08 March 2012

south coast dreaming

our holiday on the south coast revealed that the nsw suburbs are barely interrupted from sydney all the way down to kiama - very depressing when we hoping for some rural/coastal feelings
now we are thinking we must go FURTHER SOUTH
skip the illawarra and the shoalhaven (something else I learned - these districts are prefixed by "the", like "the lebanon")
the eurobodalla coast is looking more likely
investigating moruya
older style house @ 11 fitzroy st, moruya  in the centre of town with a wrap around verandah and a huge block


this house has a huge garage & workshop which would be a great studio
















a parcel of land with a great house near moruya - 207 araluen rd, moruya


Charming Homestead


Attractive 3 bedroom home with garage on over 2.5 Ha (6.2 acres) within short distance from town centre. 
Town water and electricity. Open fire place, sunny verandah, scullery and stable. Good fencing and dam. 
































*if we got this plot, why we could donate some land to SAGE - it would also mean something useful was done with all these acres, including an orchard.


The SAGE mob have just published a seasonal cook book (released late feb 2012 and available from moruya bookshop, the rustic pantry and eurobodalla sustainable devices)


and maybe room for a few of these ...
(image of this donkey borrowed from a rural retreat near narooma)

Elevated position with views to ocean and river mouth in the distance.















an old fence at moruya heads cemetery
i saw this when we visited the south coast in 2010

i loved the rough hewn knobs on top of the posts
- they reminded me of brancusi

but if we lived in moruya, how often would we get to the beach?  and isn't that the whole point?

maybe we could try moruya heads?  there's a general store, it's a short drive from moruya cbd(!) and well, there's the beach

the closest property to the beach, 14a native way - vacant quarter acre ($195,000)
(downside is its right next to a motel and there's a bit expanse of vacant grassed land opposite)




a little further away, overlooking the river is 28 miller cresent, a neat little block but on a definite slope!









a little further down the coast, congo, meringo and bingie bingie point




properties in the area, vacant land

1.5 ha on collett place, meringo
... just a short drive to the beach at Congo.
Gently sloping with a dam this is the ideal spot live on a small acreage yet be within an easy drive of town with sealed road access to the highway.

electricity? water? sewerage? phone?







3 plots in congo, close to the water


Located in the heart of the village, ideal for those who enjoy surfing, swimming or kayaking and all just a short stroll away. 






















B 8 point parade, $199,000, 648m2
One of the cheapest blocks in Congo village... Some fencing, Building permission and electricity available. Short walk to ocean cliff top. Beach access close by. Excellent chance to purchase in small and unspoilt coastal village. 



  
C 12 point parade, $249,000, 607 sqm
Located only one house from the beach reserve this block is perfect for those looking to join the select few who call Congo home. Listen to the waves, enjoy swimming, surfing, fishing or kayaking in the nearby creek. Congo is all but surrounded by National Park, but only 10 minutes from all the facilities Moruya has to offer. Ideal for a cute coastal cottage or build your dream beach house.







congo house, $485,000 up near the river mouth




and the famous congo beach (good for surfing)




bit further south, mullimburra point, bingie beach, bingie point

bit of an exclusive area, nothing too close to the beach











6 woodlands way, $325,000
some acres a little way inland, 5-10 minutes to the beach by car,
no "house" but there's a huge shed
a cabin + caravan arrangement
by my thinking, a perfect set up for future straw-bale house (storing all those bales in the convenient shed!)
(this one's a bit of a favourite actually)
1 Ha of partially improved land, including beautiful lilly pad dam, some fencing, 20,000 gal concrete water tank, 14 x 7 Australian style shed and caravan with annexe cabin. Perfect holiday set up or accommodation while building. Pretty block with some clearing but plenty of shade trees. Close to public access to beaches, National Park and popular Mullimburra Point















if we return to explore the area, here's a nice place to stay near congo
Not just a holiday cottage but a comfortable home. 
Want to fall asleep at night by the roar of the ocean? 
Want to be woken by the sound of the surf and the birds? 

How about rolling out the garbage only to find two kangaroos staring at you? 

what bloody cheeky questions - of course we do!

 honeymoon beach near mullimburra point

there's another place, at 181 mullimburra point road,
$600 for a week in the off-season
a link to nice walks nearby







there is a bush/coastal walk from bingie to tuross head further south ... the bingi dreaming track (brochure)
(another brochure?), 
created by the bingie residents association


it's also part of stage 7 of the south coast walk
a lot to be said for walking for pleasure


the eurobodalla national park hugs the south coast - with lots of bush walks, some camping, lots of wild beaches and some friendly kangaroos






a house in tuross head, 33 jutland avenue
here's a hockney-esque view of the house, it's just around the corner from the estuary and a tiny bit further from the ocean ... interesting!

and 2 side-by-side plots of vacant land smack in the middle of tuross head - down the street from those friendly grocers, at the amazing addresses
17 swordfish street and 1 snapper place!
17 swordfish will cost you $155,000 - i couldn't find a price for the snapper ...?

a few houses for sale on trafalgar road
number 35 has a magnificent view, although the house itself isn't that fancy (but okay!) it also has 3 bedrooms
Situated in Old Tuross, a much sort after area, is this three bedroom split level home.  It has a great deck at the back that overlooks the river while you entertain and cook the BBQ.  All the large bedrooms have built ins.  There is a dining room and separate lounge room with wood fire and timber floors, plus a large laundry. Short walk to the cafes and restaurants and a short drive to the boat ramp





straw bale builders, Yesterday-Today-Tomorrow, Strawbale Construction, based in St George's Basin, Jervis Bay

some examples of their work,
(and of course they run workshops)







next down the coast, dalmeny - a fairly bald bluff, but there is a patch of vacant land with this view (kind of) - this is the view from the front yard
128 noble parade, dalmeny

investigating narooma,

from nature coast eurobodalla


There's great ocean, beach, and estuary fishing, a spectacular golf course on the clifftops, world class diving, whale watching and surfing and the trip to Montague Island Nature Reserve has been described as New South Wales’ best maritime adventure.


Dive on shipwrecks, learn about Eurobodalla's Aboriginal culture at Umbarra Cultural Centre, and enjoy marvelous dining experiences (local seafood a specialty) with views to match.
There are lots of restaurants, friendly clubs, a variety of shopping options and accommodation alternatives to suit everyone. Narooma even has a six-lane indoor heated pool.


A cruise on beautiful Wagonga Inlet aboard the Wagonga Princess is a special experience. Skipper Charlie will tell you the history of the town and the inlet, and there might just be a grain of truth in some of his tall stories.

Make sure to book through Narooma Visitor Information Centre for a visit to Montague Island - a fantastic experience. Your NSW National Parks & Wildlife service guide will explain the island’s intriguing indigenous and European history while you explore the unique lighthouse and historic buildings.

The wildlife is amazing with seabirds, penguins, Australian and New Zealand fur seals, dolphins, and in Spring , the migration of the humpback whales.

Montague Island is also a mecca for fishers chasing kingfish, marlin and yellowfin tuna, as well as many reef species.

Australia Rock ...



bev & geoff look like real enthusiasts, bev has authored quite a few books including "a primitive diet"
recipes 30 years ago when she changed her whole family’s diet and resolved their health issues. Since then she has spent years helping other people with their health problems.
In addition to the recipes, with the dramatic escalation of diseases such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, multiple sclerosis and attention deficit disorder, Beverley imparts a little of the knowledge she gained over the years through research and a life time of experience. ‘A Primitive Diet’ evolved from handwritten recipes provided to Beverley’s daughter, Rebecca for the patients of her naturopathy clinic, who were finding it difficult to obtain recipes free of allergy causing foods such as dairy, yeast, wheat and gluten rich grains and sugar.

1939 aerial photo of narooma oyster beds


















narooma cemetery, on the bluff above the glasshouse rocks, the plots have some of the best views in town  

when we visited in 2010, i found artificial flowers from the gravestones swept into the tee-trees at the cliff's edge by the ocean winds


nearby


  • montague island 
    • stay on the island in head keepers quarters (2 night stay, all meals catered and checking on penguins included, $595 pp.)
    • smh article, where the wild things are
    • Island Charters (Narooma) - either an island eco adventure (pm) 4 hours, including national park guided island walks, snorkel with seals - $135 adults, or lighthouse visit, as before but visit the seal colony with no snorkelling option and only 2.5 hours for $105
    • Lighthouse Charters (Narooma) - different mob, so slightly different, island tour, cup of tea, 3.5 hours for $95, or island seal snorkel off montague island but no tour of the island, 2.5 hours, $85 



older style house, north narooma @ 6 hillcrest avenue - with amazing views of montague island and wagonga inlet
a kooky old house, already under offer






another house, behind hillcrest avenue perhaps?, larger block, no address given - but the view could be blocked if the house in front goes up a story
Enormous potential awaits here with this three bedroom home in a fantastic location. It features a 1011 sqm block with full council approval for a 2 lot sub-division plus approved house plans. The existing home has a huge lounge/dining with beautiful solid timber floors. Separate kitchen and outstanding views.





older style house @ 6 sheaffe st, narooma





around the corner from the main beach - Older style two bedroom residence with sunroom and sleepout situated on a huge 1780 sqm parcel of land
glass house rocks at the end of the main beach at narooma

23 February 2012

sunny side of the sydney street

long haul trip from melbourne to sydney might require a break when we get to central,
coffee homework,

View Larger Map
B is reuben hills, 61 Albion St, Surry Hills ... South American ... Baleada – a Honduran tortilla, empanadas and ceviche making appearances




C is 2 good eggs cafe,  Shop 2, No. 148 Corner Goulburn & Brisbane Sts, Surry Hills


some "healty joints" around potts point,
adora healthy living, Shop G05/46A Macleay Street( entry via Greenknowe Ave)

dinner, jimmy liks, 186-188 Victoria Street, Potts Point
 

iku wholefoods, 62 oxford st, darlinghurst - looks pretty yummy and stupidly healthy - curries, laksa, pies ... all organic, fresh, and food in its "natural state"

26 January 2012

autumn produce

the harcourt apple festival is being held on the labour day weekend
the week after we're back in melbourne

so maybe it would be nice to go on a road trip (probably not - we'll probably want to stick close to home, but nevertheless)

drive up to harcourt
along the calder, take the gisborne exit, and then take black forest drive to woodend
take the tylden woodend road and wiggle up to malsbury, and then up to harcourt

i suppose this is the point it gets into silly odyssey cross-country
harcourt - seymour and then on to mansfield.

View Larger Map
places to stay in mansfield
burnt creek cottages - banskia cottage, $145-$160 per night
or a little further up the road in whitfield,
gentle annie caravan park & camping reserve - onsite vans available $30

the great alpine road
mansfield/whitfield up to oxley via the king valley, and then on to myrtleford, bright (for the autumn leaves) and winding down  to omeo




stay at the golden age hotel - $125 for a balcony double with ensuite

from omeo down to lakes entrance, then home to melbourne




01 January 2012

from picasso to the renaissance

visit to sydney to see family (have a joint birthday party for ella, jenny & p) + look at picasso at the gallery of nsw
book tickets to see pablo, 27 feb monday
and then, a few days south,

sydney to jervis bay
taking the grand pacific drive to nowra, [here's the route]

going through royal national park,

driving over the seacliff bridge,

through the gong to kiama, snaking further down to gerroa, and then inland to nowra
from nowra back to the coast, this time to currarong at the ocean side of jervis bay

eating well in the area (smh article all about it)
  • berry sourdough bakery & cafe, 23 Prince Alfred St, Berry
  • the cake store, 39A Kinghorne St, Nowra
  • crookhaven oyster depot/complex/co-op, 170 Greens Road, Greenwell Point
    including Bed Rock Oysters, 11/170 Greens Rd. This quality producer farms by hand using eco-friendly materials, and shucks on demand, preserving the river liquor inside.
  • supply, 1/54 Owen St, Huskisson
    This cheery space combines cafe, fruit shop, deli and gourmet goods supplier. Belinda Bunter features many products from the region... She also brews a great latte – enjoy it with a brekkie of yoghurt pannacotta and almond granola.
  •  Gerringong Cafe Deli, 133 Fern Street, Gerringong

  • stop in Kiama for some groceries - Heart & Sol Organics, Shop 24, 106 terralong st

places to stay 
currarong (2 nights, mon-tues)
as well as (dog-friendly) beaches, currarong abuts a nature reserve there are lots of bush walks one heads to honeymoon bay
a place called kite tails & sand pails, cutesy name,  but it looks okay, relaxing and very reasonably priced at $100 for "off-peak", 60 walton way, currarong





(very cool old beach house for sale at 15 conjola street, corner of pacific drive)

some other places - 25 crookhaven, more expensive, at $157 per night and further from the beach but currarong is tiny so it's still easy strolling distance



nearby, balgo, $155 per night, and the property backs onto the reserve so there's the possibility of kangaroos in the garden


while in cunjurrong we can explore the northern parts of jervis bay

there is a lighthouse at point perpendicular

there's dive shops in huskisson to buy snorkelling equipment, 64 Owen St, Huskisson NSW 2540

























as well as a cinema, huskisson pictures, Cnr Sydney St & Owen St, Huskisson




camp sites nearby
we'd like to camp during our road trip

on the southern head of jervis bay is booderee national park, and what's described as a "five star" camping ground at green patch. booking is essential but perhaps we can have a night or two here (wed, maybe thurs)
lots of walks at the national park, also good snorkelling at murray's beach


i'd then like to take a peak at an area that's long been my obsession - bendalong, manyana, cunjurong point near green island
there's a camp ground at bendalong.

i found a nostalgic description of the old campground,
The best times were had by kids that would scamper down a steep and crumbly escarpment to a rocky plateau ... The rewards on that plateau were the oysters. No oyster has ever tasted better.
one day to explore these beaches/locale


while we're in the area, the milton show will be on - 2-3 march!
there's showjumping, dog show, woodchopping, dog jumping, talking dogs, showgirl and junior showgirl, and hopefully cwa cake competitions ... the schedule promises many
107 Croobyar Rd, Milton
the serious business of sponges, smh article



there's an organic veggie place in milton called merry maidens, Shop 9/ 65 Princes Hwy, Milton



on the road again, nowra to canberra

View Larger Map
fitzroy falls
there are much vaunted "tourist roads" in the area
and antique-y, crafty, gourmet coffee joints in kangaroo valley, bomaderry, and berry -
probably keep it simple and head up to kangaroo valley, look at
 fitzroy falls,
some suggested routes
and then head on to moss vale, where p lived when he was a nipper (in a big house he reckons you could ride your bike around in).
from there take the "highland way", a road that goes through scottish sounding villages like bundanoon.
there's a cafe and bike shop in bundanoon which might be worth a look -
mostly though pretty scenery, deep gullies, beautiful gums


on to goulburn and then take the main turnoff to canberra
canberra - family, p's birthday (maybe with a milton show cake) + renaissance art at the nga