Well haven’t we had a shit year. First bushfires ravaged much of the South Coast NSW, then two lots of flooding and let’s just throw in a global pandemic just for fun. For months, we have been forced to isolate, which in turn shut the local tourism industry down, and as a result, our bike just sat in the garage collecting dust and looking pretty. We didn’t even bother insuring her until registration was due late July.
Well things are starting to improve, so we spent some money on a 100,000 km service and new tyres for our girl, in preparation for a lot more use in the future. After all, God knows when overseas travel will take off again?
Day 1: Map (272 km travelled)
When we take these bike trips, we make the ride itself part of the experience. There's so many things to miss if you take the highways and bypass the old roads. Here, Bateman's Bay shows off some meaningful art along its foreshore.
Cath's always up for a pic. I'd rather stay on the other side of the camera.
Just passed Bateman's is Observation Point, where we did some observing.
Those are Tollgate Islands. (I had to look that up)
Standing at the same spot, looking south along the shoreline. Those homes wouldn't be cheap.
Heading further south and still off the highway, the road follows the Moruya River, passing an old granite Quarry.
Ample parking for visitors.
And a pleasant picnic area. Great for travellers wanting a break.
A tranquil spot and very picturesque.
Looking up river, toward Moruya.
The opposite direction.
Still further along toward Moruya. I think this is part of the charm of the South Coast, where you can experience rural properties so close to the coast. A beautiful combination.
And in the same spot, a boat wreck in the river.
It turns out to be the wreck of a barge that was used to dredge the river. (I looked that up too)
No bloody use to me !
Rolling into Bodalla, we decided to stop for our lunch break.
Well known for it's cheese. Much of the South Coast is dotted Dairy Farms.
Someone had time on their hands.
So we decided to visit the pub for a bite to eat.
$12 lunch, bargain !
Not today.
We picked a nice sunny room adjoining the bar to have our break.
Soon after leaving Bodalla, with full bellies, we turn off the main road once again, to take the coastal tourist road which passes through Bermagui, Tathra, Merimbula and Pambula.
This beautiful old timber bridge at Wallaga Lake has so much character.
We soon roll into Bermagui and take a break at the marina.
There's some huge money sitting in this marina.
This timber carving is of one of the co founders of the fishing industry in Bermagui.
His name is Joe Lavalle and happens to be a work friend's Grand Father. Actually the Lavalle family has alot of history in the South Coast's fishing indistry.
Marine Rescue's Bermagui 30 sits always at the ready.
The locals look content and well fed.
Next stop was Tathra and it's historical wharf.
Built for shipping up and down the coast.
Sadly, a father and his two little boys lost their lives off the wharf.
The Tathra locals look quite healthy too.
The rocky coastline adjacent to the wharf.
Leaving Eden, we ride on through Merimbula and on to Eden. We make time for Merimbula the next morning on our return trip home.
This is the killer whale museum housing the most incredible story of the relationship whalers had with a very clever killer whale.. Definitely worth a visit if you haven't been.
A little further on the headland, is a great look out and whale watching platform.
No whales today unfortunately.
The view was spectacular just the same.
Turning back toward the motel, we stop at the Eden marina.
Another lovely hidden spot.
More huge fishing vessels of the south coast.
We found our way back to the motel for the night where we took a relaxing hot shower and went out for dinner at the local Fisherman's Club. The motel was recently renovated and provided all the creature comforts for just $57 the night, Bargain!
Day 2: Map (265 km travelled)
After a glorious night's sleep, we had a coffee and watched tv in our room, can't rush these things you know, before loading the bike back up for our trip home.
Cathy had a hankering for a pastry for breakfast so we stopped in Pambula after a quick ride north. It was so pleasant in the morning sun, we were in no rush to get going.
Just another half hour or so, we rolled into lovely Merimbula. This pretty little boat shed has been turned in to a cafe. Genius!
Talk about water front.
What a spectacular setting.
More South Coast artwork. These were pelicans along the waterfront near the cafe.
Our big girl seems to like it here too.
Merimbula is loved for it's tasty fresh oysters.
I knew I should have brought my shucking knife with me.
These were just at the water's edge and a good size too.
On the other side of the Bay, we get a closer look at the oyster farms.
And the marina.
Leaving Merimbula, we hit the highway and made our way through to the historical village of Tilba Tilba. It was established in the early 1800's as a prime dairy area and then gold was found so it also became a gold mining town as well.
Honestly, this little village looks like time just stopped, with it's well preserved homes and shop fronts. Not to mention the pub.
Well worth the visit for it's cafes, shops and cheese factory.
Leaving Tilba, we made time for one last stop before home, Mystery Bay.
Cousin Phillip told us about this place. He and his family stopped here on a caravan trip and told us how beautiful it is. It's one of those turn offs that people miss because we're usually focused on our destination.
That's Montague Island in the distance. Another place worth visiting, particularly during whale watching season. Tours take you to the island where you are taken for an informative walk and get to see the penguin colony, abundant sea lions and whales and dolphins on the boat trip over.
Mystery Bay itself is an absolute gem.
The NSW South Coast just keeps on giving.
Leaving Mystery Bay, it was time to head back home and plan our next trip. Covid 19 may have stopped overseas travel, but there's plenty to see in our own back yard.
