Shellharbour (Kiama and Kangaroo Valley)

Our last stop before heading to Queanbeyan for Christmas was Shellharbour just south of Wollongong. As usual, we used it as a base to explore the region, starting with a great bike ride up to Windang Island and around the Southern edge of Lake Illawarra.

We took a drive down to Kiama to look at the blowhole - the sea was fairly flat and calm, or it was low tide or something, so the blowhole wasn't pumping, but we were rather horrified to watch a group of teenagers launch themselves off the top into the water below. We decided to take a drive up to the Sea Cliff Bridge that you often see in advertising (usually car ads), thinking there would be a nice view point to get a good photo. However, it was a Sunday and every man and his dog was out, and while I think there was a lookout, we couldn't get a park. So we just had to be satisfied with driving across and taking a video. Doesn't really show the engineering marvel.

We went to Kangaroo Valley, driving on some very narrow, winding roads but very pretty scenery. The historic stone bridge at Kangaroo Valley is definitely worth a photo. From there we headed on towards Fitzroy Falls then back via Robertson. The "big potato" (which looked like a big poo) has had a facelift, and is now pink with characters from Babe. (Babe was filmed in Robertson 30+ years ago).

We visited some friends in Bowral which was lovely, and returned via Macquarie Pass - all these roads are not suitable for taking a caravan on. I can't believe in 60 years I have never seen a lyrebird in the wild, and in the space of 5 minutes we saw 2 as we were coming down the pass. Not fast enough to get a photo though.Read more