Putting washing machine concerns behind us we decided to follow some more Facebook intelligence and drive the hour or so up to Newcastle to see the Anzac Memorial walk. Newcastle and environs constitute the second most populated area of NSW and its history includes a massive ship building industry and steelworks, both of which have ceased in recent years. Despite still being the largest coal exporting harbour in the world it also possesses a spectacular coastline.
The Anzac walk commemorates the 100th anniversary of the ANZAC landing at Gallipoli in 1915 and the commencement of steel making in Newcastle. It was built with 64 tonnes of stainless steel and the silhouettes are inscribed with almost 4,000 family names of the 11,000 local Hunter Valley men and women who enlisted in World War 1.
The memorial is spectacular from all aspects and provides unsurpassed views of the magnificent surf beach below.
We treated ourselves with lunch at Swell Beach Bar where we could hardly hear each other speak the surf was so loud! A few hardy souls were braving the waves but we were content to watch and polish off our excellent tacos 😜
When we arrived back at the Caravan Park we had confirmation that the washing machine replacement had been authorised at Port Macquarie and would hopefully happen late next week so the plan was to head slowly up the coast.
Packing up on Friday the morning sky was beautiful but seemed to promise some moisture and indeed we travelled up the Pacific Highway accompanied by quite heavy rain at times. It had largely cleared though by the time we arrived at Jimmy’s Beach Caravan Park situated near the mouth of the Myall River in what is known as the Great Lakes Region.
After settling in (pretty easy as we had a level concrete slab today 👌) we set off for a quick stroll to nearby Bennett’s Beach and quickly became engrossed in a battle between a fisherman below and something big! We watched from atop the sandhills for about 45 minutes until he finally he cut whatever it was loose in the surf. We went down to find out more details – it was a 4-5 foot ray shark, not uncommon in these waters but globally listed as critically endangered. Continuing down the beach we rounded the headland and returned via calmer Jimmy’s Beach, I would have loved to get an aerial shot but it was far too windy for the drone.
The next day delivered much more blue sky than was forecast so we decided to catch the quaint little ferry that operates between nearby Tea Gardens and its much swankier cousin across the water, Nelson Bay. It was a pleasant voyage sitting outside on MV Tea Gardens built in 1944 during WWII for the RAAF Marines division.
Despite the website advertising commentary and “dolphins seen on 95% of crossings” we had neither, a shame as we passed mangroves with bountiful birdlife and what I assume were mussel beds, it would have been interesting to hear more about them.
Arriving into Nelson Bay marina with it’s vast array of very expensive yachts and retail outlets we ordered a coffee to watch the comings and goings in the sunshine.
After wandering around the shops for awhile we decided to walk around the coast to the Lighthouse and find some lunch en route. We discovered the Little Bay Boathouse which VERY fortuitously had just had a cancellation and now had room for two (we found out later that it is so popular with Sydneysiders that they visit the area just to eat here.) We had one of the nicest meals we’ve had for ages (and a water view) and the personal attention delivered by waiter ‘Sherwin’ was a very nice touch.
Feeling we had to at least attempt to walk off lunch we continued toward the lighthouse headland and I had a great deal of empathy for the poor pelican we encountered whose eyes were clearly bigger than his belly! He had a large filleted fish skeleton stuck in his gular pouch and was trying to work out the best way to swallow it, every time he almost coughed it up the rest of the pelicans would rush over ready to pounce. We left him still working on it and continued to the next headland.
Departing on the 3.30 pm ferry the sun was sinking by the time we passed under the Tea Gardens bridge and then docked and we unanimously agreed it would be soup and toast for dinner.
Tomorrow, moving on to the Sporties Club at Tuncurry.