Wollongong/ Albury

The drive to Wollongong from The Entrance took more than 5 hours.  After settling into our accommodation we visited Michael and Shane Meehan for late afternoon tea (astonishingly where they live is an apartment right next door to us).  

Yesterday we had lunch with Dr Robert Davey and his staff at the office of PhD Engineering.  He was in fine spirits and looking forward to relocating to the new business premises in December or January.

In the evening we were invited by Doug and Sheelah Boleyn to have dinner at their home.  We shared a pleasant evening enjoying Sheelah's culinary skills and swapped notes about our travels.

To our surprise, both Robert and Doug indicated that David Martin knew of the day and time of our meetings in advance!

It was such a cold day with rain and a freezing wind, and after hearing the weather forecast for the coast of NSW over the next few days, we decided that we would rather be in our warm house at home than continuing with more travels in extremely low temperatures.  So we cancelled our bookings for Narooma and Merimbula, asked Melissa to find accommodation in Albury for one night, and headed inland down the Illawarra Hwy and on to the Hume Highway.  Excellent roads and we made good time.  Stopped for lunch at a quaint little cafe and gift shop just off the highway at Jugiong which Doug had recommended.

Tomorrow we will drive to Eildon to move the barge and then straight to the comforts of home.  Looking forward to a king sized bed, a familiar kitchen, and hot showers.

By the time we reach home we will have driven a total of more than 5,500 Km on this trip.

The Jugiong wine cellar where we paused for lunch.

Next door to the wine cellar, where we purchased lunch and some country wares and goodies.

The Entrance (2)

There is not much at The Entrance apart from beaches, seagulls, and pelicans.  And of course the mandatory lighthouse!  Many little coffee bars  and cafes which are not very busy because it is winter and the "low" season.

Drove a short distance to Terrigal where we found a great place to have some seafood for lunch.

Restaurant at Terrigal overlooking the beach where we had lunch.  

Lighthouse at Noah's Head just north of The Entrance.

Looking across "our" beach to The Entrance in the background.

Judy enjoying an evening walk along "our" beach.

Thong tree on the beach.

Our motel in the background behind the statue.

The Entrance

A really interesting drive today from Port Macquarie to The Entrance.  We took the coast road where we could, bypassed Newcastle, and left the motorway early to travel into The Entrance from the coast road.  As we passed Harrington, we dropped in to see Peta and Dennis Levings.  They have a lovely home by the river and it was great to see them both.  The river has plenty of sharks, so they have constructed a swimming pool in their back yard where Peta can swim when she wants.  Dennis is not too mobile because he has recently had a spinal fusion operation and is still in pain.  Peta sends her warm wishes to all of our children, and finds it hard to believe that they have grown up so much!  

Our accommodation here is a motel, so we have just the bare bones as to be expected in a motel.  The plus is that we have the ocean's waves breaking just below our balcony, which should provide us with a restful night's sleep after a long day of driving.

View from our balcony just after arriving.

A little later as the sun was beginning to set.  The lilac sky on the horizon was very beautiful.

After dark, with lights shining on the water and the small beach.

Port Macquarie (5)

More strawberry picking today (we have already eaten the previously picked bucket).  

Then some shopping for supplies for dinner, packing for our departure tomorrow morning.  Leaving here must be grudgingly accepted, because the apartment is excellent and the town and surrounding area has provided us with a very enjoyable week.

Went for a sentimental walk beside the river in the late afternoon, and watched surfers in the ocean and dolphins breaking the surface in the river.

Oyster outlet at Port Macquarie which did not sell unopened or large oysters.  We have been spoiled by previous purchases at Ballina!

Skateboard area near the river, where youngsters were showing amazing skill on scooters, bicycles, skateboards, and roller skates.  Their talents demonstrate that many hundreds of hours of practice have gone into their expertise.

An evening walk along the broad water gave us this view on our last night in Port Macquarie.

Impressive statue near the Hastings river of Sir Edmund Barton.  He was the first Prime Minister of Australia in 1901, then resigned in 1903 to take a position as a judge of the High Court.

Port Macquarie (4)

Spent some time at the Historical Museum, which is an excellent display of the early days of Port Macquarie when it was founded as a convict settlement with a very large gaol.  The collection of old uniforms, chains, irons, guns, cat 'o nine tails, and models of convicts and soldiers was extremely moving and informative.  There were many written placards telling of the pain and loneliness of the convicts, and even a folder containing the names and "crimes" committed by every inmate.  

Nearby is a gallery which has a very informative floor telling stories of some of the people who put their lives at risk by hiding and helping Jews in Europe during the German "cleansing" period.  These heroes are to be honoured for their bravery and their risk-taking.  

Port Macquarie is to be recognised for the great work they have done in preserving memories and objects from the past.

Next stop was Wauchope and Timbertown about 25 km inland.  Quaint little village in the middle of a densely timbered area - plenty of utes and chainsaws here.

We then drove down south to Lake Cathie which is a short distance inland from the ocean.  This lake is very shallow, and is being dredged to try to keep the estuary open.  It is known for its proliferation of bird life.

Wander down to the waterfront to check out the dolphins, watch the fishermen and have a morning coffee in the 20 degree heat !

Or perhaps take a river cruise.

Why not mix with the locals ?

Or spend a part day with the sand dredge operator at Lake Cathie watching the bird life.

Port Macquarie (3)

There is much to do in Port Macquarie for exercise.  There is bushwalking, running along the many beaches, surfing, windsurfing, skydiving, paragliding, horse riding, camel safaris, kayaking, cycling, ten pin bowling, bowls, croquet, golf, and skateboarding.  For those less energetic there are ferry tours, seaplane trips, helicopter rides, museums, galleries, wineries and historical buildings.  And of course there's always shopping in your free time!!

We drove to Ricardoes Tomatoes and Strawberries, which has grown into a very successful business. Plants are all under cover and the fruit available all year round.  Visitors can buy from the centre, or pick your own and then have them weighed for pricing.  There is a great little cafe there, and a wide range of jams, chutneys, relishes, and dressings for sale.  We picked a bucket of strawberries, which are the sweetest I have ever tasted and not a bruise or sweaty surface in sight.  Just sweet, juicy, red flesh.

We then visited another light house just south of the town centre, taking some more photos of oceans and beaches.

This is Ricardoes Tomatoes and Strawberries at Blackmans Point, about 15 min drive north of Port Macquarie.  The tomato bushes are very high, with new green fruit at the higher level, and ripe ones at easy picking height.  Plants are very tall.

They also have strawberries which are U- pick and they look and taste delicious.  As you can see, the plants are grown in soil tucked into vertical pipes, so no bending and no dirt on the fruit!

Cheap labour always helps!!

The development of a new business, which began with a tin money box placed at the farm gate.

The lighthouse at Tacking Point just 10 mins south of Port Macquarie 

And yet another beach.  Within 5 kilometres of Port Macquarie there are 8 fantastic beaches suitable for surfers of any age and skill level.

Port Macquarie (2)

Enjoyed the tranquility of the Sea Acres Rainforest Centre, where there is an elevated rainforest loop boardwalk.  Seniors' discount again!!  There was a very good little cafe there with a French chef, so lunch was delicious with pâté included.

We then visited Roto House Historic Site where there is an 1890's homestead which has been completely renovated.  All of the rooms were set up as they were when the property was a home for the Flynn family.  It is now protected by the National Trust.

At the same site nearby is the only Koala Hospital in the world.  Every afternoon there is a "Feed, Walk and Talk" tour.  This is where sick or injured koalas are brought for assessment and treatment.  Conditions ranged from attacks by dogs, being hit by cars, bush fires, chlamydia, other infections, and dehydration.  One which cannot be released into the wild has only 3 legs (amputated) and one eye after infection.  I did not know that a koala's front feet have two thumbs and three fingers, all with very strong claws.  This centre does wonderful work, with the help of donations and a local voluntary vet plus about 150 volunteers who work at the hospital.  One of the biggest jobs is to go into the bush very early in the morning to collect fresh leaves for the patients and boarders.

The beautifully tranquil rainforest boardwalk.  There were many signs with information about species along the route.

Roto house

A contended "patient" in the hospital.

Koalas are fed medication and lactose-free liquid with a syringe.  Some love it whilst a few are not too keen.