The 
last few days have been a mix of excellent, disappointing and tiring. We had a lovely short drive inland from Port Stephens to Gloucester, a small country town not unlike Warkworth (!). Where we continued on the trail of Michael's grandfather, Gholam. We hit the jackpot in meeting a local historian who has already compiled information on Gloucster's well known 'British Indian' which we look forward to seeing in more detail soon. But we were able to visit great grandpa Shah's store - the second only brick building in the town built around 1917 - originally a haberdashery store where he traded for several years. A roadside picnic was great and the day finished in Forster (yes, Dr Foster went to Gloucester...) at an expansive caravan park called Smugglers Cove, which came complete with theme pools and playgrounds and excellent clean facilities. We liked Forster.Not so great was the following day and another short journey to Port Macquarie. Campervan beds are pretty good considering, but aren't exactly sleepyhead material. Add that to prolonged close quaters and everyone was a little ratty. The Wingham Brush Bush Walk was a good start to the day (very similar to Harry Parry Kauri Park in Warkworth) and we saw lots of bats and very groovy trees.
Plus the BIG OYSTER...Then we hit some roadworks and we couldn't go to the Bird Tree (largest by volume in NSW) as it was off-road. Another roadside picnic spot was nice but everything just took a bit too long and we flagged away the wildlife park visit. Port Macqurie hadn't impressed during the research stage, and quite frankly the communications with Sundowner Breakwall Holiday Park on the waterfront should have tipped us off. The park was very average with rundown facilities, a tiny pool, a crappy playground and all spread out over 4 hectares! We tried the beach - but the Surf Lifesavers had closed that...The day may have been redeemed by dinner at the highly recommended Pancake Place, but, after convincing the kids that pancakes for dinner falls into the Really Good Idea category, the damn place was shut too! Blah Blah Blah Port Macquarie - we didn't linger in the morning.
Roll on Coffs Harbour. AM and we hit the road for Wauchope (pronounced war-hope!!) and Timbertown. Excellent value really and it was nice to wander through an attraction without the need to get 'value for money'. With a working steam sawmill and a clydesdale driving the chaff cutting machine it was all quite layed-back. Unfortunately the other two attractions, the steam train and the bullocks, were not operating - Monday don't you know. Onto the highway and a stop at Fredo's Famous Pies in Fredrickton for a picnic at Nambucca heads. Incidentally we are getting quite good at spotting the best spots for campervan U-turns...
Last stop for the day, the butterfly house at Sawtell. CLOSED....it was Monday don't you know.
Turns out that it was lucky for us because we then went to the Clog Barn, walked around the miniature Duch village complete with dykes, dams, canals, trains and odd looking little people. And special mention for the disturbingly large lizard eating cake crumbs which gave us a wierd Godzilla moment... The highlight of the day and what must be THE number one souviner of the trip was the handmade wooden clog, made before our very eyes, and won by the Shahs by virtue of having travelled the farthest. They had no idea!On that note, we rolled into Coffs, and into the Park Beach Caravan Park which is a stand out so far. Great, clean facilities, awesome pool with waterslide, all set in lovely tree lined 'streets' complete with nesting pair of (yellow faced-noisy bugger) plovers who have taken over the site beside us and act as an excellent security system warning us whenever anyone comes near, even us...though we have reached an accommodation with mummy plover and things have calmed down... until daddy plover comes home that is.
A day off the road today - hurray! We flagged our planned trip inland in favour of the camp facilities and what a good decision that was. We took in the Pet Porpoise Pool in the morning which was anazing and a real highlight. 
Kisses from the dolphins and seals for all, patting the dolphins, plus a dolphin and seal show featuring the only real Kiwi in the audience - Jenni - being hugged by a lovely NZ fur seal, which was very cuddly and quite damp. The segment finished with a hongi and a wet bum. We had fun feeding the cute little Blue Penguins but didn't fork out $200pp to actually swim with the dolphins. But it looked pretty cool. Excellent cake and coffe in the village and then Jen took off for a hour to have a message to work out some kinks and all in all it was a lovely relaxing day. Coffs Harbour we like.
No comments:
Post a Comment