Potato Point isolated beach, wildlife and much more than the name suggests!

Potato Point is located on the South Coast of New South Wales a 6 kilometre drive from the town of Bodalla which is famous for its cheese. 

Surrounded by the Eurobodalla National Park, Potato Point is a fairly isolated spot mainly populated by wildlife and holiday homes.

Kangaroos grazing on the beach front

There are a number of small beaches were you can enjoy an isolated walk, surf, fish or swim. We stayed at an eco friendly caravan park right on the beach which was solar powered and provided wood so we could light a fire in the fireplaces scattered throughout the park.

Friendly kanagroos grazed on the beach front and in the grasslands, no doubt moving back into the shelter of the National Park in the night.

You can take a long walk along the beach at the front of the caravan park to an inlet overlooking Tuross Head which is much larger as around 2,200 people live. There are fantastic views from this point across to the nearby mountains.

The August days were sunny but it was freezing at night so a fire was welcome!

We were lucky to spy a pod of dolphins frolicking in the ocean near our camp site and kookaburras also came to visit which topped off a short stay in this lovely location.

Whale watching and more on the Fraser Coast

Hervey Bay

Hervey Bay is located on the Fraser Coast a region that is famous for its natural wonders including whales, dolphins and Fraser Island; which is the world's largest sand island and  Heritage Listed. 

We flew into Brisbane and drove the 3.5 hours to Hervey Bay along the Bruce Highway. But you can also fly into the Sunshine Coast or Hervey Bay itself. 

On the beach at Hervey Bay

Hervey Bay has a wide range of accommodation ranging from backpackers, apartments, resorts, caravan parks and house for rent. We chose to stay at White Crest Luxury Apartments as it was close to shops, restaurants and across the road from the beach.   

  
After checking into our apartment we booked a whale watching cruise for the next day, as this was to be a highlight of our visit to the area. We then set out to explore the local area and took a long walk along the beach.

Fishing at Hervey Bay

Like most beach side suburbs the town radiates out from the beach with accommodation, restaurants and shops lining the nearby streets. Hervey Bay has a number of suburbs which have grown over the years to cover quite a large area.  So don't be confused when you see names such as Torquay, Pialba and Point Vernon as these are all located along the coastline at Hervey Bay.

Great Sandy Straits Marina

The next morning we were collected outside our accommodation and taken to the Marina for our whale watching cruise with Whalesong, who are one of the many whale watching companies in Hervey Bay. We did a morning cruise but you can also choose an afternoon or full day cruise.

Smooth sailing even into a storm

We enjoyed a breakfast of quiche, bacon, sausages, salads and bread which was served shortly after we departed the Marina. The weather wasn't looking great as we headed out of the bay in search of whales. We went through some small rain storms but it was still very smooth sailing and we continued to enjoy staying out on the deck.

Our first experience of a whale breaching

After about an hour of cruising we came across our first whales which caused a lot of excitement and everyone moved outside onto the decks.  We observed a number of pods as the boat cruised from one area to another looking for more active whales.

A whale swims underneath our boat

The whales mainly travelled in pairs, some mothers and calves, we saw them waving with their fins, swimming up and down and breaching as they played in the ocean nearby.

Swimming close to the boat

Just before we headed towards home a whale decided to come so close to the boat that it swam beneath us and then popped up on the other side. It was an amazing experience being so close to this gentle but gigantic creature.

A final breaching before we head for home

Watching the whales breach was one of the best experiences of the morning. I found it hard to catch them on the camera but we did manage to some great acrobatics on video. 

Whale watching video

What to do in Hervey Bay

Best meal was at Maddigans Fish and Chips in Torquay, its a take away, but the range of fish and other seafood was fantastic.

Tin Can Bay

We left the highway and dropped in to see this quaint fishing and boating haven whilst travelling south to the Sunshine Coast. Tin Can Bay is also renowned for dolphin sighting at Norman Point, normally between 7.30 and 8 a.m.  

Tin Can Bay Harbour

Prawns, scallops and spanner crabs are all caught in this area with many destined for the overseas market.  We also saw a number of houseboats moored in the Bay demonstrating the range of water activities that draw people to the live and holiday in the area.

View from Les Lee Park, Tin Can Bay

Rainbow Beach

We took another diversion to Rainbow Beach another lovely seaside village known for fishing, boating, surfing. prawning and crabbing. 

Rainbow Beach is also known as the main entry point to Fraser Island due to the short ferry ride from Inskip Point.    Its where we crossed a number of years ago to spend 5 days on this amazing Island.

The town of Rainbow Beach has grown substantially since we last visited and there is now a range of shops, accommodation and activities to enjoy.

Fishing at Inskip Point,  Rainbow Beach

We were surprised at the extent of camping areas that line the road as you drive to Inskip Point.         These looked like amazing camping sites shaded by cypress pines and other trees and shrubs in walking distance to the beach and close to the town of Rainbow Beach. 

The coloured sands at Inskip Point (once known as Black Beach) are explained in the Kaby Dreaming story of Yiningie, the spirit of the gods, who often took the form of a rainbow. Yiningie was killed in a fight when he crashed into cliffs and his spirit coloured the sands.   

Ferry crossing from Fraser Island to Inskip Point

 More information about Inskip Point

A glimpse of Fraser Island

East Gippsland

From the extensive Gippsland Lake system, beautiful beaches, National Parks and limestone caves the East Gippsland area can be enjoyed by a wide range of tourists.


Metung


Metung is a small village on the Gippsland Lakes and is a haven for those who love fishing or boating. 

Sometimes called the Riviera of the Lakes there is a range of quality accommodation to choose from.   We loved the look of Edgewater Terraces http://www.edgewaterterraces.com.au/ and McMillans http://mcmillansofmetung.com.au/ as they are both located overlooking the lake and short walk to the yacht club or nearby restaurants.

The natural environment around Metung attracts a range of amazing bird life and fish as well as other native animals.   

Legend Rock

Metung also has cultural significance for the traditional owners the Gunaikurni as Legend Rock is located in the shallow waters beside the town.  Legend Rock is part of the Bataluk Cultural Trail which was been developed to introduce peoople to the Gunaikurni history and culture. http://www.batalukculturaltrail.com.au/legend_rock.php

Nyerimilang Heritage Park

Nyerimilang Homestead

Nyerimilang Heritage Park was purchased by the Victorian Government in 1976 to display the history of the Gippsland Lakes area. A range of displays are located inside the homestead and the extensive gardens showcase the natural resources surrounding the house.  

Views of the lake from Nyerimilang Homestead

There are a range of short walks from 10 minutes to 30 minutes, a small shop run by volunteers, a picnic area including a children's playground and BBQ. 

Gardens surrounding the homestead

The gardens are well kept and have stunning views of the Gippsland Lakes which adjoin the property.


For a full history of the area see Nyerimilang - Tranquility on the chain of the Lakes


Lakes Entrance


Lakes Entrance is a larger town situated on Gippsland Lakes and 90 mile beach. Renowned for its beautiful seafood the area is popular for fishing, boating and swimming.

There are 3 beaches; Main Beach and Eastern Beach which are both popular with families as they're patrolled beaches, Lake Tyers Beach extends from Lake Bunga and is a challenging beach popular for surfing and body boarding.


Accommodation choices range from hotels, motels, caravan and camping grounds, to bed and breakfasts, backpackers and cottages. Lakes Entrance Accommodation.


Popular activities include fishing, swimming, surfing, kite flying or you can charter a range of boats, join a fishing tour or just eat at one of the boats now converted to restaurants. 


East Gippsland Rail Trail


The East Gippsland Rail Trail stretches 94 kilometres through a variety of forest and farmland. Along the way you'll see a range of trestle bridges, railway cuttings and embankments and the occasional glimpse of the Gippsland Lakes. The area is also rich in wildlife, birdlife and beautiful banksias.

Stony Creek Trestle Bridge

Buchan Caves

Buchan is located in Snowy River country and famous for its limestone caves. The Buchan Caves are a honeycomb of caves with beautiful limestone formations. Stalactites formed from the roof, and stalagmites build from the ground are both found throughout the caves.

Buchan at sunset

Cave tours of Royal Cave and Fairy Cave are run a number of times a day by Park Rangers. Tour costs are $15 for adults and $8.70 for a children or $41.50 for a family of 4.

Kangaroos enjoying afternoon tea at Buchan Caves Reserve

The Reserve has a picnic ground, caravan and camp ground and a wilderness retreat. All accommodation must be booked via Parks Victoria

Cape Conran Coastal Park

Cape Conran Coastal Park is located near Marlo and has heathlands, wild ocean beaches and banksia woodlands brimming with nectar-feeding birds. When we visited the area had been extensively damaged by recent storms.

East Cape Conran 

East Cape has a range of camping grounds and a lovely picnic area with tables and a BBQ. There are a range of walks including a Koorie board-walk. East Cape was previously a meeting place for the Gunaikurnai who would meet with the Bidawal and Monero people.

Salmon Rocks

At West Cape we found Salmon Rocks and shell middens which are mounds of left over shells where the Gunaikurnai sat and ate seafood for thousands of years. 

Shell Middens

For more information on the Cape Conran Coastal Park 

The mighty Murray River

Starting its life in the Alps and meandering through New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia to its mouth at Goolwa, the mighty Murray River is 2,500 kilometres long.  The River is fed along the way by several other rivers including the Darling and Murrumbidgee.

Said to be around 130 million years old the Murray and its abundant resources have been used by various indigenous people including the Ngarrindjeri and Nganguraku people.

Courtesy Tourism SA

Today the River is the backdrop and main focus for many holiday makers. Key amongst its attractions are water sports of many kinds. Our family enjoyed water skiing and camping at Picnic Point for many years and we've skied at many other great locations along the River.  Some of the main areas for skiing are Echuca-Moama, Lake Mulwala, Lake Boga near Swan Hill, Tocumwal, Lake Hume and Lake Bonney in South Australia.

A boat license will be required when travelling over 10 knots in NSW Maritime NSW and in South Australia when driving a boat with an engine SA Government

Enjoying a warm day on the River's edge

Another great way to holiday on the Murray River is to hire a houseboat with a group of friends and travel this majestic River. Many people will trail a ski boat behind the houseboat which allows them to enjoy a range of activities.

Travelling the River in this manner you get a chance to enjoy its towering cliffs ancient forests of red river gums and a range of wildlife and birdlife. At night you can pull into seculded sand bars to camp and enjoy the changing mood of the River as night falls.

Courtesy of Tourism SA

Navigating the Murray River requires you to travel through a number of locks and weirs that date back to the 1920s and 1930s This adds to the sense of adventure and interest a houseboat holdiay provides. Murrary River locks, dams, weirs and barrages

You can hire a houseboat at many towns along the river including Echuca-Moama, Mildura, Renmark, Murray Bridge, Waikerie, Morgan and Blanchetown.

Courtesy of Tourism SA



Fresh water fishing is also another popular past time along the length of the River. Murrary Cod is one of the most sought after fish, along with freshwater crays we call yabbies. Brown and rainbow trout are found in the upper regions of the Murray and below Yarrawonga trout cod are found.  You will need a fishing license see NSW fishing license or South Australia Fisheries  depending on which area you are fishing. Fishing from Victoria is covered by a NSW license as the River is within NSW state boundaries.

 Wistaria Cafe Historic Port Echuca

There are a number of historic towns along the River which retain a sense of times gone by. The historic Port of Echuca is one such place to visit. You can wander around the Port, take a ride on a restored paddle steamer or eat at one of the many restaurants or cafes in the area.

Crossing the Murray at Waikerie

Continuing the sense of going back in time a range of ferry crossings still run 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They’re free to use and something we enjoy doing when we're heading to or from outback South Australia.

There are a range of accomodation options along the Murrary River including camping, motels, apartments and houses for rent.

To find out more about the Murrary Region:

Murray River Region Tourism South Australia

Murray River Region Tourism Victoria

Albury Region NSW Tourism