Sparkling Sapphire Coast

January 11, 2023

Sparkling Sapphire Coast

As we watched in delight the showers of golden glitters light up inky black sky above the Harbour Bridge for the fabled fireworks at 12 am on 1st January 2023, we thought nothing could be as great to start a brand new year. But a 1200 Km drive on a 4-day-3-night trip to Shoalhaven and Sapphire Coast right after proved equally enthralling. Weaving through quaint sleepy towns of Berry, Narooma, Milton, Tathra, Bermagui, Mogo, Merimbula, tucked away between startling ultramarine hues of ocean and unique flora fauna cover of Great Dividing Range, we soaked in every drop of beauty the terrain offered.

While panoramic views of pristine ocean, untarnished beaches, alluring river mouths, serene lakes, shimmering backwaters are the main attractions of these areas, the iconic rock formations that the waves finessed over 500 million years are even more stunning! Australia Rock, Camel Rock, Horse Head Rock, Cathedral Rocks have names to them making them significant in the craggy coastline. But there are numerous others along the cliffy fringes without a moniker, yet astounding nonetheless. Unique layers of rocks laced by sandy-pebbly-rocky beaches and frills of white crests on aquamarine waves blend with adjoining bucolic beauty to lend South Coast an unique aura.

As for the trip, we started with Fitzroy Falls. Watching the water tumbling and rushing down relentlessly through 266-ft in a setting of boundless rolling hills was humbling. We hiked a couple of kilometers in the trails nestled in wilderness to cover some awe-inspiring lookouts.

Fitzroy and its surroundings

On the second day we covered most of the spectacular Shloalhaven and briefly touched the sparkling Sapphire Coast. Highlight of the day was watching seals frolicking in the choppy waters at Wagonga Head. We captured in our cameras some of them clambering up the sun-baked boulders to bask in the afternoon warmth - a leisurely break from swimming! Not far from their feat, we too scrambled up our 8'-knife-sharp vertical way precariously to fit our silhouettes in the frame that Australia Rock proffered. Finally, Camel Rock, sitting steadfastly by the side of an unblemished beach, was the perfect spot to be at before calling it a day - calm yet wild in the glow of slanting rays of sun.

Spot the seal basking

A clearer view of clambering

It's totally Australia...

...and us in it - literally or metaphorically (confounding language nuances)

Bar Rock

Camel by the sea!

A one-Km walk to humpback whale corridor lookout following a narrow trail threading through tall trees marked the beginning of the third day. The whales, however, were busy elsewhere and didn't deign to do justice to the lookout name. Warm Southern Ocean waters would be teeming with these 14-17 m giants who'd start migrating only when it gets colder - that's when this lookout would rise to significance. Thus, though the deck offers unhindered horizon to watch them capering and socialising from the stability of the shores instead of dizzying deep sea cruises, we satiated ourselves with a few family photos at the stunning viewpoint. Wild waves thundering and hammering the resolutely rocky edge of land, gushing back through staggering crevices to barrel back swiftly were gripping to watch and listen in the quietude - far from humdrum of human life. Our next stop was at an immaculate Pambula Beach. After hours of paddling in the transparent waters and playing in the sandy shallows, we headed for one of the oldest rock formations in Australia, Horse Head Rock. An eight to ten-minute adventurous hike from the car-park gradually revealed the distinctive arch reminiscent of a grazing horse by crystal clear waters on a pebbly and seemingly inaccessible shore. We concluded the day at One Tree Point of Tuross Head, a 30-minute drive from the distinguished rock.

Watching and listening the swells at this felicitous humpback whale corridor lookout - as if they are washing the feet of a giant land-lord in acquiescence but in actuality stealthily embezzling tiniest of particles to sculpt and carve the him over time

Missed the humpbacks as they are still having a whale of a time in Southern Ocean, but their acrobatics were compensated!

Pambula Beach - layers of white rocks embedded in black like dividing lines in a frou frou skirt

Horse Head Rock views from unguarded clearings - can't afford a misstep!

Imagine - a horse drinking the briny water for millions of years!

The arch in its entirety as viewed from the safety of lookout deck

Trail to Horse Head Rock Lookout - offers breathtaking views with a caveat for unfenced steep drops

Tuross Head One Tree Point- oh, the solitary tree!

The final touch of the fourth day was at the exotic Hyams Beach. Stretches of white sand, innumerable shades of blue in horizon, and turquoise water at the shore endow it with the epithet of 'the whitest beach in the world'. Snorkeling, diving, fishing, bush walking opportunities make it a magnet for about 4000 tourists every day. We, however, decided to make the most of the glassy waters and stayed tuned with the gentle waves for as long as we could.

Hues of Hyams

The cherry on the pie was the precious company of our nephew's family and their engaging 6-year old - our boredom-buster for such long hauls. Playing card games, reading a storybook, digging pits in sand or collecting shells with her eases ennui.