Diamond Beach to Karuah, NSW - December 6, 2013

FRIDAY – DECEMBER 6, 2013

BOTTOM LINE:

Check out at Diamond Beach

Drove through Teagarden, Nelson Bay and into Karuah

BACK STORY:

After a week at the Seashells Resort in Diamond Beach we were on the road headed south again. We decided to follow the coastal roads and explore the Port Stephens area.

 

Port Stephans

Port Stephens includes the communities of Teagarden and Nelson Bay.  Teagarden is a quaint little village on the west side of the Myall River that’s fame is the pedestrian transport ferry that takes passengers across the large port to Nelson Bay.  The ferry cuts off a loooong drive around the port if people are not in need of a car at the other end. 

 

Transport Ferry

Before driving on to Nelson Bay, we crossed a small bridge that connected to a long spit at Hawks Nest and ventured up a road to explore the Dark Point sand dunes.

The road north felt very remote and isolated.  Eucalyptus tree canopies were swaying in a good off shore breeze.  The buzzing of the circadian insects was so loud (with our windows rolled up) that I had to stop, get out of the car and record the sound so others can hear it when we return home. Ear plugs recommended!   

I had so much fun in the sand dunes.  Climbing up a very steep hill barefoot brought back great memories of camping as a girl at Pismo Beach State Park.  It was when things were safe enough to allow kids to run off and play for hours in the sand.  The view of the ocean from the top was as beautiful as all of the others we have seen thus far.  The contrast of the white sand and he marine blue shades of the water were stunning.  These dunes are some of the biggest dunes in Australia. 

Barb in the dunes

At one point we were walking over a hill where we could see nothing but sand and got to experience what it must feeling like to walk in the sand deserts of Egypt. Funny how locals must have felt the same thing and have actually brought in camels for a tourist offering…a ride in the sand dunes on top of a camel!

  

Sand in every direction

When we decided to head back, reality set in.  When we turned around we realized that the wind had already blown sand over our footprints and we were on our own to navigate back to the hill we had climbed and our car!  Luckily Bruce had dropped a stick that he had used to climb the dune and we found our way back!  I don’t know how many times on this trip I have heard the echoing of my Girls Scout days, “Be prepared!” The final “RUN” down the dune was soooo fun and made me feel like a kid again…carefree and weightless.

Pathway back to car

There was no real direct road to Nelson Bay other that doing some back tracking…but we felt it was worth it.  The town is called Nelson Bay and sits on the south side of Port Stephens.  It was amazing how much this little tourist town looked like Camas, WA where we lived for eight years.

Nelson Bay or Camas???

We arrived about 3pm and were hungry for lunch.  We immediately found a fish stand where we ordered calamari and chips.  The calamari is absolutely wonderful and once again tasted like abalone.  No dips or sauces required…just lemon juice and the sweet flavor of the squid!  BTW if you ask for catsup or tartar sauce, it will cost you $.50 for each little package.  Note the plastic bottle that I invested in early on!

Typical Take-Away

Before heading to our reserved motel room in Karuah, we hiked up to an historical lighthouse for another view.  The lighthouse had been replaced with satellite dishes and high tech lighting.  What we did find of interest was a Kookaboro bird perched on a tree limb.  He seemed quite confident and comfortable having me move around him for a picture.

Our motel was a very pleasant surprise.  Bruce is doing all the navigation and logistics for accommodations.  He found this place online for $94 a night, which is a steal for what we’ve found.  It was owned and operated by a young couple that lived on sight with their two darling little boys.  It was clean and so tastefully decorated…plus the people were so nice.  Riverside Motel rocks!

Riverside Motel