Back on the coast

We’re a bit behind with our blog posts. After leaving the home of county music we spent a cold, windy and boggy night in Muswellbrook, en route to our next destination: Belmont, on Lake Macquarie, which is Awabakal country.

The last time we (that’s the “royal we”) visited Lake Macquarie, about two decades ago, there were a few resorts dotted around and not much in between. Now it feels like a Sydney suburb, albeit a pretty one. We did very little while we were there - a bit of noseying around other areas of the lake and a quick trip to Nobby’s beach in Newcastle. We’re grateful to the lake for offering up a good-sized bream for dinner, and a couple of really nice sunsets.

After Belmont we spent another cold, windy and boggy night west of Sydney where we parted company with our remaining travelling companions before making our way to Huskisson, in Jervis Bay. The Koori People of Wreck Bay (part of the Yuin Nation) are recognised as the traditional custodians of the land and water surrounding Jervis Bay.

Now back in the day, when our founding fathers (and they were all men) were debating where the country’s capital should be, the rivalry between Sydney and Melbourne dominated discussion and because nobody could decide which of those cities was more deserving, somebody (we’re not sure exactly who) proposed a site exactly 160 miles from Sydney which offered “clean air, a good water supply and an invigorating climate”. Canberra certainly has all those things (especially at this time of year … brrrrr!). But it doesn’t have a harbour. Harbours were considered essential for the defence of a nation’s capital so another clever clogs proposed annexing a bit of New South Wales’ coast to serve as Canberra’s harbour, should it ever need defending from hostile navies.

And so Jervis Bay officially became part of the Australian Capital Territory, and it still is. Much to the consternation of its residents, I reckon.

Those of us who grew up in Canberra learned from a young age to pronounce the name of our harbour “Jarvis Bay”. But the locals, possibly as a way of politely giving the finger to their administrators, firmly pronounce the name the way it’s spelled. Either way, it’s a very beautiful place. We spent our time in Husky doing nothing other than enjoying the scenery and soaking up the sunny and un-invigorating climate.

And then, all too soon, short trundle around NSW (and the ACT) ended. We’re home now, busy unpacking and preparing for the next adventure, which may be sooner than you think. Watch this space!

Thanks once again for following our adventures. We love sharing our travels with you and enjoy hearing from you. Here are some photos taken around Lake Macquarie and Huskisson. There’s a bit of a watery theme.