I’m conscious as I sit here that there are a whole heap of good folk who are currently locked down due to the current COVID restrictions. I feel guilty putting together this trip report but know that in the current world of swings and roundabouts that it’s probably only a matter of time until I’m looking at your pictures instead. If you are in that situation I do hope that when you finish cursing me that you enjoy the pictures and it tempts you to head that way yourself.
Anyway, there was this little matter of a birthday and I was wondering what we should do about it. Figured ignoring it could end up in my premature death, and whilst I did grab a birthday present to cover Ellie’s and my backsides I decided to take the day off and just pack up and get away.
For this trip we were joined by some friends Aidan & Brit who were nice enough to pretend to enjoy our craziness. Ellie certainly loved having company and was thoroughly exhausted each night. But…. that is getting ahead of the story so I better stop reminiscing 🙂
We were initially planning to take the Jackaroo on this trip and had been doing some work getting it ready. However we found that the more we looked the more we needed to sort out – just minor stuff, but time consuming. As such it was just easier to take the RAV instead.
Talking of which we replaced the UHF aerial on it literally just as we were departing. Turned on the UHF to find it wasn’t working. Some quick diagnosis found the aerial disconnected at the back of the unit and the power/earth wires ripped out of the connector. Mmmm I’m guessing when the clutch was replaced, but anyway – no UHF for this trip.
We headed up the highway not long after Midday with Ellie munching on some lunch after her swimming lesson. Set cruise control on basically 100km/h and let the car just plod along. In short it was a straight forward run with nothing special to report. The gravel road in from Woodburn was in good condition and we arrived just in time to set up and go for a quick wander on the beach prior to last light.
Dinner consisted of spaghetti bolognaise minus the spaghetti – we used small shells instead. A couple of quiet drinks around a small fire and it was a relatively early night.
Day 2
I had mentioned the night before that I thought that sunrise would be pretty spectacular when the sun hit the rocks along the beach, but I wouldn’t be up to see it. Funnily enough, predictions come true – I wasn’t up 🙂
Anway a nice lazy morning eventually packing up by just before 1000h, then an equally lazy wander along the beach. Yep, we were in no rush whatsoever. We were fortunate enough to see some dolphins playing in the waves and I’d love to show you some fantastic shots of it – but my long lens was back in the car!!!
Oh and we might have gave Loryn her present and said Happy Birthday after making her wait for an hour or so 🙂
Eventually the call for coffee became strong and we turned our attention to today’s plans. It was to be a big day – all 135km’s of it, although we did end up with somewhere around 250km’s by the time we finished.
A refuel of the car and my body (mmm coffee) ensued at Woodburn. I got really excited as I finally found a meat & pea pie on the mainland. Unfortunately my exciting only lasted until the first bite when I found it was mashed peas and mince instead of steak. Oh well, should have known better.
In the meantime the kids were having the time of their life in the playground no doubt collecting even more sand. I swear we will still be finding sand in our cars and house if I live to 80.
Ellie decided to headbutt the sand digger in the playground so we took the opportunity to bundle the kids into the car and head down the road. The run to Iluka was again good – the upgrades to the highway to a dual lane makes the run really easy and painless.
There was a great little playground and place to have lunch down on the rive at the Charlie Ryan Memorial Park. We actually lost a bit of time here because we were enjoying ourselves a lot. Must have been pretty good because I didn’t take even 1 photo.
After lunch we did the loop around the Clarence River and headed into to Angourie and then Yamba.
By now it was starting to get late in the afternoon and we still had 80km ‘s to complete before setting up camp. The good news was I knew the first part of this road really well, as it used to be the “short cut” to bypass Grafton when the old highway was in place.
Anyway, there isn’t any pictures of any of this, but we arrived, set up, had dinner and enjoyed quite a few beverages around the campfire. A very enjoyable day indeed.
Day 3
So for something different I didn’t want to get out of bed and we had a lazy morning. I had what I reckon was my best sleep for months – felt bloody fantastic when I dragged myself out of the swag. Went for a detour via the beach on the way back from the toilet
We have been using the Engel portable battery for quite a while now and I must admit that I am still really impressed with it. Yes it was expensive to purchase, but it just ….. works. Now for something different we are trialling an XTM (BCF brand) solar panel to see how it goes. In short lay it out and plug straight into the Engel. Overall thoughts – it does the job. Not fancy, not as good as some I’ve used, but cheap. Time will tell, but thus far I’m happy.
After packing up we again headed to the beach, because ….. beach. Did I mentioned that it was already over 20 degrees!!!
We weren’t quite as slow this morning but some things remain true – COFFEE!!! And the Wooli Wooli Cafe was pretty good. The kids stretched their legs along the Wooli Wooli River before we headed out to the mouth of the river and the breakwall.
Back on the road we headed to Diggers Camp
There was some tiredness settling into the kids by this stage so we hit the road for the hour run to Red Rock. Again an easy run with nothing to report. Arriving in Red Rock the kids had a swim in the Corindi River and a play whilst Aidan & I waited 30 minutes for fish and chips. The temperature was up around 27 degrees and the shop was flat out by this stage.
The original plan was to explore along the many little headlands and beaches between Red Rock and Coffs Harbour. I remember walking this a few years ago and there is some fantastic spots along here. However true to previous days the time ran away quite quickly. So we decided to bypass a heap and go straight to Moonee Beach.
After an extended play by all involved we reluctantly packed up and headed for the vehicles. Again we decided to bypass some really good places due to time and headed to Sealy Lookout just north of Coffs Harbour. To our surprise there is now a “Tree Top” park up here – definitely going back now!!!
We said our farewells at this point as the kids were just at the point of being exhausted. Within 2 hours we were home and pretty much unloaded. We keep saying it after each trip – loved it, definitely worth going, can’t wait to do it again. And this time – the weather was bloody fantastic!!!
Cheers