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 18-23. Blue Mountains,Jervis Bay & Canberra

Day 18 - 18th November

We went to Echo point lookout on the Blue Mountains. It was very foggy so hard to see anything. But once it cleared a little we could see the Three Sisters mountains. We walked to them which was along a path and then very steep steps going down. It was so scary! Especially because the steps were metal and slippery from the rain! 

We are staying at another campsite in the Blue Mountains tonight. Hoping the weather clears up soon because I'm so ready for some sun now! 

Day 19 - 19th November

Today marks 2 months until we give back the campervan. I guess that's still a while, but I already feel about the fact that it's going so quickly. Don't get me wrong, I miss the luxuries of a hot shower, clean bed sheets, my family & dogs, my car and electricity... but I don't want the experience of a lifetime to ever end! I don't want to say it in past tense. 

Anyway, lets make the most of it! Today we did a food shop at Aldi. This started as a weekly thing spending $40. Now we seem to do two a week, usually at $40 each, but today it came to over $70 ooops! There goes the budget. 

We stopped at a bakery on the way back from the food shop and got some pastries and rolls for breakfast (just carrying on the spending!) then headed back to the camp site as stayed at 2 nights ago as this is more on the route out as the plan is to leave the Blue Mountains tomorrow. 

Ben introduced me to the game 'hungry shark' and we are both addicted! Tonight we have a steak din dins with fried potatoes and coleslaw which we are very excited about. And of course, some tim tams later! Yay. 

Day 20 - 20th November 

We headed out of the Blue Mountains and towards Wollongong. 

On the way we stopped off at Bulli Lookout to take some photos. I had a wee here and then saw a lizard sharing the toilet with me! I don't think I even flushed I wanted to get out of there so badly!! 

We went to a beach just below called Bombo. It was so lovely as it was really quite - just a few surfers and us. I soaked up as much sun as I could before ben got itchy feet. We went for a wander along the cliff at the side of the beach and took some amazing photos. 

After this we went to a bottle shop to stock up on beers! This time we ditched the 'Gold Lager' and went for 'Victoria Bitter'. It feels like an upgrade. Hahah. 

We also went to a bakery and shared the most amazing pastry, creamy, fruity thing! It was so good. 

^Bulli Lookout

^Bombo Beach

^The most amazing treat from a bakery!

Day 21 - 21st November 

We went back to Bombo Beach quite early on. We cooked some breakfast here and had a little chill before heading to Jervis Bay. The beaches around Jervis Bay are beautiful the whitest sand I've seen. The sea was very choppy but so clear and turquoise. We had such fun here in the sea!

We then drove down further to Milton Showgrounds where we will be staying tonight $25 for a powered site. 

Day 22 - 22nd November

I can't believe how quick this is going. Each day is so amazing I never want it to end. 

We left the Showgrounds and headed to Batemans Bay. We sat at Surfs Beach which was really hot but a slight breeze on the beach, it made it so nice to just sit and not get too hot! 

Ben and I sat on the beach for a couple of hours and had some really lovely chats about life! 

We cooked some cheese toasties for lunch (we've mastered making these in a frying pan now!)

Then headed on the B52 to a free camp site. It's about half way to Canberra which is perfect for tomorrow. 

^Malua Bay at Batemans Bay

Day 23 - 23rd November

We arrived in Canberra and went straight to the War Memorial. This was recommended to us by a local man we have met along the way- and we are so glad he did. 

It was so moving and touching going somewhere like this, I felt really emotional throughout our visit there. There is so much to see and read, you could quote easily spend all day here. 

After this we headed back to the same rest area we stayed at last night as it's on the road in/out of Canberra. We didn't see much of Canberra but felt it wasn't so easy to take a Campervan into the city centre. We are really glad that we at least visited Canberra for a short while. Another place to tick off the list.