Spring 2018 South Coaster

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Dive in!

Explore Bushland in bloom See spring wildflowers

thesouthcoaster.com.au

Discover stunning ocean pools

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Sharing local knowledge

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e Insids thi issue NG SPRI 2018

Explore Bushland in bloom See spring wildflowers

Dive in!

It’s never too cool for the pool on the South Coast – discover our beautiful ocean baths, used by swim clubs all year round! A Sea Eels swimmer and a Bulli photographer share their favourite rock pools on page 12.

Spring came early this year at Symbio Wildlife Park – read about the baby boom on page 8. Our bushland is in bloom, look out for bright yellow acacia flowers and more. See page 6 for a local horticulturalist’s pick of the bunch in the Royal National Park. And learn about the science of survival during the drought at Glenbernie Orchard, award-winning home of Darkes Cider. The South Coaster is all about sharing local knowledge and all our stories are written by local experts – we hope you enjoy this insider’s guide to the stunning South Coast of New South Wales.

Visit us online at thesouthcoaster.com.au. Happy reading!

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Genevieve and Marcus, the Editors

ADVERTISING: Karen McDougall, 0403 789 617.

Email editor@thesouthcoaster. com.au for a rate card. Terms and conditions apply.

Read all about it

Cover image: Sea Eels swimmer at Coalcliff Pool, by Anthony Warry

04 Calendar Illawarra Festival of Wood, Folk by the Sea and Yours & Owls 06 See spring wildflowers Bushland beauties in bloom 08 Baby boom! New cute and cuddly critters at Helensburgh’s zoo 10 Darkes in drought How the family fruit farm is surviving and thriving 12 Dive in! A swimmer and a photographer pick their favourite pools 14-27 Helensburgh, Stanwell Park, Coledale, Austinmer, Thirroul & Wollongong Your guide to pit stops along the Grand Pacific Drive 16 Map Top 21 places to visit when you do the Loop 28 Go rock pooling Discover the secrets of the (not so) deep 30 Markets Galore! The best fresh produce, as well as artisan everything

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Meet Our Contributors NARELLE HAPP is a permaculture and native garden designer, horticulturalist and educator who is passionate about creating ‘living’ spaces that are nurturing, productive and sustainable. Read her guide to spring flowers on page 6.

LARA McCABE is a freelance photographer who lives in Coledale with her three children and husband. Lara is the artist behind the South Coaster’s hand-drawn and painted maps. Lara has compiled our new guide to the Gong. See page 26.

AMANDA DE GEORGE is the Thirroul local behind popular Facebook blog, Backyard Zoology. Amanda started observing animals at home, but now this nature-loving girl finds herself exploring an ‘ever-expanding backyard’. See page 28.

Don’t miss out on your chance to advertise in the Summer issue of the South Coaster! Call Karen McDougall on 0403 789 617.

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EDITORS: Genevieve Swart, Marcus Craft DESIGN: youngwise design CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER: Anthony Warry

CONTACT: editor@ thesouthcoaster.com.au; phone 0411 025 910; PO Box 248, Helensburgh, 2508.

DEADLINE: Nov 26 for Summer 2018 edition.

DISTRIBUTION: Pick up your free magazine at tourist hot spots, such as Articles, Glenbernie Orchard, Symbio Wildlife Park and visitor information centres.

Visit thesouthcoaster.com.au.

PUBLISHER: The Word Bureau (ABN 31 692 723 477), the Illawarra’s local independent publisher of The South Coaster, 2508 District News and 2515 Coast News.

DISCLAIMER: All content and images remain South Coaster property unless otherwise supplied. No part of this mag may be reproduced without the publisher’s written permission.

Views expressed in submissions and advertisements do not reflect those of the publishers.

PRINTED BY: Spotpress on Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper from sustainable forests.

PROUDLY A MEMBER OF: The Northern Illawarra Chamber of Commerce

ARTIST JOHN VANDER OF STANWELL PARK www.johnvander.com.au

John Vander and two of his popular works: On The Way Home (top right) and

By The Seashore.

Articles

Fine Art Gallery

111 Lawrence Hargrave Drive (on the way to the Sea Cliff Bridge) Stanwell Park 2508 P: 02 4294 2491 E: articlesgallery@optusnet.com.au

Details of works by: (left) Judith Dalozzo, (below) David Brayshaw.

Possibly one of the most popular artists in NSW today, his work has been reproduced extensively in prints for many years and has attracted a large following among art collectors. Over the past 40 years, John has become a household name throughout Australia. Don’t miss the chance to view and buy one of his original paintings. Over the past 36 years, countless visitors to his gallery – Articles Fine Art Gallery – have had the great experience of meeting the artist himself.

The FINEST Gallery in the South OPEN 10am-5pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday and Public Holidays Situated on the lovely beach of Stanwell Park, the Gallery is a pleasant 30-minute drive from Wollongong and 60 minutes from Sydney. Artist John Vander and his wife Frances own “Articles”.

The gallery features the works of well established and emerging artists as well as ceramics and sculptures, glass and homewares.

Details of works by: (left) David Boyd, (below) Robert Dickerson.

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Spring Calendar Art

On your bike!

Scarborough Art Show Don’t miss the 20th Scarborough Public School fundraiser, with regular star exhibitors including painter Ashley Frost and mixed media artist Tanya Stubbles.

Opening night party at the school, Friday, October 12, then 10am-4pm Oct 13-14. www.scarborough artshow.com

Wollongong Traditional Arts Society Spring Show Annual exhibition of paintings on the weekend of October 27-28, 9am5pm, at the Old Courthouse Heritage Centre on Cliff Road, Wollongong.

Wollongong has fantastic cycle paths stretching along the coast, with 42km of shared pathways from Sandon Point to Lake Illawarra. There are several super beachside cafes should you need a caffeine pit stop. South Coast Bike Hire offers a mobile drop off service or you can hire Spinway bikes at Novotel Wollongong Northbeach.

Nov 4: MS Sydney to the Gong. The annual fundraiser is capped at 10,000 cyclists – add your name to a waiting list at www.msgongride.org.au

Festivals Illawarra Festival of Wood Watch chainsaw carving, timber milling or wood chopping. Learn to climb a tree, build a bush critter, make chopsticks or crack a whip, Or meet the makers from Illawarra Woodwork School, GWS Surfboards, Coal Coast Floristry, Styro Pyrography and more.

October 13-14, 10am-5pm, Bulli Showground. illawarra festivalofwood.com

Yours & Owls Festival Angus and Julia Stone, Peking Duk and Alison Wonderland headline at the annual outdoor music festival, Sept 29-30 at Stuart Park, Wollongong. yours

andowlsfestival.com.au

Folk By The Sea, Kiama From September 21-23, soak up the sounds of folk, world, roots, Celtic, bluegrass and

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gypsey music in Kiama.

www.folkbythesea.com.au

Berry Jazz Festival On October 6 & 7, highlights include a children’s workshop

by Eric Dunan, of Wollongong Conservatorium, a free big band concert in scenic Apex Park and a lunchtime Sunday concert featuring singer and pianist Frances Madden at Coolangatta Estate Winery. www.sima.org.au

Harley Days A celebration of all things Harley Davidson, from bike displays to stunt shows, at Wollongong’s Stuart Park, October 27-29. australian harleydays.com.au

Eden Whale Festival Visit this whale-watching hot spot, from November 2-4, to enjoy a street parade, food stalls and family fun. edenwhalefestival.com.au

3 TOP OFF-ROAD ADVENTURES

By Lauren Martin

Helensburgh Community Mountain Bike Trail. The 2km loop trail starts on the grass behind Rex Jackson Oval, traverses banked berms and jumps, then into bushland for a fun trail ride.

Park at the carpark next to the Helensburgh Skate Park. Helensburgh Off Road Cycle Club holds meets on the first and third Saturday of the month. All welcome.

Lady Carrington Drive, Royal National Park.

A great track for beginner mountain bikers and families, this beautiful 10km fire trail along a river heads south from Audley. Ride out-and-back, making it 20km, or park a car at either end. With lots of lovely rest and picnic spots.

Green Valleys Mountain Bike Park. This downhill mountain bike park is on private property at the foothills of Macquarie Pass, outside Albion Park.

Gravity Days run on selected weekends, require booking and payment for a shuttle service up the mountain – all you have to do is ride down! It’s free to push your bike up the hill any day from 9am-4pm. greenvalleysmountain bikepark.com

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See spring wildflowers Narelle Happ, of Illawarra business A Garden For Life, reports on beauties in bloom in the Royal National Park.

Lack of rain has seen some unusual flowering by native plants in the Royal National Park. A lot of plants are flowering early and profusely. It is hard to pick which plants to feature as there are so many in flower right now. The pea family are all budded up and starting to flower. The tea trees – Leptospermum spp. – are in flower and have been for a few weeks. And, of course, the acacias, their bright yellow flowers abuzz with bees, are dominating the landscape in the park.

Don’t forget to look down at ground level when you are exploring – small orchids and native grasses are also starting to flower and seed.

If you can get your hands on one, the Field Guide to the Royal National Park is a great resource to take with you when bush walking.

1 Epacris longiflora – Fuchsia Heath Small tubular flowers that hang in clusters are all through bushland at the moment and prolific in numbers. A scrambling shrub that looks best when planted in a mixed garden bed.

2 Grevillea buxifolia – Grey Spider Flower This local Grevillea heralds the start of spring as it is quite hard to find in cultivation. It is very dominant in the national park at present due to such dry, warm winter conditions.

3 Grevillea sericea – Pink Spider Flower Although this Grevillea flowers all

year, it is in abundance as we come into spring.

The bees love it and so do the small birds for its thin-leaved habitat.

4 Grevillea speciosa – Red Spider Flower Another Grevillea that has been in

Photos by Narelle Happ

flower all year. When flowering next to the local Acacia species, it certainly puts on a show.

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5 Hakea sericea – Needlebush

Small birds use this plant as habitat to hide from predators and, with its spiky foliage, you can see why.

6 Hardenbergia violacea – Native Sarsaparilla Prolific purple sprays of

flowers in late winter and early spring on this

climber/scrambler. You will often see it in the understorey as it loves a shadier position.

7 Indigofera australis – Austral Indigo This is a stunning early spring

flowering shrub in the Royal National Park.

It has quite a leggy habit and can be seen flowering among other shrubs and trees as it loves to grow in the understorey. The flowers are a vibrant pink, which catches your eye after the warmer tones of winter.

8 Leucopogon microphyllus – SmallLeaved White Beard A small shrub to 1

metre. This plant is flowering prolifically in the bushland behind Helensburgh Oval on what locals call the ‘Sandy Track’. It is particularly prolific this year and has such sweet small flowers only a few millimetres across.

9 Persoonia pinifolia – Pine-leaved Geebung The bright yellow flowers are on

beautiful arching branches which will be followed by an edible fruit mid spring. Another understorey plant very prolific in the national park.

10 Ricinocarpus pinifolius – Wedding Bush This is one of my favourite shrubs and so rarely seen except if you catch it in flower. True vibrant white flowers on heath-like foliage. Keep your eye out as flowering times are short.

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Native Plant Nursery

9 Veno Street, Heathcote 2233 PHONE (02) 9548 2818 | OPEN 7 DAYS 9am to 5pm

www.sydneywildflowernursery.com.au

Vendors and buyers are Springing into action.

Choose the team with a Spring in their step.

Julie York 0405 128 070

julie.york@helensburgh.rh.com.au

Real people Real expertise Real knowledge

Helensburgh 02 4294 9800

rh.com.au/helensburgh

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Photos: Kevin Fallon / Symbio Wildlife Park

eeper Junior K r ages fo Camps, on in the re 7 to 12, al holidays. schoo 294 1244.

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Baby boom!

Meet all the new cute and cuddly critters at Helensburgh's zoo.

Helensburgh’s Symbio Wildlife Park is aflutter with the pitter-patter of baby feet! A host of spring babies decided to come early this year, with the zoo welcoming everything from chicks, lambs and ducklings to baby marmosets. Emu chicks and wallaby joeys have also made their first appearances. And Symbio has received its first-ever Tasmanian Devil joeys, thanks to a partnership with Devil Ark. “The best part is that visitors get the chance to meet these little guys,” said Symbio’s Kevin Fallon.

With the school holidays coming up, don’t miss your chance to enjoy a close up and personal pat with one of four dingo puppies. “It is exciting times for our team here at Symbio Wildlife Park with the arrival of our first dingo puppies in more than 11 years,” Kevin said.

“They are the most playful little fur-babies ever! Visitors may have the opportunity to get their own happy snap photos while holding the adorable puppies. They may also get to see the dingos on their daily walk with keepers around the zoo.”

Staff at Symbio are excited about the arrival of the four dingo pups, which have come from zoos around New South Wales, as it paves the way for the Helensburgh zoo to start its own captive breeding program, while educating

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visitors on the ecological importance of Australia’s top-order predator.

The zoo’s Farmyard zone has been busy too.

“Our farmyard has also been aflutter with the arrival of eight kid goats and two lambs that visitors can pat, interact with and, if they are lucky enough, bottle-feed,” Kevin said.

“Plus, we have baby guinea pigs and two of the cutest baby alpacas you will ever see.”

There’s more fun in store for families – currently under construction is a brand-new Symbio Playground, which will have flying foxes, swings, jumping mats, spinners, a castle with climbing walls and three slides, and see-saws.

Symbio is an award-winning zoo in Helensburgh, just an hour south of Sydney.

Owned by the Radnidge family, the zoo has won a string of accolades, including Illawarra’s Business of the Year – and for good reason!

Over the past five years, Symbio has transformed from a small park to an innovative, creatively designed zoo famous for “getting you closer”. General manager Matt Radnidge reckons what sets Symbio apart from other zoos is that it offers visitors an immersive experience.

“We get consistent feedback about the interactive side of Symbio; how close you feel and how close you can get to a lot of the animals – really close, intimate encounters,” he said.

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1. FEED THE FARMYARD BABIES Symbio’s Farmyard is one of the largest in Australasia. It includes two barns covering 700 square metres and a chicken coop the size of a three-car garage. Visitors may bottle-feed baby animals, including little lambs with fleece as white as snow, just like the nursery rhyme.

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WHY GO TO THE ZOO

2. ENJOY A PHOTO WITH NATIVE CRITTERS Buy a bag of food in reception and you’ll have the resident mob of kangaroos eating out of your hand before you can say “Instagram”.

Symbio is also home to many other Aussie favourites, including koalas, blue tongue lizards, freshwater crocs, emus, echidnas and wombats.

3. MARVEL AT EXOTIC ANIMALS Star attractions include a pair of handsome cheetahs, cheeky meerkats, lemurs (those famous natives of Madagascar!) and golden lion tamarins, so named for their stunning golden manes, like those of African big cats. Symbio also offers ‘Behind the Scenes’ experiences with endangered animals, such as red pandas.

Symbio is open daily, 9.30am-5pm, 7-11 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Helensburgh. Phone (02) 4294 1244 or visit symbiozoo.com.au.

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Darkes in drought!

Drought in Australia is defined by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology as rainfall over a three-month period being in the lowest decile of what has been recorded for that region in the past. Jo Fahey explains how it’s affecting the Fahey’s fourth-generation family farm in Darkes Forest.

Are we in drought?

Yes! But it’s a green drought here.

What’s a green drought?

It’s a period of limited rainfall where it still looks a bit green but there isn’t much moisture for the plants to really grow.

How much rain have you had this year at Darkes Forest?

This 12 months, September 2017-August 2018, we have had 376mm rainfall. The next lowest similar period was in a 12-month period 1915/1916 with 609mm. Our long-term average is 1423 mm. The maximum recorded rainfall 12-month period was 3048mm in 1950. We are over a metre (1000mm) short of rain this year of our long-term average.

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How is it affecting your apple farm?

We are making sure our watering systems are in place and working properly. Mostly we are installing drip line irrigation. This uses water more efficiently. We are working towards a computer-controlled watering system. We have removed some blocks of fruit trees that will allow our water to go further and assist production this year.

What can you do to be drought proof?

Over the past 15 years we have been investing in more efficient watering infrastructure and systems.

We have a system in place for moisture monitoring. We measure how much water is in our soil across the farm, with a sensor system.

Each block of trees is different and water needs will vary at any point in time depending on a

Buy Darkes cider, apple cider vinegar, honey, honey mead and more at Glenbernie’s farm shop, The Apple Shack, open daily, 10am4.30pm, Glenbernie Orchard, 259 Darkes Forest Road, Darkes Forest, www.appleshack. com.au, (02) 4294 3421

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How will it affect your peach and apple crops this year?

We don’t know. We will thin more fruit than usual from the trees, leaving less on each tree

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Why don’t you build more dams?

Historically we haven’t needed the storage as it rains plentifully here. In fact, we often get too much. Going forwards we will need to reassess this.

to ensure they grow bigger and also need less water. We still have water in our dams at the moment but when we have used it we will need rain to fill them up again. Last year when we didn’t get rain to fill our dams and were desperately short of water, our neighbour loaned us water from their dams. We are incredibly lucky in Darkes Forest to have such a close-knit community who support one another when the chips are down. We have put in an interconnecting system with this neighbour.

They were very gracious in sharing their water; it’s the type of attitude that makes you proud to live here.

We start picking in November. Our first fruit leading up to Christmas should be OK but after that it will depend on how hot summer gets. It’s very unknown territory. On the upside, our fruit will taste amazing in this weather. It should have good flavour and sweetness.

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number of factors. Trees need less water when dormant in winter but start to use some when flowering and growing leaves. They need a lot of water for growing and sizing the fruit. We know when the trees are thirsty. Our monitoring system can show us this. We can also tell how far down the moisture is in the soil profile. We don’t over water; we only put water in at the root zone where it’s needed. It’s a science now, not a guess. We know exactly when to start and stop watering. We are changing all our planted areas to drip irrigation rather than micro jets. There is less evaporation with drip lines and mulching also helps us to slow evaporation.

There’s more science we can benefit from on the horizon. We will keep looking for ways to ‘drought proof’ and survive with low rainfall – but at the end of the day we still need it to rain!

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Warry

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Photos: Anthony

Dive in!

A Sea Eels swimmer and a Bulli photographer pick their favourite pools along the coast.

THE SWIMMER’S PICKS Karl Weber is the publicity officer for the Stanwell Park Sea Eels winter swimming club, a family-friendly, fun-loving group who swim every Sunday through winter. The Sea Eels’ home pool is Coalcliff, which is also No. 1 on Karl’s list of cool pools.

Coalcliff Pool was recently spruced up. As well as a toddlers’ pool and big bath refreshed at high tide, it now has a stone bench in the sun and a shaded platform with an outdoor shower.

It’s a stunning and serene spot, with magnificent views of the cliffs, rock platforms, beach and ocean. But last year Coalcliff starred in a McDonald’s ad campaign – so the secret is out!

Here are three more of Karl’s favourites.

Bulli Pool: A classic 50m stretch of pool space that is located near beautiful beaches and awesome surf spots. Well loved and maintained with the odd sea slug and moss for a bit of furry

fun on those tumble turns. Exposed to southerly swell so it gets bumpy when the swell is up.

Grown men have been seen getting washed off the edge of the pool when the waves are up. The home pool of our good mates, the Bulli Sea Lions, and a fantastic spot to stretch out for a few laps. Couple of great cafes nearby for a post-swim snack. A range of ocean pools nearby if you explore.

Bellambi Pool: Always going to be a fan because I spent a lot of time here when I was growing up. Picturesque views of the northern suburbs coastal plain and the range of pinecrested headlands that jut out into the sea. Nice and mellow surf spot off the back of the pool if you are a long-boarder. Love this pool for its relaxed nature and quiet vibe.

Located next to the bike track so you can call in for a swim on the way to and from Wollongong. The home of the mighty Bellambi Blue Bottles winter swimming club. Pop down to the cafe at Bellambi Surf Club for a coffee and snack – you won’t be disappointed.

Wollongong Continental Pool: A great complex that offers excellent views of our northern escarpment and our iconic harbour and lighthouses to the south. Wollongong is the only location on Australia’s east coast that has two lighthouses in such close proximity and they are in full view at the Continental.

Swimming at this pool is a wonderful experience and it is extremely well maintained in terms of change rooms, showers and pool quality – must be close to the Council Chambers!

The home of the Wollongong Whales, the Illawarra’s oldest winter swimming club. Huge range of eateries nearby. A range of rough and refined ocean pools nearby – just go exploring.

This page: Coalcliff Pool, home of the Sea Eels.

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Photos: Chris Duczynski, www.malibumedia.com.au

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THE PHOTOGRAPHER’S PICKS Bulli’s Chris Duczynski, of Malibu Media, is known for his amazing aerial images, which will change the way you see the world – just look at the photo above! Here are his favourite pools.

1. Austinmer: I love this pool from the air and the way it forms a map of Australia when the tide is right.

2. Coledale: No-one but the locals know it’s there and it’s never crowded – hope I haven’t spoilt the magic.

3. Towradgi: Old school, no frills design set on a beautiful long beach looking back on the city of Wollongong.

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Helensburgh

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Map Key 1 Train station 2 Historic tunnel 3 Tradies club 4 Pool 5 H'burgh Hotel

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6 Post Office 7 Pharmacy 8 Surefire Boards 9 Essential Surf

10 Alcara cafe & Raya Thai 11 Coal Coast Emporium 12 La Belle

Boutique 13 Coles 14 Massage 15 Library 16 Burgh gym

17 Sunrise Nursery 18 Symbio zoo 19 Hindu temple 20 Kellys Falls

Miner Charles Harper discovered coal here in 1884 and the town is thought to have been named after his daughter, Helen (or, some argue, after Helensburgh in Scotland). While the Metropolitan Mine still operates, Helensburgh is slowly changing from a mining town to the country residence of Sydney commuters.

Flanked by the gum trees of the Garawarra State Conservation Area and on the southern doorstep of Sydney's Royal National Park, the ‘Burgh is a great base for bushwalking and off-

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This historic town is a gateway to the Royal National Park and Grand Pacific Drive.

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Helensburgh

road biking. Helensburgh Off Road Cycle Club's track behind Rex Jackson Oval is good fun for kids and the whole family will enjoy the scenic ride from Audley south along Lady Carrington Drive in the Royal National Park.

Two popular Helensburgh attractions are Symbio Wildlife Park (see 'Baby Boom! on page 8) and Sri Venkateswara Temple (SVT), a famous Hindu site on the aptly named Temple Road.

Building started in 1978 at this site, chosen according to Vedic principles (Agama Sastras) with five requirements: the site should be on virgin land, a forest, ideally on an island, with fresh water, and on a coastline. Today it is one of the region’s most popular attractions, with many thousands of visitors each year.

About 20 major festivals are held annually, with the temple exploding into a vibrant whirl of colour, music and fragrance as statues are paraded around, accompanied by musicians, priests and chanting crowds. The Ganesh festival in September is a highlight, finishing at Stanwell Park beach, where clay idols of the elephantheaded god are thrown into the ocean.

The temple's canteen serves delicious vegetarian food, open 10am-4pm (Sat/Sun and public holidays). For more information, call 1300 626 663 or visit www.svtsydney.org.

Helensburgh Hotel Accommodation Now Available

112 Parkes St, Helensburgh

02 4294 1005

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Top

HELENSBURGH

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11. Scarborough Wombarra Bowlo.

10. Shellpod sculpture at Sharkeys, an off-leash dog beach.

9. Sea Cliff Bridge.

8. Coalcliff.

7. Stanwell Park village, beach and cafes.

6. Bald Hill – lookout and hang-gliding launch pad.

5. Road to Royal National Park.

4. Kelly’s Falls picnic area.

3. Tradies Helensburgh.

2. Sri Venkateswara Hindu Temple.

1. Symbio Wildlife Park.

Follow the Illawarra’s beautiful route from bush to beach – discover the famous Sea Cliff Bridge and other highlights of the Grand Pacific Drive.

Do the loop

www.tradies.com.au • 02 4294 1122

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21. Maddens Falls, Dharawal National Park.

20. AppleShack store at Glenbernie Orchard.

19. Boomerang Public Golf Course.

18. Turn-off to Sublime Point Lookout.

17. Southern Gateway Centre, Bulli Tops.

16. Thirroul village.

15. Sublime Point walking track starts.

14. Austinmer Beach, with twin rock pools.

13. Coledale Beach, with oceanfront campsites.

12. Coledale village, cafes and general store.

11. Scarborough Wombarra Bowlo.

Sharkeys, an off-leash dog beach.

Stanwell Park

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Map Key 1 Bald Hill 2 Off-leash area 3 CWA Hall, home of Stanwell Park

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Arts Theatre 4 Beach Reserve 5 Live Life Health, next to The Stanny cafe

6 16 Feet Cafe 7 Uluwatu Blue 8 Surf Club 9 Hargrave Cafe 10 Articles Fine

Art Gallery 11 Boho Chic & Boho Emporium 12 Palms Cafe 13 Train station

14 Wodi Wodi Walking Track, a steep and slippery 6.5km challenge.

Stanwell Park is the first seaside village on the NSW South Coast. It is famous as the home of 19th-century aviation pioneer Lawrence Hargrave, whose experiments with box kites on Stanwell Park Beach were instrumental in the development of human flight.

It’s still a popular recreational flight spot – paragliders and hang gliders take off from Bald Hill to enjoy panoramic views along the coast before swooping down to land at the beach.

In the colonial era, Stanwell Park was the abode of a gang of bush rangers, led by arch

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Go walking, shopping or cafe hopping. Or take flight!

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Stanwell Park

villain ‘Wolloo Jack’. Today the village is a more peaceful spot, home to a creative community including artists, filmmakers and authors. It gets busy on weekends when families, surfers, dog walkers and fishermen come out to play.

The best view of the village is from Bald Hill (do visit its famous ice-cream van). Then drive down a tree-lined winding pass to Stanwell Park and the first stage of the Grand Pacific Walk.

Parents will enjoy a cuppa at 16 Feet, with its backyard playground. At Uluwatu Blue, you can stock up bikinis, beachwear and Mexican food.

Next to an avenue of palm trees, in a sunny courtyard with escarpment views, the Palms Cafe is a superb spot for a leisurely brunch or lunch. Afterwards, enjoy a browse at Boho Chic, Freewheelin and Articles Fine Art Gallery, owned by painter John Vander and his wife, Frances.

The Beachside Reserve has a fun-filled playground, with swings, climbing frames and a scooter track. There are barbecue areas and vast lawns for picnicking or impromptu soccer.

Spring is great for bushwalking – take on the tough Wodi Wodi track or head up Mt Mitchell for the 11km Forest Walk to Sublime Point.

Wrap up the day with a yoga class at Stanwell Park Surf Club, overlooking the sea. Whale watch while you stretch! Call Karen, 0403 789 617.

Aerial photos and video

Fine Art and Corporate images

0408 205 390 chris@malibumedia.com.au www.malibumedia.com.au

instag @malibumedia

111 Lawrence Hargrave Dr, Stanwell Park NSW 2508 02 4294 3371 • info@thepalmscafe.com.au • thepalmscafe.com.au Open Breakfast & Lunch | Thursday - Monday 9am - 4pm

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Coledale

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Map Key 1 Coledale Hospital 2 Mike Dwyer Reserve 3 Coledale Camping Reserve

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4 Coledale Surf Life Saving Club 5 Coledale Public School 6 Planet Childcare Centre 7 Rock Pool

8 Coledale Fine Wines 9 Mr & Mrs Smith cafe 10 Coledale R.S.L. Club

11 Earth Walker & Co. General Store & Cafe 12 The Salon 13 MDK Hair 14 Sharkys Fish & Chips

15 55 Parrots 16 Coledale Train Station 17 St James Park and Playground 18 Sharkeys (off-leash) Beach

Our family starts the morning with a tasty breakfast at the new Mr & Mrs Smith cafe.

We then take a leisurely walk, following the Lawrence Hargrave Drive footpath north to the beautiful Comradeship sculpture, in honour of community activist Mike Dwyer. This reserve has one of the best views in Coledale and is perfect for a picnic. We head back down south and at Coledale Beach take to the sand to walk along the foreshore. At low tide, you can stroll along the rock shelf in front of Coledale Surf Club and south to the ocean pool.

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Lara McCabe shares her dream day in the seaside village.

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Coledale

We debate whether it's warm enough for a swim and the kids win the argument, preferring to keep walking south to Sharkeys Beach, popular with dog walkers and surfers.

Leaving the kids to build sandcastles and frolic with local dogs out for a run, I make my escape to The Salon for a little pampering then squeeze in a bit of shopping across the road at 55 Parrots homewares store, admiring their amazing furniture and decorative pieces.

The family catch up and we take a turn at the oval onto Cliff Street, then up to the playground for more playtime.

Tummies are rumbling, again! Lunch options include take-away fish and chips from Sharkys, the Coledale RSL bistro, a DIY barbecue courtesy of Coledale beach facilities and, of course, Earth Walker & Co can whip up the tastiest meal. You could also drive two minutes north to a beloved local haunt, the Scarborough Wombarra Bowlo, for good Thai/Oz food and fun on the green.

We spend the afternoon on the beach, looking for creatures in rock pools. There's talk of one day trying fishing or snorkelling, and I am yet to do a yoga class at the Surf Club or Community Centre. So much to do! Want to stay longer? Pitch a tent at Coledale Camping Reserve and wake up to sunrise over the sea.

Scarborough Wombarra

Bowlo

578 Lawrence Hargrave Drive

Wombarra (02) 4267 2139

COLEDALE FINE WINES

ANNUAL COLEDALE WINE FAIR Sunday 14th October 1pm-5pm Coledale Community Hall $20 Entry (Includes Riedel Crystal Wine Glass & Tastings)

COME AND SAMPLE OVER 100 GREAT WINES, BEAUTIFUL CRAFT BEERS AND CIDER SPECIAL PRICES ON ALL PRODUCTS PURCHASED ON THE DAY

Spring into action

Barefoot bowls Hidden Gem Kids Welcome

live bands

est b thai/oz on t the coas

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Austinmer

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Map Key 1 Playground 2 Tennis court 3 Headlands 4 Little Austi 5 Glastonbury Gardens

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6 Bells Point 7 Playground 8 Surf Club 9 Amenities 10 Rock pools 11 Sublime Point

Track starts 12 Ibah Spa 13 Train station 14 Vet 15 Mala Beads 16 Mimi’s Place

17 Petrol station 18 Shell’s Diner 19 Austi Beach Cafe 20 Newsagency & post office

21 Scout Hall 22 Moore St General 23 Haveli Living 24 Fireworks 25 Yoga studio

“Austinmer...I’m glad I’m here. there’s nowhere else I’d rather be” sing local band, the Glamma Rays. It’s a breezy, gorgeous tune which truly gets this charming beachside village between the escarpment and the sea.

Here are some suggestions to make the most of your visit: Start with a morning bushwalk up to Sublime Point. It is a steep climb up the stairs and ladders but the view from the top is worth it. The track from the bottom starts near Foothills Road and Buttenshaw Drive (1.4 kilometres return).

If you need relaxation and a foot scrub after

See Side

ptical

Eye Examinations 6 Days a Week

Anita's Theatre Shop 10, King Street Thirroul

Medicare Bulk Billed Available (conditions apply) Diabetic, Glaucoma & Macular Degeneration Screenings VisionCall Screening Digital Retinal Photography for an &appointment today on

Ph: 4268 3933

“Make sure you can see the whales!”

HAPPY HOUR TUESDAY TO THURSDAY 5PM TO 7PM $5 beers, $6 wines, $10 cocktails $5 Guac & Chips, $5 Salsa & Chips

TACO AND TEQUILA TUESDAYS $3 Tacos and $4 Shots

WING IT WEDNESDAYS

60¢ Wings and $4 Tinnies

FULLY LICENSED | PHONE (02) 4268 2918 372 LAWRENCE HARGRAVE DRIVE THIRROUL

See Side

ptical

Anita's Theatre Shop 10, King Street Thirroul Call for an appointment today on

Ph: 4268 3933

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Famous for its twin pools, this is a classic holiday spot.

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Austinmer

your walk, try Ibah Spa Austinmer or, if this is booked out, nearby sister spa, Ibah Spa Thirroul.

After walking and unwinding, you can stretch out an Iyengar yoga class the Moore Street Yoga Room.

Wander down Moore Street and grab a coffee from Austinmer favourite, Fireworks. You’ll find delightful shops nearby including jewellery store, Mala Beads, Haveli Living and Mimi’s Place.

Then on to the star attraction, Austinmer beach with its twin ocean pools and a big rock pool, which is perfect for young kids and their parents to loll around in and explore.

Take a moment to turn your back on the water and take in the breathtaking escarpment views too. Boards outside the old dressing sheds are updated on weekdays with the water temperature and a trivia question. If the kids need a change of scene, there’s a recently renewed gated playground there too.

After all that virtuous walking and swimming, tuck into some takeaway fish and chips from 50s-themed Shell’s Diner or try Austi Beach Cafe with views of the waves. If you’ve forgotten anything, Austinmer Beach newsagent sells lots of useful bits and pieces.

Drink in a perfect Austinmer day with a cocktail at Headlands Hotel.

Eye Ex 6 Da

Med Diabetic, Degen Visi Digital R

Eye Ex $18 6 Da $289

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Top Spot

Thirroul

ink Eat, dr op and sh

Map Key 1 Beach Pavilion 2 Pool 3 Playground 4 Naturopath 5 Crust Pizza

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6 IGA 7 Horizon Credit Union 8 Nest 9 Post Office

10 Anita’s Theatre 11 DP Surfboards 12 See Side Optical 13 Op shop

14 Coles 15 Ibah spa 16 Egg & Dart 17 Catholic church

18 Byrne Surf 19 Newsagency 20 Cocoon 21 Food co-op 22 Library

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Thirroul Discover unique boutiques, surf stores and great coffee.

There’s a buzz about Thirroul. Possibly because this seaside village is home to about a dozen cafes, serving some of the finest coffee on the coast. Thirroul is also a good place to dine out – try the pizza at Ryan’s Hotel, Mexican at Escondidos, seafood at South Sailor or spicy delights at the new Shahi Aroma Indian Cuisine.

Fancy a cocktail? Jose Jones is where the action’s at. Or a night out? See what’s on at iconic Anita’s Theatre. Built in 1912, it was once an open-air theatre with a canvas roof and still hosts events, including comedy and live music.

Lovers of organic goodness – and anyone fighting the war on waste – should stop by the Flame Tree Food Co-op for sustainable, fresh local produce and household items.

Other reasons to linger in Thirroul include eclectic boutiques and homewares stores such as Cocoon. Vintage treasure hunters can browse in Thirroul Antique Centre, Now and Then Collectables, Mission Australia op shop and Retro Wombat. Surfers should check out Byrne Surf and DP Boardroom – run by legendary local board shapers, Parrish Byrne and Dylan Perese.

Thirroul – which takes its name from the Thurrural Aboriginal people, meaning “the place or valley of the cabbage tree palms” – has a lovely beachfront, with free salt-water pool, surf club and lifeguards on duty from the September school holidays. Children will love the beachside playground, with its popular flying fox. And, of course, you can enjoy a coffee! Kick back at Thirroul Beach Pavilion, overlooking the sea.

For authentic primitive pieces, original artwork, furniture, rugs, lighting, gifts, games and more

e ehoupsen Newwwroaorm o shosk in store a Shop 2, 357 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Thirroul 2515 Monday to Friday 9.30 – 5.30 Saturday 9.30 – 4.30 Sunday 9.30 – 3.30

02 4267 1335

www.cocoontrading.com.au

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Map Key 1 Stuart Park, with Skydive Wollongong, playground and Lagoon restaurant 2 Diggies Cafe 3 North Wollongong Beach 4 Novotel Wollongong Northbeach 5 Continental Pool 6 Levendi at Beach

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Cove, Belmore Basin 7 Wollongong Breakwater Lighthouse 8 Wollongong Head Lighthouse 9 Wollongong Beach 10 Wollongong Golf Club 11 WIN Stadium 12 Trenz Resort Wear,

home of a local fashion designer 13 Wollongong Visitor Information Centre 14 Illawarra Performing Arts Centre 15 Wollongong Art Gallery 16 Crown St Mall 17 Kurtosh

18 Holey Moley Putt Putt 19 The Little Prince 20 MacCabe Park 21 Wollongong Library 22 Wollongong Botanic Garden 23 University of Wollongong 24 Blue Mile Pathway

After our sea change six years ago, we’ve started calling Wollongong “town” and Sydney “the city”.

But don’t underestimate the Gong: “town” packs a punch and you can’t do it all in a day.

We start with coffee at the institution that is Levendi, watching the kids in the public playground while enjoying views of the harbour, fishing trawlers and seagulls looking for scraps.

From here, you could stroll along the Blue Mile coastal path to North Beach (the only local beach patrolled year round). Or do the full path (Stuart Park south to Wollongong Golf Club) via pedal power; the Novotel offers bicycle hire. We choose a leisurely walk up Flagstaff Hill to the lighthouse and around the old cannons, where there are photo ops aplenty.

Then it’s time though to move on into town proper, where our kids delight in finally going to the new Holey Moley putt-putt. The mini

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Lara McCabe enjoys harbour views, shops and sweet treats.

golf course lives up to expectations. For lunch, we pop next door to David Jones Food Court, which has something for everyone. For sweets, we escape to cave-like Kurtosh, the patisserie in Globe Lane. If, like me, you’re a brewed chai latte snob, Kurtosh is a highlight!

If in town on a Friday, you’ll find fresh produce, arts and crafts at the Friday Forage markets in lower Crown Street Mall (9am-3pm). Wollongong Central is home to most big brands, from Target to H&M. After retail therapy, we decide a little culture is needed and stroll to Wollongong Art Gallery – look out for works by up-and-coming artists India Mark, Chris Zanko and Nick Santoro in the Here+Now show on until November 25.

More dates for the diary include Circus Oz at the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre on September 28/29, and Merrigong Theatre Company’s school holiday workshops at the Town Hall in October.

We round off our afternoon at a playground in the big green expanse of MacCabe Park (no relation!). It’d be nice to follow up with date-night drinks at Little Prince bar, dinner at Lagoon Seafood Restaurant then some live music... alas, next time. We’ll be back.

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Wollongong

Deep secrets Rachael Fallon, of Abyss Scuba Diving, picks her top spots.

Photos: Kristine O'Keeffe

1Martin Island Seal Dive

Swimming with seals must be one of the best things to do in the ocean. They are so cute, just like puppy dogs of the sea. There is a secret location that the locals know about that is an amazing dive with seals. They are sure to get up close and personal with scuba divers and snorkellers and it will be an experience you will remember forever.

Just south of Wollongong at Port Kembla, the boat does a short trip out to Martin Island, where the seals swim from down south for a holiday from June to October. As soon as the boat pulls up, the seals jump in the water and come right up to the boat to check it out.

They are super-friendly and inquisitive – make sure you have your camera for this one. This is an easy dive and snorkel for anyone to join in.

2Wreck Of The Bombo

The wreck of the collier freighter SS Bombo, lost in 1949, lies upside down and broken in half at a depth of 30m just outside Wollongong Harbour.

The artificial reef is home to thousands of fish and diving here is always an adventure. Divers can expect to see wobbegong sharks, cuttlefish, lots of school fish and sometimes there is even a grey nurse shark around!

3The Gravel Loader

Heading south to Shellharbour is a great little shore dive called the Gravel Loader, a big pier that extends about 500m into Shellharbour Bay. Fish like a structure – expect to swim though schools of yellowtail and old wives.

Visit www.abyss.com.au or call (02) 9583 9662.

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Go rock pooling Thirroul local and Backyard Zoology blogger Amanda De George shares the secrets of the (not so) deep.

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The Illawarra is home to fascinating and diverse marine life, and to see it you don’t even have to don a wetsuit! Simply peek inside a rock pool.

1Common Sydney Octopus

BEFORE YOU GO  Wear sturdy shoes that you’re happy to get wet. The rocks are uneven and slippery and no matter how hard you try, you will end up, even partially, in the drink. Nothing ruins a spot of rock pooling more than a broken ankle!  Don’t turn your back on the sea. Waves happen and sometimes when you least expect it!  Look for pools that would make the perfect home. Those with lots of places to shelter, like rocks and crevices, and things to eat, like weed, algae and mussels, are perfect.  And lastly, take your time! The more you look, the more you will find!

2Nudibranchs

Octopus like to shelter in crevices and under ledges so look in all those nooks and crannies.

They are masters of camouflage and can change not only the colour of their body but also the shape! The Sydney octopus is the most common in this region and, luckily for us, the undersides of its tentacles are bright orange – often this is the first part of the animal you will see.

Nudibranchs are soft-bodied, shell-less molluscs and come in an incredible range of colours and body shapes. They may be found by looking around the edges of rock pools or by carefully lifting up (and putting back) rocks.

Some nudibranchs, like the one pictured, take the stinging cells from the anemones they eat

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1. Nudibranch, Spurilla braziliana.

2. Carpet Sea Star.

3. Rose Petal Bubble Snail.

4. Waratah Anemone.

5. Undescribed Sea Anemone.

6. Common Sydney Octopus.

7. Green Sea Anemone.

Photos: Amanda De George

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and store them in sacs at the end of cerata on their back, which they then use as defence

3Bubble Snails

These marine snails have an elaborate, frilled mantle and a delicate, paper-thin shell they can't retreat into. Instead of eyes like humans, they only have eye-spots, so can’t see as such but can tell the difference between light and dark.

Look out for their egg masses, laid as long, white ribbons in the algae over summer.

4Sea Stars

Eleven-Armed Sea Stars can reproduce by splitting themselves down the middle and making two sea stars! Each half then regrows limbs, continuing to function as a healthy animal. If you’re lucky you might see one in the

process of regrowing! Carpet Sea Stars may not be as dramatic but are certainly beautiful, with each star containing myriad colours and patterns, not unlike a Turkish carpet. These stars are often found in pools feeding on mussels.

5Sea Anemones

Named after the anemone flower, it’s easy to forget that sea anemones are actually animals, and carnivores at that. They consist of a foot that sticks to the rock, a column body and a mouth on top of this that is surrounded by tentacles – tentacles that are armed with stinging cells.

If a critter such as a fish gets too close, those tentacles fire a harpoon-like thread into the prey. This contains a neurotoxin that quickly paralyses the prey while the tentacles bring it to the mouth – and dinner is served!

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Markets Coledale Markets 4th Sunday of month, 9am-3pm, Coledale Public School, 699 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Coledale.

Foragers Market Bulli Sundays 9am-2pm. Bulli Showground.

Friday Forage 9am-2pm, Crown St Mall, Wollongong.

Eat Street Thursdays, 5-9pm.

Crown St Mall, Wollongong & last Friday of month at Bulli Showground, 5-10pm.

Puckeys Night Market Last Wednesday of the month, University of Wollongong, Innovation Campus.

Warrawong Markets Saturdays, 7am-1pm, by the Lake, Northcliff Drive, Warrawong.

Shellharbour Village Harbourside Markets 4th Sun of month, Little Park, Addison Street, Shellharbour Village.

The Farms Market 1st Sunday of month 10am-3pm, Killalea Drive, Killalea State Park.

Jamberoo Village Markets Last Sun of month, 8am-3pm, Reid Park, cnr Allowrie and Churchill Streets, Jamberoo.

Kangaroo Valley Farmers Markets 2nd Sunday of the month, 8.30am-1pm, 165 Moss Vale Road, Kangaroo Valley.

Kiama Farmers’ Market Every Wednesday, winter 2-5pm, summer 3-6pm, Coronation Park, Surf Beach, Kiama.

Gerringong Village Markets 3rd Sat of month, 8am-2pm, Gerringong Town Hall, Fern St. Berry Produce Market 2nd Saturday + 4th Sunday of month, Andrew Place Park.

Shoalhaven Heads Seafood and Fresh Produce Fair Every Sat, 8am-1pm, Heads Hotel, River Rd, Shoalhaven Heads.

Pyree Village Art & Handmade Market 4th Sunday of month,

888 Greenwell Point Rd, Pyree.

Jervis Bay Maritime Museum Market 1st Sat of month, 8am1pm, Woollamia Rd, Huskisson.

Vincentia Village Produce Market 1st & 3rd Thursdays, 2-6pm, Vincentia Village

Courtyard, behind Coles.

Huskisson Market 2nd Sunday of the month, Huskisson Sports Ground cnr Huskisson Road and Kiola Street, Huskisson.

To advertise a market, please send your listing to editor@ thesouthcoaster.com.au

· Sleeps up to 7 · 300m from beach & cafes · Use of pool

0409 304 094

fernleighcottage@bigpond.com

‘Yoga with a View’

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Bayside Retreat Vincentia gives you a choice of two holiday home rentals at Plantation Point, a highly sought after location for holiday makers. Both homes within 200m of the pristine waters of Jervis Bay

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