Woolgoolga Getaway - March 2025

       Great to be on the move again. I stop at Coopernook Pub for the night. They have had a lot of rain so sites at the back roped off. Leaves 8 places & only 2 other vans in. Elaine & Ken arrive later and also Col & Deb who are staying in the motel nearby. Deb said motel hasn't been updated since the 30's but is clean & comfortable. We all have tea at the pub in the beer garden & is deliciious. Col & Ken especially enjoyed the Lamb Shanks.

      Everyone arrives through the day & we have 8 Vans, 2 Cabins, 16 Members, 1 Visitor, 2 Dogs & 2 Relatives. We make a big circle for Happy Hour near the BBQ shelter & as usual discuss places to see & lots of laughs.

      Next morning we all travel up the windy road  to Sealy Look Out. Was a bit hazy but can see how huge Coffs is. A couple of us take a walk through the bush, about 20 mins, & come out at the car park. Have a picnic lunch & enjoy the scenery. Some drive back to camp while a few, who didn't fill up at lunch time, head to the Big Banana for....Yes you guessed it....Huge Banana Split. On way home we pulled into a stall & purchased banana's. Must say these are the best tasting banana's I have ever had....So much flavour. Happy Hour in a new spot behind Ian & Marcella van. It is a powered site for a tent & has artificial grass. Excellent. Hope nobody wants to stay here.

      Visiting Red Rock today & no picnic lunch as their Fish & Chips is delicious. On the way we stop at Yarrawarra Aboriginal Culture Centre. A small museum with exhibits of traditional & contemporary art. Items to buy but notice most made in China. None of us bought. 

      At Red Rock the tide is low but a few went in & had a dip. Refreshing & so picturesque. High tide is at 2.00 pm & is coming in quickly, the sand bank is dissappearing fast. The Fish & Chips did not disappoint, Mouth Watering. Ray decided to catch fish for tea, told him we would need 8 good size one. Well he bought some worms...$11.00...must say a small packet too. Ray noticed the tip was broken on his rod but being the true fisherman, went to the water anyway. The rest of us drove to the beach &  then a short walk down to the mouth & beautiful coloured red rocks. On returning checked on Ray, Yes has caught 2 & showed us a picture ( the catch was too small to keep) "The big one (4inches) put up a big fight." ....Lol 

      Saturday 22nd March is Col & Deb's 50th Wedding Aniversary. We all will be going to Diggers for tea, but first we visit Guru Nanah Siki Temple Musuem. Then across the road to the Temple. Shoes off & something covering your head. A service is happening upstairs & downstairs is the kitchen & a large dining area. A couple of us sample the food, where the Rice Pudding is only thing that they like. A drive to the headland where the water tower still needs a new coat of paint. ( Was here in June 2021) The view is impressive seeing North to Red Rock & South to Sawtell. That night we all go to Diggers for tea. The food is delicious (Malaysian & Western meals) Col & Deb have a great night & thanks for sharing it with them. Congratulations To You Both -- Col and Deb.

      A trip away is not complete without Bacon & Eggs for Breakfast. Into BBQ area we go. As Lorraine watches on Ken breaks on egg on the slicer & superbly places on the hot plate. Now egg No 2....No....it breaks and lands on the carry plate. "That's Elaine's egg." Anyway an enjoyable brekky is had by all. Some them drive to Coffs as the markets are on, others Sawtell & some decide to relax at camp. Deb, Col & myself decide to take a drive & check out the beaches. Some you have a short walk to & others long walk, don't do them. On way back we turn where High School is in a bush setting. Looks good. Drive bit further, stop & walk to the lake. Deb says "There's the park next to our caravan park & there is my cabin." Could walk there, but we don't. Getting hungry & decide to stop at bakery for bread roll & then to Deb & Col's cabin. Sitting on the verandah munching on a banana roll, very nice & toilet close....Lol. Then beaches to the south. We stay on Solitary Island Way crossing the Highway heaps of times. Find Mooney Beach shopping centre..TWICE. Deb puts home in GPS & off we go. We are heading in the wrong direction & then start climbing this narrow windy road. We look at each other & laugh......wonder where we will end up ? Did have good views as we ascended. Finally onto highway & home. Fun day.

       It poured through the night & Monday morning still raining. Morning tea on Deb & Col verandah. Was bit squashy but at least dry. Most decide to drive to Nana Glen & Glenreagh for day out. Didn't get out at Nana Glen, neat small town.  Still raining when arrive Glenreagh so straight to The Golden Dog Hotel. Today's menu is Pizza. Ok haven't had a Pizza for ages. I order Supreme & some of the others one with Prawns. No a Pizza doesn't have Prawns, needs smelly meat. Anyway they were lovely, delicious. We check out free camp which now has toilets, great site then onto home different way. Hang on 19 kms of gravel, I don't remember this. Ray & Roberta are in there little Getz. Anyway we do it & couple spots corrugated & big dips but the little Getz handles it well. Glad we went, good day.

      Those that didn't go to Big Banana head there today. 4 of us share a Family Banana Split but 2 of our brave members have a Banana Split all to themself. Lorraine did a good job with eating 3/4's but the GUTS Prize goes to Mick....GUTS means having Guts to eat it. Well done. Visit Lolly Shop & still amazed how they make the lollies from a blob. Back at camp and our last Happy Hour. We all agree was a fabulous week & great way to get to know our members.

Report  by Bev