Goodenia Rainforest Walk

Our activity of choice today was the Goodenia rainforest walk. We chose it because it was only 1.2km return but it was steep!!! Oma made it all the down the temperate rainforest full of fern life and all the way back up in reasonable time. Opa opted out! There was surprisingly nice open picnic are near the start of the walk and it was empty. We were the only ones there and did not meet any one else while we were there.

Lunch was a simple fare at the Longstocking Brewery and the rest of the afternoon was spent enjoying the good weather and water views back at our rental house.

The only ones there. Goodenia Rainforest walk carpark

Picnic area complete with bbq!

Beautiful array of ferns and moss

Who wouldn't want pretzel and cider for lunch!

Oma and Opa enjoying fruit and wine

Merimbula River with blue skies! View from our backyard

Succulents and Shellfish

Today was the day of making up for lost time. The Pambula markets was a great start. We chanced upon a most lovely succulents seller. Super friendly like the other locals that we had met, she freely shared all her tips for care, propagation and arrangements! Her selection of succulent arrangements were beautiful, generous and a great bargain! From the markets we moved on to the nearby Pambula River Mouth and Pambula Beach. It was still too cold to venture into the water but the walk up and down the beach and river was pleasant. The wild weather made the coastal scenery look spectacularly moody!

The adults ultra happy with succulent purchases!

The kids happy with Dutch pancakes

The rocks at Pambula Beach

We attempted to walk to Nethercote Falls but the trail was closed indefinitely due to the recent storms. Maybe it was for the best, everything looked remarkably different compared to our trip a year ago. What was supposed to look like this probably would have been brown and grey...or at least that was what we told ourselves! We made a few stops at Ben Boyd National Park that Oma and Opa would be able to do before heading back to Merimbula for a quick lunch and continuing up north. 

No one else there...the carpark of Nethercote picnic area was the furthest we got. The trail was unfortunately closed

The Pinnacles at Ben Boyd National Park

Flora along the Haycock Point Lookout

Still feels strange to have a family photo without Lara :(

Elliot chilling while the other boys explored the rocks below

Our goal for the afternoon was to spend time in the Tathra region. We encountered yet another undoable activity. We foolishly hoped that we would have been able to dip into Kianinny Bay. It was not to be. The wild and wooly theme continued with the bay looking like milk churn. We consoled ourselves with Tathra oysters instead. The seller had honestly rated the standard of the oysters...it was the second lowest level out of 5!! What?!! Curse you rain!!! Nonetheless the 2 dozen that we bought got demolished in record time!

By the time we finished eating, the sun had come out! We were finally able to get into the water at the gorgeous Tathra Beach. Dinner was at the nearby Tathra Hotel. It was then time to say goodbye to the Ongs as they continue on to Jervis Bay tomorrow. 

Kianinny Bay

Seriously...

Still looked good!

Where there are things to climb...

And...this is what happens when a child insists on wearing shorts that was 2 sizes too small

Go Oma! She was really into the exercise equipment...

Tathra Beach

The sunglasses are out again! And no we didn't build the teepee

We looked like squatters outside the surf life saving club. We waited for the sun to come then hid from it 😂

Our beer flights at dinner

The historic Tathra Hotel

Ocean views with a playground

A Lazy Day

We are not a beach family on the whole... so unAustralian! We don't do heat well and 3 out of 5 of us have a sand aversion. The South Coast has the most natural beaches in the state. The weather has been perfect, the surf has been good, the water has been warm, the crowds have been non-existent (a small scattering at most), but we still enjoy the beach most in small doses. Setting up camp on the sand for the day just doesn't appeal. For us it is always short and sweet.. a walk, a swim, throw a frisbee around and then we're done. We are a spectrum, of course. Elliot is by far the most sand averse whereas the younger two will tolerate a bit of sand in their pants if it means that they get to use the boogie boards. 

Today, the sound of the waves lured Lara and Jonah, but the cool breeze of the hilltop house lured the rest of us. Malcolm took them down to the patrolled side of Pambula beach. I'm not sure if it was the strength of the waves or Jonah's poor technique, but he came home with completely torn swimmers.

We decided to eat in so that we could be cheering the Aussies home on the last day of the Sydney Test. The BBQ always tastes better when we are winning, but the game fizzled into a draw due to some resolute Indian batting. After all the fresh seafood we've been having, butcher marinated chicken wings were a draw at best! Fortunately we had another Lara inspired fresh juice concoction and half price Maxi-Bons so all was not lost. As we abandoned hope for the Aussies our attention turned to board games, reading and general lazing around. Pambula has been a lovely place to visit. It will be interesting to observe the change in vibe as we head back towards more developed parts tomorrow.

Lucky our favourite beach happens to be the closest to us!

Apparently boogie boarding is that vigorous that boardshorts can be torn...

Ben Boyd National Park & Eden

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...

Rope drop! Turned out there was no need...

Pristine and empty beaches everywhere

Stunning coastal views

I don't think I've ever taken so many photos of kangaroos...

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. 

Barmouth Beach

No waves!

Crystal clear water

Quondola Point

Quondola Beach. No one here either...

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.

Eden Wharf

Fish & Chips shop

Seating right by the wharf

Ex whaling town

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.

Jonah's Christmas present - Lost ruins of Arnak

Longstockin Brewery

Rhubarb and apple cider made onsite

It is gin o'clock!

Oyster time!

Woodfired pizza