We Have Hit The South Coast of NSW

A big day on Sunday 29th as we travelled 200 kilometres today to drive through or should I say around Sydney to reach Bulli on the lovely South Coast.  We decided to stay here as years ago Loretta's friend Di got married here and the family flew down to attend.  We even found the cabins that we all stayed in.  Right on the beach and walking/riding paths all along the foreshore right down to Wollongong.  A very steep hill coming down off the M1 into Bulli!  Brakes worked overtime on the truck.
Monday we travelled south as far as Shellharbour with its quaint township overlooking the northern beach and old hotel with its comanding views.

Shellharbour

Coming back we drove through Wollongong with the large Blue Steel smelters works to the south and Win stadiium where the league team St George Illawarra have their home ground. Stopped up at Flagstaff Hill Park with great views right up and down the coastline.  

Somethings We Just Cannot Do Without

I have got the crochet bug so needed some more wool.  Looked up to see where the nearest Spotlight store was so off we drove.  Wayne didn't mind because there was a Bunnings at the same centre.  He also remembered he needed something from Super Cheap.  Low and behold these fold up bikes that we have been looking at ever since we have been on the road are on special at a very good price.  Had to purchase two there and then.  Very excited as we do need more exercise for our ageing bodies.  Ha ha.  Realised that we also need helmets so off we went to find a Kmart locally the very next morning before we took to the roads around Toowoon Bay.  Once we fitted the drinks bottle, pump and locking rope onto both bikes, off we peddled!  Stopped after a couple of kilometres to adjust the height of the seats as the knees were burning already.  Not good.  Never mind about the puffing and panting going on.  (By myself - not Wayne)!  We decided to head back to The Entrance Waterfront area then from there one could pedal all the way around the lakes edge back as far as Long Jetty then just another kilometres up to Toowoon Bay.  Plenty of activity of a Saturday afternoon for all the families with alsorts of entertainment happening, on and off the water and surrounding streets with plenty of restaurants and cafes.  Pedalling on around the foreshore was very pleasant seeing people fishing, picnicking and just having lots of fun gathering in their groups on a hot sunny day.  Almost back to the camping ground and Wayne gets a puncture so he has to walk the rest of the way while I pedal on and get a cold drink ready for him.   Back to Kmart to get a puncture repair kit and an extra tube (in case it is needed) before we pack up the bikes until we get to Bulli down on the South Coast tomorrow.

Sculptures in the Caravan Park at Toowoon Bay

Yes, the saying "Get Back On Your Bike"  or "Once You Ride A Bike You Never Forget How To Ride One" are SO true!

Drive to Erina and Terrigal

Wayne wanted to cover the hitch at the front of our rig.  The rain water tends to sit there and he is trying to stop the rust happening, so off we went to Bunnings to get a cover and a couple of other items he needed to complete some little tasks.  Visited the Erina Fair shopping centre for coffee and a look around some shops then off to the coast to Terrigal.
It reminded me of Mooloolaba in Queensland with the holiday atmosphere with the street restaurants, big hotels  shops etc.  Very picturesque place so Wayne and I walked the Terrigal Haven Coastal Walk before coming back to watch Australia play India in the semi-final of cricket.  I have got my wool and crochet hook out to teach myself to crochet again.  Need something to occupy myself with!!

Toowoon Bay Holiday Park

This is just heavenly here between heaps of permanent caravans that have been added onto and some are quite nice.  Once settled and lunch over, we ventured down the 100 or so stairs to the beach.  Walked the length to see what the other caravan park was like at the other end and back to the extreme end of our park which is in two seperate parks.  Lovely jumping pillow for the children as well as several other smaller children's play areas and also a new, huge swimming pool and surrounds.

Catherine Hill Bay

Needing to get out and look at more of the area we decided to head south and have a look at a couple of camping ground sites and decide where to book for later in the week before we drive through Sydney on Sunday 29th March.  We think Sunday would be the quietest day and not so hectic on the freeways!!!!
Booked into Toowoon Bay from Wednesday so coming back we called into Nords Wharf and Cams Wharf on the edge of Lake Macquarie then crossed over the highway and down into Catherine Hill Bay.  What a quaint little township with a history of coal mining back in the late 1800's.  The coal miners cottages have been restored and look so beautiful.  Catherine Hill Bay is largely untouched by development, and the coastline looks as it would have 100 years ago, with a stunning beach, popular for fishing, surfing and swimming.  the beach also has the unusual icon of a large coal loading jetty, which has only recently been decommissioned.  The Catho Pub is where all locals gather.  Bikies aplenty when we drove there so decided not to stop for a cool drink!

Swansea by the Lake

Travelling on down the coast approx. 70 kilometres to Swansea Gardens Lakeside Holiday Park where we have a lovely flat site and a short stroll to the waters edge of Lake Macquarie.  This is where our boat "Saladan" was purchased from and the boys bought it up  to Victoria Point.  Naturally Wayne was remembering the time they left the Lake early morning with mist covering the lake and all surrounds.  Lee questioned his own co-ordinates and turned back making them too late before the bridge remains down for the peak hour traffic.  The boys tied up on a pylon and waited until 9am before setting out to the Pacific Ocean and north still in the mist.  Looking out from here now there are a dozen or more large coal tankers awaiting to load up at Newcastle.  Glad the radar worked back then so the boys avoided them all.  The weather has turned to rain and a drop in the temperatures overnight especially.  Just as well the World Cricket matches are on television!!

Lake Macquarie looking over towards Toronto from the caravan camping grounds

The Swansea bridge where Saladan had to wait!

I pleaded with Wayne to donate his thongs to this thong tree outside the Lakeside Holiday Park Office.   NO, even though he has "zip tied" them 3 times!!  Go figure.

Tanilba Bay

Life is so full of surprises around every corner!  After visiting Newcastle to have my mammogram this morning I asked Wayne to turn down a road that had an interesting stone entrance to it not far from where we are staying.  Wow.  Travelling through this entrance called Admiralty Avenue the exceptionally wide street was planted with norfolk pines both sides and towards the end there was another stone entrance!!  We also noticed that the street were arranged on a hexagon shape.

This is the entrance from the beach end

We travelled on and found a large sweeping beach/bay with large boats and yachts moored.  Travelling on we then discovered more stone structures at the end of the bay and overlooking Port Stephens.  A Temple with large stone planters and stables, fences, more out buildings and then came upon Tanilba House circa 1831 would you believe.  It has been restored and is heritage listed with special bookings one can look through there.  As I was curious about the history, I googled Tinalba House and apparently a governor sent to the area, built this with the help of convicts and the local aboriginals lived there also without any problems.  We were both so glad we drove through the entrance to find these interesting stone formations in the district. Tanilba meaning "Place of white flowers"

Tanilba House  Circa 1831

The Temple

Relaxing after our drive today we decided as the weather had heated up again to the high 20's, it was time to try out the swimming pool at the park.  Just delightful to cool off then sun oneself lounging around with nothing much to do!!!

Quiet Day - Just A Walk

I might have to get some of my winter woolees out soon as it is decidedly cooler again.  There was not a breath of wind this morning when we lifted our heads off the pillows.

After 2 loads of washing, planning and booking parks ahead for our journey, we put on our walking shoes and walked around the walkways to Lemon Tree Passage village and back.  As we were leaving the park, a couple of European tourists warned us of a black snake with red stripe on the track.  Wayne went first and both of us stomped through there.  Eyes very alert.  Plenty of folk use this walkway and we also met two foreign ladies looking for koalas in the trees.  The Tilligerry Creek we are looking out to has oyster leases all along both shores so plenty of oyster farmers coming and going all day in their long aluminium flat bottom boats.

Exploring Port Stephens Area

After a change of temperatures on Sunday with gale force winds blowing in off the water, we stayed indoors and watched the Formula 1 Grand Prix on television.  Monday we headed off to look at all the bays around further.  Visited Taylors Beach, Solders Point, Salamander Bay, Corlette before stopping in at B'Albora Marina, Nelson Bay to soak up the vibrant atmosphere of the holiday makers, locals and tourists boarding boats on the marina.

From there we continued around and up to the inner lighthouse to view the entrance of Port Stephens and looked back over to Hawks Nest where we have just stayed.  This inner lighthouse has a lovely restaurant up there and a walk around to the WWII bunker with interesting plaques of historic interest amongst the manicured gardens and pathways.

To the left is Hawks Nest and then on the right is Tomaree Head and Shoal Bay looking from the Inner Lighthouse

We stopped at Shoal Bay and ate our picnic lunch before we crossed through the Tomaree National Park to Fingal Bay and a walk along the ocean beach.  There is so much to do on the bay and surrounds of Port Stephens.

Breathtaking Fingal Bay

We finished the day enjoying the view of these majestic pelicans nestled on the jetty at camp.

Lemon Tree Passage - Port Stephens

After finally getting all the work done on the truck and rig at Tea Gardens we pulled up at our idealic site right beside the waters edge here at Lemon Tree Passage.   So peaceful and picturesque.  Being Friday afternoon the camp is filling up very quickly with families of all ages as well as the "Grey Nomads".  Being a Big 4 Caravan Park it has all the attractions for the children as well as parents and grand parents as looking around, there are plenty of three generation groups here for the weekend.  These buggies are a hit with all the children.

Myall Lakes and Surrounding areas

After leaving Port Macquarie, we thought we could have a free camp night, but NO, not to be as the stopping area is now designated as NO Camping!!  OK, plan B is phone through to Hawks Nest and ask if we could get in one night earlier.  So here we are only 50 metres behind the sand dunes on the ocean beach and loving the noise of the waves crashing in at night.  It reminded Wayne of Whangamata back home in NZ.  Wayne has decided we need to book the rig in for its road worthy now so that the paperwork can be done before the time of it running out.  The auto electrician was very helpful so also recommended and engineering company just around the corner for other work that needed doing.  The local country town folk are so helpful, it is so refreshing.  We drove up to Mungo Brush and wow - what a surprise to find this beautiful "neck of the woods".  Tea Gardens is another quiet haven, especially for the retired folk with all amenities just around the corner at the Shopping Centre.

Duz Us at the doctors!!

One can catch the ferry over and have a coffee at the resturant on the other side

Whole In The Wall

Tea Gardens while crossing the Singing Bridge

What A Small World!

Today the lady next door came over to show us her catch of the day.  A good sized bream right down beside the river in front of the park.  She told us to take a drive out to Wauchope as they are going to build on acreage out that way.  She explained some attractions to go and look at so off we drove 20 kilometres inland on the Oxley highway to see what was so good about this area.   Wow,  what a lovely older township that seem to be surviving very well.  The Department store is just a must to browse through.  Lots of everything to tempt one to buy!  I must be commended, I did not get my wallet out.  I thought Wayne was going to though.  Ha ha.  Another attraction was a quaint coffee shop called Immersion.   Talking to the friendly lady that served us, we mentioned we are now "Grey Nomads" and she asked where we started.  Brisbane, Redlands.  Wow - that is where she and her husband came from to.  They saw an acreage property on the net, bought without looking and now just love it down here.  We were still there when Jeanne and her friend from the caravan park arrived to have lunch and would you believe it, the friend also lives in Redland Bay.  Talk about a small world.

Surprise Visit

Today we made our way down to Port Macquarie and settled into Jordans Boating Camp ground which is a small park right beside the river and so close into town and riverside amenities. Once we had set up, we took a drive to reminisce the journey of "Saladin's" first day at sea from Lake Macquarie where it ran out of fuel just at the breakwater entrance coming into Port.  A very scary time for the boys onboard.  We drove around to where we thought friends lived 20 odd years ago to find them still there.  It was so wonderful to catch up with Sandie and Ray Michelle.  Beautiful folk whom I will always be indebted to for giving Craig a start in carpet cleaning those many years ago.

I think Saladans anchor is out just there!

Hat Head and Kempsey

I am so glad we decided to stop yesterday at Macksville for a coffee beside the river.  We walked the block for exercise (need that - too much sitting otherwise) and came across a factory seconds shop. Wayne has been googling caravan washing machines and when we found the shop had a 3.2litre Lemar, that was it, we had to have it as he had only seen a 2.5litre for this price or more.  The proprietor delivered it to the rig as it was about a kilometre away and Wayne did not want to wear himself out!!!

Washing done, we headed south to a place Craig and family have spent time at with Adam and Erica's family, Hat Head.  Also a couple that we met a  Evans Head are down here somewhere staying in the caravan park for a couple of months.  Could not find them so watched a couple of guys launch their boat in the estuary and then at the mouth of the inlet they had to get out of the boat and push it over the bar as it was so shallow.  Must be good fishing out there to have to go through that procedure.  From the Hat Head beach we took a photo looking north to the lighthouse where we took a photo looking south to Hat Head yesterday.
Afterwards we cruised on over to Kempsey to see how big the township was before heading back to South West Rocks for the night.

From lighthouse looking south to Hat Head in the distance

From Hat Head Beach looking north to the Lighthouse

South West Rocks

Today we tripped down to South West Rocks, settled in and unhitched the rig so that we could then take a look around the area.  It seems that Friday afternoon brings extra folk into the area for the fishing, camping and all other events as the town has an alive atmosphere.  Took a drive out to Arakoon Conservation Reserve and took a look around the Trial Bay Gaol and interesting, the convicts from the ships that travelled between Brisbane and Sydney, were made to build the breakwater and cart the rocks up to build the gaol.  As it closed down, the local aboriginals used to camp inside the walls.  Plenty of historic stories told around the grounds.  Camping ground out there also right beside the breakwater and surrounds.  Followed down the road and had a look at Little Bay and Overflow Dam (no bigger than a pond really) then went to find the Smokey Cape Lighthouse.  Wow, what an interesting area.  The lighthouse is still working since the 1960's with power and before that on gas.  The cottages are Bed and Breakfast's and one can imagine what a peaceful time one could have there.  A walk down to the beach north of the lighthouse looks so steep.  Almost a kilometre down but then you have to walk back up.  Not for us today!  Back into town to do some shopping and get a fitment to attach my new washing machine off the shower.  Yippy, no more laundry coins have to be found.  Guess what I am doing tomorrow.  Wayne was happy back at camp as he could finally wash the truck and rig fully so spent hours doing that while I played some of his favourite music.  Hot August Night.