Due to unforeseen events the morning of our departure we were exceptionally late setting off (11 am) and thus the travelling was a little stressful. There was a possibility we would miss the deadline for picking up the van from the storage place in Coffs Harbour but we did make it just before 4.30 pm. The staff at said facility were very pleased to see us and sent us on our way with their own car engines running, wanting to get off and start their weekends!
We drove just a short way up the highway to spend the night at Woolgoolga Beach.
Our first official stop was at Yamba, a little village up the coast after Grafton where we had never previously visited. A place full of different beaches and waterways dominated by the mighty Clarence river.
We drove just a short way up the highway to spend the night at Woolgoolga Beach.
Our first official stop was at Yamba, a little village up the coast after Grafton where we had never previously visited. A place full of different beaches and waterways dominated by the mighty Clarence river.
On our explorations we took a look at the lighthouse and found the old one just behind it which is now being used as a base for the local radio station 100.3 fm which of course we found and listened to for the rest of our stay, (very much our type of music!)
Looking back over the village.
Looking back over the village.
Friends came a-visiting for breakfast!
Had a quick drive to closeby MacLean and found a beautiful riverside town (on the magnificent Clarence river).
As an aside David was pleased to see that all the telegraph poles were decorated with tartans of various Scots families and he found his own mother's family with no trouble. It is good to see these small towns looking so busy and thriving.
As an aside David was pleased to see that all the telegraph poles were decorated with tartans of various Scots families and he found his own mother's family with no trouble. It is good to see these small towns looking so busy and thriving.
We took a ferry ride from Yamba across the river to Iluka. One would think it would be a case of straight across the water but no......the little boat chugged back upstream for about 20 minutes, crossed over and chugged back along the other side which actually meant we did not have time to stay and look around! It would seem channels and currents are amazingly strong on the Clarence which causes boats to be cautious. Good plan! Below: The magnificent new bridge over the Clarence, part of the upgrade to the motorway.
We walked out on to this beach after walking thru a spinney of trees, spotting a beautiful Mistletoe bird.
The waterways are ruled by magnificent walls built to keep the river entrance clear.
My Mum was a ROSS