went shopping.  There was a Bunnings and Repco etc – so we decided to buy a barbecue cover (we got the idea to cover our table and chairs while outside to kept them dry) – brilliant idea!!!  And after a long week from Tony’s birthday – bought him a Bonsai plant. Oh and we bought a collapsible rack.  I know – not the average purchases for a caravanning trip – but great to clear off sites when they are leafy etc.
We did the obligatory washing – and yes had to use the dryer for the first time and I don’t think it will be the last and went grocery shopping – once we found a shopping centre. 

Ulladulla - 3 Mar

As we had most of our gear already in the van, it didn’t take long to get away.  We were on the road to Ulladulla – first navigating our way through the northern suburbs to the southern suburbs – and it was still raining, but a bit lighter now.

It took nearly an hour to get to the other side and our first stop was the Information Centre at the Bulli Pass near Woollongong, typically known as “The Gong”.  Made a cup of coffee and had a hot cross bun (bought in our shopping spree the day before) - yum.  Calories seem to have gone out the door on this holiday – oh well – have to do much more walking won’t we!  Still raining however a small respite while taking photos over the area and the usual T-Shirt purchase at the Information Centre.

Off again, next stop Berry for lunch.  The further south we got the worse the weather seem to get, but it held off at Berry just enough to have a ½ lunch break and on the road again.  We finally got to Milton, at 3.30pm to be joined by our friends, who then drove us to their house. After negotiating the reverse parking down the hill through the gates we finally arrived – and down came the rain.

Until Week 3, bye for now.