Merimbula NSW to Mallacoota VIC & Lakes Entrance

Monday 14th May 2012

MERIMBULA NSW

Today we went to the Killer Whale Museum and met the skeleton of "Old Tom", the leader of a whale pack many years ago.  This pack was known to drive humpbacks and sperm whales into the harbour for the community to catch for the oil/blubber.  After harpooning the whales, the whalers would allow the Orca's to feed (as they do in nature still) on the mouth & tongue.  Once the orca finished, the whalers would tow the caught whale to land and collect the balance for the community's use or for sale or trade.  It was a mutual alliance that assisted both in survival in harsh times.  Thankfully we no longer need this method of trade and bans on whaling should be mandatory, country by country, perhaps only being legal where communities such as those in the northern artic areas rely wholly on the whale for food, clothing and cooking/drinking implements. 

This was a photo of "Old Tom's" Dorsal Fin. 
Imagine how the whalers felt when they were accidently thrown into the water whilst working and this guy came along.  Legend had it that "Old Tom"  and his pack were known to assist in keeping the men afloat till they could be rescued.

                         

The museum here was very interesting and shed a huge light on the difficulties these pioneer communities in the south had during the 1800's and very early 1900's.

These pics show the original Echo Sounders (depth indicators and GPS Machines)  The "star" in the top right was the Soviet Union's Satellite "SPUTNIK" launchedin 1957 (ha ha, the year before I was born so that shows just how old it is!) and it became the model for future satellites to come.



After the Whale Museum we found ourselves at the wharf again and the Endeavour that was due to leave on Sunday had been postponed and wasn't leaving till Tuesday, so, with wind howling, temp of about 14*C (and wind chill factor to about 5*C) we decided that it may be warmer on board the clipper. *lol* sure, sure - Gosh those poor guys with Capt Cook!!!!!!!

This is the replica ship captained by Cook, which I mistakenly have always thought of as being the explorer all those years ago.  I never learnt at school that Cook's voyage was actually to formulate navigation by astronomy which they didn't think had worked.  They found upon arrival back home that it was in fact perfect and this became the 'new' method of navigation.  His exploration trips came after this.

Some pics on board:-

The Galley

Dining Area

Serviettes above each dinner table (When greased enough & unable to be used anymore, they were used to oil/grease the decks)

(1 Hammock)bunks of  10 of these on each shift were hung above the dinner tables and stored under the seats during meal times.

Completing the tour below-decks we left the wharf and had a little look around.  It was decidedly warmer in the car than walking or riding the bikes and also drier.  Just south of Eden we found a nice little bay called Quarrantine Bay, with several yatchs and boats sheltering from the weather along with this cute little guy.





Some running repairs on the leg of the awning demanded a visit to ARV caravans & supplies which gave us a new foot for the post.  This little sucker won't break now (it's made of metal and not plastic).

Tues 15th & Wednesday 16th May

MALLACOOTA, VIC

We had decided last night to head to Lakes Entrance today, but 85/90 kilometres from Eden we chanced upon this charming little town (24 kms of the main road on a little windy road to be exact) which just screamed "STAY, PLEASE STAY - YOU WILL LOVE ME" and guess what............Yep, we stayed at Mallacoota (home of the abalone) and what a top site we had here -

PHILLIP - Greg found a new spot for you to launch that new boat from:-----

 

 and out past here Phil -

Hey Shelly: I haven't forgotton you -found these for you growing wild on the sides of the road into Mallacoota.

And JOSH, look what I found for you (but I had to look hard) :)

We found a World War II bunker used for communications from 1943 and last used in 2002

On Wednesday, we decided to go fishing for the huge flathead and salmon they have showed us photos of:-

Cute boats (15hp outboards - governed down to max 4 knots, so once again Greg decided to be generous and let me drive/steer/guide, while he tried to work out if his trusty pocket knife would be up to the task of taking the governer out of the engine - Good onya MacGyvor)

 We tried a bit of trolling, to no effect so stopped and decided to fish a little with some prawns.  No sure if you can see this little guy, but I think there are no fish except this one lonely TINY puffer in
Bottom Lake -

 

And we're sure that's only because this sea lion does

like the taste of PUFFER FISH! 

This fellow got the last fish in the lake me-thinks!

We tied up at this jetty and went for a walk on the island to see the remnants of The Spotted Dog Gold Mine and Pioneers' Cemetary.

Greg threw a line in while waiting for me to come back with my trusty camera and slow hiking boots *lol*

This is a nice shot I found when we went for a stroll along the beach on the southern end of Mallacoota.  It's a really wild coastline along this area, but really beautiful.  Something stirs the soul when you have all this to soak in without anyone else around ..........

Thursday, 17th May 2012

MALLACOOTA to LAKES ENTRANCE

This morning we left Mallacoota along the Princes Highway and headed towards Lakes Entrance, which was our plan 2 days earlier but we found Mallacoota instead. 

Along the way we turned off at Cabbage Tree Creek to have a look at Cape Conran and Marlo before entering Orbost. 

We kept seeing these funny signs, but I told Greg not to read them or take any notice 'coz he certainly wasn't allowed to powernap just yet.  (Wait at least till we get to Lakes Entrance;  we've only been on the road for an hour so far)

Cape Conran

 
These amazing rock formations had lots of quartz seams
throughout, right on the beach.  It almost made us feel
that we could have been in Madagascar!



Marlo is the town where the Snowy River empties into the ocean.  Without seeing the town, you would never know how pretty this area is. 

From the top of the hill, all the homes in Marlo have a view similar to these, but to access the beach areas you do need to drive down a hill and around to the wharf/boat launch areas into the river.

Having Lunch at the bakery in Orbost, I think we may have missed a very interesting spot after looking in the information centre, but I guess you can't see everything.  Funnily enough, I didn't notice any information in the towns leading up to Orbost about it, but I think had we had some info we may have decided to spend a day or 2 here.  Hopefully we may still get back to mines at Buchan as it isn't too far from Lakes Entrance which we arrived at this afternoon, after a short peak at Lake Tyers just before L.E.

So my sweets..... until next time (Sleep well & stay safe xo).....

The week to 14th May 2012

5th & 6th May 2012

OBERON

Leaving Dubbo it seemed prudent to stop at Big W and purchase a wind jacket for Greg as his is in the Boat and maybe a couple of electric blankets to go with our beds after the last couple of cold nights!  So saying, we parked after much ado in the very end of the parking lot in the large centre just outside of Dubbo (because Greg said we couldn't & I said we could do just like that guy over there is doing!) and went into Big W.  We found the wind jacket for Greg, and a pair of flanellette 'jamies (with cute fairies on them) for me, AND an egg-shell piece of foam for Greg, AND a wool underlay for me. (As you always do when you go into "the Big Doub" :)  oops! and a clothes dryer stand for both of us so we don't have to use the dryers all the time at $3 each time.

Travelling onward we took a detour to Wellington Caves with a carving of the the Leptodocas (our Wombat's cousin) which was found in this area in 1840 and found to be living around 13,000 to 12,000 years ago.  That was one major wombat - good job they only eat roots and leaves (Imagine coming face to face with an 8 foot high wombat - Sorry no pic as camera battery died right at that moment - as THEY do).

The tour of the caves was not due to leave for about another 2 hours, so we decided that we couldn't do the tour as we would be too late arriving at Karen and John's place in Oberon.

Lunch in Molong and fuelled up in Bathurst.  The fuel seems to indicate we are averaging about 6.78 K/ltr (or 14.74 Lts per 100kms) pulling the van in a bit of hilly country now.

Arriving at Oberon we headed out to Kaz and John's for a couple of days R&R with our long time friends from Sydney.  They have a lovely farm  block just on the outskirts of Oberon.

 

With magic views from where their home is planned on the block we can imagine the tranquillity they will eventually have all to themselves. Lucky-ducks! 

Temperatures here each night have made 0*C with that cute little white frosting evident on everything early in the morn.  Cheeky wind has a way of sneaking up on you here late in the afternoon also we notice.  With that low night temp approaching, while waiting on the roast lamb, time for the fire box to be loaded and the warmth encompassed passionately !!!!! or something like that was the thoughts I'm sure *lol*

Monday 7th May 2012

OBERON to BATEMAN'S BAY

Leaving Oberon today, we travelled past the large lake built by the Pulp Mill for it's requirements, so as not to deplete the town's water supply.  This  man-made lake/water supply has also been given to supply the town when needed, serving a two-fold purpose.

Huge expanses of pine forest can be seen around this area and was the backbone of the building of Oberon.

On Kaz's recommendation, we had morning tea in Taralga which was very nice I must say.  This town first was founded in 1819 settled not long afterwards.  It has some lovely buildings restored and looked after nicely.

..........................................................................................................................................................

OMG!  THIS JUST HAD TO HAPPEN DIDN'T IT .....................

T-Intersection  -
LEFT to BATEMAN'S BAY      OR    RIGHT to CANBERRA
Which way to go;  which way to go;

GREG:   Quck - I have to put a blinker on. *slight panic in the voice*

ME:        I don't mind - You're the driver so you choose *hehehe oblivious to the vehicle on our tail*

GREG:   Make up your mind quick. *changing down through the gears, less panicky*

ME:        Whichever you like Honey *still unaware of the traffic behind*

GREG:    2nd Gear and around to the left

Obviously Bateman's Bay, which was the original plan, changed many times in recent weeks, but now back onto the "coastal way" *lol*  Life can be full of unexpected turns can't it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lunching in Braidwood, at a nice & cosy bakery set in an old Bank Building.  Great pastries!  Wonder what the waist measurements will be like if we keep this up?

We arrived at Bateman's Bay this afternoon and checked into our Caravan Park on the waterfront -

 Late Afternoon                                                                                        Evening from the caravan
          

If you have never been to Bateman's Bay, it is well worth making the effort to get there.  It would be a great place for holidays and would imagine a really nice place to live as well.

Nearby areas surrounding Bateman's
Bay include:-

                   

  Surfside Beach & Cullendulla Creek

          

             Lillipilli Beach



Mosquito Bay





& Jimmies Island

Melville Pt 

and Tomakin River

An interesting restaurant I spotted too late in Moruya, so didn't actually get to savour the cuisine but would have loved to :-

No, not the barber shop guys!

Wednesday 9th May

Now, I'm sure you all are aware that Greg is not a great lover of the Animal Kingdom and we had not long ago just been to Dubbo Zoo, so when we realised that Mogo Private Zoo was quite nearby (only 12kms actually), I thought we might head out that way.  Overnight though I had a few quiet thinking moments to myself and mentioned to Greg in the morning that he really didn't have to come if he didn't really want to.

Well, gee wiz:  anyone would have thought that I had just come up the the best idea in history and he proceeded to announce that he would do a few things around the van.  Guy stuff and all that..... maybe a little rock-walking after a little sleeping, you know!

Anyway, I headed off to MOGO to see their breeding group of Snow Leopards which have helped

increase the numbers of these extremely endangered cats.

Some of you may have seen several pics I loaded on facebook of the animals at MOGO, but here a few for those of you who missed them:-

 

Oh!  I just want one of these :)

Mogo's breeding program with the white lions has resulted with young being re-leased back into Africa which now carry the rare recessive 2 genes that produce them.  Hunted almost to extinction for their beautiful pelts, hopefully they will be able to regenerate in their homeland again.

I also had the opportunity to go with Marie on the lunch feeding of the Lemurs.  This was unexpectedly fantastic (I really do know where my genes come from now *lol*)  What a treat and Marie was wonderful in sharing her knowledge and thoughts in this specialised field.  Normally with the small primates, Marie is also finding lots of fun and trials with these larger ones, particularly the black-handed spider monkeys who are quite challenging, even to the point of pinching to get your attention just like little pre-school kids.  These are smart guys and they know it too.



With Jack




Ratatoulie and Steph



Stephanie



Enjoing a scratch - This guy was just phenomenal: a full 30 minutes undisturbed with him and he just kept asking for more pats, scratched (and sultanas & peanuts but please hold the puffed rice*lol*)

MOGO Private Zoo is an absolute credit to it's owners, staff and volunteers.  The animals are truly cared for and their breeding programmes with endangered animals is world standard - very impressive and totally privately funded. 

Thursday 10th May 2012

Bateman's Bay to Merimbula

We headed south today towards Merimbula, via Tuross Heads.  This pic for you Julie *lol* (thought we had come further than this)-

On the way we saw Pambula Bay -



                                                                                                

  Narooma

Tilba where I got the Cheese  and

found this beautiful cottage garden that mum would love.

Camel Rock

and
Bermagui, Cudugee Creek and Boddarra Bay.

We booked into our Park today in Merimbula and went for a bit of look around.  The Jetty at the Aquarium has great views of Bar Beach and Mitchies Jetty is a quaint spot to leave on fishing trips

Water was a tad cold (about 14*C) so I thought I'd give the scuba diving a miss today.

Under the jetty just near here were several very large stingrays and there were also a few people donning wet-suits to brave the water and see the cold water reefs.




Pambula Beach is a much larger area than first percived and appears to have been the initial area of settlement prior to Merimbula.


A little drive into Ben Boyd National Park between Pambula and Eden with a short walk to the cliff edge showed the remarkable colours of "the Pinnacles" rock formations and if the trees were Mopane instead of Eucalypts one could almost imagine the cyclonic damage to the trees as being the result of elephant grazing!

Dinner tonight at Merimbula Bowls Clubwas very nice, with Greg having a Scotch Fillet/Mushroom Sauce and me a Veal Billabong with Pineapple & Tomato Salsa.  This was Greg's turn to cook so I guess I can't complain about his choice *lol*

A trip into Bega and the Bega Cheese Factory was interesting and the countryside around Bega on the North is lush & green, where as it is completely different on the southern side.  The Cheese Factory unfortunately doesn't have tours, so we didn't get to see how they make that yummy Colby but the museum sections had some very old and restored items of interest to see.

Saturday 12th May 2012

Merimbula

Today we visited the Merimbula Aquarium which has superb exhibits of Octopai, Squid and Pot-belly Seahorses & 11 legged Sea Stars among some of the more unusual displays, along with a 17,000 gal OceanTank sporting many of the larger Reef Fish.

Interestingly, the Lakes around this area are home to many young reef fish off our Great Barrier Reef in the north that get washed down in the Summer currents.  They mature here in the relatively gentle conditions of the shallow lakes and then make their way back up to the reef.  Quite astounding considering their smallish sizes and the distance to cover to get back home.

Yey!  Tomorrow is Mother's Day Whoo-Hoo!  (Hope I get brekky in bed)

Sunday, 13th May 2012 (MOTHER'S DAY)

Nope, no brekky in bed, but Bacon, Eggs & Tomato before:  wait for it.....................................

It rained all night last night and during some strange hour I woke and asked Greg if he could hear someone at our caravan's boot.  Since he didn't answer and was obviously not too concerned because he would have locked the boot before going to bed, I did (as all good wives would do), go back to sleep.

Ah ha! Upon casually mentioning it to Greg the next morning he said he knew it rained and "thanks very much for helping me put the chairs away in the boot during all that rain".  Ah well, at least I wasn't dreaming I heard someone at the front of the van.............

Now, in his generous mood this morning Greg also seemed to think it was time for me to learn how to hook the van up.  Yep, very generous of him (and trusting too, I might add).

Well, he tells me to connect the camera up in the cab so I can see the tow-bar and the draw bar and know where to reverse to and when to stop.  "Don't forget to watch the camera, Deb"

Well sure Honey! I can do that, but what if the camera doesn't work ----- Greg waves, 3  times forward, 3 times back and finally hooked up and he say's "Why did you keep going forward when I told you to stop and brake? Everytime I went to put the pin in you went and moved forward".  Oh dear, and I only got on 3 times in a row even though the camera wouldn't work - all it was showing me was the driveway out of the park!

But wait, there's more generosity to come yet!  Yes, I was allowed (on Mother's Day mind you, so I guess that this was really my present, not the Bacon & Eggs) to drive us and the van all the 30 kms to Eden, in the rain and the wind.  Wow!  And I even got to reverse park the van on our new site in Eden Tourist Park.  Gosh I hate to think what the other van residents thought of Greg at that moment *lol*

Well, this afternoon we had a tour of the "ENDEAVOUR" which was in port before leaving next Tuesday for Sydney.  The pics following show some of the splendour of Capt Cook's ship.

Stay tuned for the tour & the Killer Whale Museum trip...............