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| Ben Boyd National Park |
In lieu of a 10km race at Walt Disney World...we explored the relatively untouched beauty of Ben Boyd National Park. The weather had finally remembered that it is currently summer in Australia. The sun came out and the skies shone blue. Our early start gave Elliot much needed time behind the wheels. With no traffic around us on country roads, anxiety levels were manageable...
We parked at the Barmouth Beach carpark, thinking we were merely the first ones there. But as we later discovered, we turned out to be the ONLY ones there. We did NOT see anyone else during our time within the National park. We set off on the cliffside Haycock Point/Barmouth Beach walking track, a relatively easy 6km return trip. We were greeted by stunning views, kangaroos a plenty and the odd goanna. Sadly we didn't see any echidnas and they are meant to be abundant in the area. I suspect we were too loud...
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| Rope drop! Turned out there was no need... |
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| Pristine and empty beaches everywhere |
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| Stunning coastal views |
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| I don't think I've ever taken so many photos of kangaroos... |
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| Haycock Point |
The end of the walk meant it was finally time to swim. Barmouth Beach was beautiful and sheltered, making it an ideal swimming beach as the waters were calm and crystal clear. We drove on down the coastline and stopped at
Quondola Point and the adjoining Quondola Beach. The surf here brought much joy to the boogie boarding members of the family.
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| Barmouth Beach |
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| No waves! |
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| Crystal clear water |
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| Quondola Point |
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| Quondola Beach. No one here either... |
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| Boogie boarding joy |
Continuing southwards, we stopped at the coastal town of Eden. It was a former whaling town and thus a great place to whale watch during the right time of the year. Alas, we had just missed the migration. We were content to settle for fish and chips at Eden Wharf. The fish was from the morning catch. It was fresh and delicious! Having a coffee cart which made a mean iced chai latter made it quite a civilised meal. This was as far south as we were going to go. From here on, we would be meandering our way back north.
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| Eden Wharf |
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| Fish & Chips shop |
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| Seating right by the wharf |
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| Ex whaling town |
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| Bay where whales were once commercially slaughtered :( |
When we arrived back at our holiday house, it was only 12:30pm. We each opted for our own form of relaxation from napping to watching the cricket and rounding off the afternoon with the obligatory family boardgame session. The day ended with dinner at
Longstocking Brewery. They offered oysters served a variety of ways. We opted for half a dozen of pickled ginger, chives and champagne, and half a dozen of gunpowder gin and orange segment. The family declared the former the clear winner, however both were fresh and tasty. The woodfired pizzas were good without being brilliant. The toppings were delicious but they were let down by the dough. It was still a highly enjoyable meal being seated outside and enjoying the setting sun. If interested in dining at the Brewery, be sure to make a reservation as they were fully booked.
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| Jonah's Christmas present - Lost ruins of Arnak |
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| Longstockin Brewery |
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| Rhubarb and apple cider made onsite |
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| It is gin o'clock! |
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| Oyster time! |
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| Woodfired pizza |
