COLEDALE AND SYDNEY

After Berry, we stopped at Coledale - a northern suburb of Wollongong. It was a camping spot run by the surf lifesaving club, right on the beach. We could see all the freighters going by on the ocean - often five at a time. The kids loved having the beach as their front yard. The highlight of my stay there was seeing a whale migrating north. I spent the next hour with my glasses on and the binoculars in hand trying to spot more of them!


To get out of Wollongong, we had to get over a large hill. I've never had a panic attack, but I came close as we were pulling the caravan very slowing up a very steep road!

Our next stop was Sydney. We stayed two nights at a caravan park in the Lane Cove National Park. It was bizarre to be staying in a forest 10km from the middle of Sydney. Sundays are 'Family Funday' and you can travel all day on trains, buses and ferries for $2.50. We caught the train into the city, then walked to Circular Quay. It was an overcast, drizzly day, but we didn't get too wet. We jumped on a ferry and travelled under the Harbour Bridge to Pyrmont Bay - next to Darling Harbour. This is where the National Maritime Museum is, and where Jessica Watson's little pink boat is moored.
The museum is really interesting - and totally free! When we came out of the museum it had finally stopped raining, so we travelled back by ferry - this time standing outside on the bow - and then walked to the Opera House. The kids were so excited to be at places they had only see on tv.
We decided to walk back over the Harbour Bridge on our way home. It was quite a hike, and Tara spent half the trek on Darren's shoulders, but it was so worth it! The views were amazing!