Sapphire Coast

A slower drive from Sydney than we've done on previous occasions. This time we finally stopped at Bowral, home of Sir Don Bradman. We had time for a nice lunch in the cafe, and then a look round the museum itself. The ground floor is devoted to the history of the game, and the first floor to The Don himself. No photos allowed unfortunately.

Set off down the tourist route towards Mollymook stopping at Fitzroy Falls. The only other person at the viewpoint was a man from Salisbury! Falls were quite spectacular especially following the recent heavy rains.

Carried on to Cambewarra Viewpoint on Tourist Road – really spectacular views down to the coast but difficult to photograph because of the haze. Some hairy driving over these mountains (well the Satnav says 600m high) with lots of hairpins.

Finally made it down to Mollymook by 6pm. Typical Aussie beach – loads of sand and surf

Friday 19th
Back out onto the main highway and down towards Batemans Bay. On way stopped at Dolphin Point to see if there were any! There weren’t.

Stopped at shopping centre in Batehaven, had coffee and bought bits in Coles. Onwards along coast road and stopped at Melville Point near Broulee. We went to the general store and café and had lunch outside. Went down to boat launching point on marine park at Tomago River.

Back out onto main Princes Highway and stopped for drink at Narooma alongside Wagonga Inlet. Stopped at Bega Valley Lookout, then down the road to Tathra which had only reopened that day. Evidence of flooding all round.

Arrived at Robyn’s about 5.30. Just time to settle in before Len arrived and we walked to Fat Tony’s for Robyn’s birthday meal. Friends Andrew and Jane joined us. Andrew was Station Manager at local ABC. As we left we saw a possum running along telegraph wires. First time we’ve seen one in the wild.

Slept like logs.




Saturday 20th Woke up to sound of bellbirds and surf. Breakfast on the deck and out with Robyn and Len. Stopped at Wapengo Bridge to look at the debris and damage from the rains. Carried on to Picnic Point which necessitated driving through a private estate (Ness). Lots of Oyster farms on way and two lovely beaches – lots of people camping. Drove onto Bermagui where we first drove to viewpoint over Horseshoe Bay where we could see Mt Dromedary. After that visited new Fisherman’s Co-operative building – very smart wooden structure with shops and cafes. Bought fish and chips to take away and sat overlooking boat harbour. After lunch drove round to viewpoint overlooking Camel Rock, just north of Bermagui. Drove on to Central Tilba (NT village) where we walked along village street looking in craft and gift shops – lovely wood craft gallery. Visited Tilba Cheese Factory. Then drove to Mystery Bay and walked along beautiful sandy beach. Lots of surf but people still swimming. Robyn said it was too rough for her and she would be worried that the water was ‘dirty’ after all the heavy rain and flooding. Back to Robyn’s where we checked on emails while Robyn cooked dinner. Lamb with roast veggies and salmon for Anne – very nice. After dinner just sat, chatted and watched part of swimming with whale shark dvd which Robyn had done at Ningaloo Reef in WA. Also looked at some of the Stevenson Walk and Italy photos taken after they left UK last year.