Moruya to Sydney via Jervis Bay

From Cape St George - whale watching

 After leaving Moruya I stopped at Ulladulla to do the Geological Time Walk.  Somewhat interesting and I needed my raincoat for the first time on the trip.

I proceeded on to Jervis Bay, with the turning to Greeen Patch being slightly inconsistent with the instructions from Google maps so I missed it and took a slightly longer route. 

There had been some showers on the way, and as the forecast for Victoria had been very wet, I stopped to double check and consider my accomodation options.  Since the forecast rain for the area was almost nothing, I decided to continue with my plan to camp.

My campsite at Green Patch

At the entry to the Booderee National Park, I stopped to book my campsite and procure an appropriate parks pass.  Booderee is under the jurisdiction of Canberra and a NSW parks pass does not apply there.  It took me a while to sort that out online, as the visitor centre and entry booths were both closed, but eventually I did and proceeded to my allocated campsite.

Green Patch Beach

I arrived at my site just as light was fading but setting up for camping took less than 20 minutes - including reorganising the packing of my car.  The campsite is just lovely.  It is in the forest and although there are other allocated sites nearby they are somewhat separated by vegetation and there are not many campers.  Although there is one family with young children who appear to mainly communicate by screaming.  Fortunately they did retire early.  I later discovered that some sites were more open to adjacent sites but perhaps they are intended for groups of campers who do want to be together.

Early morning sunlight on the treetops

Having set up camp, I went for a quick walk to the beach to watch the colours of the setting sun before returning to my camp for dinner.

A juvenile brush tailed possum made me jump as it came in to investigate me, and I suspect it returned later, judging from the footprints on my table in the morning.

Eastern Grey Kangaroo at Green Patch

There was a very cool breeze so I retired early to my sleeping bag to read a book.

Bristol Point beach:
I think I should return when it is less crowded

It was a clear night, and I could see some stars through my windows, in between the sheltering tree branches.

Having slept early, I also woke early, so headed for a shower.  The water seemed to go off after about one minute, so covered with soap and with a shampooed head, I ducked into the adjacent shower to check that one.  Same.  I returned to my cubicle anticipating drying myself without rinsing off soap and shampoo and the water came back on.

Forest behind Bristol Point beach

Back at my campsite I watched the rising sun light the treetops while enjoying the birdsong and my coffee.

After packing up camp - a process that is getting progressively more efficient - I headed off for a walk around Bristol Point and along the next beach to Scottish Rocks.  The forest is rather stunning- widely spaced, spreading gumtrees, apparently of species we don't get in Tasmania.  The beach was deserted, with little evidence of others having been there recently.  I was intrigued to see, what I interpreted to be, a 'no snorkelling' sign at Scottish Rocks.  The Booderee website says that is one of the good snorkelling spots.  Closer inspection revealed that  the prohibited activities were spear fishing and use of a noose.

Sand patterns

Next was a trip out to the historic Cape St George lighthouse:  of course you would position and construct a lighthouse based on ease of location and construction rather than maritime navigational needs.  The diversion was  at the suggestion of the lady at the Ulladulla tourist information centre, who identified it as a very easterly point and good for whale watching.  As I headed through the forest, the gumtrees gave way to coastal heath with some stunning stunted Banksias.  The views were excellent, and the whales did not disappoint.  I loitered watching for 'blows' and splashing and the odd back surfacing for about half an hour before regretfully leaving.  It would have been delightful to stay longer.

Cape St George Lighthouse - as it used to be

There is much in the National Park and I may return on the way home, so I stopped in at the visitor centre to check if I needed both the park pass and the camping booking.  No, I did not.  The bonus was that they offered a refund of my park pass.  That made the camping very good value indeed.

Banksia amongst the coastal heath

Google maps directed me well most of the way, although it did get upset when I made a diversion to a rest area.  I am sure it adds a seriously peeved tone to its instructions at such times "I TOLD YOU take the third exit at the roundabout"!!

I did like that Google maps told me about the upcoming speed cameras, though I think those zooming past me needed that warning more than I did.  It also told me about a stalled vehicle ahead - potentially useful information.  

St George's Cape lighthouse ruins

What was NOT useful was Maps losing GPS signal while in a tunnel and failing to give me instructions.  Ummm - do I go to the airport or towards Parramatta?  I chose the latter but after quite a few kilometres started to wonder, as I seemed to be heading for the Blue Mountains - still in the tunnel.  Then there was a choice of Blue Mountains or Parramatta Road.  My limited navigational knowledge of the route to Gail's directed me towards the latter and after a bit of lane changing (I am sure several drivers around me were cursing interstate drivers) I ended up turning left, and again, and again .... thinking "hang on, is this really correct??'  Then 2 or 3 turns later I was in the Lilyfield Road and at Gail's.

St George's Cape Lighthouse ruins

It was so lovely to see Gail again, and to catch up with both her and Geoff.  We had a delightful evening of fish and chips (lemon sole and crispy sweet potato chips) and exchange of news.