Hat Head

We spent a really enjoyable week at Hat Head which is a small seaside village on the edge of the Hat Head National Park. There's not a lot there other than a handful of houses, caravan park, bowling club and a small shop/post office.
There is a river that runs out into the ocean and it is excellent area for swimming, surfing, fishing, boating and snorkelling.

foot bridge across river at low tide

the surf beach

foot bridge at high tide

a just because I like the reflections

While we were a Hat Head we went for a drive to South West Rocks to have a look at Smoky Cape Lighthouse and Trial Bay Gaol which were both interesting and worth the drive.

The Lighthouse

The Gaol

more gaol

and more gaol

Forster/Tuncurry

We spent a week in Forster/Tuncurry not overly sure weather or not to recommend staying here.
The town itself was quite busy, reminded me a little of a small Gold Coast without the hustle and bustle. A confusing description I know but the best I can come up with. The ocean and lakes were stunning but not a lot to explore as far as bush walks etc go.
The van park we stayed at had a lovely bush area at the back with a boat ramp and a walking track around the edge of the lake.

On Wednesday we had a day of scenic touring today, drove down to Seal Rocks and the Myall Lakes National Park. As per usual we had trouble reading maps and signs so had a extra drive which took us to a track down on to the beach. Retraced our tracks and went the right way to the Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse Carpark. 

Had a steep uphill climb to the lighthouse but well worth the effort as the views were stunning.

From there we drove to Nernie Headland Picnic and Camping area. 

Had lunch here and I walked up to the old cemetery 

and headland lookout while Fred chattered to the rangers that had stopped for lunch.

Retraced our way towards Forster stopping to look at Smiths Lake Village and the Ruins Campground in Booti Booti National Park.

Got home just in time to get the washing in before a storm hit.

Saturday we drove out to Cape Hawke and walked up to the lookout, 

it was only a short walk up to the lookout and then you climbed up to a viewing platform that gave a fantastic view back to Forster and out across the lakes towards the Myall Lakes area.

Robertson and Bundanoon

Wednesday 12th February

Got up drizzly rain this morning but decided to go out sight seeing anyway.

We did the Tourist Drive 15 which took us to Bowral then thru Robertson to Carrington Falls

 we drove thru really thick fog most of the way but the falls were clear. 

Then back thru Robertson to Belmore Falls,once again we drove thru thick fog but the falls were clear and fine

Both falls were good but Belmore the more dramatic.

Back to Robertson for lunch, trust us to pick the worst coffee shop in the place only had weird and expensive things on the menu so just had a coffee. From there we drove to Moss Vale didn’t stop there just drove thru back to Bowral. Stopped at the Sir Donald Bradman Museum but only walked around the grounds didn't go into the museum as it was quite pricey and I'm not that interested in cricket.

Fred then checked out the bowls club before we returned home via another scenic drive around Mt Gibraltar.

Thursday 13th

Today we went to Bundanoon and Morton National Park. First stop was Erith Coal Mine, 

a steep walk down to the remains of a coal mine from the 1860’s, was really beautiful when we got there, 

a beautiful pool, small waterfall and the fenced off entrance to the coal mine. It boggles my mind that anyone actually found the coal seam, let alone mined it in such an inaccessible spot.

From there we drove to Echo Point, not sure why its called this as there was no echo. There were a couple of women sitting underneath the viewing platform, so of course Fred has to climb over the safety fence and join them for a chat. 
Then walked to Mt Carnavan Lookout returned to the car and had our lunch. 2014 has gotten off to a good start didn’t forget any of the picnic

.

After eating we drove on to Bonnie View Lookout which was a bonnie view then on to Beauchamps Cliffs, Grand Canyon, Sunrise Point and Tooths Lookout which were all viewing spots looking out over the Illawarra Escarpment from slightly different angles.

Next it was on to Fairy Bower Falls, a very steep walk down to a viewing platform at the top of the falls, the walk down to the bottom of the falls were closed, it was very steep and rough so we probably wouldn’t have walked down even if it was open.

From there it was in the car and onward to the Riverview and Mark Morton Lookouts showing the river at the botton of the gorge.

We stopped in Bundanoon for a well earned Iced Coffee and wander up the street before heading for home. Stopped in Exter to have a look at St Aidens Church.

Mildura

We spent the Australia Day Weekend in Mildura with my daughter Krista and her family. We stayed at the Golden River Caravan Park which was really kid friendly with pool, games room, tv room and a volly ball court as well as go-cart hire which was a big hit with the kids.

We went to Wentworth for a day to visit the Perry Sandhills which are about 6kms from Wentworth. They cover about 400 acres and are formed from wind erosion and are constantly changing. The kids had a ball running, slipping and sliding up and down the dunes.

The grown-ups were intrigued by the giant gum trees growing up thru the sand. They are supposed to be about 500 years old.

From there we went where the Murray and Darling Rivers meet and converge into one, there is a viewing tower you can climb for a birds eye view.

We had a picnic lunch here and Fred and Alex had a fish while the rest of us relaxed and watched the wildlife before going back to Mildura.

While in Mildura we checked out the wharf and Loch 11 we were lucky enough to be at the Loch when it was being opened which was fascinating to watch and nothing like I had imagined it to be.

We also visited the Inland Botanic Gardens this was a little disappointing as it was a little unkept but considering it is run by volunteers they are probably doing the best they can but in saying that there were some lovely plants.

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Friday 6/12/2013

First off this morning we drove out to the Illawarra Fly which is a treetop walk out over the forest. Had a steep windy drive to get there but the walk was magnificent. 

It is 472 mts long but including the walking track to get to there, its a 2.5 km easy walk. 

In the centre of the Fly there is a tower which you can climb which has stunning views out over the Illawarra the tower is 45mts high which equated to 112 steps up and well worth the effort. 

We were lucky and it was a clear day and we could see for miles.

From there we went to the Minnamurra Rainforest Centre and did another really nice walk to the Minnamurra Falls. It was a really easy walk as they have a cement or wooded path for the whole walk, there were a couple of steep sections but still relatively easy.

Some lunch and miracle of miracles I didn't forget anything then it was back down the mountain to Kiama and the blowholes, they have 2, a small one called little Blowhole

 and the main one just call the Kiama Blowhole. 

We were lucky today as the wind was blowing from the right direction and they were blowing really well, 

the spume was going really high and they made a really loud shoosh noise and best off all I managed to get reasonable photos.

To finish the day off we called into Bombo Headland which was another small walk to see some fantastic basalt rocks 

that are eroded into square shapes, was very dramatic and a lovely end to our day.

Jervis Bay

Tuesday 3/12/2013

We went scenic driving today, visited Nowra and Booderee National Park in Jervis Bay, which much to my surprise isn't part of NSW but is a Commonwealth Territory. 

We drove around the area and had a look at Iluka Beach and Green Patch where you can camp, the water was the most beautiful green in close to shore and a bright blue out deep. 

Then to Scottish Rocks which were pretty ordinary and next it was Hole in the Wall which for some reason smelt really strongly of sulphur. 

Next stop was Murrey Beach where we walked to Governor's Headland where if we had of thought to bring swimmers and towel we could have done some snorkeling.

Had some lunch and then continued on to Cape St George Lighthouse ruins and lookout, which was all very interesting.

From there it was back to Nowra where I got a bit stressed navigating, worked it all out on the map, but it wasn't marked that have the street had been turned into a pedestrian Mall so we had to detour around it and try and find our way back to where we need to be, had to do a u-turn or 2 but eventually found our way to Hanging Rock lookout. From there it was across the bridge to North Nowra to look at The Grotto which once again we had trouble finding and when we eventually got to the right spot it was pretty shitty which matched both mine and Fred's moods so decided to head for home. Did stop off at the Cambewarra Lookout which is ½ way between Nowra and Kangaroo Valley and it was well worth the stop as the views were stunning and helped to put us both back into better moods.

The decision at the end of the day is we plan to return to Jervis Bay but having been to Nowra we don't have to come again.