BERMAGUI AND SURROUNDS - 22 TO 31 MARCH 2021

22 March 2021

We left Bournda NP and drove to Tathra and along the back road to Bermagui. The scenery along the way was pretty, especially, around Mimosa NP but it was way too wet to stop and enjoy.

We checked into a camp area for a few days as the weather was predicted to be atrocious on Tuesday. Before settling in, we had a drive around the area. It looked good but the rain became even heavier.

23 March

We woke to increasing rain and wind.

The whole day was strong wind and torrential rain. We stayed inside the van! Late in the afternoon, the wind increased more and the van was rocking and it was hard to keep the pop-top roof up. Suddenly, the wind ceased and 30 minutes later the rain stopped. The skies were clearing, stars were visible and a half moon was a-shining.

24 March

Sunny day.

We woke to no wind, a low lying and thick mist and no rain. I had a morning walk around the headland at Bermagui. I walked from Horseshoe Bay to the Blue Pools. A pretty coastline with misty views and a large swell pounding the rock and cliffs. Blue pools were not swimmable, as it was a churning mass of white wash. I met a fellow, Mark, who came here in the 70’s and settled down on a farm. He had some good stories on farming and sharks in the area. On the way back, I stopped to bring back coffee.

Back at camp, we gave the van a clean out and did a few loads of washing. We moved sites and booked for a few more nights.

We went for a short drive before moving sites to check out the local area and to have lunch at the Fisherman’s Wharf. The food was a little oily but the view was excellent!

Later in the afternoon, I had a bike ride around town and along the various break walls at the mouth of the Bermagui River. I had a chat with an elderly couple that moved here from Cooma thirty years ago.

25 March

A sunny morning!

After breakfast, we drove to Cuttagee Lake. I had a kayak and Jacinta had walks along the Cuttagee Beach.

The kayak started in sand/mud and was in shallow water with a strong tide against me. After a while, the channel I was paddling along opened up more. The waters were protected and the tide much slower. There were quite a few birds and lots of large jellyfish.

The afternoon was heavy rain, thunder and lightning.

 

26 March

A sunny morning!

After breakfast and a chat with our new site neighbour, we set off on a bike ride around Bermagui. We rode short tracks and along the various break walls. There were some outstanding views. We stopped for coffee and cake at the Fisherman’s Wharf.

Later in the afternoon, we had a walk around to the Blue Pools. The water looked inviting so I had a swim.

After dinner, we joined our neighbours for wine and dessert.

27 March

A sunny morning!

After breakfast, we drove to Haywoods Beach. We rode our bikes along a couple of tracks towards Camel Rock. We didn’t quite make it but it was a pretty ride running parallel to the beach. There were also two bird hides where we could glimpse the birds of Long Lagoon that ran on the other side of the track.

After the ride, we sat in the sun and had a light snack.

Next stop was Camel Rock, where I had a surf. The waves were okay with only a few surfers out. I managed to get a few rides until I clagged it. The last wave was my best.

We drove to historic Central Tilba, where we had a wander along the shops. Jacinta brought some shawls and I bought a hemp shirt. Later, we had Devonshire tea at Tilba Teashop.

 

28 March

A sunny morning.

We drove to Cobargo. A nice forest and grazing drive and a pretty town.

We drove next to Camel Rock. I had a fun surf for an hour before the wind turned onshore. Jacinta lazed on the beach. Next, I walked to the camel rock formation. The rocks were very interesting in thin layers of various rock stratas.

We drove back to camp and later in the afternoon, we sat on the Main Beach and enjoyed the view.

 

29 March

A sunny morning.

After breakfast and arranging our camps for Easter we drove to Baragoot Beach. I walked the sandy path to the beach and spied a long beach, no wind and small good waves. We decided to make a morning of it. I had a surf and it was fun but the wind increased onshore after 40 minutes. We sat in the sun and enjoyed having it all to ourselves. I had a walk to the rocky headland and back to the mouth of the lagoon.

We had lunch in Bermagui and coffee at the Fishermans Wharf.

Next stop was Bermagui Mountain Bike Park. I had an awesome ride on the tracks while Jacinta walked some of the them. I finished tired but happy and spotted with mud. Haha

30 March

We drove to Baragoot Beach. The surf wasn’t the best so I decided on a kayak around Baragoot Lake and Jacinta had a walk around the Baragoot Beach. The kayak was fun with clear water for most of the paddle and heaps of birdlife. There was also a small river which fed the lake. I followed it for a short distance. Apparently, this is the first time in twenty years since the lake had opened up into the sea.

An easy afternoon.

In the evening, we had dinner at the Bermagui Hotel. The dessert was sensational!

31 March

A cool morning.

Coffee, breakfast, pack and it was goodbye Bermagui and hello road.