Date: 16th to 28th June 2024
Travelled: 1,000 kms from Sydney to Tallebudgera
Visited: Patonga, Taree, Trial Bay, Yamba and Tallebudgera
Stayed: Tallebudgera Creek CP, $70pn S28.09994, E153.45340
Budget: 14 days @ $XX per day
Recovering from our 42 days cruising in relative luxury its time to get the Jayco ready for our winter escape. We finally found someone to carpet the Jaycoโs living area. A marine upholster did a very tidy job in water proof carpet with a few press studs here and there to hold the Individual mats in place. Pam hates the vinyl flooring.
As we plan being away when the registration is due itโs over to get a pink slip for the Jayco earlier than we would normally. The pink slip comes with a non mandatory recommendation to have the front brakes replaced, so itโs over to Stavros who manages to fit us in for new rotors and pads.
Then itโs a few days of packing and rearranging wine, beer and a few cans of sardines to keep us going for a couple of months. Lastly with 400 Nespresso pods loaded we say goodbye to the neighbours and make for the road north. Where really looking forward to some warmer weather and escaping the wet weather that has lingered in Sydney for weeks now. Our first stop Patonga.
Weโve come to visit Kerry and Ian who we befriended on the Zuiderdam. The Patonga Campground is a little rustic at $36 a night, like the rest of Patonga, a little bit of 1960โs time warp. We walk the village, do a bush walk, relax and take in the vibe.
In the late afternoon we row the tinny across the creek for drinks and a fabulous baked dinner at Ianโs place. Rowing back in the dark as it started to drizzle is another adventure.
Itโs a wet Sunday morning in Patonga as we make our way back up the steep and winding road back to the motorway. Continuing north once again so does the rain. The rain clears before Taree and we turn off the motorway for Taree Showgrounds Campsite. $25 gets us a spot for the night but itโs a long walk back into Taree and the dark clouds are closing in as sunset approaches
The rain buckets down all night and we quickly pack up and continue north during a break in the showers. A lucky escape as a day later the Manning River breaks its banks and Taree floods.
The rain goes from heavy to torrential particularly around the Port Macquarie and Wauchope exits on the motorway. We have two nights booked at Trial Bay to visit friends in South West Rocks. If we hadnโt we would have continued on, but to our surprise the weather breaks and we get some sun for a couple of hours.
Making the most of a break in the weather we take a walk up the hill to the old goal, now controlled by National Parks, coughing up $11 per person for a look. A lot has changed since my last visit in the 70โs thereโs now lots of information panels and interactive audio not to mention the grass has had a mow, hence the fee.
Back from our walk around the goal, Shirley arrived to take us on a drive around the beaches and lookouts which we much appreciated.
By the time we meet up with Shirley and Mick who we also befriended on the Zuiderdam the rain has returned. We enjoyed a couple of evenings catching up and chatting about travel. Much of the rest of our time was spent listening to the rain on the roof.
Itโs Wednesday morning and we pack up quickly during a weather break. Once we pass through South West Rocks heading back toward the motorway we see the Macleay River has risen dramatically and close to crossing the road.
Two hours drive north we turn for Yamba and the sunshine. We spend the next couple of days going for coastal walks and exploring the town. Having not been to Yamba for 50 years I find there are two Yambaโs, the old seaside town and the new Yamba about 3-4 klms west with a huge shopping complex and retirement communities.
With catching up on washing and generally drying everything off weโll need to return to Yamba for a longer visit next year. It Saturday morning as we pack up and head north crossing into Queensland and the Gold Coast traffic.
Arriving safely in Tallebudgera for a family visit with Alix and India. Tallebudgera is between Burley Heads and Currumbin if your not familiar with the area.
Michael + Pam
