We have left Bendalong Point and the Ulladulla area today and headed south past Batemans Bay to Moruya Heads. Today is our first day of rain, but really only slight sprinkles and overcast, so was quite dismal booking into our campsite. We soon changed our minds when we wondered over to one of the most gorgeous beaches right next to our campsite.
We will enjoy four nights here exploring places such as Moruya, Broulee, Mogo and a better look at Batemans Bay.
Friday 18th-
It is an absolutely stunning day today.
We were at the beach very early as there is finally some good surf.
Bendalong is a quiet and sleepy little spot, so we have really enjoyed our time here. We will head off further down the coast on Sunday to a new campsite.
We are looking forward to having our friends, Rhonda and John, joining us tomorrow night.
Thursday 17th….
We are camped in Conjola National Park at a great spot called Bendalong. This is one of Mal’s favourite surf spots. He had many a surf here years ago, and hopes to enjoy more surfing in the next four days we are here. Unless we decide to stay longer.
As you all can gather we love the National Parks and have set up the caravan with two solar panels, extra gas and water, an inverter and a special Saturn aerial for better internet service (yes..we are both working on this trip…just not too much).
We are surrounded by wildlife and beautiful birds. So far we have seen heaps of kangaroos, rabbits, bandicoots and possums around our camp site.
Rosie and Creed would love these!
Wednesday 16th…..
We had an excellent meal at Rick Stein’s restaurant “Bannisters” in Mollymook, near Ulladulla. It is a seafood restaurant so Mal enjoyed scollops for entree and snapper and prawns for main.
I had a delicious Seafood Bisque for entree and a mixed seafood gratin for main. As it was a bisque it was completely different to your Seafood Chowder John. For those that don’t know, I am a huge fan of John from Wicked Restaurant’s seafood chowder!!! Delicious.
They brought out a scrummy chocolate fondant with coffee ice cream to share with our coffees and also tiny chocolate fudge pieces.. Yum!!! We will have to do lots of walking!!!!
The restaurant overlooks the ocean. I took a photo of a mother and baby whale in the water right near the restaurant. Not a real good photo…sorry about that.
Spent the afternoon in Berry. Very pretty spot full of Gift, Antique and Craft Shops, Food Providores, Restaurants and Cafes. It will be even better when the highway bypasses the town. All the surrounding countryside is green and so stunning with the farm paddocks meeting the sea.
Millie has the best view
Sad to say but tomorrow we move on. It has been absolutely magical here but we will be off to find more magic spots!!. We would not even know we are in a caravan park, as it is so large and very organized that we have our own private beach. Well it feels like that anyway! No tents or caravans near us at all. We have enjoyed some great walks to various spots. Ended up in someones farm today with cows and newborn calves.
We are off to explore Berry this afternoon. Looking forward to that as we have good memories of Berry.
We arrived in Kiama last night and have booked for 3 nights at this stage, as our site is right on the beach and it is a beautiful caravan park.
The coastal town of Kiama is said to gain it’s name from the aboriginal word Kiaram-a which when translated from the local aboriginal language means “where the sea makes a noise”, referring to the famous “Kiama Blowhole”.
There are lots of walking tracks here including up to the lighthouse, Kiama Harbour and both the Main Blowhole and Little Blowhole (this is just near our campsite) so may end up staying in Kiama longer.
Traveled from Forster via Sydney today, arriving in Kiama at about 2pm. We are staying here at least three nights at this stage.
Visited Mal’s Mum, sister and family in Connells Point Sydney for a short while, before heading back down the highway to Kiama.
Driving through Sydney’s traffic towing a caravan is interesting, although it was the best we have traveled while towing so far thanks to some helpful hints from Dennis last night. Thanks Dennis.
Spending 2 nights in Forster catching up with Dad and my 3 sisters, Diane, Kerry and Debbie and partners.
Stayed the first night in Forster Caravan Park but decided Diane and Dennis’s front lawn was much nicer for the second night.
Thursday 10th….
Spent a great night at Point Plomer about 20kms from Crescent Head in the Limeburners Creek National Park.
It was worth the 17 kms of dirt road and potholes to get there.
Our camp site overlooked the beach. Perfect.
Wednesday 9th…..We enjoyed farewell drinks with our neighbours for the past 10 days…Yvonne and Bill
Do you recognize them Bob and Bev??
Hi all. Have spent a lazy day walking on the beach a couple of times, working for a short while (longer for Mal…but not much) then lots of retail therapy. Will be picking up our purchases on the way home to save carrying them!!! No surf for Mal. It is blowing onshore. The wind has come up this afternoon as you can see from my pretty average photo.
Oh well. We will just have to enjoy a wine or two with our locally caught salmon (not by us) on the BBQ.
Beautiful Bellingen. I could live here again one day? Spent today exploring old haunts and shopping!! Had lunch at the Federal.
Travelled back to Coffs via North Bank Road and Raleigh. Absolutely stunning area.
Spent this morning at Sawtell. A great little town. The huge old fig trees (planted in 1946) that run down the centre of the main street really give the town character.
At one stage they were to be cut down, but thankfully they are now Heritage Listed.
Whow! It is now Saturday morning and what a great concert is was. Both Mal and I saw Cold Chisel for the first time exactly 30 years ago at the Bangalow Bowling Club (we did not know each other then), and again 5 years later, and we both agree they are only getting better. Huge!!!
Mal does insist Jimmy sounds like a baby magpie calling it’s mother. Screeching and demanding continuously. But in saying that, Jimmy and the band gave an incredible 2.5 hours of non stop music to the approximate 22,000 audience. Ian Moss is amazing on his many changing guitars.
I am sitting in our caravan writing this post while listening to Cold Chisel on the stereo.
So pleased we went!!!
Ah well. Who said life was not meant to be easy.
Actually we are not finding it that hard, although our stay in Coffs has extended by one week due to car problems (your fault Narelle with all your talk about Jeeps!!).
We will be making the most of the stay by exploring the area more thoroughly in the next few days. Bellingen (visit my old home town), Sawtell etc.
Tonight…Jimmy Barnes / Cold Chisel Yahoo…can’t wait.
We are missing Mutley and Salem, but know that Jennifer is loving them. Salem will be keeping her in line and assuring he gets his meal on time!!!!
Thank you Jen!
Just best friends???
Had a great day today.
A mixture of walking, working and then lots of relaxing.
Enjoyed a visit out to Lake Russell Gallery, a gallery that we have passed probably 100’s of times but never stopped. Definitely worth the visit.
Coffs Harbour 31 October until 5th November
Staying in Park Beach Caravan Park for 5 nights.
Good spot. Walked a couple of hours early this morning up Mutton Bird Island.
Then worked for a while before heading to the “Hoey Moey” to watch the Melbourne Cup”. Ros won!!!!!
29th to 31st October 2011
Beautiful National Park.
Lots of kangaroos (Eastern Browns) and the occasional emu.
Camped right next to the beach at Redcliff.
First two days in the caravan, so still learning.
Big storm on our last night, damaged the awning. (Ist repair job!)
I forgot to mention the great campfires each night.
