| Author Mhairi Mustard, on 28-09-2008 09:54 |
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Thought it was about time we took a break from working and went away for our first Aussie Trip. We could only get the two days off so we decided to go up to Nelsons bay in Port Stephens about a 21/2 hour drive up the coast from Sydney.
We booked into the same place that we had stayed 3 years ago when we were out, Samurai Beach Resort in One Mile Beach. Its set in amongst the koala habitat of Eucalyptus trees and wetlands about 2 km from the beach. The 2 nearby beaches (Samurai and one mile beach) being accessible only by foot or 4WD.
We stayed in one of their studio cabins which themselves are pretty basic but has it's own outdoor hot tub! Felt like we were right in the bush with some of the strangest noises at night, don't want to know what was lurking in the marsh outside the door. What we were lucky enough to spot was our first wild koala! Eoin noticed it while looking up for spiders, it was sitting really high up swaying in the breeze in the Eucalyptus tree...very cute.
First day we went for a trek up the Tomaree headland for a view over the famous 'Shark Beach' aka Zenith Beach renamed by Callum and Eoin after the 'shark' sighting on Christmas day 2004! From here you can see just how beautiful the area is and makes the climb well worth it.
That evening we went for dinner at the local RSL (well we are still tight Scots!) where the pub grub is good and drink is cheap.
Next day we planned on walking across the 'Spit' at Fingal Bay a stretch of sand linking the mainland to the Island only accessible when its low tide. Eoin and I were not clever enough to investigate before hand as to what time this low tide actually occurs so we just headed out anyway. Luckily after we got there a few other people started arriving and learnt that the tide normally goes out at 12:40 pm and it we got there at 11:00. We basically got brave and crossed it early, the water was upto our thighs at most, so wasn't too scary! At the other side there is a walk through snake/spiderville to the lighthouse on the island.
After our adventure we went back and packed a picnic and headed off to Samurai Beach. We decided to walk the track after chickening out taking the new car down there without a rope and shovel!
Here we spent a relaxing afternoon sunbathing. Eoin did however forget that his skin had gone back to 'Scotland mode' and couldn't take the same amount of baking he was used to so when we returned back to the cabin he was sporting a lovely shade of crimson all over. So he's a bit sore and is now smothered in Aloe Vera gel!
Apart from the sunburn we had a great trip and a long awaited break all be it short and sweet.
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Author: Helena Sumpter (Registered) on 02-10-2008 14:47