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.