13th March 2011 - Diamond Head, Crowdy Bay National Park, NSW

Set off from Bundjalung camp at 8am for Port Macquarie further down the central coast, with a short stop at a market to get homemade jam & honey for Stu.  Lunch at Port Macquarie beach, then a long drive to our new destination (6 hours in all) via the coast road instead of the M1.  Some sections of road were really terrible, but most of the M1 is amazing, with some sections concrete.  Must cost a fortune.   Had another break at a cute little place called Lauriton - poked our noses into an op shop (still looking for bits & pieces for the van) & also an art gallery.  We try to keep the landcruiser topped up with fuel all the time & it is getting more expensive the further down we go.  There are two fuel tanks in it, so it will be good when we get into the outback, but it's a bit of a shock to fill it up.

Crowdy Bay, our home for tonight,  has good fishing, birdwatching & fascinating headland walks.  There are several camping areas but only this one suitable for caravans.  We were amazed when we arrived to see goannas & kangaroos all around the camp.  No-one took any notice of them except new arrivals like us, & the animals didn't take much notice of the humans either.  We were to discover next morning that they can be too friendly & when you wake up & open the caravan door for the first time, they are happily fossicking around in your awning. Have even been known to poke their heads in the door.   One family left their towels etc plus a packet of potato chips on the beach near a log, only to come back & find a large goanna had had a lovely feast of them!   Naturally I had the camera out immediately while Stu was backing the van into position - great help I am! It had obviously been really busy for the weekend, & there were people still packing up to leave on our arrival at about 3pm.  No power or water at this camp which didn't worry us as we had filled our tanks at the last camp & had an ample supply of gas.  Once organised we set off for a walk around the rocky headland of Diamond Head - wonderful rock formations & great large rock pools when the tide is in, unfortunately it was going out so we were a bit late to relax in the warmth of them.  Once again the camp was right on the beach, so took a swim in the surf instead as it was quite hot, then headed back  to the van for nibbles & a wine.  The temperature is more bearable down here now that we have left Queensland but still hot without the humidity.   Had quite a nice chat with an old couple next to us (probably about 80) with a very large motorhome, who were making the most of their later years.  Was really good to chat to someone as I am missing that a bit. Stu is not into approaching people, but I like to pass a remark or two when I pass & hope to get into some sort of conversation.  It hasn't done me a lot of good so far as most of the people in these camps have been aussies.  I think it might be easier if we meet more tourists like ourselves.  Still, it's early days yet.   We are sleeping like logs, most nights to the sound of waves.