Qld- Palm Beach and Jacobs Well

Well, I hope that you all noticed that we have finally, after five weeks on the road, made it into Queensland.
We stayed at the Caravan park on the Tallebudgera creek at Palm Beach and had a great three days. We kept waiting for the wind to die down so that we could take the kayak out but it didn’t stop blowing while we were there. (At least it didn’t rain.)So, we rode our bikes and walked instead. We walked out to the brake wall one afternoon and watched the surfers riding massive waves and keeping the guys on the jet skies very busy towing them out after each wave. On the news that night we found out that we had been watching Joel Parkinson and Kelly Slater practicing.
We had lunch one day at the Currumbin Beach Surf club. This is where the Sunrise team have the Anzac dawn service. The venue is spectacular, sitting out there on the waves pounding the rocks below.


One night we booked in to the “Australian Outback Spectacular” and was so impressed by the entire event. Upon arrival you are all given an akubra hat, which I am sure will come in handy while we are out west. The food is a three course meal of salad, steak and vegetables with pavlova for desert. The show lasts for two hours and very entertaining. The horses and their riders are so impressive. There are strobe lights, lots of noise, music, yelling and clapping and these horses don’t blink an eye lid, but just do what their riders tell them to. They are Australian stock horses and so.o..o .o.. beautiful.
We decided that we wanted to get out of the hustle and bustle of the Gold Coast so looked on the map and found Jacobs Well. This is a very quiet little fishing village about 60 ks south of Brisbane, on the waterways, and you can see part of South Stadbroke Island from here.
The weather is fantastic, so out comes the kayak and Mike is going to fish. I brought my book along as I figured that we would probably be out on the water for a while. We had a wonderful time pedaling up and down the water ways, looking at the boats and the homes. Next minute, “woah”, Mike has a bite, I put my book in the bag, and get the net ready. Mike is reeling in the fish and we are saying, “here comes dinner”. This was the first fish caught out of the kayak. Boy, were we excited. Our excitement didn’t last too long though. We were so disappointed when it was only about six inches long and we had to throw it back. After being out for a couple of hours, our rear ends were numb, so time to head back. Mike threw the line in for one last go and no sooner had he thrown it in, he got another strike. This one was big, it was towing the kayak around in circles and Mike was struggling to get it in. Here comes dinner for sure. I got the net ready again, only to be disappointed for the second time when he pulled in a ray. After cutting him loose, we decided it would be chicken for dinner.
Even though we didn’t catch dinner we had a fabulous afternoon.

See “Our camping spots” for information on Tallebudgera Creek Tourist Park and Jacobs Well Tourist Park.
To contact us please email to gourmetgreynomads @bigpond.com

NSW - Iluka

Iluka-what a wonderful surprise to us!!! This beautiful fishing village just north of Yamba, is across the entrance of the Clarence River.
Yamba is a well known tourist spot but Iluka seems to be off the tourist maps. Locals love this area for its beaches, its World Heritage rainforest, fishing and camping, and it is quiet.
We spent three days here at a friends cottage and loved every minute of it.
The first morning we were so excited to get our new infatable Kayaks on the waterways and fully expected to catch our dinner. After all this is a fishing village, isn’t it! No luck, so we had to make a trip to the grocery store. Mike is in the grey kayak and my brother Clinton, has the yellow one.

The next morning we went to Woody Head Camping ground which is in the Bundjalung National Park, about 6km north of Iluka. Woody Head is also a popular picnic, fishing and swimming area for day trippers as well a lovely camping ground. There is a boat ramp, a sheltered lagoon and wonderful rock pools. While the tide was out we found several moray eels, many live kauri shells, great coloured crabs, sea cucumbers and nudibranks. My two neices, Madison and Elouise are great at spotting all these creatures in the rock pools so we had a wonderful couple of hours there seeing so many things.
















While driving into Iluka you are greated with the sign below. Unfortunately, we didn’t see any emus but I love the fact that they are in the area.






A ferry runs from the Iluka Boatshed and Mairna to Yamba several times a day. The Makuti Cafe is at the Boatshed and we popped in for a coffee. It has a great sounding menu and certainly a beautiful spot on the water to spend some time enjoying somebody elses’ cooking.
Our stay at Iluka was relaxing and we could easily spend a few more days there exploring more of the water ways, bush walks and beaches. You can take your four wheel drive on many of the beaches and the area is very push bike friendly.

see “Our Camping spots” for details on Woody Head Camping Reserve.
To contact us please email us on: gourmetgreynomads@bigpond.com

NSW - Wooli, Diggers Camp, Minnie Waters

We decided to spend some time at Wooli which is east of Grafton. When we lived in Grafton many years ago, we often used to go there to fish and swim, and have very fond memories of this part of the coast.

It has probably been about 20 years since we have been to Wooli, and very little has changed. It is almost like a time warp. The fish and chip shop we used to eat at was still there and so were many of the original beach houses. A few new homes have been built along the beach, some have been updated, but other than that, it hasn’t expanded much. We were hoping for some fine weather as we were looking forward to renting a canoe on the Wooli river, and Mike wanted to fish off the break wall and off the beach. Unfortunately, none of this eventuated. We had one day of sunshine which we spent drying out the van, washing and general catch up. The rest of our four days there, it rained.

We drove to Diggers Camp which is about 10 ks north, down a gravel road and were so excited when the road ahead was covered with water. Our first chance to do a bit of “bush” driving. Much to our disappointment, it was only about 15 cm deep, but I had to take a photo of it anyway.

At the southern end of Diggers beach there are some great rock pools. Mike and I found an octopus, a massive sea cucumber and a spotted moray eel. When our daughters were young we all used to find Kauri shells here and we noticed that there were still a lot around. Diggers has a very small camp ground, tents only, and part of the National Parks. There are a few homes built here but there is no electricity or town water.
We then headed off to Minnie Waters, about twenty minutes north. This is a very small, one shop, beachside town, but with some beautiful new homes built on the headlands with uninterrupted ocean views. There are two camping areas here.
While we were walking along the beach I was fascinated by the abstract designs that the crabs had made by digging holes in the sand. A lot of the beach has dark coloured sand, with a lighter covering. As the crabs roll their sand balls along, they remove the top layer of white sand and leave some fabulous patterns. I was so taken by it that I took about ten photos of different designs, and labeled it “crab art”

These three areas are very quiet so be prepared to amuse yourselves or enjoy the peace.


Caravan Park : Solitary Islands Marine Park Resort see “Our Camping spots” for more information.
To contact us please email us on: gourmetgreynomads@bigpond.com

NSW -Coffs Harbour - Arrawarra

Wow, what a week!..We were having such an enjoyable time at Nambucca until Monday night when the storm hit. We had rain on Sunday but not too windy. We had a leak in the back of the van which was dripping onto the back couch. We had so much water coming through that we went through six towels trying to keep the couch dry. Mike finally found that they had forgotten to seal around one of the top lights at the back and the water just poured in. Maybe they need to look at their quality control! Somebody had recommended taking a heater with us for the cold nights. Boy, was I grateful that we had that. I dried out the cushions on the couch in no time at all.

When we went to bed on Monday night the wind started to pick up and it just kept getting stronger and stronger all night and pouring with rain as well. The awning outside kept flapping and shaking and Mike and I were up and down all night checking on it. We had never taken the awning down in the wind so hoped that with the extra ropes we had attached would keep it up in the storm. During the night we noticed that other people had taken their awnings down, so at about 6:00 in the morning we finally decided to take the plunge. I had visions of a gust of wind just lifting it up and ripping it off the van. We had heard of such nightmare stories so were rather wary. We talked about the steps that we would take and then got stuck in. It rolled away so easily that we wished we had done it hours ago. Anyway, another lesson learned. Take it down early and then you can have a good nights sleep.
We left Nambucca on Tuesday morning and headed to Arrawarra, just north of Coffs Harbour. This was our longest trip so far, about two hours. Wow. We stopped for coffee on the way though.
It poured the entire way. We arrive at Darlington Caravan Park at Arrawarra to check in and were greeted by water everywhere. I had to change in to my crocks as there was a stream running under our car. As we drove to our site we noticed that there were lots of ducks and geese, but not many people. That should have been our first clue.
We parked the van and Mike gets out of the car and steps ankle deep in water. In fact, our caravan is sitting on an island. There is water all around us and the ducks waddle up to check us out. You have to laugh. Anyway, we slop around in the water and get all set up. We then notice that the couple of tents and camper trailers that are here, have their wet mattresses hanging from makeshift lines under tarps. That made me realize how grateful that we are in a caravan. At least our bed is dry.

That night on TV we watched the terrible flooding in Urunga and Coffs. It happened not long after we had passed through. We were very lucky.
This is a beautiful park and we look forward to coming back in the future when the weather is kinder to us so that we can enjoy the great facilities more.

These few days of rain have certainly given us lots to laugh at. But, bring on the sun. I am over this.
To contact us email us on:gourmetgreynomads@bigpond.com

NSW Nambucca Heads

Another beautiful area along the New South Wales Coast is the Nambucca Valley. It has beautiful beaches, the Nambucca River, lush farmlands, rain forests, very pretty streams and gullies.
The Vee - Wall breakwater at the Nambucca River entrance is a huge outdoor art gallery. It is a lovely stroll, viewing the art and reading the messages. Some of the artists have spent quite a while designing and painting their particular piece of rock.
While walking along the break wall we saw a huge turtle and ray swim by. Later when we rode our bikes out to the golf course for a look, we saw another turtle in the shallows munching on the weed. It was fantastic. The walk and bike tracks along the river are great. We rode our bikes from the White Albatross caravan park which is at the head of the river over to the movie theatre and shops on the other side of the Pacific Highway and did not need to go on the road at all. Some of the walkways go out into the mangroves so that you can watch the fish. They certainly have designed it well for the locals and the tourists. The area is very popular with retirees and after spending three days here we can certainly see why.
We walked in to the pro shop at the golf course, to find out when we could play and we were greeted by Lynn, a former receptionists of ours when we lived on the Central Coast, about 15 years ago. We enjoyed catching up and swapping children and grand children stories. It always amazes me where we meet people we know.
When you go into Nambucca township, on the corner of Ridge and Mann Streets, there is a corner dedicated to ceramic art. They have used pieces of old teapots, saucers, old tiles and just about anything ceramic to make some of the most intricate designs.

I love the way that some of these towns create their own artistic attractions.

NSW - Harrington

Harrington is on the mouth of the Manning River, about 11k’s off the Pacific Highway. We stayed at the Big 4 caravan park which is at the beach end of town. The park is huge with a swimming pool, 2 amenities blocks which are old, but again lovely and clean. We stayed two nights and decided to moove on because the sandflies were toooooo friendly and didn’t give us much peace.
We rode our bikes to Crowdy Head on the first morning, which is about 7 k’s along the beach road. Crowdy has a small fishing fleet which make their home in a man made harbour. It always amazes me how many break walls people have built along the coast over many years.. Crowdy’s prawns are sold in many restaurants and fish shops in the area.
A few years ago an artist was commissioned to sculpt and paint totem poles resembling some of the locals. Some are depicting the tug boats’ pilots used in the area years ago and some are former area locals. They are now placed in various positions around the waters edge. The detail is incredible. The same artist, after finishing the totems then painted the bottom two metres of many of the power poles in town with ocean themes. There are dolphins, pelicans, sea gulls, waves etc. They give a unique feeling to the town.

The break wall at Harrington is 1.8k’s long. It provides for a great walk or bike ride. I never tire of stopping along the way looking for fish and watching the fishermen. The water was so clear on the ocean side of the breakwall that you could see the fish really clearly.


Harrington Waters is the new area about 4 k’s out of town, back towards the highway. It has a golf course, shopping village, Harrigans Irish Pub, beautiful huge houses along the river and creates a very peaceful lifestyle. It is beautifully laid out and in true Roche fashion, all class.
Tomorrow is a big day. We are driving to Nambucca Heads. Two hours up the road. Boy, this nomad life is demanding!

NSW - Seal Rocks

One of our favourite relaxation spots is Seal Rocks, a peaceful fishing village about 1 1/2 hours drive north of Newcastle. Heading north from Newcastle, take The Lakes Way road to Forster. 24 k's down the road, is the Seal Rocks turnoff and then this peace of paradise is 11 k's down the road with 2k's of dirt road. We are towing a 22foot van and the drive was easy. Just before the Seal Rocks turnoff you pass through Bungwahl, a small, small town, which I noticed by a sign beside the road is the "Choko capital of Australia". Maybe the choko's are out of season but I didn't see any sign of a choko anywhere. No vines, no road side stands. Nothing. An interesting way to make your one's claim to fame! Not that I'm really keen on chokos myself. I remember when I was a kid Mum used to make chokos in white sauce. I ate it, but couldn't stand it really. My feelings about chokos haven't changed but I know many people who love them.
When you drive down the final hill and round the bend into Seal Rocks you are greeted with the beautiful waters of First Beach which is where the Seal Rocks Camping Reserve is. We stayed at this camp site for four nights and loved every minute of it. One day we actually had two naps. We got up in the morning, walked along the beach, swam, breakfast, back to the beach, fall asleep on the beach, lunch at the van and while reading my book in the afternoon, couldn't keep my eyes open so had to have another nap! I don't ever remember having two naps in one day. My how times are changing!
We decided to walk up to the corner store one day to have lunch. The menu consists of meat pies or sausage rolls. I was hoping for a toasted sandwich or something interesting. We are gourmet grey nomads after all. Anyway, we both chose a pie and sat outside looking at the beautiful view. It was a good pie and the view is to die for.
Another day we rode our bikes from our camp site up to the Sugar Loaf Point Lighthouse which is one of our favourite spots in the area. We had to bike up three hills to get there, and one big hill on the way back, and I didn't even have to get off my bike and push it. I was so proud of myself. Boy, these two naps a day are really helping my fitness levels.
Next spot is Diamond Beach. About an hour down the road. We don't want to drive too far in these early stages.