Taree to Sydney

The time had come to say good-bye to Mescal and Rod and leave their serene oasis for the hustle and bustle of Sydney. We left Pampoolah around 10.30 am and arrived in Sydney at 4 pm. It was a hassle free drive with light traffic and bearable heat. We checked back into the familiar “Aspire Hotel” close to UTS and took a rest till dinnertime. All TV stations were warning the population about the coming heat wave on Tuesday that would spike temps to 43 degrees in Sydney and surrounding areas. So far we were spared any extreme weather, but would get to experience it on our last full day in Australia. The temps were still OK though (around 29), so we went for dinner at the Chinese neighbourhood restaurant.

From there we went straight down to Darling Harbour, first taking the Monorail twice around to see the great sights again (and cool off in the air conditioned compartment of the train) and then walking home from Darling Park Station. An ice cream was enjoyed on the promenade and a view of the harbour and crowds as well as the big yellow duck on the water indicating the “Sydney Festival” going on from Jan. 5 to 27.

Pampoolah at Mescal’s B&B, Black Head and Diamond Head Beaches

We had a late start this morning after an elaborate brekki orchestrated by Mescal. Sitting in the garden, reading the newspaper, gabbing with Mescal all made for a very relaxing Sunday morning.

It was almost lunch time before we left for Halliday’s Point for a special Sunday market and Black Head Beach.

The market, put up in a little park, sold all kinds of goods, amongst others Rod’s nursery plants. We visited his stall, admiring all the different plants and flowers for sale. Mescal and Rod ran a wholesale nursery for 27years, and Mescal opened the B&B a few years ago after they had built the house for this particular specification. Rod hopes to retire from the nursery business in a few years.

It was HOT at the market and hardly any breeze there today. We made our way a few hundred meters further on to the Black Head Beach which was totally crowded with Sunday beach bums, no parking, lots of cars etc. We decided to try Diamond Head Beach a few km away which was lovely but again way TOO HOT in the midday sun. We made an executive decision and went ‘home’ to take the plunge in Mescals saltwater pool instead. It turned out to be a super decision, and we floated in the warm water the whole afternoon, wet Tilley hat, sunscreen and sunglasses on. Mescal spoiled us with an afternoon snack of ice cold watermelon on the pool deck, and we blissfully accepted.

We went into Taree around 6 pm for a very authentic and good Italian dinner at the “Il Colosseo” and for a stroll afterwards along the Manning River in Taree’s park and shore walk. We saw more pelicans begging for food and fighting with the seagulls.

A great sunset was enjoyed on our way to “Old Bar” Beach where we got the last rays of sun and the purple haze over the beach onto our camera lenses.

Tomorrow we have to leave this lovely paradise and go back to Sydney, where we will have only one more full day before flying home on Wednesday to Vancouver into the winter cold. BRRRR!!!! Not such a great outlook!

Manning Valley around Taree

We got up to blazing sunshine and heat and a delicious breakfast made by Mescal and served on the shady back terrace, surrounded by sweeping lawns, bamboo groves, wisteria arbours and a lemon tree.

After making up our mind of where to drive to first we left Mescal with the housework and set out to explore the beautiful Manning Valley. First we went up north for about 20 km to the Crowdy Head Lighthouse from where we had a 360 degree view over the area. Miles of white sand beaches, mountains (The Three Brothers) in the background and forests, farms and little villages abound as far as you could see. A strong gale was blowing from the north east that made the heat bearable. We went down to the small harbour, watched huge pelicans do their thing, took tons of pictures and just let the landscape and atmosphere sink in. We went back to the little seaside town of Harrington to enjoy a picnic lunch at a lagoon under a shady hut watching pelicans, fishermen and boats as well as weekenders go by. 

Next stop was Manning Point, a small picturesque village with lots of water access, parks and a great fish and chips shack directly above the bay. On we went to Wallaby Beach and Saltwater, National Parks with splendid beaches and wildlife.

We needed an afternoon break and went to the Taree “house beach” in “Old Bar”, not far from our B&B. We plunked ourselves on the warm white sand and watched the surfers, swimmers and skimmers. 4 volunteer lifeguards were on duty for the small area between the yellow-red flags open to water activities. We stayed for about 2 hours, took a little nap and more pictures. 

On our way home we went into the only supermarket of Old Bar to pick up a barbequed chicken, some veggies and fruit for an al fresco dinner poolside at Mescal’s. It turned out to be delicious with some VB beer and wine afterwards. Mescal and Rod joined us for a drink and “de-briefing” of the day and some more tips for tomorrow’s outing. 

... to Taree in the Manning Valley

Our departure from the Samurai Beach Resort happened later than usual because check-out was at 11 am. That gave us time for a leisurely ‘brekki’, watching the news and weather forecast on the telly and packing our things. It was supposed to become a very hot day again, temps in the low thirties. Elsewhere in Australia bush fires were already raging with fire crews out and people evacuating their homes. Adelaide was baking in 44 degrees.

We had to cover the distance from Samurai to the town of Taree in the Manning Valley, about 150 km north, on the M1. Sigi had booked a B&B there the night before on the net at “Mescal’s at Pampoolah”, a house in the bush lands close to beaches, mountains, farmland and bush. Arriving at the B&B we were stunned about its secluded location and beautiful surroundings. Mescal’s (the first name of the owner) house was situated within 9 acres of bush, Eucalyptus and bamboo forest with 2 duck and fish ponds, resident wallabies, creeping jasmine, hibiscus and lilies. A true delight to see and walk through, it looked and felt like a serene park.

We were truly enchanted. Mescal turned out to be a lovely, down to earth, hands-on woman in her mid fifties who had a real Aussie sense of humour. Our room and all the amenities were first class, and we got spoiled with housekeeping service and a superb brekki à la carte, served on a terrace in the shady garden. Mescal told us all about what to see around here, where to go and stay, swim or not (!!), eat or not… We met her husband Rodney who took us to the pond for fish feeding and looking at the 3 or more resident turtles. He opened a bottle of champagne that we emptied together on the deck over the pond. We had a blast and felt right at home. There also was a warm saltwater pool in which we took a dip after our Thai dinner in Taree.

This B&B is a true find and a real treat. If anyone comes this way – go to Mescal and Rod Dever, 53 Malcoms Road, Pampoolah via Taree, NSW (www.mescals.com.au)

Samurai Beach Resort, Salamander Bay, Stockton Bight Sand Dunes and beach

We started our day with a relaxing dip in the resort’s salt water pool. It was a great feeling to just float on the warm water. 

 

After breakfast (or as the Aussies say <brekki>!!) we drove into Salamander Bay (where we already had gone yesterday for food supplies at ALDI!!) . There is a public library with free wireless internet, as we had found out by chance. In we went with our 2 computers, got the password and log-in number from the friendly librarian and were able to connect with the rest of the world. Reading and writing e-mails, updating our blog and Sigi doing some work. After a good session we had lunch at the Salamander Bay shopping centre and decided to go to Anna Bay with a bottle of wine for a very early “Happy Hour”. We drove to the “Stockton Bight Sand Dunes” which are the largest in Australia. We were duly impressed!! Large stretches of white sand beach and dunes, 1 km wide, 32 km long and up to 40 m high. What a marvellous sight!! We picked a small bay from which we were able to see in all directions and opened a bottle of Penfold’s “Rawson’s Retreat” Shiraz Cab-Sauv that we sipped watching the surfers, swimmers and camel riders…

Yes, there were about 10 camels on the beach, ridden by kids and guided by a young girl who did these tours all day long. Interestingly nobody cared one bit about the red flag at the entrance of the beach indicating “no swimming or surfing allowed”. They all went in, some farther out, some timidly close to the edge of the water. We took a walk along the beach, wading in and out of the water, taking pictures and just enjoying the afternoon. Home again we went for another swim, then ate a cold supper in our room.

Tomorrow after check-out we plan to drive further north to Taree where we will stay till Monday when we have to go back to Sydney.

from Lilli Pilli to “One Mile Beach”, Anna Bay, Port Stephens

We said good–bye today to our lovely suite in Lilli Pilli as well as to our hosts Nona and Richard. One last look over Cronulla Bay, and off we went, first crossing Sydney and then onto the M1 going north. Traffic was heavy with holidaymakers heading to the various beaches up north with surf boards, bikes and camping gear strapped to the roofs of their cars. Our drive took us through forests of Eucalyptus and mountains as well as bush land closer to Newcastle.

We had booked a suite at the “Samurai Beach Resort” on Gan Gan Road in “One Mile Beach” close to Anna Bay and Nelson Bay. The area is called Port Stephens, and many communities belong to it. We found a great resort with Eucalyptus groves in which koala colonies live, a super pool and hot tub as well as very friendly, helpful staff. The receptionist told us where to go for dinner to see the kangaroos come out of the woods at dusk. It was the “Nelson Bay Golf Club”, and indeed, that’s where we went. We had just finished our fabulous dinner when a crowd of 12 kangaroos hopped onto the fairway and started eating away. What a sight! Unfortunately they didn’t come close to the club house, so we had to zoom them in with our cameras.

2013 - HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Another beautiful day was presenting itself on this first day of the New Year. Sunny, blue skies and 32 degrees again. We decided to hit the beach in Cronulla, one of the many in that area. At first we had thought to take a dip at the famous Bondi Beach in Sydney but then decided against it because we were told about the masses of people descending on that rather small bay on holidays. It turned out to be true as well for the other beaches in town and beyond. The traffic was quite horrendous, everyone wanting a spot at their famous beach. We got into the “Wanda” Beach parking lot, and did find a spot after driving a few loops around it. The beach was SUPER!! White sand, blue waters and good surf as far as one could see. Surfers, paddle boarders, swimmers in the warm water, many other people on the beach. Planes overhead from the nearby Intern. Airport, all kinds of boats on the water, and the lifeguards in their buggies on the beach or in boats on the water. It was the most interesting and enjoyable display of activities. Most interesting for us was the lifeguard boat driving up and down the shore slowly with the guards hanging over the railing scanning the water for sharks!!!! This made swimming quite a risqué undertaking. Nonetheless Sigi and I went in, not too far, always around other people and looking into the clear water for trouble. It was fun despite of this and so warm. The water temps must have been at least 23 to 24 degrees. A lot warmer than down at the Great Ocean Road for sure.

We went home to change around 6 and ate dinner again at the Mai Tai. 

Tomorrow we have to say good bye to Lilli Pilli and drive north of Sydney. We booked a place for 2 nights called ‘Samurai Resort’ north of Newcastle. We’ll see how we like it and take it from there …