A short visit to Bateman’s Bay
Bateman's Bay, south coast NSW
After our short stay in Canberra during our holiday last year we drove the short distance to Bateman’s Bay on the south coast of New South Wales.
The first half of this part of our journey was through rolling hills and open farmland. It was a beautiful part of the country but it was rather dry because it was the middle of summer.
The last half of the road from Canberra to Bateman’s Bay drops dramatically down a very sharp escarpment. It is a spectacular drive and has many twists and turns with many sharp hairpin corners. I had no opportunity to stop and take photos. It was a warm day and not surprisingly several cars had stopped on the up track due to overheated engines.
This was our first visit to this beautiful seaside town. It is one of the most popular summer holiday destinations for tourists and especially those into water activities, especially fishing.
Bateman's Bay, south coast NSW
Govett’s Leap, Blue Mountains
Govett's Leap lookout, Blue Mountains, NSW
After our visit to Katoomba we drove on to Govett’s Leap. On the way we bought some goodies from a local bakery for afternoon tea. At Govett’s Leap there is a very pleasant picnic ground complete with picnic tables. The scenery from the lookout is truly spectacular.
Govett's Leap lookout, Blue Mountains, NSW
Govett's Leap lookout, Blue Mountains, NSW
The Three Sisters, Katoomba, NSW
Part of The Three Sisters, Katoomba, NSW
During our visit to Katoomba in the Blue Mountains just after last Christmas I took quite a few photos of the Three Sisters and the landscape views from Echo Point Lookout.
We’d visited this spot on a number of previous times but I did not have any digital photos of this amazing physical feature. You actually have to visit this spot to appreciate the size of these sandstone stacks, but you can get a little understanding by looking at the photo above. The size can be gauged by the size of the people on the walkway in the lower left hand corner of the photo.
Click on the photos to enlarge the images.
Part of The Three Sisters, Katoomba, NSW
Part of The Three Sisters, Katoomba, NSW
The Three Sisters, Blue Mountains, Katoomba, NSW
The Three Sisters, Echo Point, Katoomba
On our holiday last Christmas in Sydney we went for a family drive to the Blue Mountains. One place I really wanted to visit was Echo Point, mainly to get some good digital photos of the Three Sisters. For readers who are not aware of this beautiful natural feature an hour’s drive west of Sydney, the Three Sisters are three sandstone stacks that have been formed through water and wind erosion over thousands of years. The three stacks are right next to each other, hence the name.
This amazing physical feature is one of Australia’s most photographed spots. Tens of thousands of visitors come to the lookout every day, most with cameras clicking wildly. I had to be one of them!
Click on the photos to enlarge the image.
The Three Sisters, Echo Point, Katoomba
The Three Sisters, Echo Point, Katoomba
A visit to Leura in the Blue Mountains
Leura, Blue Mountains, NSW
When we were in Sydney at Christmas time for a holiday we took a day trip up into the Blue Mountains. Our son came with us but our daughter-in-law had to work. This meant that just the four of us went driving for the first time in many years. It was good. We were heading for Katoomba but spent an hour or so exploring the shops in the small town of Leura nearby.
While we were there it was time for lunch. We searched the main street for a suitable place, or rather a place with a spare table for four. Not easy during the height of the Christmas-New Year tourist season. We eventually found a table in a wonderfully named cafe called the Loaves and Dishes. We had a wonderful meal which was spoiled by me feeling the absolute pits due to a diabetic low blood sugar level while waiting for our meal to arrive. Despite them being quite quick, I’d let my levels drop too quickly. It had been far too long since my last food intake. After an hour I was back to normal again, thankfully.
An amusing little incident occurred as we walked up the main street. The traffic here probably only crawls along at the best of times. Suddenly one car came to an abrupt halt, the female driver got out and went to the car behind hers and she then proceeded to hurl verbal abuse at the female driver in that car. It was a case of road rage and something that is starting to be far too common here in Australia. The impatience of some people concerns me.
I actually felt like going over to the person and applauding, but thought better of it. I would certainly have received an earful – or worse. Eventually they moved off very slowly up the street, followed by the long line of cars, the drivers of which had been waiting patiently.
Leura, Blue Mountains, NSW