Bowral to Home
15 to 26 September, 2008
Leaving the Southern Highlands, where to now ....
We left Mossvale to make our way back to the coast, but before too long we came across the Morton National Park and the Fitzroy Falls. The four of us walked the short distance to the falls which were flowing strongly because of the recent rain. Further along the track we came across the Twin Falls and the lookouts over the valley below. After coffee in the National Park, we continued on through the picturesque Kangaroo Valley to Cambewarra. Cambewarra Lookout was on the tourist list so we towed the caravans up this quite steep winding road which luckily had a turn around point at the top. The view went for miles and overlooked the Shoalhaven area. Both the falls and the lookout are must do's if you are in this area. Just spectacular.
The Shoalhaven Area taken from Cambewarra Lookout, Nowra on the right hand side of picture
Nowra for lunch then
on to Lake Conjola ....
From here it was onto Nowra for lunch beside the Shoalhaven River before continuing on to Lake Conjola. Lake Conjola had been mentioned as a beautiful spot to stay, so we booked in for two nights at the Lake Conjola Entrance Caravan Park, picked our site and were organized for the night. The caravan park is right on Lake Conjola with the entrance to the ocean at the end of the park. We went for a beautiful walk along the boardwalk to the ocean beach and back around the entrance to the lake. The wind was strong with the sand whipping up around us. It was a full moon that night and a few photos of Liz holding the moon seemed appropriate. That night the wind blew very strongly and at stages during the night, the girls became quite concerned regarding our safety. But we made it through a fairly interrupted night's sleep, to a beautiful day. We decided to spend the day playing golf at Mollymook Hillside Golf Club. We hired carts as a few of the holes were quite hilly. Some played quite good golf while others struggled with the cored greens and the fairway grass.
Broulee Beach, our
next stop ....
Our next stopover was at Broulee Beach just off the Princes Highway and south of Batemans Bay, so it was not far to drive at all. Along the way we fitted morning tea and lunch in before our destination for the night...about 70 kms down the road! Broulee Beach is another beautiful spot along the coast of New South Wales. We walked the beach around Broulee Island which is still attached to the mainland but known as an island. The walk took a good 1 1/2 hrs and got us back to the caravan park just in time for nibbles and drinks.
From Broulee Beach it was onto Tuross Head 25 km down the road. The wind was picking up again and the ocean was minus any whales but covered in white caps which made whale watching rather difficult. Another 15 kms saw us arrive at Narooma and our home for the next three nights.
And on to Narooma ....
East's Narooma Shores Caravan Park is located right on the Wagonga Inlet so we had a great view from the caravan. The walk from the caravan park around to the river entrance is well worthwhile and if there is a swell running the waves crashing onto the breakwater and the rocks is spectacular. A friendly seal had made his home in the rocks at the breakwater and according to locals he is often seen in the same spot sunning himself.
Narooma Golf Club, what a beautiful course ....
The
past few days it had been quite windy but no rain, so we were able to play golf
at Narooma Golf Club. This golf course has some of the most
spectacular golf holes in Australia and amazing views from many of the holes.
Liz was challenged when her second shot on a par 4 ended up very close to the
water hazard and her stance was only inches from the cliff face. Anything
to save a stroke. The par 3, third hole is the highlight where you tee off
over a cliff edge with the ocean and inlet below. It was quite challenging
with two players ending up in the water hazard (the Pacific Ocean). The
course has 9 holes built in a links style adjacent to the ocean and then 9 holes
in a forest setting with lakes and rainforest surrounding the fairways. The are
a few hilly holes on the course but a great walk if you really want to take in
the spectacular scenery.
The Par 3,third hole at Narooma GC taken from the tee and looking to the green
Narooma GC taken from the breakwater
It was the weekend of St Kilda playing Hawthorn in the semi final of the football so pizza, a few wines then settle down to watch the match. Unfortunately, St Kilda was not good enough to beat Hawthorn, so the Grand Final is Geelong v Hawthorn. Maybe Geelong will win a back to back premierships.
And on to Tathra, and
another game of golf ....
It was a very short drive to Tathra for a night and a game at the Tathra Country Club in very windy conditions. Tathra Golf Club is only a 12 hole course but you play 6 holes twice from different tees to make up the 18 holes. It's a nice little course, pretty flat and easily walked and for $20 per day is great value for money.
Merimbula,
Our final destination before home ....
From Tathra we took on the big drive of 30 km to Merimbula for two nights. The wind was on the increase again, but the Sapphire Valley Caravan Park was fairly sheltered from the prevailing wind so it was not a major issue. We had a enjoyable night out with Maureen and Noel McArdle ex Ballarat people at the bowling club. Overnight rain cleared to a fine mild day and after complimentary pancakes and coffee at the caravan park it was off for a round of golf at Pambula Merimbula Golf Club in perfect conditions.
Circuitous, try saying that 3 times after a few drinks ....
Our
trip from Merimbula to Bairnsdale was via a circuitous route with morning coffee
(cappucino's) at Gypsy Point, near Genoa. This is a very attractive area
and would be a great place to stay if you wanted to get away from things for a
while. From there it was back on to the Pacific Highway before
another detour to Marlo via Cape Conran. Marlo is where the Snowy River
exits to the the sea and is a great location for fishing. Like Gypsy
Point, not much there, but a very pleasant place for a quick lunch adjacent to
to the Marlo jetty. From Marlo, another detour via Lakes Entrance
just to see how much it has changed before travelling on to Bairnsdale for an
overnight stop to
break up our journey home.
After 3 short months we are back home again. Time to start planning our next adventure.
For the statistically minded:
We were away for 92 days
We travelled 10,700 Km's
Fuel cost was $2698.00
Petrol prices varied from $1.65 to $1.32 per litre, highest being in central NSW and lowest being in mid north coast of Queensland
Average cost of caravan park accommodation was $28.00 per night