Wednesday, December 31, 2008

New Years Eve

Wednesday, Dec. 31

It was shower time so we packed up and headed to Wodonga. We checked into a Borderland Big4 cabin to sit out new year’s eve. After a huge, delicious meal at Edwards Tavern, we retired to our cabin to watch the festivities on TV.

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

NSW/VIC Border, Burrowa-Pine Mountain NP

Monday, Dec. 29

Now it’s off to Victoria. Look carefully and you can see Olive the Crocodile who has followed us throughout our journey.
Sally, Colin and Olive at the Vic Border, Jingellic

And then onto Burrowa-Pine Mountain NP. Not knowing what to expect here, we blew-in and landed a great camp site at Bluff Creek.
Colin and Sally at Bluff Creek Camp Site

Tuesday, Dec. 30

We spent the day at Bluff Creek, after a wet evening the sun had cone up. We did a quick walk up to Bluff Falls -

Bluff Falls

And then attempted the walk to Campbell’s Lookout. We lasted about a hundred metres until Sally pulled the pin. The walk was rocky and hilly and we decided that a brew around the campfire sounded far more inviting.
Sally’s Opinion of Campbell’s Lockout Walk

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Gundagai to Tumbarumba via Kosciusko NP

Saturday, Dec. 27

This is it. We are going to Victoria now regardless. Well, almost. We reached Gundagai and after snapping a Kodak of the dog, decided that was far enough.
Dog on the Tuckerbox

So we found a van park and settled in for the night. We tried to find a walk down the famous Murrumbidgee River but got hopelessly lost and packed it in until tomorrow.
Gundagai Van Park

Sunday, Dec. 28

A quick visit to the Prince Albert Viaduct an Railway bridge and then onward.

Sally and Colin at the Prince Albert Viaduct.

We decided to give Kosciusko another go. This time we entered from the North through Tumut and travel west from Tumut 3 power station and find a campsite next to Buddong Falls on the track to Batlow.
Talbingo Reservoir from Buddong Falls Road

Unfortunately, do to the lack of a detailed map of this area of the park and wanting signposting on the route, we got terribly lost. We finally found a signpost pointing us towards Tumbarumba and decided that was to be our destination.
Tumbarumba Van Park

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Christmas in Bowral

Wednesday, Dec. 24

The weather had improved and we mad good time to Bowral. We drove through Queanbeyan and Goulburn and then onto Bowral through towns like Tarago and Moss Vale arriving at Bowral late afternoon. As Ron and Sheila were expecting lots of visitors over the Christmas break, we setup camp in their backyard.
Ron and Sheila’s Backyard

Thursday, Dec. 25

Christmas was shared with Sally’s cousin with Marion, her husband Adam and their kids Verity, Callum, Lindsay, Bryce, Clover and
Ron, Sheila, Marion, Adam and Family

Friday, Dec. 26

Today we were visited by Sally’s other two cousins in NSW.
The ones we had encountered before on our previous visit to Bowral. Ian and Idalea and Jude and Danielle.
Colin (front), Sally, Danielle, Idalea, Ian, Jude, Ron and Sheila

I swiftly hopped a train and hightailed it to Sydney to catch up again with my brother Andrew and some of his work colleagues from Star City Cas. (Whoo Hoo, a leave pass).
Andrew and the crew from Star City Casino


Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Bega and Cooma

Monday, Dec. 22

We couldn’t drive from Tathra to Cooma without calling into the Bega Cheese Co-Op visitor’s centre for some free samples. We tried their grilled slices and picked up some cheese to take for Christmas Dinner.

Bega Cheese Visitor Centre


Bega Valley

When then drove onto Cooma in search of a Van Park. (No BIG4’s) in Cooma so we hit the tourist info centre and found some options.

Snowtel Van Park Cooma

Tuesday, Dec. 23

Today we had intended to head into Hanging Rock in a national park between Cooma and Bowral but it was raining all morning and neither Sally or I wanted to break camp and pack all our gear up wet. We have decided to stall in Cooma an extra night hoping that tomorrow is clearer. This means that we will have to miss Hanging Rock and drive straight through to Bowral tomorrow, around 380k. We’ve done worst. So in the afternoon we took in the sites of Cooma. This involved a counter meal at a pub and then a tour of the Snowy Mountain Hydro Electric Museum. We then ascended Nanny Goat Hill to look over Cooma.

Nanny Goat Hill


Cooma from Nanny Goat Hill

As you can see there are still storm clouds building, but we have our fingers crossed that tomorrow will shine.

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Bournda NP

Friday, Dec. 19

We drove through Tathra and picked up some supplies (after last night we were running low on VB). Then it was onto the Bournda NP were we got an excellent site at Hobart Beach.

Colin and Sally at Hobart Beach Campsite

We walked to Bournda Lagoon and back along the beach. What started as a 2k stroll turned into a 7k hike. An excellent beach and now we’re armed with NSW fishing licenses, we’re looking forward to some beach fishing tomorrow.

Bournda Beach


Saturday, Dec. 20

Once we had reach Bournda Beach we were no longer protected by the sand dunes separating Hobart Beach from the coast, the easterlies really hit us. Sally was content to watch as I braved these horrendous conditions. After I cast and returned to our possie, Sally observed that my hair had taken on a life of its own. Something like Kramer from Sienfeld.

Colin, Windswept



Colin Fishing on Bournda Beach

We chucked the fishing in after an hour and returned to camp for a cold one and gourmet sausages and mashed spuds for tea determined to give the fishing another go tomorrow.

Sunday, Dec. 21

In the morning we took a short walk threw the park to Scott’s Hut. The walks threw the park are very pleasant even though the mercury was touching on 28 in the sunshine.

Walk to Scott’s Hut

The hut itself is a wooden slab construction built in the early 1900’s. There use to be two, but the one remaining, that was used as a kitchen and dinning area, is full of the rustic charm of that by-gone era. (Pardon the cliché).

Scott’s Hut (Not Antarctica)

In the afternoon, we decided, this time, to drive to Bournda Lagoon and try our luck fishing in this beautiful lagoon.

Bournda Lagoon

Although we saw lots of fish jumping in the lagoon, probably tarpon, we caught nothing and packed it in after a couple of hours.

Colin and Sally Fishing Bournda Lagoon

With Mike and Jan (http://themikejancolandsalbigtrip.blogspot.com/) going to Melbourne for the Christmas break, Sally and I have decided to return to Bowral to spend Christmas with Ron and Sheila and all Sally nieces and nephews, no to mention Marion and Adam and their family. So tomorrow we are heading to Cooma.

Colin (A Pig in Sh*t)

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Mimosa Rocks NP

Thursday, Dec. 18

We were heading to Tathra, east of Bega, planning to base ourselves there for a couple of days so we could explore the surrounding National Parks, however, after stopping to checkout Aragunnu at Mimosa Rocks NP we decided to camp out. We moved down the park to look at Gillard’s Beach and opted for this location. So we setup camp and settled in for the night. Luckily, as after we lit the fire and settled done for dinner, the heavens opened and we were hit with a mighty done poor. About an hour later, the sky cleared so I was able to sit outside, enjoy a beer and listen to the end of the cricket.

Sally and Colin at Gillard’s Beach Campsite


Gillard’s Beach

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Murramarang NP

Monday, Dec.15
We stopped at Ulladulla to pickup supplies. We had decided to call ahead to see if there were any powered sites available at Murramarang NP so we could recharge our batteries. Happily there were some at Depot Beach so that’s were we headed. Found ourselves an excellent site so settled in and then ventured down to beach to check it out. An awesome beach with a wine glass shape and rocky headlands at either end.
Depot Beach Campsite

Depot Beach in the Distance
Very friendly wildlife with lorikeets and kangaroos galore.
Campsite Visitor
Tuesday, Dec. 16
After a big night we started late. We decided on a driving tour of the park with some short walks to check out the coast line. We headed north to Pebbly Beach and then onto Pretty Beach. This section of coast is similar all the way along the park. We then headed to the south to the township of Durras. We drove to the Wasp Point picnic ground and took the short walk to Wasp Head overlooking Wasp Island.
Wasp Head Looking North
Friendly Natives
By now we were walked out so headed back to camp. Mmmmm, Sally’s doing a roast in the camp oven tonight.

Wednesday, Dec.17
Moruya Heads Big4 van park to avoid pending storms.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Booderee NP

Saturday, Dec. 13

After yesterday, we were pleased to see the sun come out. Exploring this peninsular is our priority. We hit the road a drove to the Cape St. George Lighthouse, built, I believe, in the 1830’s, however, as maritime Skippers complained about its location, another was built across the bay some thirty years later. The light house still caused problems often being mistaken for the new lighthouse because of its reflective smooth sandstone finish and was dynamited some years later.

Cape St. George Lighthouse

After the lighthouse, we drove to Moe’s Rock (not Moe’s Tavern) and then to Stoney Creek. This was a picturesque inlet but we walked the long way in requiring plenty of rock hopping. All very worthwhile in the end.

Colin and Sally at Stoney Creek

Sunday, Dec. 14

Today was more excursions of the park. We headed to the Botanic Gardens in the centre of Boogeree NP. As we walked into the park we could hear traditional Aboriginal music being played in the distance. I’m not talking Didgeridoo, I’m talking Country and Western. It seems we have stumbled into a concert in the park.

Marquee at Booderee Botanic Gardens

Sally and I, not being big fans of C&W skirted around the edge of the gardens towards the fresh water lake. We were in hunt of turtles, but our search was fruitless. The gardens, however, we literally peppered with plants of all descriptions. This garden was once and extension of the Canberra Botanic Gardens featuring there selection of non-frost resistant flora catalogue. They have hundreds of clearly labelled plant varieties.

Booderee Botanic Garden Fresh Water Lake

After visiting the garden, we continued on the road east to visit Cave Beach. We stepped out to the lookout where Sally decided to pull the pin. I ventured on alone walking past the backpack camping ground witnessing the schoolies plying frisbee (if they still call it that) on done to the beach. There were lots of grommets in the water playing in the wash.
Cave Beach
Now back up the beach and past Ryan’s Swamp to Bherwerre Beach. This is a classic hiking track through the back of the sand dunes. Lots of noisy bird life to keep me company.

Bird

The Beach was exceptional and it appeared I was the only human there in, at least, four hours.

Bherwerre Beach

As I’d told Sally I was only going to be about half and hour, I thought I’d best head back to the car park. Though, seeing a new track I’d thought I’d better take a different route back. It turned out a little longer but on the way I stumbled upon a heard of Echidna on a grassy plain behind the sand dunes. I’d never seen so many in such close proximity before. There must have been five in an area no bigger then a hundred square metres.

Echidna

Needless to say, I was late back to the car. My punishment was to put the kettle on for a cuppa tea when we returned to camp.

Friday, December 12, 2008

Booderee NP

Friday, Dec. 12

Packed up and ready to roll, we headed south with no particular place to go. Everything on the coast is close to Nowra so we diverted towards the Fleet Air Arm Museum. Not knowing what to expect but having read good reviews, we blundered our way in.

Fleet Air Arm Museum

We headed towards Booderee National Park but with no advance booking we did not if we would stay there or not. The weather is still atrocious but we are hoping this will be to our benefit. We were not overly concerned because Booderee is only about half an hour from Nowra and if we can’t get in we will venture further down the coast. As luck would have it, the staff at Booderee advised us that they have had some cancellations (weak as p%ss Sydneysiders) and we score an excellent site at Greens Patch.

Greens Patch Campsite

Yes it was very wet but we were hoping for a westerly tomorrow bringing on dry hot conditions. Either way, this was and excellent campsite, the only question being 2 or 3 days?

Campsite Visitors

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Kangaroo Valley

Thursday, Dec.11

Driving out of Bowral the weather was looking very average. We drove through Kangaroo Valley stopping at the village of the same name for lunch. We passed the Fitzroy Falls and stopped for a Kodak moment and then crossed the Hampton Bridge. Opened in 1898, this bridge looked like it belonged in medieval Britain and not in Central NSW.

Fitzroy Falls


Hampton Bridge

Because of the inclement weather we pulled into the local Big 4 van park at Nowra to grab a cabin hoping that the storm front would pass allowing us to hit the National Parks tomorrow.

Nowra Cabin

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Sydney

Monday, Dec. 8

Today I had arranged to play golf with my brother Andrew. I was picked up and delivered to golf course. I’ll have to find out from bro the name and the name of the suckers… oops. I mean golfers that joined us for an excellent round. Came in after the 9th and it poured down. After a couple of beers the weather cleared and we returned to the course to complete our 18. I think I shot around 62. Sorry, that was the first nine, I mean 122.

Tuesday, Dec. 9

Andrew and I went to the pictures to see the new James Bond. Neither of us rated this as high as Casino Royal but we both agreed the action was good.
Afterwards I returned to Newtown and went for Thai with Jude and Danielle. Excellent fair.


Wednesday, Dec. 10

We caught the train back to Bowral where we dined again with Ron and Sheila before preparing for our departure tomorrow.

Ron, Sheila, Sally and Colin

Sydney

Sunday, Dec. 7

We visited Ian and Idalea to check out their new house. They only moved in a couple of weeks ago, but have spent some months renovating and it shows - the house is looking good.

Colin, Jude, Sally, Ian, Danielle and Idalea

Back to Jude and Danielle’s for a Danielle special roast beef (complete with Yorkshire Pudding). No photo’s sorry, too full.

Monday, Dec. 8

Today I had arranged to play golf with my brother Andrew. I was picked up and delivered to golf course. I’ll have to find out from bro the name and the name of the suckers… oops. I mean golfers that joined us for an excellent round. Came in after the 9th and it poured down. After a couple of beers the weather cleared and we returned to the course to complete our 18. I think I shot around 62. Sorry, that was the first nine, I mean 122.

Tuesday, Dec. 9

Andrew and I went to the pictures to see the new James Bond. Neither of us rated this as high as Casino Royal but we both agreed the action was good.
Andrew
Afterwards I returned to Newtown and went for Thai with Jude and Danielle. Excellent fair.

Wednesday, Dec. 10

We caught the train back to Bowral where we dined again with Ron and Shiela before preparing
for our departure tomorrow.