CENTRAL COAST - North Entrance - windsurf - 18 december 2010

Good day for the lighter weights, big big boards or big sails. At one stage, the wind came up a notch and it was fun. Unfortunately, I broke a harness line and Lance went through his sail.

Sailors: Lance, Mark, Bill, Peter, Todd

CENTRAL COAST - Avoca Lagoon - KAYAK - 17 December 2010

Cloudy day with little wind. Off to check out kayaking at Avoca Lagoon.

It was still with the sounds of birds. The water level was a bit low but there were heaps of birds.

CENTRAL COAST - Wamberal - snorkel - 10 december 2010

An excellent sunny morning with no wind and tiny surf. Good for a snorkel. I tried the north point at Wamberal Beach but there were small waves breaking that made visibility poor further out from shore. Still there were some fish.

After awhile, I drifted over to a group of surfers and got some water shots.

Water was very cold.

AUSTRALIA - Gerroa - december 2010

We went to a relative's  wedding in Gerroa. The wedding was excellent and the backdrop of Gerroa made it it more beautiful.

Gerroa has a wide sandy beach and a rocky headland. A river empties out at the northern end.

CENTRAL COAST - North Entrance - windsurf - 27 November 2010

The north east wind was looking strong but once out past the second bouy, it was ferocious. Great flat water and wind-chop waves further out.

There were a few big wipeouts and a lot of sailing very close to the cameraman.

Sailors were Lance, Mark, Todd and Peter.

The video has a number of spilt scenes and slow motion footage of to-close-to the cameraman shots.

CENTRAL COAST - Copacabana - snorkel - 27 November 2010

The northern end of Copacabana was protected and off shore in the north east wing. The snorkelling looked inviting.

Generally, the water was clear with a small swell. It was fun looking at the bottom where i've surfed a few times. Shallow in parts, rocks jutting upwards and an irregular bottom.

Water was very cold.

CENTRAL COAST - Bateau Bay - snorkel - 26 November 2010

The NE wind was increasing so i tried a snorkel at Bateau Bay. It was protected from the wind but the water was a little churned up. Plus not using a snorkel made snorkelling difficult. Funny that!

CENTRAL COAST - Canton Beach - windsurf - 19 November 2010

The wind was from south east and looking good. There were about five of us out. fun day!

AUSTRALIA - Dunn Swamp - HIKE/KAYAK - November 2010

 

I spent three days camping on own at Dunn Swamp near Rylstone, NSW.

The swamp is really a small dam. The water backs up between a narrow gorge of sandstone rocks that look pagoda-like.

 

There are two good kayak trips - up or down river. The up river trip becomes very narrow and in parts is difficult to make headway due to the reeds and overhanging brush. The kayak down river leads past tall reed areas and tall sandstone cliffs. The early morning sun reflects the golden hue of freshly broken slabs of sandstone plus the morning mist and stillness leads to mirror like reflections. The trip ends in the buoys protecting watercraft from venturing to close to the dam edge. It is a long way to the bottom of the dam wall.

 

There are two main walks with some side tracks. Both follow the river to a degree. The upriver walk passes through swampy areas and very dry bush. It eventually leads to a gauging station for the river. Side tracks lead to a picnic area and various rock formations. the second walk leads down river and passes through amazing rock formations and steep climbs to the top of the cliffs that line the river in parts. The track leads to the dam (weir) and thee long cave, which is really a long overhang of rock that can be walked under. At an earlier stage of the track, their is a side track to pagoda hill which is a fun steep rock scramble. the views at the top are excellent.

The camping was very quiet and the night silent. One needs to bring water and there are toilets only provided.

 

While here i saw heaps of wildlife - various birds, insects, goannas, kangaroos, possums, spiders and turtles.

The most noticeable aspect of the place is the sense of quietness and peacefulness.

CENTRAL COAST - Wamberal - surf - 20 October 2010

This was a fun surf. A crew of older dudes in the water - jeckle, pest, me, glenn, daniel, geoff, ironman - all having a good laugh.

The video was fun to make and produce into a movie. Played with splitting the screen and slow motion fall offs plus out of the water action.

CENTRAL COAST - Wamberal - SURF - 14 October 2010

A small clean fun day. Only four of us out... well for awhile anyway. the crowd appeared but the waves disappeared. such is life!

Had fun with the go pro camera attached to the board.

AUSTRALIA - QUEENSLAND - O'Reillys Rainforest Resort and Morans Falls - HIKE - October 2010

O'Reilly's Rainforest Resort and Moran Falls are in the Lamington National Park, Queensland.

O'Reilly's has an excellent walk through the rainforest and gardens. The walk through the rainforest is on platforms which rise into the tree canopy. At one point there is a tree ladder which takes you to the top of a huge tree and a great view of the surrounding forest and valley and the scenery below.

The walk branches off into a created garden with a variety of signposted plants.

Morans Falls is a two hour walk starting about a kilometre from O'Reillys. The track is easy through rainforest which becomes denser near the falls. The view of the falls is excellent and continuing onwards the track leads over the creek that feeds the falls and onwards further leads to valley views on the other side of the falls. It is also easy to follow the flat rocks lining the creek.

While photographing the canopy above me, i didn't notice the snake coiled on the path. luckily, i did before i stepped on it. I jumped back like a ninja to avoid it. Still, it was interesting and i observed the snake for quite a while before it slid off.

AUSTRALIA - QUEENSLAND - Tallebudgera Creek - Kayak - october 2010

The bridge across the creek is a good place to start a kayak due to easy parking and a creek beach.

I was surprised with this kayak not quite knowing what to expect. The beach start is fun with a strong current, followed by paddling under a heavily used bridge. Either side of the creek has white sand beaches with barnacled rocks in the murky shallow waters.

Once past the urban area, the sounds of traffic are lost to the sounds of the bird life. The creek becomes mangrove along its banks.

I stopped for awhile at a small sand island in the centre of the river.

AUSTRALIA - QUEENSLAND - Burleigh Heads National Park - october 2010

 

The headkland at Burleigh Heads is a national park.

The walk is easy and diverses into a number of directions.

The coastline is pretty and there are greaat views along the shoreline of the north and south of the gold coast. These views contrast strongly when looking at the skyline of buildings representing Surfers Paradise while within a few metres of this view point is a male brush turkey attending to his nest.

AUSTRALIA - QUEENSLAND - Burleigh Heads - Surf - October 2010

There were waves all week but they varied in quality. The week started off with small and bumpy waves to large smooth barrels by the end of the stay. The crowds were huge all week no matter the conditions or time of day.

On the last day, when the surf was at its best so were the surfers in the water. Droppins seemed to be taken as a part of what happens. I didn't bother to surf it but i enjoyed watching.

AUSTRALIA - QUEENSLAND - Minyon Falls Flora Reserve - Minyon Falls - HIKE - october 2010

We followed a short walk to the top of the falls. There was an amazing view over the top and across to the valley in the distance.

While there we waved to people at the bottom.

We then drove to a different car park and walked to the base of the falls. The vegetation changed from dry to rainforest to a tumble of rocks at the base of the falls.

At the base, there was a small pool and majestic views of the falls which were in a semi circle shape. We had lunch and laid back enjoying the sun and clouds scurrying across the lip of the falls. So peaceful.

Then there were two drops of rain and two minutes later it was like a bucket of water over the head with thunder for the sound effects. We scurried for the relative driest of the rainforest.

We plodded our way back and upon return the girls freaked over a few leeches attached to them under their socks.

AUSTRALIA - Byron Bay Lighthouse - HIKE - October 2010

We wandered around the lighthouse at Byron Bay. Nice views north and south.

Don't park too close to lighthouse as they want to charge $7 for 40 minutes. Well over the top!

AUSTRALIA - Lennox Head - september 2010

We stayed for a week at Lennox Head at the camping area next to Lake Ainsworth.

It is an excellent camp site with Lake Ainsworth, a tea stained fresh water lake on one side and Lennox Head beach on another. The day consists of swimming on the beach, swimming in the lake and back to the camp site. This is all within a few minutes walking distance.

There were a lot of things to do in the area. The flat area makes it great for bike riding and the the beach sand is firm enough at low tide to also cycle along.

There are good waves along the beach and at the point. there are also other surfing breaks within a short drive.

When the wind is up there are windsurfers and kite boarders on the beach.

The walk to and around the headland is great with excellent views from the headland over the point and town.

 

 

 

CENTRAL COAST - Terrigal Haven and Forrester - surf - 18 September 2010

Big swell. Big waves. The Haven was a bit calmer but Forrester was firing.

CENTRAL COAST - BRISBANE WATER - Waterfall Bay - kayak - 11 September 2010

A perfect day with sunshine and a light cool breeze.

I drove along Woy Woy Road and took the turn off at Woy Woy Bay Road and drove down a steep incline to Woy Woy Bay. I launched at the public wharf and paddled across the bay to Waterfall Bay.

From this point, I followed the eastern side of the bay. I stopped at a small beach and wandered around it and climbed a few rocks.

I continued on to the end of the bay which became shallower. The waterfall was more of a cascade but it was very pretty, tinkling over the rocks. The water was amazing clear with lots of small fish.

I traversed to the western side of the bay and stopped at a small beach amongst the mangroves. There was an excellent camping spot here. I also came across a male brush turkey guarding his nest mound.

I paddled along the western edge and came across a number of swing ropes tied to trees.

Eventually, I reached Woy Woy Bay and paddled across it. There were a number of boats and skiers but none came close to me so I was happy!

CENTRAL COAST - 'sunset from my cave' - 10 september 2010

I obviously sit in front of my computer a lot. My room (cave) looks over the reserve towards the west. Quite often I leave the cyber world to watch the sun set. It seems that the natural world is more intensified by the changing rays of sunset, but that is obvious too.

Continous 10 second interval photoshots over an hour certainly shortens the time frame of an event.

The wind sways the branches and leaves.
The light fluctuates.
One moment blinded,
the next, all is revealed.

CENTRAL COAST - Brisbane water NP - Bulgandry - HIKE - 2 September 2010

Only a short walk from the car park but at this time of the year it is a profusion of wildflowers. Even the car park is edged by the bright golden yellow of wattle.

The walk is easy and leads to a wooden walkway with plaques indicating the various sandstone carvings.

It is a place to let your imagination go... large group of local Aborgines carving the figures in the sandstone... compared to the density of the surrounding bush this spot is a natural area for a group of people to sit comfortably, talk and enjoy the sunshine. Why not use it as a spot to carve and tell stories!

CENTRAL COAST - Brisbane Water NP - Old Gosford Quarry - MTB - 27 August 2010

The old Gosford Quarry is a strange and desolate place.

There are tiered layers of sandstone with wide ramps connecting the various levels.

In some spots, there are large pools of bright blue water. Can life live in them? Some plants were close to the waters edge and certain species of frogs thrive in contaminated sites. Well, i don't know if the water is contaminated but it is the colour of glacial lakes and volcanic lakes. Anyway, i wouldn't want to touch it!

Give it X amount of years and vegetation will reclaim. There are plants clinging on in patches where some soil resides.

Overall, the desolate feel isn't so bad. Deserts can look desolate also but trying telling a Bedouin that it's a bad thing.

CENTRAL COAST - Brisbane Water NP - Staples Lookout to Mount Wondabyne - HIKE - 27 August 2010

The begiinning of the journey is along a service trail, which isn't too much fun. Most service trails aren't fun, I think, but there are a lot of flowers along the road rims.

Eventually, there is a turn off the trail along a track through bush and sandstone rock platforms. This part of the trail is excellent with great views towards Mount Wondabyne.

The track reaches another service road and after a short walk there is a turn off to another track. This track passes close to the summit of Mount Wondabyne. Near the top of the track is a turn off towards the summit. This involves following a track and some rock scrambling.  Heaps of fun.

The view at the top is excellent. There is a 360 degree view at the summit which is pretty awesome. The view is certainly worth the time and effort.

Retracing the summit track then continue along the main track to another service road that passes Old Gosford Quarry and joins onto Woy Woy Road.

CENTRAL COAST - Wamberal - surf - 25 August 2010

The surf was small and the the tide high but there were a few waves.

Chris and Clark dropped in heaps... well i asked them to so i could get some shots using the go pro camera on a helmet. Unfortunately, I need to have the camera pointer higher to get others on the wave ahead of me. But on the bright side, i got some unusual angles of me surfing and glimpses of the others.

CENTRAL COAST - Brisbane Water NP - Staples Lookout to Kariong Falls - HIKE - 24 August 2010

I parked the car at Staples Lookout and admired the view. Strangely enough, a rooster came out of the bush and clucked around my car. Couldn't figure it out - escarpment on one side and national park on the other with a main road in between.

From the lookout it is a short walk to the beginning of Tommos loop trail. The trail is a service road that gets a bit boring except that the road edge was littered with a variety of wildflowers.

Eventually, at the Girrakool sign, there is a turnoff from the trail and onto a fair dinkum bush track. This track leads downhill along steps, sandy tracks and some rock scrambling. After a timer, the sound of water is heard, then the top of the Kariong Falls comes into view.

At the base of the falls, the vegetation is lush and shade forming with a swimable water hole. The water was a bit cold today so i passed on the swim. The falls is a great, peaceful and relaxing place for a break.

After some rejuvenation, it was time to climb the hill back out and follow the service trail and main road back to Staples Lookout. The rooster had vanished!!!

CENTRAL COAST - Shelley Beach to The Entrance - HIKE - 20 August 2010

 

A beautiful, warm and sunny winter's morning.

I walked along the coast from Shelley Beach to the Entrance passing through Toowon Bay and Blue Bay. The water was clear with a small swell. Too bad it wasn't summer as it would have been perfect for a swim or snorkel.

CENTRAL COAST - Mooney Mooney Creek - kayak - 18 August 2010

It was a bit of a late start for a kayak but he weather was warm anmd sunny. I drove down the old pacicfic highway and turn off on a dirt road just pass a small bridge over Mooney Mooney Creek.

The first and most imposing sight was the Mooney Mooney Bridge. From the bottom it looks a little fragile forall thetraffic that it takes. After the bridge it is mostly natural bushland with one side being the Brisbane Waters National Park.

There wasn't much birdlife except for one eagle which flew low down a straight stretch of the creek. Most of the trip was quiet of bush sounds.

There were a few smaller creeks  branching off along the journey.

The end of the navigational part of the creek ended in numerous rocks. 

The journey took about 3 hours. A point to note is that the trip is best to do going on high tide and returning at the turning of the tide. The higher water allows one to paddle further.  

CENTRAL COAST - Wamberal - surf - 16 August 2010

A small surf at wamberal with a very strong offshore wind. I used my go pro camera for the first time. I took some shots facing the board and some facing away. Being smaal waves the inward shots i feel looked better. It was good fun playing with a new toy.

CENTRAL COAST - Terrigal - surf - 13 August 2010

 

A wild day of surf. The beach break in front of terrigal surf club was 1m lefts and rights. A small number of surfers soon turned into a crowd. Still, it was fun though infrequent.

CENTRAL COAST - Wamberal - surf - 11 August 2010

One metre plus waves. A howling offshore. Heaps of fun and exciting waves. Bloody cold. A few people looked a little purple.

CENTRAL COAST - Blue Lagoon - sup - 8 August 2010

 

I watched three guys paddleboarding at Blue Lagoon. The waves were infrequent but they caught a couple of nice ones.

CENTRAL COAST - Bateau Bay to Shelley Beach - HIKE - 8 August 2010

I parked at Bateau Bay and walked the short distance to Shelley Beach via the coast. The tide was low so a lot of marine life was visible. The sooty oyster catcher was meandering around the wave zone looking for shellfish. It was an easy and interesting walk which took me an hoiur but is probably a ten minute walk.

CENTRAL COAST - Kincumba Mountain - MTB - 6 July 2010

I went for a cycle along the tracks at Kincumba Mountain Reserve. It was fun, especially trying to balance the camera on the bumpy tracks.

There were great views over Avoca from Warriwarri Lookout.

CENTRAL COAST - surf - 4 August 2010

The day seemed to have a lot of potential for surfing but it just wasn't right. I wandered around to a number of beaches and settled for coffee and the sandyfeet cafe.

My go pro camera arrrived today so looking forward to different shots.

CENTRAL COAST - Wamberal - surf - 30 July 2010

1m clean and fun waves at wamberal. The small crowd varied from body boards to paddleboards to mals to knee boards to short boards.

CENTRAL COAST - Wamberal - surf - 25 July 2010

1 metre bumpy waves at Wamberal but there were some okay ones amongst them.

Why the turkeys? Well, why not?

CENTRAL COAST - Brisbane Water - Riley Island - kayak - 13 July 2010

The weather was cloudy but no wind. I drove to St Hubert’s Island and launched from the north east of the island.

It was a perfect morning with a mirror image of the island reflecting off the water of the channel. The wind held off throughout the whole kayak affording a perfect reflection for the whole trip.

The island had a few sandy stretches to land and walk around but mainly it was mangroves with oyster shells clinging to every rock. At one point, there were a number of old rusting tanks possibly from some sort of past farming occupation. The area around the tanks looked like it had been cleared in comparison to the rest of the island.

The bird life was a bit scarce on this journey – some cormorants, herons and ducks.

Though the water was glassy the surface was very swirly in some sections where the incoming tide crossed currents.

It was about a two hour quiet and scenic trip.

AUSTRALIA - Sydney - Skyview Wheel - 11 June 2010

This was a fun ride at Darling Harbour Sydney.  It was free as I won a family pass in a competition.

CENTRAL COAST - The Entrance - MTB - 25 June 2010

 

It was a quiet, cloudy, sunny day for trying out my new bike.

I cycled from the Entrance surf club to Picnic Point. There was such a variety of landscapes in a short distance.

It starts with houses and thin beach littered with seaweed. After a while the estuary of the Tuggerah Lake was pouring vast amounts of water into the ocean. The cycle/walkway is right beside the waterway. It always looks like more people should be falling into the water as there are no guard rails... strange in these times. The boardwalk turns into shops and eateries until the bridge. Fishermen and boats dominate now until close to Picnic Point which is mainly mowed parkland.

There was lots of birdlife such as pelicans, ducks, cormorants, magpie larks and seagulls.

As for the bike, the handle bars needed tightening.

CENTRAL COAST - Wyrrabalong NP - Crackneck Lookout to Shelley Beach - HIKE - 20 June 2010

Today is a great day for a walk being a warm sunny winter’s day.

Drove to Crackneck Point Lookout, took in the expansive views of the north coastline and setoff along the coastal track.

 

The track was easy with some wattles blooming. Along the descent and at the bottom of the hill there a number of breaks in the vegetation affording views over Bateau Bay.

There are a few access tracks, stairs to the beach below. I took one in the centre of the beach.

Back to the top, I followed the track around to Blue Lagoon and then Shelley Beach. At the centre of the beach is a surf club and kiosk.

CENTRAL COAST - Brisbane Water - Pelican Island - kayak - 18 June 2010

I launched the kayak at the boat ramp at the Woy Woy channel.

I paddled across the channel and followed the edge of Pelican Island along the channel. About half way along the channel there was a smaller channel that I followed between two islands for a short distance. After a short while it became too shallow to navigate. Near this area, I came across a white faced heron and pelican hunting in the shallows.

Backtracking to the main channel, I continued to follow the edge of the island. The shore was mangroves and dense vegetation. Eventually, I reach3ed the oyster leases and could no longer follow the edge of the island. I paddled around the oyster farms until the water became deep enough to cut through them.

Once through the farms, I paddled to the far edge of Pelican Island and landed on a sandy beach. I wandered around and found hundreds of soldier crabs that scuttled away on my approach.

I continued around the island and crossed the Woy Woy channel and landed on the small sandy beach beside the boat ramp.

The journey was about 2 hours.

indonesia - Bali - Medewi - Surfing - May 2010

4/05/10 – rain

Arrived at Medewi and had late afternoon surf. The waves were about a metre plus and the wind was cross shore. Definitely, not the best conditions for surfing.

5/05/10 – sunny, cloudy

I had early surf in one metre plus waves. There were long lulls between sets but the walls were long and fun.

6/05/10 – sunny

I had early surf at one metre. The waves were a little slow and sluggish in parts.

Indonesia - Bali - Medewi - May 2010

 

Medewi is on the west coast of Bali.

I stayed at a small losman in a clean fan room for 70 000 rupiah. There were smaller cheaper rooms. There is also a lot of accommodation in Medewi along the beach to the north and along the road leading to the beach.

The walks around Medewi are very interesting. In the course of an hour walk, I wandered pass a river, rice fields, the town, beach, fishing boats, homes, farm animals and restaurants.

The locals are friendly and helpful. A great place to watch the daily life of Balinese people.