Do Not Have To Go Anywhere

Saturday again and it is still raining with clearing sunny intervals so decided not to go out today. .School holidays and plenty of folk coming and going within the showground camping area.  As it turns out we have games to watch right here at the Showgrounds.  Starting at 12 noon we had the girls playing oz-tag, then the 3rd grade league men and finally the first grade teams.   Berry against Gerringong.  So, we parked ourselves up in the grandstand for the afternoon and watched the games.

Kangaroo Valley

It has been cold, wet and lots of heavy rain over the last couple of days so decided to head out to Kangaroo Valley where we read in our information brochures there is Hampden Bridge, 1898, oldest suspension bridge in Australia.  On the trip up the mountains, Wayne noticed a Tourist Road so off we went and discovered The Lookout at Cambewarra Mountain.  Overlooking Nowra, Shoalhaven Heads and as far south as Jervis Bay.

When we travelled on to Kangaroo Valley township both Wayne and I could feel the friendliness of the country townsfolk as we stopped to have some lunch.  Wandered through the township before finding the Hampden Bridge.

All morning since we first got up the mountains we saw the signs warning to lookout for wombats.  I had the camera ready all the time until after we started to head back home from the bridge.    Would you believe, one was sunning itself on the side of the road just coming back into Kangaroo township!!!!!  Too late, by the time I got out of the F truck, the bl.... wombat was gone.

Visiting Nowra and surrounding coastline

Today we took a drive down to Nowra and looked up the old Premier Coachlines company we both worked for up in Mackay but unfortunately John was not in the office when we called in.  Went on out to Greenwell Point at Shoalhaven entrance.  Lovely little fishing village with the history of the area on these old posts on the riverfront pathway.

Greenwell Point

We then travelled on around to Orient Point, Culburra Beach Headland and climbed the coastal walk to the old lighthouse before taking a look at Callala Bay and Callala Beach in Jervis Bay before the heavens opened and it absolutely poured down.

Orient Point looking back over to Greenwell Point

Minnamurra Falls and Kiama

After taking a look at Gerringong Gerroa and Shoalhaven Heads on a very dreary wet day yesterday we headed back up to Kiama surrounds and up into the Minnamurra Falls in the Budderoo National Park, which was a great "workout" climbing up some parts rather steep terrain to reach the falls.  Very populated on Easter Saturday so was very excited and surprised to find this lyrebird right beside the track.  Wayne had spotted several others lower down towards the road but I could not get a photo of them.  When we came back down to find this one, it just "Made Our Day".

  Exhausted and very pleased with ourselves, we then took a look at the township of Kiama on the coast.  Kiama, meaning "where the sea makes a noise".

Once again it was densely populated today but it still had a peaceful vibe around the place.  Up at the lighthouse we managed to get a position above the "Blow Hole" to view the sea pound through the rocks when the seas are running from the south-east.

Berry

Travelling on down the coast past Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama we decided to park ourselves at a pretty country town called Berry in the showgrounds.  About fifty sites here and the full sign is out as we arrive for the Easter break and school holidays.  Very nice gentlemen to greet us and show us where all the amenities are and it is only a short stroll back into town.  To add to all the beauty of this town, it reminds us of New Zealand's countryside, gardens and lovely variety of conifers and all other species of large trees abound in the gardens and streets.  The Princess Highway comes to a stand-still as it passes right through the centre of town, making crossing the road "hairy" to say the least!  Over the long weekend the traffic was at banked both sides of the town with hundreds of folk stopping to enjoy the local shopping and eateries etc of Berry.  Very alive place.

Sea Cliff Bridge

We had to have a look/walk the Sea Cliff Bridge.   Wow, what a large task to have this built in only 18 months back in 2005.

Driving down looking north

Walking back up the bridge. 1.7klms one way.  Bridge itself 665metres long.

After walking down the bridge and then back up to the truck, we noticed vehicles parked in the distance high on one of the hills with a hang-glider launching themselves off so decided to go and have a look as it seemed the only view of the bridge in its entirety.

I am still learning to use the larger lens for these type of shots!!

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.