Fun at Forster

With my son's school wrapped up, weekends are finally free from the fetters of lessons, additional classes, and tuitions after two long decades. With the rush now a thing of past, we decided to ditch the humdrum of quotidian activities with a quick weekend getaway. Our expectation wasn't  high, we chose a small place only to soak in sea, sand, and sun to our heart's content - a corny yet perfect holidaying idea for us. Needless to mention, I have developed this penchant for getting safely awashed with foaming crests breaking at the shallow shore. Grains of sand and brine that made me uncomfortable as a child, now work like nature's ointment anointed to heal the bruises of daily life. 

Forster, sitting 275 Km north of Sydney's hubbub, clamoured to be struck off our bucketlist - first cab off the rank this season. We acted as swiftly as we thought.

Back from Diwali celebrations at office on Friday, totally tuckered out, we went to bed early. On Saturday morning, we dumped some essentials in the boot of our car and hit the road for Forster, post our customary brekky of warm fluffy pancakes smeared with whipped butter and freshly fried crisp hashbrowns at Maccas. We drove straight to our decent acco and hopped into our casuals/ swimwears, ready to get drenched anywhere, anytime! 

Our first spot welcomed us with unblemished blues at Burgess Beach - a gem on Barrington Coast. An exaggerated innhale and throwing arms open to feel the crisp clean air was all we needed to embrace the beauty. Few clicks and a few few steps later, we circumvented the primeval rock cliff to pose with the wild waves sparring the demure demeanour of unyielding rocks. As they constantly accosted each other, their fury proferred excellent frames for our photographs. Doused and slaked, we climbed up to the viewing area for some of the best colours of Forster.

A late afternoon lunch at Stockland's Subway fuelled us for a brief wasy walk from Benette's Head Lookout to One Mile Sand Dunes. The coastline wasn't unfamiliar - from Kovalam to Goa, from Otford to the sparkling South Coast, we've witnessed it umpteen times. Yet, the beguiling blues of enigmatic shores never fail to spark the 'Aha' - liberation in the boundless beauty at sight from the safety locks of land.

Out of the Dunes, we searched the Caves Bay for enticing caves - our interest mainly piqued by Google images.  But the eluding caves were nowhere in sight. We assaulted a few bends and proceeded as far as we could get safely, but of no avail. On our track back, we picked up a handful of awesome shells - hardly a drop from the treasure that part of coast holds, and collected a couple of captivating captures. 

The last spot was The Tanks. We wobbled and waddled over the mossy and pebbly bed to spend a few minutes in the clear cosy waters at sunset. A wall of rock barred the pounding waves to carve out this peaceful rock pool. We got cuts and got hurt as we slipped and scrambled to the steps. Yet, upon changing and reflecting back on the moments, this frame was pinned as a remarkable spot of the day.

Sunday was a fine start watching sunrise at Tuncurry Rock Pool.

We checked out early and posed with The  (not so) Big Turtle before stepping into "tartt" for scrumptious crispy toast and scrambled egg. Minutes later, we were walking the Dolphin Drive and flying our drone, filming some spectacular bird's eye views of the area.

Our next attraction was at Harrington where we spent a healthy hour walking the bank between the arms of Manning river where it's blending into the ocean.

Further north, the serenity and quietude of Crwody Bay wrapped us for another hour before we started on the rigour of the 4-hour return drive home.

We stopped by The Big Uggs, symbolising popular Ugg boots of Australia, to checkout another one from the list of Big Things peppered across Australia’s roads as attractions.

Special thanks to my spouse for keeping his eyes peeled through the monotony of highways 🛣 while my eyelids drooped in the gentle rhythm of the drive. Credit goes to him for the stunning drone captures. And who'd have thought I'd pen down these two days unless my son remarked, 'That drone shot capturing "FORSTER" embossed on Dolphin Drive would be mum's opening frame of her blog!".

Home is a feeling, our son interjected and truly so! We felt energised and geared up for the week with these cathartic colours and experiences from Forster. Looking forward to more such weekend getaways!

Dona, Sydney, November 2024