First Stop today is at Bicheno which is only about 45klm from Swansea so we don’t leave our camp till just after 10am. Most of the drive is along coastal flats and marshlands, though we do climb one range at Pine Hill. Bicheno fronts the Tasman Sea and is well known for its seafood. Originally established as the coastal centre for the surrounding farming community, it retains a pastoral heritage. The town rests along the bay with Peggy’s Point on the south and east side. Out on Peggy’s point we talk a short walk to the Blowhole and are not disappointed when a spout of water shoots skyward, would love to see this when the surf is big. A few hundred metres to the north is a small sheltered channel formed by Peggy’s and Governor Island only about 60 metres offshore. Here sits a fish Co-Op and the best seafood outlet…ever”, The Gulch! An early lunch is advised, and as we are the only patrons we get to sit out the back with a view of the channel moorings and the Tasman Sea beyond. Fish, calamari and Apple Ciders are the order of the day and we just did not want the food to finish, it really and truly was that good….Masterchef quality!
Feeling sated and replete we continue north at a leisurely trot through several coastal villages, Seymour, Falmouth, Scamander, none of which cause us to stop as Bicheno has left us relaxed and unadventurous. We soon come to St Helens outskirts and discover that this place is much larger than anticipated. Houses and housing estate are scattered randomly around both shores of Georges Bay which is much larger than first impressions provide. We are booked into the BIG4 St Helens to join Julia and Phil, and are surprised to see this well laid out and maintained large park at about 30% capacity, CoVid has much to answer for. The park is set on a hillside and we choose the site directly below our friends, and with a view out across the bay.
We’re here for 5 days which is what we had thought to be our average stay in places and that gives us the time to explore, enjoy and relax. This stay is a bit different, the first afternoon we do a drive out to the Bay of Fires and then we learn that from now on day trips are discouraged. We can only leave the park for shopping, essentials and exercise! :-(( On the way back from Bay of Fires we stop at an oyster farm, Latitude 65, and buy 3 dozen oysters (we are given 40) for $12 per dozen….and how good are these! Roscoe shucks them, Evi provides the lemons and bread and pours the Riesling and we are in heaven. They are large, very large, succulent, buttery and the taste encompasses the best the ocean can offer. Once more we lament the timing of our journey!
The township is obviously normally hectic as we see by the number of cafes, restaurants, clubs and a multitude of shops, unfortunately most are now in lockdown, however, we do enjoy our daily shopping trip and the excuse to browse the windows at least. Our other outing is a morning walk or bike ride. The first morning Evi and Julia go for a long walk (Phil and Roscoe enjoy a quiet coffee), but after that we both head off on a really great waters edge pathway where we can peddle up to 15klm with only a little roadwork. We explore bay and beaches as well as residential areas full of holiday shacks, houses and mansions.
Well, at least our days here are relaxing as we while away the countdown to our deportation from this penal colony. We fill the days with reading, eating, and oh, an occasional drink. The park manager has booked a site for both us and our mates at their other caravan park at Ulverstone near Devonport for the last few days of our incarceration, thank you!
Australia. Dust, Fire, Flood & Pandemic 