Friday 13 Feb to Sunday 15 Feb 2015

The short version is – if you weren’t there, you should have been.  You missed a great trip to a beautiful location.

Friday was an early start for some (5.30am departure for us) to get to the Pt Macquarie Service Centre McDonalds.  A quick coffee heart starter then off to ARB for beach permits.  We were given dire warnings by ARB staff of fines for not displaying permit stickers before they promptly ran out of stickers to issue.

Onto the ferry at Settlement Point, air down, onto North Beach and the journey proper starts.  A run up the beach and we arrived at Point Plomer.  We set up camp, some fished, some swam or walked, or just relaxed.  Whatever the activity it was definitely how Fridays should be spent.

Our ‘happy hour’ was a great way to end the afternoon – beach views, a pleasant breeze and great conversation.

Tony had prayed and danced to the weather gods.  We thought he had made the appropriate supplications.  Dinners were being prepared, the fire was lit and the camp gathering commenced.  Then it poured.  After a few attempts to resist the rain we gradually drifted off for an early night.

Saturday was another early start to ensure we made the best of the tides.  The weather was perfect and just promised to get better.  Our ‘on vehicle’ campers had the joy of parking up ready to get going.  In the excitement Tracey Knight Taylor tripped and hurt her back.  Plenty of help on hand to make her comfortable before she and Tappie decided it was better to head home – maybe Valentines Day had something to do with it (I‘m sure there is a pun in there somewhere).

For the rest it was a short drive to Crescent Head.  Coffee for some, fuel for others and an ambulance for Tracey Kerle.  Bev spoke paramedic, the rest just said thank you and wished Tracey a speedy recovery.  Alan and Tracey were thankfully back with us that afternoon.

Onto Killick Brach and we headed north.  We stopped at an unnamed lake, beautiful sight but you sink in the sand if you stand still – it caught a few by surprise.  Off the beach and into Hungary Camping Area (in Hat Head National Park) for a quick peek, one definitely to return to.  Then onto Smokey Beach, watch for the gutters and off at Smokey Cape.  We got our day’s exercise walking up to the lighthouse where we could have spent all day taking in the views north and south.  Lunch in a nearby campground where there was shade then back onto the beach to retrace our steps.

Back to Crescent Head for beer and icecream, a quick looksee at Racecourse Beach and back to Point Plomer for a swim or nap or whatever was your pleasure.

‘Happy hour’ again then dinner before chairs around an awesome fire fed by Lyn – she did a great job keeping us warm and amused.

Sunday started with a leisurely pack up, a walk to the lookout and watching pods of dolphins chasing breakfast.  Then it was time to go.  Onto North Beach one more time, off at Settlement Point, onto the ferry and a stop at McDonalds for lunch and goodbyes.

Swimmers and beach walkers were in the minority compared to the number of fishermen and surfers enjoying the area.  With so much beach it was easy to find a spot just for us.

We would have travelled close to 100km on the beaches, all with safety due to Tony’s directions and advice.  No one was bogged or lost.  A testament to good planning and preparation.

Faye warned us of oncoming vehicles including make and model, year of manufacture, estimated mileage and resale value – both educational and entertaining.

Thanks also to Bev for shepherding us as tail-end Charlie and for stepping in with the health scares.

In summary a great trip, three days means there was time to relax, the company was great, the location was perfect and the travel was safe.  In short, you should have been there.

Thanks Tony and Faye.

Trip leaders – Tony Clark & Faye Goodman

Participants (in no particular order)

Scott – Holden Rodeo                                                                                                                       Bob & Monica – Toyota Landcruiser                                                                                                   Tony & Faye – Mitsubishi Challenger                                                                                           Matt, Carole & Lucy – Nissan Patrol                                                                                             Aunty Bev – Toyota Prado                                                                                                              Alan & Tracey – Izuzu DMax                                                                                                      Bruce (Wombat) – Nissan Navara                                                                                                       Peter & Anne – Toyota Prado                                                                                                           Dave & Kerry – Toyota Landcruiser                                                                                                   Rod & Lyn – Toyota Landcruiser                                                                                               Shane & Tracey – Toyota Hilux