billrider2013

SYD2BNE Days 4, 5 and 6

I stayed in Bluey’s Beach.  This is very popular place in the holiday period. Boomerang and Elizabeth Beach are the places to go.

Forster

As I headed north, I passed through Forster.  I have now been there twice,  I am not  sure if there will be a third visit.

Taree

There are not many options for travelling north beyond Forster.  I ended up having to take the Pacific Highway towards Taree.

Taree is one the ‘river towns’ on the NSW Coast.  They are situated in the many rivers heading to the sea.  Before the rail and road links were established, the transport to these towns was by sea and a short trip up the rivers.

The rail line made the sea links uncompetitive; however, because the line passed through the towns, they prospered.  The towns on the coast, e.g. Laurieton were restricted  to being fishing villages.  With the rise of the motor vehicle and increased prosperity overall, the coastal towns became popular as holiday destinations.  In the 90’s, these places also became popular ‘sea-change’ destinations for retirees.

I checked in to the Exchange Hotel in Taree.  This is an example of the classic NSW country pub.  These are not popular places to stay anymore.  This makes them relatively cheap – AUD 40.

I recalled that last time that I was in Taree, was to inform employees of the then Rail Services Australia (RSA), that the plant that made timber sleepers would be closed.  This was at the time that the maintenance of the rail line was going to be subject to completive tender.  I left RSA not long after the visit.  Under pressure for the unions, the NSW Government stopped the competitive tender process.

Next morning , I road to Lansdowne.   The route took me along the rail line that links Sydney with Brisbane. All of the sleepers are made of concrete.  I assume that timber sleeper plant was closed.

Not Activity at the Bowling Club

I stopped in Lansdowne for water.  The only place open was the bowling club.  I asked for water.  The barman appeared pleased to have a customer, albeit one that did not pay anything.

Garmin Gets  Confused

The route from Lansdowne took me into a State Forest.  The Garmin thought I was on the Rocky Creek Road.  Apparent there is no such road.  When I reach an intersection of four forest tracks, it decided that there were no roads or tracks in the vicinity.  It was confused and so was I.  I resorted to the trusty compass and headed east towards the sea.

  Noise of the Bush

There is one thing I had forgotten about the Australian bush, especially in summer – the noise of the cicadas – almost deafening.

Good Advice from a Farmer’s Wife

When I emerged from the State Forest, I had almost run out of water.  I could see the Pacific Highway in the distance. Saw a women dragging wheelie bin across the road and asked if she could give me some water.  She asked me where I was headed and gave her a bottle, assuming there would be plenty of places to refill it and my other bottle down the track.

She asked for the other bottle saying: “if you don’t drink it, you can tip it out – you can’t drink water from an empty bottle”.  As it turned out, I need both bottles.

Shit Track

I crossed the highway and head north of the track past Diamond head to Laurieton.  This is the most corrugated track I have ever encountered.

After about 20 klms of hell,  I finally made it the Laurieton.

Pay Whenever

When I arrived at the camping ground, the Manager said “pitch your tent wherever, and pay wherever you decide to leave”.  This is something you would hear in the UK and Europe where the provision of ID and payment is mandatory.

Port Macquarie

In the morning, I headed north to Port Macquarie. I didn’t take the best route.

I decided to stay in the Port Macquarie Hotel.  This turned out to be a bit of revelation.  I am going to have to check out the history of the place.

Flickr Link

http://flic.kr/s/aHsjNMJymJ