Week 3 Sun 4 Mar to Sat 10 Mar

Week 3 Sun 4 Mar – Sat 10 Mar

Ulladulla – 4 Mar 

We spent a lovely two days with our friends, enjoying their hospitality and catching up on everything over the last 5 years.  Their friendship is very special and we enjoy their company every time we catch up – it is just a shame we all live so far away from each other.  Sunday while the clouds tried to stop raining we went for a drive to Granite Falls and enjoyed a lovely forest walk in the mist and rain – while the whole journey I was freaking out with having leeches climb all over my shoes and into my socks.  Yuk – I hate leeches – big time!! 

I seemed to be only one that had so many that keep getting on me.  Hmm!!  Tony and I also agreed that we needed a spray jacket each – as we didn’t have much to keep the rain off – and the umbrella doesn’t always cut it.  Next purchase coming up.

After the walk we all got hungry – as our bacon and egg breakfast had well and truly worn off we stopped at the Rainbow Pie shop at Milton. I decided to have a Sausage roll and Tony had a Steak and Bacon Pie.  They were delicious followed by a hot and tasty coffee.  This habit of Pies seems to continue down the coastline, filling in the waistline!`

Off home and the weather holding, we all went down the paddock to pick Blueberries.  Well you guessed it – I had Kathryn’s, Wellington boots on, which of course are too big for me, and when I tried to get over the cow paddock fence, didn’t quite get the leg over, and down I went, straight on my bum. Lucky there was no cow pads to content with!! My skirt also didn’t help.  Pride restored we trudged off to the Blueberry orchard and picked a number of blueberries to take with us on our departure, after walking past the cutest calf I have ever seen!  John also is an Apiarist and gave us a huge tub of honey to take as well. So we were well loaded up with goodies, but before we left we also got a lovely fresh snapper which John has caught in his boat.  This was going to be for dinner at our next stop.     

Bournda National Park - 5 – 7 Mar

Monday morning the sun came out and clouds cleared to a lovely fresh morning.  We said our goodbyes to John as he went off to work and spent the morning with Kathryn having breakfast relaxing and having a coffee before heading off at 11.15am.   We got about 20 mins down the road, before realizing that we didn’t have Tony’s walking boots.  Luckily Kathryn was about to come into town as we left – so kindly brought them with her – another chance to say goodbye.

So by lunch time we were on the road heading for the next park, Bournda National Park, between Tathra and Merimbula on the coast.  As we left Ulladulla and headed south we passed through a number of pretty towns, one very arty and with the name to match, Mogo, once an gold mining town, now an artist’s retreat, with artifacts and antiques – and very popular by the amount of cars in the town.

We stopped at Narooma for lunch, a very pretty town.  Not a bad place to stay.  We continued on to Bermagui where we found the Tourist information centre extremely helpful and they had plenty of booklets and national parks info – so stocked up on bits and pieces for the next week.  This also looked like a great place to stop – this part of the coastline is very picturesque and is part of the Sapphire coast area.  I could think of worse places to be.  We get going onto Tathra until we finally got to Bournda National Park.   Not busy, but lovely, and as the signs state, a bit of bush camping, with a bit of luxury – as it has hot and cold showers and even a laundry (of course no washing machine) – but facility to hand wash.  Can’t be bad and the Bellbird songs you would not believe.  They were so deafening that it is light a constant shout – but as you settle in – it just becomes part of the background.  There are so many animals and wildlife here, including the swamp wallaby – a beautiful creature and the birdlife is great.  The park is on a lake one side and about ½ km the beach.  You can hear the rolling surf rolling across the park as the waves crash onto the beach.

We awoke to beautiful blue skies and a semi warm day and we took the opportunity to take a walk up the beach to where the lake meets the ocean.  A lovely place and one we could stop at for a while. 

After lunch we drove into Tathra to visit the old wharf and look around the town. Some great history with the floods in 1974, which wiped out the main highway as it was washed away and given back to the ocean.  Amazing and freaky all at the same time.  The historic wharf has been restored and is now a museum and restaurant – very nice and a great spot to watch the world pass by. 

Enjoyed, John’s lovely catch of fish tonight on the fire, cooked in lemon and garlic.  Absolutely delicious.  Thanks John and Kathryn. And obviously so did this little interloper!! 

Woke this morning to heavy rain and it had rained most of the night.  There were pools and floods of water rivulets everywhere.  It came in waves and bursts and lightened off for a bit.  So we decided to run for it and drive into Merimbula. Heavy rain and sheeting down, it was horrible weather and it got really cold and chilly. Brrrr!!  Winter is coming.  Walking past the shops, went into the camera shop and came out with a pair of binoculars as well as Tony buying a few bits that he needed.  Purchase number 1.  Next it was into the fishing shops to look at spray jackets.  Found one for Tony which was reasonable priced and then went across the road to the other fishing shop.  Found mine, bright pink – won’t miss me now.  As the weather was so bad and horrible, we just wore them on the spot.  Purchase number 2 and 3 achieved. 

On the way home, called into Turro to get the grocery shopping – very compact shopping centre right on the highway, all the essentials and a service station.  A cold and wet night, so good to curl up in bed with a good book.  We heard coming home that the roads between Bermagui and Tathra were cut.  Lucky we got here when we did!!

It rained all night, but did ease a little in between the heavy stuff – but as usual pack up was wet.  Everything is now very sodden and wet – so in plastic garbage bags everything goes until the next stop.  With the weather the way it was and places starting to flood we thought of only going to Eden – but as we left the rain abated slightly and so we decided to drive a little further. 

It was raining most of the way, and we had decided to stop at Cannes River.  Raining when we arrived we had lunch at the take away café – best spring roll and chiko roll and chips we had had for a while.  Went to the toilet in the pub and asked about the caravan park – the landlady advised that the river (which the park lies on) will flood tonight.  Hmm!! Maybe not such a good idea – so the decision was made onto Lakes Entrance it was.  All in all, not a bad drive, considering the weather conditions.  However, the range before Orbost did get a bit hairy, as there were rocks on the road and on one turn a whole fern tree and rock right in the middle of the road.  Interesting to negotiate when cars are passing each other.  We had just passed and around the next bend a semi trailer truck was going the other way – we flashed our lights to warn him and tried to communicate on the CB but no response.  A lot of rain has fallen and we viewed this around Orbost where the flats provided great views of the rising waters.  As we headed into Lakes Entrance the rain was obviously not as heavy as the rivulets of water eased running down the roads and verges. 

Lakes Entrance – 8 -10 Mar

We found a lovely little caravan park run by an owner /operator, the Sunshine Caravan Park not far from the esplanade.  Tight squeeze but we were in, a quaint, small park – very friendly and run by a Kiwi who used to live at Burpengary.  By now the rain had eased to a light drizzle and spots of clearing sky was appearing.  Hoorah to fine weather and what will tomorrow hold!

Well we woke to a lovely clear blue sky day and surprisingly warm.  The proprietor of the caravan park, Donna invited us for morning tea – scones with the other people in the park.  Since we had to wait for the washing to dry – decided to indulge and met a couple from Indooroopilly and an interesting couple with their teenage kids from Geelong. 

After morning tea, we drove up to the point to get the views of Lakes Entrance and to get the required snaps.  It is a very pretty town, then off home for lunch and a walk right along the esplanade.  There are so many boats and all different shapes and colours; very photogenic. Home for lunch and off for a very long walk up and down the esplanade. It took us about 2 and a half hours by the time we clicked and padded our way up and down this strip of pavement. The sun was shining and it was so warm.  What a pleasant chance from the previous few days. Even got to see a wedding reception on the beach.  Nice!

We hadn’t realized that it was a long weekend in Melbourne (Labour day holiday) and so we thought we would ring the park at Wilson’s Promontory to book a site.  To our demise, nothing!!!! The whole weekend was fully booked and there was nothing until Monday night.  So now having to reconsider our plans, booked 2 nights at the Prom and decided to stay another night at Lakes Entrance.

Making the most of this opportunity, we were advised that Buchan Caves were very good, which is about 45 mins from the town, so that was where we headed for the day.  On the way out we saw a couple of other points of interest which we would stop at on the way home.

The Caves (Royal cave) was all that was open due to the flooding – lots of water in the rivers and flowing extremely well, was absolutely amazing.  Great cave system and extremely good  stalagmites and stalactites.  Just went crazy with the camera and got some really nice shots.  We were also lucky as water was running all through the cave and an inch deep in places - the guide advised that in his 20 odd years he had never seen water in the caves like it!  Very lucky indeed.  The park is also a campground and has some excellent facilities and walks.  We are definitely going to come back to this place and do the Fairy cave that was closed and all the lovely walks.  On the way home, we called into see the Historic Trestle Bridge.  When we came around the corner to see this structure – you just go – Wow!  It is 274m long and 20m high. Some feat of engineering and now a rail trail.

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.

Week 1 19 - 25 Feb

Week 1          Sun 19 Feb – Sat 25 Feb

Yamba -  19 & 20 Feb

Started off late, wanted to get away around 10.30 am but as usual we managed to leave at midday.  First stop – Yamba, one of my favourite spots.  It is such a lovely place to unwind.  We have always stopped at the Top Tourist Park – which is now a privately owned park, so this time we stopped right in town at the Calypso Caravan Park.  Beautiful sunshine and damn hot and very sticky – and you guessed it the second night what a hum dinger of a storm – not much wind, thank god, but rain and vicious lightning and thunder.  The whole van shook every time the thunder cracked and as it went right over the top of us – I thought for sure that the lightning would strike a tree and fall on us.  It only lasted about 1/2 hour with persistent rain all night.  The next morning we listened to the radio and found out that Iluka (across the bay) got 100 mm of rain.   After a slightly wet pack up – but fining up nicely we headed off to Nambucca.  As usual we stopped at the Service Station at Half Way Creek – such an odd set up as it doesn’t feel like a roadhouse but provides a nice café and a good coffee.

Nambucca - 21 & 22 Feb

Nambucca hasn’t changed.  We stayed at the White Albatross Holiday Park, on the lake – such a nice spot.  This park is always immaculately manicured – grass cut, sites raked of rubbish.  We walked into town through the rainforest walk and did the obligatory shopping at Woolworths, and topped up with petrol before heading off to our next place.

Crowdy Bay National Park (Diamond Head section) – 23 – 25 Feb

Left Nambucca at 10 am and headed for Crowdy Bay National Park, via a place called Laurieton a small town on the coast – but big enough for a Coles.

Lunch time came and as we were not quite at our destination, wanted the quick fix – so as we drove through a town called Frederickton and stopped at a place called Freddo’s Famous Pie shop.  What a variety – so many choices that we both had trouble deciding which pie to eat.  Tony decided on the traditional Steak & Bacon and I had a yummy Savoury mince and vegetable – spicy and absolutely delicious.  Well worth the stop.

The road from Laurieton to the Park was 7kms of dirt road and was just one pothole after pothole.  The van and car got a good workout and shake up – with nothing falling out or breaking by the end of 7kms. We bought our required National Parks Annual Pass for NSW Parks and bought in for 3 nights and got our firewood for our nightly fire.  Surprisingly for a Thursday the park was already 1/3 full. This park was right on the beach and what a beach it was.  When you first walked down the path to the beach you didn’t know what to expect – but the sight was spectacular.  Beautiful white sand, crystal clear water, and rocks that you could walk over on the Point. Words are hard to describe the beauty of the place. 
We had originally only planned to stay 2 nights, but decided after the first day to stay a further night – plus we weren’t sure that we would get a spot at the next place being a Saturday night.  By Friday, the park was absolutely packed and they just kept rolling in squeezing into any available space to set up camp.  You couldn’t get another trailer or tent in – it was solid – with people, kids, tents, campers and caravans everywhere.

Our first morning, started with the Mermaid Lookout walk a 2km return which gives good views of Dunbogan Beach and North Brother Mountain.  Back for breakfast and then off to Indian Head camping ground, 2kms further on from Diamond Head Park to do the Diamond Head Loop Walk (4.8kms) and a moderate grade walk.  What a walk – it was hot and a little tough at times as the climbing up a gradual hill gets to you after a while, but completely worth it.  The walk offers everything from rainforest, heaths and cliff arches plus a natural arch along to a perpendicular point with very dramatic cliffs and rocks and great photo opportunities.  After the walk we decide to drive further south along the dirt potholed road to Crowdy Head Lighthouse, a quaint little town with no shops but a surf life saving club that had a café to buy an ice cream.

We joked this morning that when we returned some idiot would have parked us in.  Well you guessed it, a tent was planted all but 4 foot from the a-frame.  We were parked in – unbelievable – idiot!!  Tony had words and they were damn lucky that we decided to stay another day – otherwise the tent was coming down.

Day 7 was Tony’s birthday.  As usual, I forgot to get him a card for his birthday – so he had to settle for a Tweet instead.  Today we had decided to go back to Laureiton to go to the Kattang Nature Reserve to do a couple of the walks. We started out with the Flower Bird circuit, walking to Logan’s lookout and out to the Perpendicular Point Lookout – pretty amazing and very dramatic cliff faces, then back around to Fishermans Bluff lookout, Pebbly Beach lookout (which was very wet) and further on to Charles Hamey lookout and back to the carpark overlooking Dunbogan lookout.  Again about a 6km walk and it was lovely and hot and steamy – so we were both a bit hot and sticky by the time we finished the walk.  For lunch we drove up to Middle Brother Mountain, which overlooks the whole area – and what a view.  You get uninterrupted views, as far as the eye can see, of the lakes and districts of the area.