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Stage 21 - Mossy Point to Moruya Heads

After a pleasant day of doing very little and eating very well, it was time to move on again, though this time we would have the company of Sara, Nello's sister, for the stage. We were also leaving behind a landscape of rocky coastline, indented with small coves and secluded beaches and entering a different landscape where long-sweeping beaches were separated by relatively small and isolated headlands.

Late afternoon at Broulee

The sun shone brightly, with a slight haze over the distant mountains, as we headed down Broulee Beach before crossing Broulee Head to look down the vast expanse of Bengello (or South Broulee) Beach, stretching 6 km toward the mouth of the Moruya River. This was to be our highway south and, apart from the odd surf fisherman, beachworm collector and person playing Russian roulette with the sun for a bronzed body or a dose a skin cancer, we were alone to enjoy it.

Surf's up, class is in - School kids learning to surf at Broulee

The sand crab must be the most abundant animal on our beaches and its burrows dot the sand

The 6 km long sweeping curve of Bengello Beach

Two sisters

Hunting for beachworms

Sandy track through the dune heath

Overlooking the Moruya River

The retired oyster punt that took us over the river

Finally reaching the breakwater of the Moruya River, we climbed over the low dune to the sight of the river disappearing to the west under a backdrop of hazy blue mountains. As we admired the view, a strange barge-like vessel pulled up on the sandy shore. It was a “retired oyster punt” and was our means of transport for crossing the Moruya River. Its friendly driver from the Moruya Boatshed had motored up from Moruya township, 6 km upstream, to pick us up and deposit us on a tiny beach next to the opposite breakwater.

The granite blocks of the Moruya breakwater reach seaward -
Moruya quarries were also the source of granite for the pylons of Sydney Harbour Bridge

Following his good advice, we crossed the granite boulders of the breakwater and rounded a small beach to find a peaceful, shady picnic spot near Shelly Beach on the South Head; time for one last gourmet meal, as we feasted on a lunch of minced lamb, bacon and tomato tart, with accompanying Greek salad and fresh juicy nectarines prepared by Sara.

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Gourmet lunch - courtesy of Sara

Lunch over, it was time for farewells, as Sara headed back to Mossy Point and Nello and I continued southward, though this time we had just a short walk over South Head to the Dolphin Beach Tourist Park, sheltered behind the dune heath.

We had had a very sociable last week. Thanks to all our friends who came down to help celebrate the fair Nello's birthday and who shared their houses and company with us.

A collection of beach shells - by special request
for Jules

Late afternoon on Dolphin Beach

Sunset over the Moruya River


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