WINTER 2019 SOUTH COASTER

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south coaster WINTER 2019

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ISSUE NO. 13

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thesouthcoaster.com.au

Sharing local knowledge

Taste

Great local produce Apple cider, wine and honey!

Treasure hunt!

Discover art galleries, antiques stores and craft markets

THE WINTER

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Inside this issue

Welcome to the whales!

Cover image: Sea Cliff Bridge painting

by John Vander, of Articles Fine Art Gallery

Backyard Zoology blogger Amanda De George reports.

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From May until the end of November, I pretty much take up residence on headlands throughout the Illawarra. That’s when humpback whales swim up the coast from their cold feeding grounds in Antarctica to the warmer waters off Queensland to breed. Once calves are born and fattened up, they turn around and head home again. The Illawarra has front row seats for the spectacle. Just add coffee!

This year’s viewing is expected to be better than ever. Migrating whales are tipped to exceed 33,000, up by 10% on previous years, and more whales equals more sightings! So what’s the best way to make the most of the show?

Firstly, find a great viewing spot. I like Bulli headland as you can scan the coast without too much interruption, while Bald Hill gives you that huge all-encompassing view where even whales are dwarfed by the expanse of ocean.

Most of the time your first sighting of one of these huge mammals (adults can weigh up to 50 tonnes and newborns two tonnes – yes ladies, two tonnes!) is through the blow. So, the blow is that cloud of spray you see when a whale comes to the surface to breathe – it is a mix of air, water vapour and mucous, which gives those photos of rainbows captured within the blow a whole new perspective! Each species has a different shaped blow. A humpback’s is described as small and bushy – look for a quick, thick spray – whereas southern rights have more of a V-shaped blow.

To flex your citizen science muscle, join in the annual ORRCA Whale Census on June 30 (orrca. org.au). To keep up with sightings or add your own, download the Wild About Whales app.

Oh, and the most important tip is to pack your patience. Sometimes it’s a long wait, but once you spot a whale it’s always worth it!

Taste

Great local produce

Apple cider, wine WINTER and honey!

9 20 1 Treasure hunt

Follow our shopping trail to find art, antiques and collectables on page 6. Or check out our indulgence guide to enjoy a ‘Taste of the Coast’ (p29). Discover award-winning apple cider at Glenbernie Orchard (p10), enjoy the animal magic of Symbio (p12) and follow our Loop map to see the best of the northern Illawarra. The South Coaster is a seasonal tourist supplement to indie local mags 2508 & 2515 Coast News and it’s packed with local knowledge, including a guide to the region’s historic beach shack settlements (p30).

Visit us online at thesouthcoaster.com.au Genevieve & Marcus, the Editors

Meet Our Contributors 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 watercolour maps.

AMANDA DE GEORGE writes the popular Backyard Zoology blog. A nature-loving Thirroul local, she began observing animals at home, but now finds herself exploring an ‘everexpanding backyard’.

CHRIS DUCZYNSKI shares photos of historic shacks on page 30. A Bulli local, Chris is an awardwinning photographer and filmmaker who has been in the business for over 40 years. In 1995 he started Malibumedia, working with clients such as Qantas.

south coaster THE WINTER

CONTACT: editor@thesouthcoaster.com.au; phone 0432 612 168; PO Box 248, Helensburgh, 2508.

PUBLISHER: The Word Bureau (ABN 31 692 723 477), DISCLAIMER: All content and images copyright South Coaster unless otherwise supplied. No part may be reproduced without the publisher’s written permission.

Views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the publishers. Maps are not to scale.

THE WINTER

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STARRING DARREN COGGAN

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THE WINTER

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Meet the artist

A view of Stanwell Park from Bald Hill, by John Vander

John Vander has spent a lifetime painting scenes around Australia. When he’s not wielding a brush, you’ll often find John at Articles, his art gallery in Stanwell Park.

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In his paintings, John distils the character, history and beauty of a place to capture its essence on canvas. “Before I paint a town I paint every, or nearly every, house, every shop, individually,” he tells the South Coaster.

“Also I try to meet the people in the town – who lives there, who used to live there, what is the history of the place? Then I do an overall painting, a larger painting of the whole town.

By that stage I will know every nook and cranny.

“You should see my library of research – when you travel in those villages, they’ve got a local historical society, right? And they released a book which only six people bought – well, I am one of the six.”

John is fascinated by the relatively brief history of settled Australia, compared with his native Belgium. “It’s a short history; where I come from, at the back of my grandmother’s place, there is a Roman highway … here in Australia, the [colonial] history is about 200 years old.

“You travel the bush and discover all these places where a gold rush took place; 40,000 people lived in a small town and now there’s only 180 people there. I walk in these places,

I can relive the past, I can see these people and I try to capture that in my paintings.

“To me, a landscape or a seascape is beautiful, but I like a touch of man in the landscape, something which makes it different. This area is an example: Stanwell Park has got a lot of history, whether it is [aviation pioneer] Lawrence Hargrave, whether it is bush rangers.”

John admires Australia’s Heidelberg school of artists but has only one “favourite” artist: Salvador Dali, who he once met at an exhibition in Ostend, Belgium. John recalls Dali never used the word “I”, referring to himself only in the third person as “the Genius”. “His paintings were fantastic, they are not just paintings of a landscape, they are paintings of the mind.”

John was born in Belgium, the son of a World War II resistance fighter. He did his national service in the special forces of the Belgian Air Force. Later John became a pilot and worked in the taxation office. Then in 1969, aged 24, he travelled to Australia in search of adventure.

“I wanted to become a crop-dusting pilot,” he says. But after two friends died on the job, John left to work at Citicorp First National in Sydney.

And he started to paint. “At one stage I used to decorate all the offices at Citicorp. I decorated all the associated businesses with my paintings.”

In 1976, he quit his role as Bankstown branch manager and became a full-time painter. For the past 39 years, John and his wife Frances have run Articles Fine Art Gallery – now an icon on the Grand Pacific Drive. “The first Christmas people were queueing like 20m out the door. And we said: ‘Whoa, what have we done here? It looks like it’s going to be successful’ …”

It was. The couple would travel for a month, then John would paint for a month. In the 1980s, fine art print distributors Art Nouveau picked up his work. “It went berserk and now we’ve sold about three million prints. I’ve had exhibitions all around Australia … travelled all around Australia.”

Locally, John is known for his community service, including as a founding member of the business chamber – and as an engaging storyteller with a wickedly dry sense of humour.

Nationally, he’s won many awards, including a fellowship from the Australian Institute of History and Arts, and is in Kevin Hill’s prestigious Top 10 Australian Artists list. John is now working on a new series inspired by boats and harbours of the South Coast. His advice for young artists: “Work every day.” And his greatest achievement?

“Living my dream, that is all.”

Articles is at 111 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Stanwell Park. Call 02 4294 2491, visit www.johnvander.com.au

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

John Vander and two of his popular works: Playing on the rocks (top right) and Summer Day.

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) Liz Mckay, (below) Gary Myers.

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) Peter Fennell, (below) Nicole Southworth.

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Treasure hunt In search of art or antiques?

Craft and collectables?

Follow this shopping trail to find your heart’s desire!

Start in Helensburgh, gateway to the Grand Pacific Drive. Pick up local history books on aviation pioneer Lawrence Hargrave at Coal Coast Emporium. Drive on to Stanwell Park and Articles Fine Art Gallery (open Fri-Sun). Owners John and Frances Vander have run this popular exhibition space for four decades. Next door, Freewheelin’ has recycled industrial furniture, retro wares and things with wheels (think vintage tricycles, BMXes and railway relics).

Across the Sea Cliff Bridge is historic Clifton School of Arts with occasional exhibitions and events (www.artsclifton.org).

Wombat in Thirroul is a haven of eccentricity, a jumble of chairs, a smorgasbord of surf and skateboards. Antiques aficionados will find the real deal at Thirroul Antiques (open Wed-Sun), where you may stumble upon treasures such as an antique French wind-up gramophone, a blue and white Dutch Delft vase, a Moroccan sofa circa 1890 or an armoury chest circa 1777 from a Scottish castle.

Thirroul homewares store Cocoon is an Aladdin’s cave of delights, including beautiful old teak Indian mirrors, handwoven rugs, wicker pendant lights, cane furniture, antique cabinets from Sri Lanka and Tibet, marble urns, rare and unique tribal pieces – and so much more. Ask to see the new upstairs display area!

Collins Booksellers Thirroul stocks local reads, such as My Thirroul: Tales from the Valley of the Cabbage Tree Palms by Don Gray OAM, Found at Sea, with imagery by photographer Ray Collins, and Port Kembla: A Memoir, the steel town story

by Pam Menzies. Also worth a visit in Thirroul is contemporary art gallery The Egg & Dart.

Bulli has three interesting stores to explore: Black Diamond Antiques & Collectables, Bulli Historical Art Gallery and Picture Framing, and the charming, crowded and cavern-like Victoria Street Restorations. Bulli’s Timber Mill complex has a gallery, artist studios, a cafe and a shop with artisan-made homewares.

At Towradgi’s Sketch Coffee And Art, find wearable art, from earrings to scarves in lovely prints by painter-proprietor Jaqueline Burgess,

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These markets have great vibes, delicious food plus local art & craft.

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

Foragers Market Bulli 9am-2pm, Bulli Showground, 2nd Sunday of each month.

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

Eat Street Thursdays, 5-9pm. Crown St Mall, Wollongong.

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, 9am-1pm, 159 Moss Vale Road, Kangaroo Valley.

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

Gerringong Village Markets 3rd Saturday of the month, 8.30am1.30pm, Gerringong Town Hall, Fern St.

Puckeys Night Market 4-9pm, last Wed of the month. UOW Innovation Berry Produce Market Campus.

2nd Saturday + 4th Bulli Showground Sunday of month, Markets 1st, 3rd & Andrew Place Park.

4th Sundays at Bulli Send market Showground. listings to editor@ The Farms Market thesouthcoaster.

1st Sunday of month com.au.

10am-3pm, Killalea

Markets who holds “Bottle and Brush” nights. In the city centre, Wollongong Art Gallery has four current exhibitions: A Place to Call Home, Bloomin’ Art, Piksa Niugini: Portraits and Diaries of Stephen Dupont and Derry Messum: Migrations and Other Journeys. Port Kembla’s Red Point Gallery is an art hub of studios and workshop spaces on eclectic Wentworth Street. Love to bargain hunt?

Sustainable Wollongong’s Op Shop Guide lists 41 stores (available via www.wollongong.nsw.gov. au). Finally, book lovers, save the date: Lifeline South Coast’s next Big Book Fair will be on October 18-20 at Illawarra Sports Stadium.

Sept 15: Heroines Festival. Australia’s only festival of women’s stories written by women returns to Thirroul. Presenters will include Kate Forsyth. Publishers HQ (Harlequin) will discuss their HERSTORY series. www.

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BOOK AHEAD

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Winter Calendar

theneoperennialpress.com/heroinesfestival

TOP 3 FOR HISTORY LOVERS 1. Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) Aviation Museum. At the Illawarra Regional Airport at Albion Park. Open 9.30am3.30pm daily with more than 40 aircraft on display. On the second weekend of each month, see vintage planes fly again at special Tarmac Days (next one is 14-16 June). www.hars.org.au 2. The Australian Motorlife Museum.

A showcase of veteran and vintage cars, with fine examples of Australian motoring heritage.

Open Tue-Sun, 9.30am-4.30pm, Integral Energy Recreation Park, 94 Darkes Rd, Kembla Grange, www.australianmotorlifemuseum.com

3. Inside Industry. Enjoy tours of the Port or the Steelworks at the historic industrial hub of Port Kembla. Hear the story of steel or the history of the port, established in the late 1890s to facilitate the export of coal from Illawarra mines. 02 4275 7023; insideindustry.org.au

Sept 21: Remember the Days of Cat Stevens: Starring Darren Coggan. Relive the hits, including Moonshadow, Wild World, Peace Train, Where Do the Children Play, Father & Son. Darren Coggan, Australian star of the critically acclaimed Peace Train: The Cat Stevens Story, will perform his new show at Anita’s Theatre in Thirroul; book soon! www.darrencoggan.com Oct 18-20: Jamboree! The creative weekend escape includes workshops on visual arts, bush tucker, cooking, writing, dance, and nature. Plus a craft night, sunrise yoga to 1980s aerobics! All set in beautiful thick forest at Mount Keira Scout Camp. Choose to glamp, camp or stay in a chalet. www.jamboreesouthcoast.com.au

WINTER WONDER: Seals visit Martin Island off Port Kembla from June to October and you can swim with them! Visit www.abyss.com.au

COLLINS BOOKSELLERS THIRROUL Locally Owned & Operated

Books for everyone Stationery & Gifts Educational Toys & Games Gift vouchers available

Oct 18-20th 2019 Wollongong, South Coast, NSW

Workshops - Feasting - Yoga Bushwalks - Glamp - Bunk - Camp

Workshops - Feasting - Dancing - Yoga - Bushwalks Glamp - Bunk - Camp Live Music - Goody Bag - Crafternite - Plus More

www.jamboreesouthcoast.com

Under Anita’s Theatre, King Street, Thirroul 4267 1408 | Open 7 days LIKE US ON FACEBOOK AND FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM

MORE INFO www.jamboreesouthcoast.com.au

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From left to right: Triton, Ranger and Hilux.

Grand touring Automotive journalist Marcus Craft, of Carsguide.com.au, took off along the Grand Pacific Drive to test a trio of utes on- and off-road.

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WHERE TO STAY Bulli resident Brendan Batty, editor/publisher of ROAM, the nation's most successful caravan and camper-trailer magazine, picks his favourite South Coast camping spots.

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Bendalong Point I’ve been coming to this isolated, beachside holiday-town for nearly 20 years and it’s become a fast favourite with the kids, too. The caravan park, which is right out on the point, has a great surf beach to the south (for the grown-ups) and on the north, a sheltered bay where semi-tame stingrays swim past to be hand fed (for the kids). It’s where we go when we just want to relax and have a bit of fun.

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Murramarang National Park I don’t think I could pinpoint just one

area has a rich gold-mining history but is nowadays popular for 4WDing, camping, fishing and bush-walking.

The Triton ($51,990 plus on-road costs) is great value for money, packing plenty of safety gear and standard features into a budget-friendly package.

The HiLux ($61,690 plus on-road costs) is essentially an up-accesoriesd HiLux – it looks good, has too-firm suspension but is a very solid off-roader.

The Ranger ($59,790 plus on-road costs) came out on top in terms of everything – ride, handling, refinement and comfort.

Touring the Grand Pacific Drive and even further is a wonderful experience: equal parts exciting (the twists and turns!) and mesmerising (the views!) and indulgent (the cafes!). part of the park that’s the best, as there are so many great places to camp. If you like it simple, spots like Pretty or Pebbly Beach are stunning, beachside camps amongst the coastal gums, while any of the caravan parks between Bawley Point and South Durras are absolute beachfront, surrounded by the bush and frequented by kangaroos.

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Tathra There are few places with so much fun to be had. The beaches around Tathra have great surf, there’s a wide variety of camping, from world-class caravan parks to simple national park campgrounds where phone reception is scarce. In the hills above there are great mountain bike trails, too. These are being rebuilt after fire decimated so much here in 2018.

Photos: Brendan Batty / carsguide.com.au

Top camping spots

Stretching from the Royal National Park, across the awe-inspiring Sea Cliff Bridge and then through Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama and the Shoalhaven, the 140km-long Grand Pacific Drive has become one of NSW’s must-do experiences.

Recently we travelled this route in three of Australia’s top-selling family-friendly dual-cab utes to enjoy a spot of vehicle-touring in a great part of the country. The vehicles of choice were a 2019 Mitsubishi Triton GLS Premium, a 2019 Toyota HiLux Rogue and a 2019 Ford Ranger XLT bi-turbo.

We also towed a 2019 Jayco Journey Outback caravan (model designation 21.66-3, courtesy of Jayco Nowra) with all three utes and we did a couple of hours of off-roading out at Yalwal, about 32km south-west of Nowra. The Yalwal

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THE WINTER

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At the family farm: Jo and Glenn Fahey, with their daughter Casey and son-inlaw Callum.

Cheers to the orchard

Photo: Unicorn Studios

Darkes Glenbernie Orchard turns 80 years old in 2019, Jo Fahey reports. Toast to the historic family farm’s success with its latest award-winning cider, Darkes Dry!

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These are exciting times for us. 2019 marks the property’s 128th year and our family’s 80th year of orcharding here across four generations.

Three of these generations are still working on the farm. Ted, the eldest and the one whose vision it was initially to grow apples, is in his 86th year. Ted’s father moved his young family to Darkes Forest for a life away from the city.

They cut and sold firewood, had a cow for milk, grew potatoes, chickens and a few backyard fruit trees. Ted worked incredibly hard all his life taking the mixed farm forward choosing to specialise in tree fruits.

We feel he deserves to stick his feet up, but you can’t stop a farmer from farming. When you visit you may see him zooming around on his favourite mower or going for a trip in the orchard truck with grandson Brandon driving.

He enjoys keeping abreast of everyone’s skills and overseeing some steps in the process of apple cider making. He’s really proud of his grandchildren and very satisfied recently that granddaughter Casey has lured her new husband Callum to join the team!

Casey and Callum staged their wedding on the farm mid-2018. Casey and Callum are keen to find their own special niche in the business and carve new territory. We hope to see them involved in events staged at the farm.

We have so much to celebrate in our 80th year, including the launch our new Orchard Explorer Tractor Train! Last year we were featured on The Bachelor and people raved about the beauty of the farm. The tractor train allows us to take everyone on a ride around the farm, get up close and personal with what is happening, no matter what age or ability!

In June, Darkes Cider will be in Hobart for the AusCider Conference 2019 to share in new advances in the ‘cider-scape’. After winning ‘Best New World Cider’ at the recent Tasmanian Cider Awards with Darkes Dry, we are ready to share and celebrate all things cider!

Look out for some awesome events we have planned on the farm.

Save the date: 14 July – Cider Sunday 25 August – Apple Pie Day 3 November – 80 years of Orcharding Celebration Fest

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From tree to table: To buy apple juice, apple cider, cider vinegar and more, visit The Apple Shack farm store, open daily, 10am-4.30pm, at Glenbernie Orchard, 259 Darkes Forest Road, Darkes Forest, www.darkes.com.au, (02) 4294 3421

plenty of time to leach flavour from whole spices. I do toast my spices first to excite their essential oils. It’s essential to extract the full flavour from the spices.

Winter is the perfect time to break out the crockpot for some mulled cider or spiced honey mead! Honey mead warmed with spice is awesome too. Use the same method as for a mulled cider but substitute mead for cider. You can even put a little mead in your cider if you want to try a new twist – add it at any time or substitute for brandy at the end. Here are five tips to building a better brew:

5. Add some buzz.

A nip of alcohol shortly before service makes the spicy, fruity aromas come out all the more.

Slivovitz, a type of plum brandy, marries the cider’s flavours well. Use any apple-friendly liquor. Honey mead works well! A tablespoon is all you need.

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Find out more about the Darkes cider range at www.darkes.com.au

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METHOD: Turn slow cooker to low; warm cider. Heat a frypan, add spices. Toast, stirring frequently, until fragrant and coriander seeds begin to darken. Transfer to a spice bag or add loose. Cover and let cider cook slowly for 1 to 4 hours, or until spice is well infused. 10 minutes before serving, add brandy. Add sugar or honey a rounded teaspoon at a time if cider is too tart. Serve plain, or with a slice of lemon, extra brandy, or grating of nutmeg.

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INGREDIENTS: 1 litre apple cider 2 sticks cinnamon 4 cloves 3 cardamom pods, pressed until they just crack open ¼ teaspoon coriander seed ¼ star anise 1 vanilla pod 1 tablespoon brandy (optional) Honey or sugar to taste, if needed A fresh whole apple and slices of orange or lemon to taste

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4. Toast your spices, and keep them whole.

Avoid grinding spices. Filtering out the ground bits is a pain. Cider can be left to steep for hours,

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• • • • • •

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3. Use apple-friendly spices.

Cinnamon, for sweetness and spice Clove, to restore some of the depth and body thinned out by mulling Cardamom, for its floral perfume Coriander, for its musky-citrus flavour Star anise, for the faint touch of licorice in some apple varieties Vanilla Pod, for a little sweet nuance.

Customise your blend but remember apples are hero! Lemon zest will add some tartness. For an added kick, add a teaspoon of grated ginger.

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2. Make your own spice mix.

Don’t use pre-packaged mulling kits. It’s better to make your own spice blend. Besides selecting and playing with the blend is half the fun.

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1. Use cider made from 100% fresh crushed apple juice (Aussie preferably!)

Great mulled cider begins with great cider.

It should smell and taste rich and sweet, like an apple pie cooling in the farmhouse of an apple orchard, with just enough acidity to balance out the sweetness. Dry ciders can be used for mulling, but may need a touch of added sugar or honey to balance out the acidity and bring out the flavour of the spices. Use non-alcoholic cider or fresh apple juice if wishing to make a non-alcoholic version.

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Darkes Cider spicing it up!

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THE WINTER

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Zone and welcomed a host of babies, including emu chicks, dingo pups and its first-ever Tasmanian Devil joeys.

Here are the South Coaster’s top 5 reasons to go to the zoo:

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Enjoy a photo with native critters Buy a bag of animal feed 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.

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Feed the farmyard babies Symbio’s Farmyard is one of the largest in Australasia, with goats, sheep, chickens, ducks, guinea pigs and alpacas. At certain times of the year, you may also get to bottlefeed the original ‘kids’ – aka baby goats – and lambs with fleece as white as snow, just like the nursery rhyme.

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What to do at the zoo

Photos: Kevin Fallon / Symbio Wildlife Park

Helensburgh’s Symbio Wildlife Park offers animal fun for everyone. The South Coaster reports.

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Symbio is home to an amazing collection of native animals, exotic creatures and farmyard babies. Plus, the zoo has two of the coolest things for kids – a Splash Park with fantastic fountains and a Playground with flying foxes, swings, spinners and climbing walls.

Over the past five years, the Helensburgh attraction, owned by the Radnidge family, has transformed from a small park to an innovative zoo, famous for “getting you closer”. It has won plenty of accolades, including, the Excellence in Sustainability prize at last year’s Illawarra Business Awards. Behind the scenes, Symbio is also working on two important conservation projects, involving green and golden bell frogs and Bellinger River snapping turtles.

The past two years have been particularly exciting as Symbio has opened its Farmyard

Marvel at exotic animals Star attractions include the world’s fastest land animal, the cheetah, lemurs (those famous film stars from Madagascar!) and golden lion tamarins, named for their stunning ‘manes’.

Symbio offers ‘Behind the Scenes’ experiences with endangered animals, such as red pandas.

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Have a picnic and a play Yes, you can stay all day, with shady picnic tables, a great playground and the Splash Park, complete with water cannons, a big dump bucket and deck chairs for parents!

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Be a zoo keeper for a day!

Follow in the footsteps of a Symbio keeper – you’ll get to prepare meals and feed animals!

Junior Keeper Camps, for ages 7 to 12, are hugely popular in the school holidays, so book ahead.

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

Symbio recently celebrated the first birthday of our koala joey Ellie.

Ellie was born to our beautiful koala Grace, who is doing an amazing job as a first-time mum. Ellie is the first joey to be born here at Symbio in the past three and a half years.

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Ellie the koala joey recently turned one. Symbio’s Jessica Harris reports.

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Hip hooray!

Our native mammal keepers Tami and Liz have been her carers over this time and have formed an amazing bond with her. On Ellie’s birthday they showered her with wonderful gifts in the form of native flowers, a koala plush toy and lots of cuddles and attention.

Wild koala populations are under severe threat due to habitat destruction, feral pests and disease. In the past 250 years humans have destroyed nearly 80 percent of koala habitat, leaving them with only 20 percent remaining.

What can we do to make a difference?

Supporting organisations such as the Australian Koala Foundation is a help. So is buying sustainably produced paper and timber products that are FSC labelled, ensuring your paper comes from a sustainable source and not somewhere that once could have been koala habitat. Even visiting Symbio allows us to continue our important work preserving this beautiful animal while providing an educational connection between humans and wildlife.

If you would like to see Ellie or any of our beautiful koalas, you can do so at any time at Symbio. We have daily opportunities to get up close to the Aussie icons. Photo sessions are held twice daily following the Koala Presentations, times can be found on our website, www.symbiozoo.com.au.

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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 Business Park 9 Essential Surf 10 Alcara cafe &

Raya Thai 11 Coal Coast Emporium 12 Helensburgh Massage Therapy

13 Coles 14 Oat & Honey cafe/shop 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 changing from a working-class 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-

WEEKEND WINTER SPECIAL

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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 page 12) 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 tasty vegetarian food, open 10am-4pm (Sat/Sun and public holidays). For more information, call 1300 626 663 or visit www.svtsydney.org.

MINI HIGH TE SPECIALA $25

Buffet Breaky 8-11am / Adult $19.50 / Kids $9.50 Lunch / 2-course set menu $30 Mid Week Lunch Special / 2-course set menu $25 (includes wine) High Tea / $34.50 BOOK YOUR SPECIAL OCCASION CELEBRATION Birthdays, christenings, weddings & ceremonies from $80pp

Open Wednesday to Sunday phone: 4267 1855 email: info@sublimepoint.com.au

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Top

ULLADULLA

JERVIS BAY

KIAMA

WOLLONGONG

HELENSBURGH

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@ Stanwell Park Surf Club

www.facebook.com/ yogastanwellpark

Contact Karen 0403 789 617

BRING A FRIEND FOR FREE

‘Yoga with a View’

EXP 31/08/19

dog beach.

10. Shellpod sculpture at Sharkeys, an off-leash

9. Sea Cliff Bridge.

8. Coalcliff.

7. Stanwell Park village, starting point for new Grand Pacific Walk.

6. Bald Hill scenic lookout & hanggliding 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.

Take a beautiful drive from bush to beach.

Do the loop

LundinStudio

4294 9783 hello@lundinstudio.com 21 Cemetery Road Helensburgh Business Park

LUNDINSTUDIO

Hot Desk Live Streaming Product Videos Film & Photo Studio Hire

www.lundinstudio.com

www.tradies.com.au • 02 4294 1122

EDEN

NAROOMA

BATEMANS BAY

ULLADULLA dog beach.

21. Maddens Falls, Dharawal National Park.

20. AppleShack store at Glenbernie Orchard.

19. Boomerang Public Golf Course.

18. Turn-off to Sublime Point Lookout & Cafe.

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 Bowlo.

10. Shellpod sculpture at Sharkeys, an off-leash

Stanwell Park

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Map Key 1 Bald Hill 2 Off-leash area 3 CWA Hall, home to local Arts Theatre

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4 Beach Reserve 5 Massage centre next to bottle shop 6 Pizza place &

Loaf 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.

SCAN ME

Stanwell Park is the first seaside village on the NSW South Coast. And the start of the Grand Pacific Walk, with a path hugging the coast south to Coalcliff. The village is famous as the one-time home of 19th-century aviation pioneer Lawrence Hargrave, whose experiments with box kites were instrumental in the development of human flight.

It’s still a popular recreational flight spot – paragliders and hang gliders take off from Bald

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

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Stanwell Park

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 villain ‘Wolloo Jack’. Today the village is a more peaceful spot, home to a creative community.

It gets busy on weekends when families, surfers, dog walkers and fishermen come out to play.

Stop for a coffee at Loaf or Hargrave cafe or dine out on tasty Mexican food at Uluwatu Blue.

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 Articles Fine Art Gallery, owned by painter John Vander and his wife, Frances, Freewheelin or Boho Chic.

The Beachside Reserve has a big playground with swings, climbing frames and a scooter track. There are barbecue areas and lawns for picnicking or impromptu soccer. And the new kiosk is finally open, with a lovely shady veranda.

Bush walkers may take on the 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. Call Karen, 0403 789 617.

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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 Mr & Mrs Smith, a cafe with sunny outdoor tables. 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 Wombarra Bowlo, for fabulous Thai/Oz food and fun on the green.

We spend the afternoon at 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

Barefoot bowls The Hidden Gem 578 Lawrence Hargrave Drive

t s e b on z o i/ tha t the coas

Wombarra (02) 4267 2139

21

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 Florist/gifts

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 Omni eatery 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. Reward yourself with a coffee at the cafe! 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

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This is a classic spot, famous for its twin pools, writes Cath Hill.

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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, stretch out an Iyengar yoga class in the Moore Street Yoga Room. Wander down Moore Street and grab a coffee from Moore Street General. You’ll find delightful shops nearby including Haveli Living and newcomer Moore Street Collective, with beautiful bouquets and plants.

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 gated playground there too.

After all that virtuous exercise, tuck into some takeaway fish and chips from 50s-themed Shell’s Diner (with a new beer garden out back) 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.

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

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Common Sydney Octopus: The masters of camouflage can change not only the colour of their body but also the shape! The Sydney octopus is the most common in this region. The undersides of its tentacles are bright orange – often this is the first part of the animal you’ll see.

Nudibranchs: These are soft-bodied, shell-less molluscs that 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.

Bubble Snails: These have an elaborate, frilled mantle and a delicate, paper-thin shell they can’t retreat into. Look out for their egg masses, laid as long, white ribbons in the algae over summer.

3

Sea Stars: Eleven-Armed Sea Stars can reproduce by splitting themselves down the middle and making two sea stars! Carpet Sea Stars contain myriad colours and patterns, not unlike a Turkish carpet. Often found in pools feeding on mussels.

Sea Anemones: Named after the anemone flower, it’s easy to forget these are 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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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 Credit Union 8 Boutiques 9 Post Office 10 Anita’s Theatre

11 DP Surfboards & Collins Books 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

There’s a buzz in Thirroul. Possibly because this seaside shopping 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, seafood at South Sailor, sushi at Toro Sushiya or spicy delights at Shahi Aroma Indian Cuisine. Fancy a cocktail? Go to Jose Jones.

In search of true relaxation? Check into Ibah Spa for a fabulous treatment, or visit Ibah’s new beauty studio in the Anita’s Theatre building.

If you’re looking for a local night out, see

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The busy little shopping village has a new beauty studio.

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Thirroul

what’s on at iconic Anita’s Theatre. Built in 1912, the art deco theatre is a beautiful venue.

The Wiggle Fun Tour will be at Anita’s in late June, the Top Dog Film Festival will be back on August 1, the Soweto Gospel Choir performs on August 22 and local musician Darren Coggan will perform Cat Stevens’ greatest hits in his “Remember The Days” concert on September 21.

Lovers of organic goodness – and anyone fighting the war on waste – should stop by the Flame Tree Food Co-op for sustainable, organic and local produce, plus 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, the Mission Australia op shop and Retro Wombat.

Contemporary art gallery The Egg & Dart often has exhibitions by South Coast artists – Mignon Steele’s work is on show until mid June.

Surfers should check out Byrne Surf and DP Boardroom – run by local board shapers, Parrish Byrne and Dylan Perese.

Thirroul has a lovely beachfront, with a free salt-water pool (best in summer!) and beachside cafe. Lifeguards will be back on duty from the September school holidays. Children will love the beachside playground, with its flying fox.

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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Cityk

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Wollongong

ea From s ps to sho

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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 Boutique

13 Wollongong Visitor Information Centre – find everything from accommodation to cycling guides.

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

Photo courtesy Wollongong Art Gallery: Adelaide Perry, Women and children, Sharkey’s Beach, Coledale, 1929, oil on board.

After our South Coast 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 (patrolled year round). Or explore the coast via pedal power –

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Lara McCabe enjoys harbour views, shops and sweet treats.

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Wollongong

Wollongong to Bulli is a mostly flat and scenic ride of about 10km. The Novotel rents bikes or South Coast Bike Hire offers a mobile service – they bring bicycles to you. We choose a leisurely walk up Flagstaff Hill to the lighthouse.

Then we move on into town proper, where our kids delight in going to Holey Moley putt-putt.

For lunch, we pop 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!

On a Friday, you’ll find fresh produce, arts and crafts at the Friday Foragers 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. One current exhibition is Bloomin Art – as part of this floral show, there’ll be a Traditional Chinese Flower Brush Painting Workshop with Dr Fan Dongwang​on 14 July.

We end our afternoon at a playground in MacCabe Park (no relation!). It’d be nice to carry on to date-night drinks at one of the Gong’s great small bars, like Little Prince, Howlin’ Wolf, Humber or Breakout Bar (with team challenges in ‘escape rooms’). Next time! We’ll be back.

Aerial photos and video

Fine Art and Corporate images

0408 205 390

chris@malibumedia.com.au www.malibumedia.com.au

instagram

@malibumedia

27

Escape to the country!

By Lara McCabe We love Jamberoo, it feels like what a country village should be. There’s a local pub, markets at the oval, boutiques, an antiques store plus the odd rose show and vintage car display.

The markets are on the last Sunday of the month and there are amazing places to stay, such as the historic home Terragong.

Nearby Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures is great fun for families. We haven’t tried

Map & all photos by Lara McCabe

Kiama & Jamberoo

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Jamberoo & Kiama

the zipline (our youngest is too small), but the canopy walks have stunning views. In summer, stop in at Jamberoo Action Park, 15 minutes away via Jamberoo Road, which winds through green farm hills into the town of Kiama.

Kiama is a mix of historic buildings, charming boutiques and natural wonders. The scenic 22km Kiama Coast Walk – best done in leisurely sections – takes in the volcanic formations at Cathedral Rocks, basalt columns at Bombo Headland, and two blowholes.

Near the historic Lighthouse and visitors centre, Kiama Blowhole is an amazing spectacle that can shoot sea spray 20m into the air. It’s popular by night too and floodlit until 1am.

I enjoy a wander past the historic Terrace Houses on Collins St (built for quarry workers in 1886), then into the back lane to visit Wildflower Studio, a beautiful florist and giftware shop, and on to Indigo Rose homewares. Kiama has great markets: the ‘makers and growers’ on the fourth Saturday of the month, seaside markets on the third Sunday, farmers’ markets every Wednesday, and Art in the Park on the second Sunday at Hindmarsh Park. We always stop in at the Old Fire Station Community arts centre too.

Final tip: Flour Water Salt (49 Shoalhaven St) is a feast for eyes and tastebuds!

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Taste of the coast Indulge in fine food, drink and views, writes Lara McCabe.

The South Coast in winter: it is crisp, fresh ocean air with a lingering smell of chocolate and cheese. It is the warm and inviting hospitality of local food artisans and their equally welcoming open fireplaces. Wine-tasting here, whiskytasting rooms there – what’s not to love?

1AppleShack Farm Store

Glenbernie Orchard, Darkes Forest Taste and buy drinks from the award-winning Darkes Cider range, brewed from fruit picked at this fourth-generation family farm. Plus, find honey, mead made from local bush honey, apple cider vinegar, jams, relishes and more.

2Five Barrel Brewing,

318 Keira Street, Wollongong This micro-brewery has a range of craft brew styles including Pale Ale, Golden Ale, Extra Special Bitter and more.

3The Cooperative 1888

18 Belinda Street, Gerringong The former site of a dairy co-op, this historic building now hosts functions and a distillery room. Add a visit to your list for tastings of beer, whisky and other fine spirits.

4The Berry Donut Van

73 Queen Street, Berry If you haven’t heard of the Berry Donut Van ... well, we don’t know what to tell you – other than get there quickly for donuts made to order and deliciously rich milkshakes.

5Berry Chocolatier

113 Queen Street, Berry Boutique handmade chocolates and premium Genovese coffee. Plus, handmade cakes and slices, gelato and sorbet.

Valley Fudge House 6Kangaroo & Ice Creamery

1/ 162 Moss Vale Road, Kangaroo Valley This cute original cottage is the home of award-

winning brittles and gluten-free fudges cooked in store, gourmet ice-cream, coffee and more.

7Silos Estate

B640 Princes Highway, Berry Silos is a picturesque working vineyard on a farm dating to 1870. Take a proper break and book one of the wonderful cabins alongside the vineyard. Do try the award-winning restaurant.

8Coolangatta Estate

1335 Bolong Road, Coolangatta Prepare to be wowed in the foothills of Mount Coolangatta! Wine, fine dining and history will compel you to make an extended visit and the cellar door has estate-grown wines.

9 Two Figs Winery

Corner Bolong & Back Forest roads, 12km from Berry This boutique winery and vineyard is atop of one of Mount Coolangatta’s foothills and has spectacular views over the Shoalhaven River.

10Cambewarra Estate

520 Illaroo Road, Bangalee Visit this second-generation family winery set in the foothills of Cambewarra Mountain. It offers cellar door wine tasting.

11Woodstock Chocolate Co.

Shop 6 / 23 Wason Street, Milton For hand-made artisan chocolate, ingredients including fine highest-grade Belgian chocolate, plus local ingredients and their own homegrown produce.

12Cupitt’s Winery

58 Washburton Road (off Slaughterhouse Road), Milton/Ulladulla At Cupitt’s Fromagerie, traditional techniques are used to make a wonderful range of cow and goat’s milk cheeses. Plus, enjoy cellar door for wine tasting.

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Historic shacks by the sea Bulli photographer Chris Duczynski shares aerial images of three historic shack communities in the Royal National Park. Prints available at www.malibumedia.com.au

Era Era is a small collection of Heritage-listed shacks in the Royal National Park. They can be accessed from the car park by a solid 30-minute walk downhill – which means uphill all the way back. The half-day trip is definitely worth it to see this wonderful collection of restored and maintained huts.

There are lifeguards on duty on weekends, so you can cool down with a quick swim.

Bulgo

Bulgo These huts are the most “original” in terms of condition and restoration. When you arrive on the beach home to this small collection of shacks, you’ll really feel as if you’ve travelled back in time. It’s a steep walk down from the Otford Pantry, so leave a bit of energy for the way back.

Quite often you may encounter deer on the way up or down as they live in the bush around here.

Keep a bit of distance from the shacks as most of the residents also enjoy the peace and quiet of this amazing location.

30

Little Garie

Little Garie Starting at Garie surf club, take a short walk south along the bottom of the cliff. Stay on the marked track as you pass by the shacks and take note of the original architecture and materials used to maintain them. There are about 30 huts and, if you’re still feeling healthy, walk up and over the hill to Era. Remember that “shackies” are often in residence, so give them some space on your way through.

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1.51 0.36 1.49 0.54

22 0615 1242

0623 0.30 1232 1.31 SA 1758 0.65

23 0634 1244

0007 0656 MO 1311 1854

1.77 0.27 1.40 0.58

23 0627 1244

0148 0805 TH 1439 2109

1.35 0.45 1.50 0.56

23 0043 0658

0021 0721 SU 1335 1904

1.77 0.33 1.33 0.68

24 0021 0719

0105 0749 TU 1411 2004

1.64 0.34 1.44 0.61

24 0028 0709

0259 0900 FR 1541 2226

1.23 0.52 1.53 0.54

24 0144 0750

10 0123 0819

1.68 0.35 MO 1439 1.38 2017 0.68

25 0111 0806

10 0209 0842

1.50 0.39 WE 1510 1.50 2120 0.61

25 0119 0754

10 0412 0956

1.16 0.55 SA 1640 1.57 2332 0.49

25 0259 0852

11 0230 0915

26 0209 0853

11 0315 0933

26 0220 0843

11 0518 1050

26 0416 0957

12 0336 1006

27 0310 0939

12 0423 1024

27 0328 0934

12 0027 0614

27 0523 1058

13 0439 1055

28 0410 1023

13 0526 1112

28 0435 1026

13 0110 0700

28 0022 0619

14 0538 1140

29 0507 1105

14 0038 0623

29 0538 1118

14 0148 0739

29 0112 0710

15 0045 0633

30 0015 0600

15 0127 0713

30 0043 0634

15 0223 0815

30 0159 0759

1 0041 0630

2

3 4 5

6 7 8

9

1.60 0.37 TU 1538 1.46 2131 0.64

1.54 0.38 WE 1633 1.55 2243 0.58 1.49 0.40 TH 1725 1.64 2346 0.51 1.44 0.42 FR 1813 1.73

0.44 1.40 SA 1224 0.45 1859 1.80

0.35 1.33 MO 1346 0.52 2022 1.85 0.34 1.30 TU 1426 0.57 2101 1.83

0.35 1.27 WE 1505 0.61 2140 1.80 0.38 1.25 TH 1545 0.65 2217 1.74 0.42 1.23 FR 1627 0.69 2256 1.67

0.45 1.22 SA 1711 0.73 2336 1.59

0.49 1.23 SU 1801 0.76

1.52 0.51 MO 1335 1.25 1900 0.79 1.44 0.53 TU 1430 1.29 2006 0.80

1.37 0.53 WE 1522 1.35 2116 0.78 1.32 0.53 TH 1612 1.43 2224 0.72 1.30 0.52 FR 1658 1.52 2323 0.63

1.30 0.50 SA 1741 1.62

0.53 1.31 SU 1148 0.49 1824 1.73

1 0103 0651

0.42 1.32 MO 1231 0.47 1908 1.83

2

3

4 5 6 7 8

9

1.39 0.44 TH 1608 1.56 2234 0.57 1.31 0.48 FR 1702 1.63 2341 0.51

1.27 0.50 SA 1753 1.69

0.45 1.25 SU 1159 0.52 1839 1.74

0.39 1.25 MO 1243 0.53 1922 1.77

0.34 1.26 WE 1404 0.55 2040 1.77 0.34 1.26 TH 1443 0.56 2115 1.75 0.35 1.26 FR 1521 0.57 2151 1.71

0.37 1.26 SA 1601 0.60 2228 1.65

0.40 1.26 SU 1644 0.63 2304 1.58

0.43 1.27 MO 1730 0.66 2344 1.50 0.47 1.28 TU 1821 0.70

1.40 0.50 WE 1333 1.31 1921 0.73 1.32 0.52 TH 1427 1.35 2030 0.73 1.24 0.54 FR 1520 1.41 2144 0.68

1.20 0.54 SA 1614 1.50 2251 0.60

1.20 0.52 SU 1706 1.61 2350 0.48

1.23 0.49 MO 1756 1.72 0.36 1.27 TU 1210 0.45 1845 1.84

31 0132 0727

0.24 1.32 WE 1301 0.40 1935 1.94

THE WINTER

Time

1 0544 1208

MAY

LAT 34° 29ʼ S LONG 150° 55ʼ E Port Kembla Tidal Chart Times and Heights of High and Low Waters JUNE JULY

1 0221 0817 2 3

4 5 6 7

8 9

1.15 0.56 SU 1734 1.61

0.43 1.17 MO 1141 0.55 1821 1.65 0.39 1.20 TU 1228 0.53 1903 1.68

0.35 1.24 WE 1309 0.51 1942 1.70 0.33 1.27 TH 1347 0.49 2017 1.70

m

south coaster

Winter 2019

PORT KEMBLA – NEW SOUTH WALES

0.32 1.29 FR 1425 0.48 2052 1.68

0.32 1.31 SA 1502 0.48 2126 1.65

0.33 1.32 SU 1540 0.49 2200 1.60

0.36 1.33 MO 1620 0.52 2235 1.53 0.39 1.34 TU 1703 0.55 2313 1.44

0.44 1.35 WE 1751 0.59 2354 1.34 0.49 1.35 TH 1847 0.63 1.24 0.53 FR 1333 1.37 1954 0.64

1.16 0.57 SA 1431 1.41 2111 0.61

1.12 0.58 SU 1534 1.48 2225 0.53

1.13 0.56 MO 1636 1.58 2328 0.41 1.19 0.50 TU 1733 1.70

0.28 1.27 WE 1155 0.42 1827 1.82 0.16 1.36 TH 1249 0.33 1917 1.92

0.08 1.44 FR 1343 0.26 2008 1.96

31 0245 0847

0.04 1.50 SA 1436 0.22 2058 1.94

 Copyright Commonwealth of Australia 2018, Bureau of Meteorology MOON PHASE SYMBOLS New Moon First Quarter Full Moon Last Quarter Datum of Predictions is Lowest Astronomical Tide © Copyright Commonwealth of Australia 2018, Bureau of Meteorology. Datum of Predictions is Lowest Astronomical Tide. Times are in local Times are in local standard (UTC +10:00) or time daylight savings (UTC when in effect standard time (UTCtime +10:00) or daylight savings (UTC +11:00) whentime in effect.

The+11:00) Bureau of Meteorology gives no warranty of any New Moon First Quarter Quarter Moon Phasekind Symbols Full Moon whether express, implied, statutory or otherwise in respect to the availability, accuracy, currency, completeness, qualityLast or reliability of the information or that the information will be fit for any particular purpose or will not infringe any third party Intellectual Property rights.

The Bureau’s liability for any loss, damage, cost or expense resulting from use of, or reliance on, the information is entirely excluded.

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