Time for some swimming and snorkeling while the weather was still fine! I left early on Saturday morning to beat the traffic out of Sydney and began my journey south to Jervis Bay. After a quick stop at the aptly named Sublime Point for the sunrise, I continued on past Wollongong and Nowra before arriving at Huskisson.
It was shaping up to be a gorgeous day, not a cloud in the sky but a stiff cool breeze blowing onshore. I continued on to the nearby Hyams Beach, supposedly having the whitest sand in the world. The water was phenomenal, the sparkling clear blue ocean gently lapping at the shore.
Being too restless to lay on the beach I suited up and went for a snorkel. The sandy bottom soon gave way to some submerged rocks and structures, and I swam among the fish for a while, only returning to dry land when I was shivering uncontrollably.
I wanted to explore some more (and warm up), so I ventured into Boderee National Park, encompassing the south-eastern headlands of Jervis Bay.
Dirt tracks lead out to gorgeous exposed headlands, at every opportunity I took to the water to swim and snorkel.
The water was incredibly clear, and the rocky cliffs and headlands only added to the splendor. I cooked up a late lunch in the back of the Patrol and took in as many secluded spots as I could find. Late afternoon I stopped at Murrays beach, had one last snorkel and laid on the sand to catch the last of the suns rays.
As the hour grew late I left the park, the sun setting as I made my way back to Huskisson for dinner and to find a place to stay for the night. There were not spots available in the National Park, as night fell I looked for a rest stop off the Princes Highway to stay the night.
I pulled over across the road from a vacant service station, as I debated staying the night there a large six-person motorhome pulled up on the other side of the road. Thinking there would be safety in numbers I drove across the road while they pulled into a large grassy field behind the empty car park. As I got closer a woman left the van and hurriedly rushed towards me, in broken English asking if I could help. The intermittent rain had muddied the field, the grass was like ice, they were stuck!
Time to put the Patrol in 4WD, get out the snatch strap and try to pull them out of the mire! It started raining as I was on my stomach under the front axle of the van looking for a proper towing point, I managed to get a shackle around the front axle and after several attempts pulled them to firmer ground. After a quick 'Merci' they were on their way and I decided to find somewhere out of the way to spend the night.
After a bit of a drive I pulled over to the side of the road somewhere on the way to Carrarong, not wanting to pitch me tent I curled up in the back seat of my car and slept.
I awoke refreshed the next morning and continued to my next destination, Point Perpendicular. I could see the lighthouse from the beaches the day before, and knowing there was some great rock climbing there I couldn't resist a visit.
Through the gate to the Beecroft Weapons Range, driving along the corrugated dirt roads through the naval gunnery fields, I made it to the lighthouse as the skies darkened. It was windy and cold, but the scenery was phenomenal.
The grin on my face was a mile wild, I can't wait to return and tackle some of these cliffs! Stuff dreams are made of! I then hiked a short distance to the 'Upper Portals', a legendary spot for game fishing. One of the very few places in the world where you can catch a Marlin from the shore.
The day before fifteen Marlin were caught, but there didn't seem to be too much action when I was there. As the rain set in I made my way back to the car and decided to return to Sydney before the weather got worse.
It was a pretty easy drive back north, by the time I got to the city outskirts the rain had well and truly set in, no more swimming that weekend. I stopped off for a cup of tea with my Aunt before braving the wet and heading home.
Another great weekend, an amazing spot well worth the visit.
More photos here
