And What A Spectacular City She Is- Sydney

With an outback wardrobe of red dirt stained clothing, our haggard crew headed for a Darling Harbour Hotel for Christmas. This was a perfect place base to explore the stunning Sydney. Vibrant, Sparkling, Exciting...Sydney has it all. It is a city to love. We watched fireworks sitting on the dock at Darling Harbour on Christmas Eve. Explored the Iconic Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Chinatown, Chinese Gardens, Sydney Fish Market (a favorite), Bondi Beach and Manly Beach. Shopping options were endless and we enjoyed endless ethnic food restaurants. The only bitter sweet moment was watching the Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht race begin from a water taxi out front of Shark Island. We followed the Maxi boats until the end of the Harbour as they slipped away. It would be the first time in 6 years that we wouldn't be at the end of the race.

Walking across the Aussie Icon- Sydney Harbour Bridge

Race Day and All Aussie Icons

Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race ready to kick off

The keen audience

Good Luck:)

Hunter Valley Charm

Charming countryside, excellent food, and wine, the Hunter Valley is a worthy stop. Although I didn't find the wines here compared to the SA wines, the valley did have some fun things for families. Cheese, Chocolate, and Olives. Only an hour or so out of Sydney it is a super way to spend the afternoon.

Newcastle Images

Friends?

Life is a Beach

Port Stephens

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Port Stevens is a coastal region of the central coast of  NSW. Shoal Bay, Tea Gardens, One mile Beach, Nelson Bay, and Fingal bay are some of the Port Stevens most striking places. The waters can be angry or friendly and the beaches remote and shockingly white. It is a favorite place for local Sydneysiders and Newcastleites to play and holiday.  We are still amazed at how the East Coast is uncrowded .  This area has a promise from us to return.

Miles of Dunes with dune surfing  being a local sport.

Toilet Door Humor

Worth a Look

Beach protocol

The Rock ironically found as a road house on the East coast of NSW.  A bit far from the real Ularu. None the less...worth a quick browse as it wins a  vote for being unique.

Goodbye Cresent Head (sigh....)

As usual, Noodle kept us from staying at the beachfront Caravan park in Crescent Head.  The east coast has become increasingly intolerant in regards to dog friendly caravan parks as the school holidays approached.  Alternatively we located  ourselves at a free camp at Goolwa Beach reserve just km south of Cressy.  The sights were spacious, private and superior to the caravan park in town...however I did miss the walking distance coffee shops and fish and chips shops.
 After a week long stay with some of the best surfing we have had,we left Crescent Head.  We regretted leaving but time was ticking. My surfing improved remarkably here after days on my 9'2" mal board (just short of a small boat). I proudly a progressed from wobbly
standing to standing quickly,  riding the green angle on occasion, turning, stepping towards the nose and back (only a step or so). It really was the old saying about a old dog...new tricks.  The kids are surfing circles around me but surfing really is about the journey..as is travel.  We will be back to this sleepy town.

Evening at Goolwa Beach

Swiss backpacker trying to learn the traditional didgeridoo while travelling Oz. A sunset beach practice session.

Finds Along the Way

Saved  from the road

Cresent Head and the endless good surf

Another perfect wave

Sausage VS Sausage

Santa is alive and well (an employed as a bus driver) in OZ

The Longboarder

Just Beachy- Scotts Head

In our quest for easy surf, we arrived at Scotts Head located South of Nambucca Head. This quaint seaside town was a favorite by the third surfing day.  Friendly locals and a nearby fish and chips shop with a killer cupa was all part of the attraction. The artistic mosaics which adorned the public toilets and the whale tail table were so much fun.  A perfect little stop with our promise to return someday.

Taking down the boards

The Whale tail Table

Artsey Scotts Head

Travel Day # 317

Friends along the way

Evening begins with the seemingly endless parade of flying foxes (Bats) as they pepper the glowing skyline.

Yamba Night