aus trip 2010

Back in the UK with jet lag and a head full of memories. My trip this year took me in a little campervan down the south coast of New South Wales from Sydney to Eden and back. Along the way I've again driven along highways and dirt roads through the spectacular scenery, wild places and small signs of civilisation of a small part of the oldest continent on the planet.

I've spent time walking in the bush and along many beaches, through creeks and around lakes. For much of the time my only companions have been the sun, wind and rain, the trees and rocks, kangaroos and wallabies, lizards, birds and occasional snake. And for most of the time that's the way I've liked it. I've never been far from the ocean and have immersed myself its many moods. Swimming in Wreck Bay off Cudmirrah Beach I was blessed with the presence of dolphins.

I wasn't in a writing frame of mind this time round so if you're looking for a narrative you'll have to use your imagination and provide your own from the clues I've provided. As ever you can click on the links for more info and on the photos for the bigger picture.

The rest of my time in Australia was spent up in Brisbane with my old mate Phil and his boys. I am forever indebted to them for their friendship and hospitality.

SYDNEY - EDEN - SYDNEY
FEBRUARY 2010

MONDAY 8TH

Sydney > Kiama

TUESDAY 9TH

Kiama - Blowhole Point:

> Barren Grounds Nature Reserve - View towards the Illawarra coastline from the lookout:

> Budderoo National Park - Carrington Falls:

WEDNESDAY 10TH

Kiama - Kendall's Beach:

Walking into the ocean meditation: Walk into the ocean; let it knock you about and drag you under.

> Crookhaven Heads - lighthouse:

THURSDAY 11TH

Crookhaven Heads:

> Culburra Beach:

Windy beach meditation: Walk along a windy beach; close your eyes.

> Beecroft Penninsula:

FRIDAY 12TH

> Murramarang National Park - Pretty Beach:

Walking on rocks meditation: Walk on rocks; they won't mind.

> Murramarang Aboriginal Area:

SATURDAY 13TH

> Batemans Bay > Congo - Eurobodalla National Park

SUNDAY 14TH

> Eurobodalla National Park - Bingi Dreaming Track - Grey Rocks to Mullimburra Point:

Dreaming tracks traditionally linked the places visited by local Aboriginal people, then extended to connect other places utilised by neighbouring clans so that all Aboriginal people in Australia were connected by these unique highways. Songlines are another name for Dreaming Tracks and individuals had to know the songs to successfully navigate the area. It is the belief of Aboriginal people that their Spirit Ancestors created Dreaming Tracks in the journey of Creation across the land.

> Narooma > Tathra

MONDAY 15TH

> Merimbula > Eden

TUESDAY 16TH

Eden surf beach: