KILLALEA STATE PARK AND SURROUNDS - 21 TO 24 APRIL 2021

21 April

We left Cudmirrah and headed towards Beacon’s home.

Along the way, we detoured to Currajong. We had a hike that ended up turning into a bush bash J . the scenery along the way was spectacular.

At Beacon’s, we had quite a few drinks and takeaway dinner. A great night!

22 April

We left Beacon’s in the morning and stopped off at The Farm. The waves looked good. I paddled out and had some fun rights and lefts. The water was so clear!

We drove around to the campsite at Killalea State Park. We settled in and enjoyed the afternoon sun.

23 April

I had an early walk along some tracks to Mystic Beach. It was very pretty especially with a rising sun.

Later, we had a walk along the waterfront at Shellharbour. A protected bay with beaches and rock shore platforms.

We had another check of The Farm. I had a surf while Jacinta enjoyed the sun on the beach.

We joined Beacon and Meryl for dinner at the Ocean Beach Hotel. Great conversation and night!

24 April

A sunny morning and our last day away.

We drove to The Farm to check the surf. It was very crowded and a bit over the place.

We moved on to Dharawal National Park where we had a mountain bike ride. It was okay but we were a bit tired to make the most of it.

Next stop … Home!

CUDMIRRAH AND SURROUNDS - 19 TO 21 APRIL 2021

 

Cudmirrah

19 April

We left Durras and drove to Dolphin Point, where we caught up with a long time friend Clive. It was enjoyable sharing stories of people from our common past and what was happening to each of us in the present.

Next stop was catching up with another long time friend Harry, who lived in Ulladulla. Great stories of his Indo surf adventures and Bondi Rescue gossip.

Back on the road and we settled into a camp site at Cudmirrah, A nice spot with a short walk to the beach. There were a few surfers out enjoying the late, late afternoon session.

20 April

A morning walk on the beach. The water was warm and there were a variety of shells along the shoreline. There was a small surf with an occasional wave. There were two out which was one too many.

We had a bike ride to the local café for coffee. After the coffee, we were feeling good so we followed the road/tracks around the Swan Lake. The road ended up becoming the beginning of the ride to Monument Beach. We followed the road for awhile and ended near a group of crossroads and tracks. We followed one of the narrow tracks. It was an long awesome ride along a flat flowy track that looped back on itself a number of times. We followed another awesome track that flowed gradually downhill to Berrara. Top ride!

21 April

Time to move onwards!

SOUTH DURRAS - 16 to 19 APRIL 2021

 

16 April

We left Broulee and set off for Durras. Along the way to stopped at Deep Creek Dam where I had a mountain bike ride. It was an excellent ride with smooth tracks, rocky tracks and the odd obstacle. Along the way, I met a local rider Byron, who showed me around the tracks. It was heaps of fun.

The next stop was Batemans Bay for food and alcohol.

The camping site at Durras was surrounded by trees, a bit rough and a beach across the road.

We had a fire that night. Very nice!

17 April

We walked down to the beach in front of the camp area. A nice beach but no quality surf.

We rode our mountain bikes south along the quiet town streets. We did a few turn offs to get a view of the coast. Eventually, we arrived at another camp area. The beach here was calm and pretty with a rugged headland. We continued onwards along a dirt road into the national park. A turn off took us to a small beach with a moderate swell breaking on the shore. The water was very deep just a few metres from shore. We backtracked and turned onto a narrow track that lead in a number of directions. The tracks were fun and pretty leading to headlands or beach accesses or nowhere in particular.

Later in the afternoon, we had another bike ride north to check out the lake and the north end of the beach. The lake looked inviting for a kayak and the beach was a little windblown.

We lit another night fire. It was a roaring success but there were a few bouts of rain that put a damper on the evening.

18 April

We headed off to Batemans Bay for supplies.

I had a late morning kayak at Durras Lake . A great kayak – some birds, pretty shoreline, narrow tributary, small jumping fish, surprised stingray – much bigger lake than I thought. Only did part of the lake! Meanwhile, Jacinta did a lake shoreline hike.

Back at camp – fire, beer, food, wine – a great bday!

19 April

We woke feeling a little seedy and very ordinary.

We eventually left our camp and continued northwards

BROULEE AND SURROUNDS - 14 TO 16 APRIL 2021

 14 April

After leaving Congo, our first stop was Moruya Heads. The waterway which flowed beside the road was pretty. The beach at the Heads was blown out by the strong winds.

The next stop was Moruya for food supplies. We wandered through part of the main street and were impressed with the state of the historic buildings.

Onwards to Broulee! We settled into our camp area and spend the early afternoon on the beach. The surf was very off and on with a lot a waves breaking randomly and closing out. I settled for a swim.

15 April

A cold night!

I had a bike ride from Broulee to Moruya Heads. The ride started along streets, then a cycle path, a dirt road and a long track to Moruya Regional Airport. The track skirted the fence of the airport and through a camp ground and along the breakwall at Moruya North Heads. The track was flat and easy running parallel with the beach. The path along the breakwall had a number of fishermen on it. There was one surfer with an occasional small wave breaking next to the breakwall.

I had a surf in the afternoon. It was small and not the best quality but it was nice getting wet.

16 April

A leisurely morning packing and moving off.

CONGO - 11 TO 14 APRIL 2021

11 April

We left Blackfellows Beach and headed for Moruya for food supplies and water for the van tank.

Next stop was Congo campgrounds.

We set up in an excellent site with ocean and river views in the sun with some shade … perfect.

We wandered around the headland to the beach south of the campground. It was very windy and there were two guys out surfing.

12 April

I woke and drew the blind on back window to a glorious view of the Congo Creek, the surf and the sun rising.

The tide was high so I launched the kayak and paddled up river. What a great kayak – clear water, changing vegetation, guiding under fallen trees, scooting around tree branches, a few birds, stillness, a rising sun.! One of the best kayaks I’ve done.

Back at camp, we had breakfast and I then had a swim against the outgoing tide. When I got tired, I drifted back with the flow. There were lots of small schools of fish feeding.

A restful afternoon and late afternoon we walked across the shallow river and walked along the long beach. There were a number of beach birds. Over the sand dunes, there were a few free campers. I had a look. There was a lot of abandoned gear lying about – a wreck car and rubbish and even kayaks and canoes.

13 April

The wind was very strong throughout the day.

I had a snorkel in the creek – swimming up creek and drifting back with the water flow. The water was clear and there were a lot of small fish.

Jacinta and I had a bike ride through Congo and along a track that lead north through Eurobodalla National Park. A great ride with some awesome coastal views.

Late in the afternoon, there were some large kangaroos in the camp feeding on the grass.

14 April

I woke to an awesome sunrise, which I watched through the van window.

After breakfast, we packed and chatted with some fellow campers and headed further north.