Day 308 - Thursday 2 November - Saphire Coastal Drive

Day 308 –

Thursday

2 November –

Merimbula – Tathra – Bermagui – Wallaga Lake – Tilba – Cobargo – Bega

When we woke this morning, we noted that the wind had dropped off and there was blue sky ahead. After reading for a while, we were both out just after 8am and organising our day. After breakfast, we put through some washing and then proceeded to gather what we would need for our outing. When the washing cycle was complete, we hung out the clothes and then, it was in the car and on the road north to check out Tathra about 20min away.

After reading the tourist info books last night, I had listed all the things to check out along the way and in Tathra it was the old wooden wharf. This structure has been heritage listed as the only remaining wooden sea wharf on the east coast. There was plenty of interest in it when we arrived, finding it hard to get a park. We ended up halfway up the hill and had to walk back, but we weren’t complaining. Plenty of blokes were out fishing from the jetty, picking up bites but we didn’t see anything reeled in. The large shed structure of the wharf had been converted into a coffee shop which was well patronised. I watched large pink jellyfish dance about below the surface of the water. It looked like they were wearing tutus that were swirling with their movement. 

After taking in the history we moved on to Bermagui 50km up the road. The scenic route that we travelled, wound its way through forests, valleys, alongside waterways and lakes before we were deposited at the seaside spot. Here I was interested in looking at the Blue Pool and a road sign pointed us in its direction.

We parked in the car park and then alighted, following more signs. The first was to the lookout from above. From here we had a good view of the sea pool that was a glistening aquamarine green and has been created at the base of a cliff. We also had a great view of the coast to Tathra and the waves crashing into the rocks below. 

From the lookout, we made our way down the stairs to beach level, where I could scamper over the rocks to get up close and personal with the water and check for sea creatures in the pool. I saw none. From here you could appreciate just how churned up the sea was, with the crashing of the waves coming in thick and fast. 

We returned to the top, stopped to eat a banana while taking in the view and then resumed our drive on to Wallaga Lake, about 10min further up the road. Here we were looking for two things, a brewery and a beach rock outcrop, the brewery was located first.

Turns out the Big 4 caravan park is the home to Camel Rock Brewery, it is only new and as such they didn’t have much for Paul to try. The brewery takes up residence in the 100 year old guest-house “Allawah House” that has been restored. 

Salvaged door from Allawah House

Wallaga Lake is a gold town, in fact it is the only gold town on the coast, with alluvial gold washing down the from the Blue Mountains and ending up here, as such a town was built in the 1800’s to accommodate the miners.

When Paul had finished his “work”, we drove out to Camel Rock, parked and then set out on the beach to check out the natural formation. I can see how it got its name, along with “Woman’s Head Rock” where a profile can be clearly discerned. 

Camel Rock

Woman's Head Rock

After taking photos, we moved a little inland to Central Tilba, which first took us through Tilba Tilba. We followed a group of bikers also coming in to the town and then found a place to park down by the cheese factory where we took out our lunch and found picnic table where we could sit and eat while enjoying the view.

We resisted the urge to venture inside the cheese shop and instead did a walk up the main street. Tilba is a national trust centre where the old buildings have been heritage listed. This has lead to an old world feeling and charm with most of the premises housing interesting arts, crafts and afternoon teas. 

We completed the full circuit of the main street before taking a right and heading up the hill to a farmer’s paddock that also acted as a lookout. We entered through the gate and then continued on to a rocky outcrop where we had a view over a couple of valleys and a large rock outcrop that I assume was Mount Gulaga. 

After making our way back down, we returned to the car and began our journey back towards home.

This part of the route was the same as the one we used to make our way to Merimbula yesterday, this time however we did a stop at Cobargo, another quaint town where the interesting shops line the main street. We again walked down one side and back up the other taking in what were on offer. Our car was parked at Gnome Way and there were a number of them hiding in the garden beds as we walked the short path through the car park. Not quite Gnomesville like just yet. 

 

Back on the A1, we made our way towards Bega, pulling in briefly at a lookout providing views over Bega Valley and then we drove through the main street of town, something we didn’t do yesterday. The town is quite large and was quite busy with traffic, vehicle and pedestrian.

We drove out the other end and then completed our loop, making it back towards Tathra before turning off and continuing on to our caravan park, making it home for 3pm.

Our first job on return was to bring in the washing that had had a good day to dry out. Once back inside, I got stuck into the photos and blog while Paul wrote up his small review of Camel Rock Brewery. I had word from Nigel that he had finished work early and we could meet at 6pm which suited us better, as I was already starving.
Just before 6pm, we made our way into town, parking just outside Dulcies, a gorgeous old home, hidden down a small slope and a white picket fence. We met Nigel inside, sat down and immediately started chatting about our travels and of course beers. We ordered hamburgers that were just delicious and the boys enjoyed some different craft beers. We were introduced to one of his friends who just happened to be in the bar. He had a Tigers Premiership stubby holder, which when I pointed out that Paul was a fan, he passed over. Even when we aren't at breweries Paul is getting free stuff!
While we expected it to be a but of a hard sell "Business Meeting" we rarely talked about what we do in regards to reviews. I think Nigel has realised we are almost at the end of our travels and we may not be the ones to continue the reviewing, well at least not over here.
Our chat lasted right through til last drinks, with the bell being rung. The beers were downed and then we made our way outside thanking Nigel for a great night and happily stating we were looking forward to the Saturday BBQ at his home. We left him with his daughter Alyce, who had come to collect him and made our way back to the van for 10pm, noting that the wind had dropped right off and all the tenters still had their homes firmly gripping the ground.We both read for a little while before it was then time for lights out.