Travelling through New South Wales (and a little bit of ACT)

Ben Boyd National Park - Bittangabee Campground

5 - 7 February 2016

We left Marlo and drove back along the road towards Cape Conron for another look for birds at the boat ramp. Mick did manage to get a few photos before we set off again to the Princes Highway via Cabbage Tree. Once on the highway we stopped for coffee (and a poke around in the "relic" shop) at Cann River before driving on into New South Wales. We stopped for lunch at  a lovely picnic area at Wallagaraugh River. There were a number of rest stops along the way, but I think this was the best one.

We had booked our next camp online - NSW had recently changed their National Parks booking system (and updated their prices) to an online system for most parks. It was so much easier when you could just register and pay when you arrived. We booked two nights at Bittangabee Campground based on reviews we had read, and we found it to be a very nice campground. There were lots of people there, but it wasn't really crowded.

Spotted Quail-thrush is a bird I've only seen twice. I was lucky to get a shot before it disappeared into the thick bush.

Wonga Pigeons were common around the camp.

The beach was a short walk from our camp.

There are a number of walks from the campground ranging from a few minutes down to the very sheltered beach, to the serious "Light to Light" walk which is a three day hike. We explored the area while we were there, including a drive out to the Green Cape Lighthouse. This is a lovely spot, and worth the drive.

A Yellow-faced Honeyeater on the walk to the lighthouse.

Great Cormorants on the tip of the cape.

Stunning views from Green Cape.

There was lots of wildlife in and around the campground including very big goannas, kangaroos and possums who visited at night to feast on the packet of biscuits we had forgotten to put away. We should have known better - we did remember to put the rubbish bag away.

We enjoyed good weather while at Ben Boyd and set off up this highway again, bound for Booderee National Park.

Huskisson 

7 - 8 February 2016

We drove back the 18 or so kilometres of rough unsealed road to the Princes Highway and on through Eden, stopping at Pambula for coffee. We made it into Narooma for lunch and some shopping, then on towards Jervis Bay and Booderee National Park. We hadn't booked as we didn't have internet access at Ben Boyd, and couldn't get into the booking system in the phone while travelling.

Sooty Oystercatcher.

Eastern Curlew in afternoon light.

We had decided to call into the park visitor centre and organise a campsite then. We arrived at the manned park entrance and said we just wanted to check in with the visitor centre about camping only to be told it was not open - even though it was before the advertised closing time. The young lady manning the booth suggested that the reason we couldn't get into the booking system could be that they were fully booked. She suggested we could try Huskisson.

The beach at Huskisson.

Creek mouth at Huskisson.

Paddleboarder

This scruffy looking square-tailed Kite was seen hawking above the trees surrounding the park.

We found our way to a caravan park right on the beach for the night. The beach is beautiful and we decided that this would be a nice place to spend some time - but we would move on. We booked online to stay at Booderee National Park. In the morning, after returning to the beach we drove into town for supplies and then drove the short distance back to Booderee.


Booderee National Park - Green Patch Campground

8 - 10 February 2016

It was only a short drive back to Booderee National Park, and after our poor experience the previous evening we were very pleasantly surprised. Booderee is actually part of the ACT - even though it is on the south coast of NSW. It is part of Jervis Bay. We pulled up at the park entry booth and were told that our camp fee included park entry, and that we should call in at the Visitor Centre to let them know we had arrived. We were greeted warmly and we advised that we might want to stay two nights - no problem, they would book us on for an extra night, just call in tomorrow and let them know if we decided to stay.

This Echidna was at the visitors centre car park.

We watched Dolphins fishing after lunch as we waited for our camp site.

We drove down to the campground, but as it was still early, the previous occupants of our site were still packing up so we drove down to the boat ramp at Murrays Beach for lunch. Back to the campground to set up, it was an easy decision to stay an extra day.

A young roo has a feed in front of our camp.

Our humble home away from home.

This National Park is almost perfect - the roads are mostly sealed, and even the unsealed ones are pretty good, there are toilets and hot (timed) showers, and when booking online you can see a photo of the site, with description, including dimensions. There are BBQs and the beach is only 200 metres from the campground. There are also a number of interesting spots a short drive away (all less than 10 kilometres) as well as lots of short walks. Oh, and Botanic Gardens!

Christie surprised this little Antechinus in the loo.

The Eastern Bristlebird is endangered and usually quite secretive. This is a great place to see them.

White-throated Needletail over the camp.

Booderee National Park is owned and jointly managed by the Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community and is place of significance for all Koori people. It was very special to be able to visit and stay in such a place.

A family of Eastern Yellow Robins at the Botanic Gardens.

This was a really nice spot to spend a couple of days and we could have stayed longer if we could have been more flexible with our time. In addition to the obligatory bird photography sessions - at the Cape St George Lighthouse and Botanic Gardens, we also enjoyed a couple of swims at the beach that is only about 200 metres from the campground. From the beach we were entertained by Australian Navy vessels engaged in some sort of exercise involving personnel boarding a small boat from a helicopter - perhaps in preparation for "turning back the boats"? The weather was beautiful - if a little hot - and this is definitely on our list of favourites now.

I won't comment on operational matters! HMAS Adelaide, amphibious assault ship.

HMAS Anzac, helicopter frigate.

We loved the cool clear water and clean white sand, perfect on a hot day!

After enjoying a real holiday feel on the south coast of NSW it was time to tackle the Sydney traffic on our way north - something we weren't looking forward to at all.


Harrington (near Taree)

10 - 11 February 2016

Even though I learned to drive in Sydney, I wasn't at all keen on driving through but it had to be done. To my surprise it wasn't as hard as I had thought. Once we left the Princes Highway near Wollongong and headed for the Hume Motorway, it was an easy trip from one motorway to the next until we reached Pennant Hills Road and then onto the Pacific Motorway. The hardest part was not being able to stop!

The motorways make for an easy drive, but you do miss out on visiting many smaller towns - but we didn't take the detours as we were now on a bit of a short timeline for returning home. We aimed for the central coast, and made it all the way to Harrington, just past Taree. We settled into a caravan park on the lagoon, and went for a walk through the forest to have a look at the water. It was a nice spot to stay - except for the sandflies. We were both bitten extensively.

We did go down to the local pub for dinner with a fabulous view of the water (lagoon and glimpses of the beach beyond) and the setting sun. It was a nice end to a long and tiring day.

In the morning we set off north again, bound for Yamba.


Yamba

11 - 12 February 2016

When we drove south at the start of this trip, we stayed at Iluka, so this time we decided to stay at Yamba, on the other side of the river. Most of the drive was on motorway, but there were roadworks most of the way which slowed us down considerably.

We arrived at Yamba late in the afternoon and chose a caravan park "resort" on the river. This one can justifiably call itself a resort, We had an ensuite site (quite a treat) and there were a number of great facilities - a TV room, bar (including swim-up), several swimming pools, and a cafe where we enjoyed a casual dinner after a swim. Another place we would be happy to return to.

The Clarence River at Yamba.

Low tide on the river.

The caravan park is right on the river.

Because we planned on only a short drive to Ballina, we set off into town in the morning for a spot of shopping. A couple of op-shops, a nice cafe, a second-hand shop and a shop selling records as well as a camping goods store and small hardware shop kept us busy until it was time to check out and head up the road.


Ballina

12 - 13 February 2016

Because we didn't have far to go we had the luxury of being able to have a look at a couple of caravan parks before deciding where to stay. We started in South Ballina and had a look around but decided to check over the river. Well, the GPS showed a bridge - silly us believed it - and it turned out to be a ferry. Of course there is a bridge on the highway, but this ferry provided a significant short cut - at $11 for the car and camper trailer.

We found a small and friendly caravan park at the end of the main street, but had real trouble getting the camper trailer onto the small site. Eventually the manager suggested we could use two sites - as had most other caravans. Maybe they need to reorganise their sites - and roads which are narrow and end in dead ends - quite a challenge when you are towing!

We made contact with Mick's friend Jo who we visited last time in Lennox Head and arranged to visit again. We ventured down to one of a number of river beaches for a quick swim then went over to Jo's for a cuppa and chat. Mick was keen to re-visit Flat Rock (a favourite bird spot) so Jo and her dog Kip came down with us. Mick was happy to get some good shots.

Little Tern at Flat Rock.

A new bird for me... Wandering Tattler.

We managed an early start in the morning, ready to tackle the Brisbane traffic. We realised this would be out fifth capital city of the trip.