Day 3 - Nambucca Heads

Cookie says...

Our second full day in Nambucca Heads and with no need to go anywhere, it was a perfect opportunity to explore the headland.  We found a lookout and then walked down to main beach where some of our kids tried their best to find spots to be swept out to sea from the rocks. 

The next lookout was the Lion's followed by Captain Cook's which overlooks Shelly Beach and the White Albatross holiday park. The kids went for a swim while I walked over the headland to check out the V Wall. Most of the rocks have been painted with artwork, clever statements and RIP messages.

Afterwards we found a park and playground where we had fish and chips for lunch. The afternoon plan was another beach swim but it was too rough so the kids invaded the pool. 

Julie says...

Rachel told me I had to have 'whimsy' on our trip around the headlands, and so I just instructed the convoy to take every turn to the left.....

Mim says...
Another wonderful start to the day at the beach - nearly as perfect as yesterday's morning swim. We've explored the beaches so now for NSW's famous "Waterfall Way". None of the other families agreed with my tourist info advice and I admit the kids were even a little disappointed they weren't seeing the other families.

The giant leech statues at the skywalk put us off a bit & the short way to the waterfall and suspension bridge was closed so decided not to take the long (2 -3 hour) way. Still got to see the view from the skywalk and Lily and I did a short and really pleasant rainforest walk while the other kids whinged so Mikey backtracked and drove them to the end of the track to meet Lily and I. Also got Ebor Waterfall in (after a good pie for Mikey and a bad pastie for me) which was stunning. We would have even had a quick swim bit it was raining at that time.

Day 2 - Nambucca Heads

Cookie says...
The first full day was started with a swim at the beach, which we almost had to ourselves. This was followed by a swim in the pool and my first and hopefully only sunburn of the trip. I was also gutted about not trying to photograph the night sky the previous evening, it was such a good opportunity.

In the afternoon we managed to get some gaming in as well as another swim in the pool. That night, Mikey smashed it at Five Crowns.

Some rain had come through earlier but I thought I'd see what the sky was doing. There was some cloud still out there but you could see the storm out off the coast. I brought out my gear and tried my hand at some astrophotography. Two and a hours and a midnight later, I headed to bed. 

Julie says...

I found my kindred spirit in Perrin, who hates the beach, sand, salty ocean and sun as much as I.

Mim says...
The water was amazing. I do think it's my favourite beach. I had about an hour to myself and went beyond the breakers & just floated - bliss. Loved making the series of dams & sand castles with the kids - Mikey and I ..... I mean the kids really got into it....

Rachel says...

Magical beach. We definitely want to come back someday 

Tash says...

The barbie boggie board was a blast!

Day 1 - Nambucca Heads

Cookie says...

It's a long time between posts, but we're finally at it again. This time we're road tripping through northern and central NSW with the Prices, Rodda's and Ruthenberg's.

We were quick off the mark and stopped in Ballina for a break at a playground,. It wasn't a bad playground, but there wasn't much shade and was a bit of a detour. It did however mean we could start making some cultural stops, like the Big Prawn nearby and then followed by the Big Banana in Coffs Harbour.

Sawtell was a quick detour to check out the headland and the Big4 holiday park. Once in Nambucca Heads we checked in and found the tortoise had beaten the hare - the Ruthenberg's who had come from Esk towing a van had beaten us to the park.

After everyone had arrived, the kids found the pool. After dinner I went to the beach to check the night sky conditions. It's was probably the best night sky I've been under, so I went back to the cabin and slept. 

Julie says...

The Big Prawn is now in the carpark of a Bunnings, so it doesn't have quite the same 'fishiness'.

And I'm so glad Cookie brought 5 cameras... he took 45mins to take 65 000 photos at Sawtell.... meaning we lost the race!!

Mim says...
I had about five brown signs planned to visit on the way but only managed to do two. The first was "The Farm" near Byron Bay and I knew I wasn't in Queensland anymore as there were only a few bogans in sight (probably all visiting from Qld). Instead there were long blonde haired toddlers beautifully tanned with only board shorts on that looked like they were about to catch a wave or appear on their mother's Insta post. 

We had to run in for the obligatory photo at the Big Banana as our second stop of course.

Rachel says...

Knowing which of the six available cameras will be best for the job is an amazing skill 

This is our first time travelling with Cook Tours. They came highly recommended and I must say, they have not disappointed. Amazing location, quality cabin, access to beaches and pools and an interesting local town to explore.... wow! 10/10! Looking forward to day 2!