BigRedBusTouringCo.com: Another Day In Paradise

BigRedBusTouringCo.com: Another Day In Paradise: "Within a days drive of Milton, are many small villages, close to beaches and catering for the happy tourist. There are many Caravan Pa..."

Another Day In Paradise

Within a days drive of Milton, are many small villages, close to beaches and catering for the happy tourist.  There are many Caravan Parks in the area, which these days are more like resorts than the caravan parks we once knew, (and charge accordingly) and those of us grey nomads find them difficult, as they have little or no room for passing traffic such as ourselves and people who require an over night stay here and there. Just wall to wall cabins and villa's. Any wonder people are opting for free campsites, where you can enjoy the peace and quiet of the bush, which is why we decided on this lifestyle in the first place.

The facilities at some, are unbelievable, with luxury cabins, spa's, water playgrounds, tennis courts and much more - so no wonder the prices are now way out of the pocket of the "Grey Nomad" - so any wonder we need to stay away from them as our pension would certainly not see the distance lol.

Tabourie Lake is one of the first villages you come to. The village gets its name from the lagoon formed at the entry of Tabourie Creek into the ocean.  Crampton Island lies immediately off shore with access available by foot at low tide.  Within the lake area is a breeding ground for the endangered Hooded Plover and I was lucky enough to get a shot of one of these funny little birds.  So very tiny, and this one was guarding 2 youngsters, and kept running away from them so that I wouldn't go near them.

Hooded Plover

Sand Hills at Tabourie Lake

Travelling further down the Highway, we turn off into Bawley Point Beach, which is surrounded by many other beaches  as well as Shell Beach, Racecourse Beach, Merry Beach, Pretty Beach and Pebbly Beach.

Pebbly Beach Rocks

Pebbly Beach is already known widely as the home of the "surfing kangaroos" (a myth arising from a photograph of a kangaroo in the low surf - probably chased there by a dog). Although they will not be surfing when you visit, you will find a large resident kangaroo population at Pebbly quite happy to be patted or to pose for a photograph. The Pebbly Beach turnoff is about 10k south of Termeil and it is about 8k over a gravel road to Pebbly itself. (And extremely rough which made us appreciate our free day pass even more).  It is interesting to note, that on a bright sunny almost summers day, that very few people seemed to be taking advantage of this lovely spot, and leaves you wondering how much the cost involved has to do with it.  Makes it an expensive day out, for a family, and when the roads and facilities are not what they should be, it is enough to turn us off.

It is also home to a number of National Parks - namely Meroo, Murramarang, and Morton.  To get to access to any of the beaches, you are required to pay the $14!! for a day pass.  All well and good if you intend on staying and using the facilities there, but as we were just passing through and having a look around, we thought that was a bit steep, and whilst we were discussing the why's and wherefore's of whether we would pay the fee for the sake of walking the 500 metres up to the Snapper Point Lookout, this person came up to us and offered us his pass, which still had about 3 hours left on it- Ah..restores your faith in humanity when people do things like that.  So off we went up to the lookout, and here is what we saw.  Well worth the look.

Snapper Point Lookout

 

A Burrawang Cycad Palm At Meroo National Park

 So without further ado - our clock was running down - we headed off for Durras. Yet another of the tourist attractions in the area, and again just full of 5 star caravan parks, but lots of nice walks if you have the time- which we didn't - tick, tick tick.

Old Shed Which Has Seen Better Days - along The Way to Durras

Both North Durras and South Durras are home to many, many holiday houses and rentals and suit the family holiday maker very well.

As I time was up it was time to head out from the National Park, and we travelled home via the Old Princes Highway and into Teremeil.  This road treks around Pidgeon House Mountain, which is another days outing for us on another day.

 

Sunset Over Pidgeon House Mountain

 And so that brings us to the end of another day.

Mogo Zoo-South Coast NSW

Baby Zebra Having its first run

Mogo Zoo is a privately owned zoo, in the small village of Mogo on the NSW south coast, about 10 km south of Bate mans Bay.  The zoo's facilities are world class and house some 200 animals, and of those - 42 exotic types of animals, many now on the endangered list, including the white lion.  They are also reknowned as having the largest collection of primates, in any private zoo in Australia.

The facilities for the tourist as first rate and certainly well worth the visit.

The animals were being extremely co-operative on the day of our visit and the photographs are a result of that perfect behaviour.

We were fortunate to have been there when the zoo's zebra herd, took delivery of a new baby. Wow how cute it was.  The zoo is also home to a Sumatran tiger cub, and a young giraffe...both in full play for us.

Had a great day out at the Mogo Zoo - hope you enjoy the results of our labour as you view the photographs.

Barry checking his height before he goes in

Mother and Baby

Mother nature is a wonderful thing - when something so big when born, can just get up and go for a run.

Come On...Give Us a Kiss

Barry and His New Friend

Golden Lion Tamarin

Pygmy Marmoset

These little things are only about 2-3 inches tall - funniest little things that amuse you for hours on end.

Cotton Top Tamarin

De Brazza's Monkey

Playtime

Sumatran Tiger

Red Panda

Meerkat

Green Iguana

Rhino Iguana

White Lion

And my favourite photo for the day.....

White Lioness

My Favourite Person of the Day

One of the many frustrations that a photographer faces is power lines - no matter where you are these days, there always seems to be a power line to over come.  When visiting zoo,s the enclosures over huge obstacles, and are certainly a challenge.  Almost everyone one of these photos were taken through wire mesh, reflective perspex etc etc - a challenge for sure.

I am sure my niece Lauren would be most interested in the fact that the zoo will take you on as a zoo keeper for the day...it only costs $550.00 per head!!

BigRedBusTouringCo.com: Hidden Gems Of The South Coast - NSW

BigRedBusTouringCo.com: Hidden Gems Of The South Coast - NSW: "The mid South Coast of NSW is just a hidden, and underrated gem of Australia. It boasts the whitest sand beaches in Australia (due to ..."

Hidden Gems Of The South Coast - NSW

The mid South Coast of NSW is just a hidden, and underrated gem of Australia.  It boasts the whitest sand beaches in Australia (due to its high silica content) and is so far and ideally untouched by human habitat, compared to other tourist destinations in Australia.  The many National Parks and wonderful small villages interspersed among the many small bays with the cyrstal clear waters being such a highlight.  

My favourite of these is the small village of Hyams Beach - a place I used to visit with my two favourite Aunties, many years ago.  If only we had taken the opportunity to buy that old holiday house then - we would have made a killing.  One of the many things I like about Hyams Beach is the councils decision to not approve development applications that will spoil the villages quaint atmosphere - its very charm. Browsing the real estate pages, one can buy a reasonably ordinary house in Hyams Beach for a neat $700,000!   We had our picnic lunch on the beach at Hyams Beach before heading off further down the Road to Governors Head.

Hyams Beach

Picnic at Hyams Beach

Sail Away

Umbrella

If Only!!! - Wonder if we Get a Family Discount??

Jervis Bay, came into prominence in 1909 when Canberra was selected as the best city site for the proposed Federal Capital. In 1915 the southern arm of Jervis Bay became part of the Australian Capital Territory due to a Parliament act in 1908, defined the site for the Federal Capital as having an ocean access.In 1919 the Navy opened its training quarters here, which still operates today as HMAS Creswell. 

The imposing entrance to Jervis Bay is dominated by the massive cliffs of Pt. Perpendicular in the north and Governor Head to the south. The sheer cliffs not only tower above the sea to a maximum of 135 metres north of Steamers beach (the highest in N.S.W.), but also plunge to a depth of up to 40 metres straight down with no intervening rock platform.

A Large Cuttlefish Washed Up on The Beach

From The Rocks Overlooking Steamers Beach

Jellyfish

The Huge Cliffs of Steamers Beach

Waves of Steamers

Old Ships Rope

The Long Walk Back

Just Made It!!

"As a landscape these walls are geologically unique with a complex combination of structural warping and faulting of Permian rock strata, followed by post glacial flooding by the ocean. Caves, steep sided gorges, sea stacks, arches and rocky headlands fringed by wave cut platforms complete an environment which provides a fantastic day walk for those interested in dramatic scenery or geology." (taken from the Jervis Bay Tourist site).

Our visit to the area was highlighted by a visit to Booderee National Park - and included the walk down to Steamers Beach.  On our previous day we visited Governors Head, a very imposing sight, and only a fairly gentle walk, as in comparison to that of Steamers Beach.  

When National Parks describe a walk as "easy" you cannot believe them~!!!, but after a lot of effort we made in down without too much trouble, making it in about 40 minutes - after strolling along the beach for what seems like ages (time is so easily whittled away when near the water) - but then for the climb back up - yes well that took us about 1 and half hours!  My husband really must learn to read the brochures properly - especially where it says "very steep climb to the top'"- even so it was well worth the visit and one I will remember for many years to come.  As you walk the trail through the canopy of huge blackbutts and mahogany trees the sun filters down on the heath and grass trees. The walk highlighted by the large number of wildlife, including about 5 different species of crimson Rosella's and lots and lots of little swamp wallabies

The remains of the old lighthouse is a short and 'easy' walk and comes to a vista that one should not miss.  The lighthouse built in the 1840's was a lighthouse full of controversy, due to its poor architectural design and placement (later replaced by Point Perpendicular lighthouse.  Even after 39 years of operation, they placed a large amount of explosives inside the light house! and what you see today is a result of that.  Even after it was replaced, the lighthouse caused much controversy, as on nights of full moon, the lighthouse glowed in the dark, causing navigational nightmares, for those at sea.

St George Cape Lighthouse

Lookout From The Lighthouse

Booderee offers many hours of interesting and wonderful delights to those that choose to visit, and one we are pleased to have seen for ourselves.  The Park charges a Daily pass at $10 (which turned into a 2 day pass) and the many camping sites within the park are very popular right throughout the year.  The usual astonomical NP charges apply.

Rosella

Rosella

Rosella

Swamp Wallaby

Giant Fungi

Rosella

Lorikeets Looking For Some Action

Huskinson and Vincentia -  The Gateway to Jervis Bay - the towns were first settled in 1842, when Governor Phillip sent 70 convicts to build a track from Braidwood to Jervis Bay - called the Wool Track, and was used to transport wool so that it could be shipped to Sydney, instead of using the terrible roads through Goulburn.  This road today is almost fully sealed all the way to Braidwood and  a stop off at the Bark Tree Hotel is a must.

Today these towns are a thriving tourist destination, but still with the sleepy beach side village feeling.   A highlight being the Husky Pub - and no - we didn't go there as it was 10.30 in the morning.  Beautiful old building and one we will have to come back and visit in the future.

have some of Barrys photos to edit and will put them in here when I get them done - so stay tuned for the update.

Oh how wonderful is this magical part of Australia - more to see yet.

 

BigRedBusTouringCo.com: Berry Berry Best Of the South Coast

Berry Berry Best Of the South Coast

Well here we are waiting...for the Berry Berry best of Berry and the South Coast of NSW..the weather is not being very co-operative at all, and so we sit here and wait.

We were going to just come and see the coast for a few days, and then head back up the mountain and head for Victoria, before heading back to the Hunter for the big 90th birthday, but have decided to stay put here at the beautiful Berry Showground for a few weeks and hope that we get at least a few days of Sunshine!  We  can but live in hope.  So much to see and do around here and especially for the photographer, but the right conditions certainly make a difference.

We have had a few short drives, out and about around the beautiful beaches of the South Coast, and had a lovely and interesting lunch at the Top Pub in Berry.  Lots of lovely little coffee shops and delicatessens within the town with its lovely tree lined streets and so rich in history.

The name Berry dates back to 1889, the locality being originally known as Broughton Creek from its beginning in 1825 as part of a rural holding called 'Coolangatta'. The township takes its name after Alexander Berry who pioneered settlement in the district and established 'Coolangatta' with his brother-in-law, Edward Wollstonecraft in 1822. Berry started life as a private town on his sprawling county estate.

One of The Many Tree lined street Cafes - The Old Telegraph Station

Dairying and logging on the coastal plain were the initial drawcards to the district. Now a sense of purpose and peace comes from the enjoyment of a rural lifestyle in a striking landscape.Still steeped in its rich history, and very much a toruist mecha for all to enjoy.

The long sweep of Seven Mile Beach, backed by sand dunes and forest, has one of the largest remaining areas of natural coastal dune vegetation in the central part of NSW, and is one of the many short drives we have had the opportunity to do.

Seven Mile Beach

Collaged photo of Seven Mile Beach

 Driving south, through Nowra and heading towards Batemans Bay is the tiny lakeside village of Burrill Lake, and just a little bit further south is the beautiful beaches of Dolphin Point.  On a fine day or with a good sunrise - a photographers paradise.

Rock platforms at Dolphin Point

Waves crashing in over the Rocks at Dolphin Point

Rock Pools at Dolphin Point

Enjoying a quiet lunch at the Top Pub in Berry (the $12.95 special of the day), there are some interesting things that take your eye.

The Roof of The Pub is adorned with different Boats

Some Of The Walls Adorned with many hub caps

Not to say, that Barry enjoyed a beer

And so, that brings us to the end of another day.  Back to the bus to enjoy a quiet night with our little birds.  Life is different with out our little Pache, but slowly getting used to it.  Muddie is turning out so much like her, and has so much character.  Unlike Pache and Freckles, he just loves his greens, and enjoys nothing more than a plate of his own peas - puts a whole new meaning to mushy peas ...lol

Muddie enjoying his mushy peas.

Just have to hope the weather improves and we can get out and start to explore some of the lovely national parks and walks in the area.

Until the next chapter...........