Drive from Snowy Mountains to Merrimbula on coast, Friday - Dec. 13, 2013

FRIDAY – DECEMBER 13, 2013

BOTTOM LINE:

Drove into Kosciuszko National Park, Tredbo

Drove down the Snowy Mountains to Merrimbula on the coast

BACK STORY:

Following breakfast in the Habitat Chalet Lodge, we left to make our way into the Kosciuszko National Park of the Snowy Mountains.  It is a very remote area with the main town of Tredbo and little else in the way of settlements.  Tredbo is a seasonal ski resort and village. 

Barb at Tredbo

 

The area was very green and alpine feeling with the clear Tredbo River meandering through the area.  A fly fishing guide was giving lessons to a chap which, drew Bruce over to listen.  I chose to go find a coffee.

Tredbo River

The ski resort during the non-snowy times is used for mountain biking.  I never knew what a big sport it is.  Trails crisscrossed the bare ski slopes where helmet-wearing bikers flew across.  It was quite something to watch.

Ski resort/mountain biking

 

We headed down the mountain having seen enough of the area and the flies…at any one time I would look over to Bruce who was swatting his hat at his face while 20+ flies used his back as an aircraft carrier! We were told that the flies come out during nice weather hunting for moisture.  Human faces seem to be their prime target.

The area between the mountain and the ocean was much like our fertile Sacramento valley. With it being the end of their springtime everything was green.  Much of the land was used for cattle or sheep grazing. There were also many dairy farms.  Grass was being harvested and rolled into enormous rounds, which were shrink wrapped with thick plastic for winter storage. The Snowy River thinned out to a mere creek in some areas because of the lack of a good snow base this past year.

Highlands cattle grazing

We made a lunch stop in Dalgety as we had read about it being the only town left on the Snowy River.  The hydroelectric scheme of the 1950’s flooded all other towns. The only café in town was Iona’s and the owner was more than happy to sit and chat about the history of the area.  Her husband’s chicken curry was delicious!

Iona's Cafe in Dalgety

 

The roadsides of Australia seem somewhat absent of billboards and advertisements.  What they have plenty of are reminders to rest, not speed and don’t drink while driving. Signs saying, “power nap pull out ahead” or “micro-naps kill” or “rest-revive-stay alive” are posted.  There are also signs warning that “speed cameras” are active and to slow down! One had a picture of a police officer holding a speed gun.  The caption read, “the party’s over!” One homeowner put up a sign in his yard in a coastal community.  It read, “slow, slow down, NOW!”  The next sign on his lawn was a “For Sale” sign! The drinking and driving signs are very blunt…”Drink, drive, die” “If you’re a little bit drunk, you’re a little bit dead”  “Drink, drive, stop stupid!”

After a very twisty last 30 miles we arrived to our destination of Merrimbula, another cute coastal town having a good-sized marina for commercial fishing.  The Hilltop Hotel that Bruce found for us sat high on a hill with a commanding view of the ocean.  With the place costing $65/night, it was a five star in our rating and a steal!

Merrimbula toward Pacific Ocean

 

Merrimbula

Each sizable town seems to have their lawn bowling club and the RSL which, is a club for veterans.  Each club is open to the public for use of their restaurant. We decided to try the RSL.  After signing in we were told to wait.  At 6pm nightly there is a moment of silence for vets and the fallen heroes.  “Least we forget” is their slogan.  Dinner at the ocean view table that we were seated at was perfect. 

Although I drove most of the day, we were leaving in the morning and decided to drive along the beach and scope out the area. We were glad that we did.  One of the beaches had the most unusual and pretty purple shades of rock. The color against the aqua water was beautiful.

Shades of purple rocks

 

red coast of Merrimbula

Dark clouds were moving in, so we headed back to the hotel.  A huge lightening and thunderstorm poured rain on the area all night.  We were so very thankful to be inside, safe and in a lovely country.