Day 37 - 43 Hyams Beach, Wentworth Falls & Crescent Head

Day 37 - 7th December

Finally some gorgeous hot weather. We woke up fairly early, got ready quickly and headed to Hyams Beach. We had such a lovely morning in the sun. The water was still fairly cold (or 'icy' as we like to say!) but we managed to have a couple of dips. We even saw dolphins in the sea which were fairly close to us. At least I hope they were dolphins and not sharks! Haha. 

^Hyams Beach

Day 38 - 8th December

We drove for nearly 4 hours today to the camp site we stayed at already a couple of times at the Blue Mountains. Near Sydney there's a lack of free camp sites, so in order to get around Sydney as quick as possible this is what we decided to do. 

There's a free shower at this camp site so it's nice to have a good wash!!! Although I think I'm a little too-used to cold showers now!

Day 39 - 9th December 

We spent the morning at Wentworth Falls in Katoomba. It was fairly misty as the clouds were low and we were quite high up, but they shifted fairly quickly. 

Whilst we were there we walked all the way down to the falls, it took around 40minutes in total. There were lots of viewing platforms along the way so it was nice to stop and take some pictures. 

Going back uphill was quite hard and I think my legs are going to ache tomorrow! But good to have some exercise! 

We are currently trying to find an Airbnb for a few days at Christmas. We found a lovely one last night 20 minutes from Byron Bay, I spoke to the lady to check that the parking space provided would fit our hi-top camper. She reversed the dates for us and I got an email to say I had until 6am the next morning to accept the booking. I tried to do it there and then and the dates were no longer available. We then looked at that apartment on her availability calendar and it was booked from the 22nd all the way through, so we think someone else gave her a better offer than us! Charming!!

I've found another on the Gold Coast near the beach, and again just waiting for confirmation our camper will fit, let's hope we have better luck this time. 

^Wentworth Falls at the Blue Mountains 

Day 40 - 10th December

We left the Blue Mountains National Park and endured on a long 4 hour journey to Bulahdelah which is where we stayed previously for one night on our way down here. 

Once arriving we got out the camp chairs and sat for ages in the shade chatting and drinking beer. 

We made pasta bolognese for dinner tonight, we haven't had this in a little while so it's nice to have something different. 

It's been fairly hot today which is lovely, but not so nice when driving!

The camp area is self-contained only, and we don't have a toilet in our camper so I hope we don't get kicked out! I wasn't worried about this before but we are in view of the road on the bridge this time so hopefully no one will notice us! 

Day 41 - 11th December 

We had such a nice day sunbathing and doing so much swimming! We really made the most of the sea not being cold, I hope this is a common thing as we travel North again. 

We are staying here in Crescent Head tonight at a paid campsite for $43 a night. We may even stay for two nights. It's fairly expensive for camp sites as it's quite basic but I think any customer here is mainly paying for the beautiful location as it's so stunning. We are right on the cliff next to the beach. 

^The view just 20m from our campervan *left*

^*right*

Day 42 - 12th December 

Another beautiful day in crescent head. 

So much time was spent jumping and diving into waves in the sea! 

How can a day involving; sun, sea, hot showers, steak, ice lollies & sprite be any better? I've definitely learnt to appreciate the smaller things around me. 

However we did both have a small mishap; on the way back from the beach we have to cross a smaller part almost a river from the sea. It's over waste high and has a few rocks before the slope where the life boat enters. Both of us cut our feet on something in the rocks, I'm not sure if it was the shells attached to the rocks (possibly muscles?) that were broken and sharp. Or whether it was glass. Both of us had one bleeding and stinging foot each! We needed to clean them asap and get some antiseptic cream on. But all is well, that didn't ruin our fab day! 

^Crescent Head 

Day 43 - 13th December

Another beautiful day in Creacent Head. 

It was a little windy today, but still hot so it was nice and bearable. 

The first time we went into the sea we saw a big jelly fish so both of up quickly ran out! After a little while longer in the sun we needed to cool off in the sea. Lots of people were in there, so we braved it!

Both of our feet are sore from the cuts yesterday and sand in them probably didn't help, but the plasters didn't want to stay on!

^Crescent Head beach

Day 31-36 Rainy journey back North

Day 31 - 1st December

My alarm clock this morning was the sound of heavy rain hitting the campervan. Not the awakening I'd hoped of! We were expecting this as lots of locals and staff at the caravan park had mentioned that they were expecting a months rainfall over the weekend. 

On the way out of Phillip Island we stopped at Pannys Chocolate Factory where we had a little look around and a coffee in the cafe. 

We then started the journey back up the way Coast. Our first stop on the way back up is McLoughlin. We are staying at a free area near the sea. It's so windy tonight I feel like our little camper may tip over!!

^The sunsetting at the camp area

Day 32 - 2nd December

It's just sunk in that this year I don't have an advent calendar! That's definitely a first. Last year I treated myself to the Selfridges beauty advent calendar and this year I'm on a budget every day living in a Campervan! Swings and roundabouts I guess!...

We left the camp site in the rain. Last night it was torrential. That campervan was rocking from the forceful winds all night, so neither of us got a great nights sleep!

We are used the rainy day to travel for a few hours back to a rest stop in Murrengowar. We've been here once before already and quite liked it so we are back!

If both of us are honest we want to get closer to Sydney and then Brisbane again. Both of us definitely preferred it up there and I think this is because it's just more chilled, there are more free camp sites about, the weather is warmer there (well at least not torrential downpours!) and it was easier to go from beach-to-beach. Whereas when we travelled closer to Melbourne the beaches we went to weren't as nice, it was fairly dead and it was mainly National Park area. 

We cooked a spaghetti bolognese tonight which was delicious. It's feeling quite cold considering yesterday was officially the first day of Summer here. So tonight will be spent snuggled in the camper. And I don't mind that! 

Day 33 - 3rd December 

We woke up to the heavy rain... again :(

We decided to use a rubbish weather day wisely by driving nearly 4 hours. We are now near Batemans Bay again where we should be spending the day tomorrow before heading up a little further for the night. 

Now we are closer to the coast again we are really hoping for some nice weather for chilled beach days. Let's hope the sea is a little warmer here now. 

I felt really gross today and just wanted to wash my hair, we couldn't find a free public shower anywhere so 2 big bottles of water did the job of washing my hair nicely! We may of got a few funny looks in the camp site, but when push comes to shove these things have just got to be done!!

Day 34 - 4th December 

Yet another rainy and miserable day. I didn't want to say miserable but our morale did hit an all time low today. 

Everything seemed to stress us out and feeling cabin fever in our small camper didn't help as the rain means another day cooped up. Which we don't mind every now and then - but for 5 days on the trot now, well, let's just say we are over the rain now!

My boyfriend keeps saying 'come to Australia they said, it's boiling hot they said'. Which is so funny and true. 

I guess every country has rain but we didn't expect this in Australia's Summer season. Maybe it's our own faults for not researching the weather at this time! 

The other things getting on top of us today was mainly money/budgeting. My boyfriend has been amazing at the financial side of things. But when we work out our allowance per day, stick to it, at still somehow be over budget somewhat it's very frustrating. If we aren't spending money on food shops we are spending it on fuel. And this has cost us SO much. We havie been given an unleaded van, so it is absolutely guzzling the petrol. We have to be so on the ball with spending and careful with what we spend it on. 

I'm sure as soon as the weather brightens up we will back to our usually happy selves!! 

Day 35 - 5th December

We went to Hyams Beach in the rain this morning. This is actually where we went before in the trip when we thought we were in Jervis Bay. This time are actually followed the signs to Jervis Bay but turned around when we saw the payment booths to get into that area of the National Park. I know it's classed as ACT (Australian Captial Territory) but I'm not too sure why you have to pay to enter the park. 

Anyway, another rainy day it seems. I hope this ends soon! Earlier on in the trip when we came here it was so hot and the most stunning place. So sad it's not like that now!

Day 36 - 6th December

It was a little brighter today and only lightly rained a couple of times. We are still near Jervis Bay waiting for the hot day tomorrow (hopefully)

We got some bits for a nice pasta sauce tonight. It felt quite stormy and humid so neither of us felt too great.

I had another hair wash in the sink of a public toilet! We had a chilled afternoon in the camper.