This area is absolutely stunning. Even on a fine day photos don’t do it justice.
The name Moruya is derived from an aboriginal word meaning “Home of the Black Swan.”
During gold mining days, industries like dairying, fishing and oyster farming were an important part of the town’s economy and still are today. Moruya also quarried blue granite and the town is full of the most beautiful mix of old buildings built from this granite.
We camped at a spot at the beach called Moruya Heads, about 10 minutes from Moruya.
The wharf at Batemans Bay
Coloured Rocks at Eurobodalla National Park...eurobodalla is aboriginal for "Land of many waters".Pebbly BeachRow Boats, Tuross HeadsOne of the many convict built stone wallsThere are now stairs heading up to the headland at Congo Beach JohnMossy Beach
Maybe Rosie takes after Poppy Mal not Nanny Ros ????? Or maybe her Mum and Dad ? Left click on photo to enlarge. I told you I was proud.
Rosie coming 3rd in her first surfing competition. GO ROSIE!!!!!!!
Poppy Mal...similar style ?
Monday 21st……
We are at a beautiful spot called Moruya Heads. Were a bit disappointed yesterday when we arrived. Maybe the dismal weather or too many people. (Sunday)
This morning we have the camp almost to ourselves and the weather is perfect. Have just got back from a long walk up the beautiful beach. Stunning.
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.
Ulladulla HarbourUlladulla LighthouseOur resident possum eating one of my delicious nectarines or two!! He doesn't come out until midnight though.Rhonda and John came down from Sydney for our last night at BendalongMal and John off for a surfMal on a wave...not as big a wave as yesterday, but certainly less dumping.Can you see the baby Joey, Rosie and Creed.Wind Surfing
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.
Mal off for an early morning surfNearly in the waterPerfect waves and weather
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.
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.
Rick Stein's Bannisters Restaurant
Kathy wanted me to take photos of the restaurant...so this is inside Kathy. Beautiful white linen, lots of art and a really fresh feeling. Excellent service.
I loved the lights. They are actually unopened soft drink bottles.Photo of the two whales taken from the restaurant. It was better in real life. The photo does not do it justice.
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
The Berry Pub, surf boats and all.
All roads lead somewhere
I reckon it's a dog in the surfboat, but Mal says it's a kangaroo???Berry Bottle Shop is covered in hubcaps.Berry has beautiful gardens. You would be in your element Mandy!
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 seem to have all sorts of birds move in when we arrive at campsites. This is our resident duck.Our duck having a peak up Mal's pants!!He's very photogenic.Photo taken through kitchen window of our beach view.Mal relaxing while talking on the phone and waiting for happy hour to arrive.
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”.
Kiama Blowhole and lighthouse
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.
One of the many boats Mal checked out coming into Kiama Harbour.The Town Clock in Kiama reminds me of Ballina or St Tropez in France!!!.
A row of original miners cottages built in 1879. There are many old heritage buildings in Kiama, including many of these cottages.
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.
Mal's Mum Phyllis and sister Melanie. Melanie would get along with my sisters as she talks a lot!!!! Sorry guys but it is true XXX.Our first visitor in Kiama.They actually sit on my computer while I am working.The view from our campsite at Kiama,taken while sitting in my chair. Pretty good.
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.
6am at ForsterA sleepy caravan park in Forster (6am) with rain in the distanceForster - Tuncurry Bridge
All my crazy sisters and better halves?The youngest sister DebMy eldest sister DianeMy sister that loves wine!!!! KerryDennisBob and IanAll four of us.
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.
I took this photo for Kerry and Narelle. Brings back memories!Trees at the entrance to the High School. Walked under them many times.BellingenOne of the etchings inside the Federal HotelInside the FederalMy old home...Bank of NSWBehind the main street of BellingenThe Bellinger River. Spelt that way due to an error years ago.BellingenRaleigh Winery..another place we have always driven past. We are enjoying not been in a hurry any more!
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.
2 girls enjoying an icecream while sitting in one of the trees
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!!!
Right at the front at the beginning!!Sorry Michael and Kathy. I just could not get my new blackberry phone you kindly gave me, taking good photos. Definitely the user. Will learn how to zoom in and out more professionally soon.
Jimmy at his best
We moved back slightly when the huge throb of the music was going straight through our hearts. Forget the ears. We were right in front of the speakers. No one in between.
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.
