What better way to start the morning than with a refreshing and revitalising swim.  When you have a pool thirty metres from your room, it is a crime not to use it.  The forecast wasn’t great for the day, but hey, when has that ever stopped us. So, early in the morning we had the pool to ourselves again. 

Hot shower – must take advantage of these too  as it could always be the last one before we hit the road again.  Breakfast – wild berry granola. One with hot milk and the other with hot water. Again taking full advantage of the fact we have a fridge and kettle for a couple of days. Coffee and tea – love doing meals on the fire but an instant cuppa means an instant refill. Picnic made and packed, ready to get down to the break.

Surfs Up

Although only 09:00, there was already a queue for the car park. Jackpot, a car pulled out of a spot in front of us leaving us a space while others circled the ground looking for an elusive space (not quite as elusive as the koalas mind).

All around, the surf community were waxing their boards and applying their sunscreen. The chatter of which beach to hit, how was the break filled the air.  Already, the early morning wave riders were returning from their exhilarating rides and giving advice as they peeled out of their wet/dry suits.  Many had just shorts or a swimming costume. The one thing they all had in common, no shoes. Languages from across the globe, all with a buzz in their voice and a spring in their step as they return or prepare to hit the ocean and all its might.  With the storm from last night and the waves already rolling in hard, the surfers are bouncing up and down the hill with board under arm or on the head.

Us on the otherhand, weren’t riding the waves, or sitting out on the break, we were hiking the hills watching the surfers from the distance as they glided on the crest of each wave in unison with their environment.

We are heading for Hell’s Gates along the coastal path, then maybe cut back through the forest on another trail.

Off we set,  hopefully on a 3.5hr trek as the car park only allows you stay 4hrs, so everyone can enjoy this spiritual head.

We stopped for a quick picnic away from Hell’s Gate and back at Dolphin Point, but no pods to be seen riding the waves today.  Enjoyed our camenbert, cranberry and salad wraps today. Nice to have ingredients that can be refridgerated and also bring frozen water bottles to keep lunch chilled.

Point Break

Off to see some surfing.  We’d passed hundreds of surfer’s on the way up, either running up the hills or casually walking down.  It was now time to see what all the fuss was about.

We headed back down the track, passing places like Boiling Point Lookout, very impressed by all the surfers,  their dedication to the sea and their cool calm aura that personified the surfing community across the globe since the 1970s.

On the way home we stopped at some Op shops to donate any camping gear we’d bought, but no longer required, refuelled the car and headed back. 

Our turn for a dip

Not quite the thrill of the break, but for us a dip in the pool was just as cool.  A good few lengths then back to the room. 

Shower, dinner and planning the next few days was the order of the evening.

We started to sort out our belongings with New Zealand in our sights.  Though we won’t waste our last days in the land of Oz.