OH! Magazine - Australian Version September 2017 | Page 26

( WHERE, OH WHERE? )
FLYING HIGH IN THE
EUROBODALLA, NSW
Travel writer, Toni Krasicki, explores diverse and fun ways to experience
the New South Wales south coast’s enthralling offerings.
s long as I can remember, the
pretty south coast of New South
Wales in Australia, has always played
second fiddle to balmier north coast
destinations. Maybe that’s why it still
retains its down-to-earth vibe and its
untapped natural beauty is only shared
with a few others.
A
The locals call it ‘God’s own country’, and
after at least ten annual visits exploring
different regions, I have to agree with
them. It’s a step back to a simpler and
less rushed pace, where visitors come for
fish ‘n’ chips rather than kale and quinoa
salads (not that you can’t get one).
The Eurobodalla kicks in just south of
Ulladulla and stretches down to historic
Tilba Tilba. Once you settle in you’ll
realise that a long weekend is barely
enough time to take in the untouched
hinterland and the pristine beaches. But
here are a few ideas to get you started.
From the sky
On Saturday’s, the weekly Moruya Country
Markets bring sleepy Moruya to life. At
10am, the queue for the pizza van (the
slices are massive and look delicious) is
almost into the river and locals happily
tap away to a duo banging out tunes. It’s
here, among stalls selling a mix of old and
new, edible goodies and plants that I pick
up my ride with South Coast Seaplanes
for a 15-minute flight over the beach-
scalloped coastline.
The tiny four-seater plane takes off
smoothly from the Moruya River, passing
over unseen quarries that once supplied
the granite used in the construction of
the Sydney Harbour Bridge. We cross the
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OH! MAGAZINE ( SEPT 2017 )
blue vanilla swirls of the river mouth then
head south passing over rocky headlands,
crystal clear seas and empty beaches.
Tuross Heads is the turnaround point
where we retrace our flight but over lush
farmland and dense bushland. small, feeding into the Tasman Sea, and
you’ll see more than just fishing folk
casting a line. The upper reaches of the
Clyde River are home to 16 oyster farms,
which is one of eight regions on the South
Coast Oyster Trail.
The following day I get a hit of adrenaline
and soar like an eagle 15,000ft above the
Moruya River. Skydive Oz’s base at
Moruya Airport is buzzing and I watch as
four people lying on skateboards practice
for a four jump formation to be later
performed at 15,000ft. I’m soon prepped,
pumped and hooked up to my tandem
instructor, Phelix, and watch pods of
whales migrating north as our plane
climbs higher. The 70-second free-fall
rush goes on forever, and just as I’m
settling into the 360-degree spins, the
chute opens and we pirouette back to the
airfield. Sky dives usually land on the
beach, but today we’re fighting a westerly
breeze. To get in amongst the oyster farms, take
an oyster tasting kayak tour with Josh
from Region X Tours. The two-hour tour
starts on the north side of the Clyde River
at On The Pier and moseys up the river
through some of the oyster beds growing
Sydney Rock and South Pacific oysters.
Don’t expect to give the guns a workout,
as this tour is all about the oysters and
covers a small section of the river.
For those who have time to spare, Skydive
Oz has teamed up with Paul from Nature
Engagement Tours to offer a yin and yang
type of experience that takes you from the
adrenaline fuelled skydive to a four-hour
nature walk through a south coast national
park. For the Scones In The Forest walk
(yes there are homemade scones on
offer), I was treated to a patch of
wilderness west of Moruya in Deua
National Park. It’s definitely off the tourist
trail, and feels untouched. It’s neither
difficult nor strenuous, but rather an
opportunity to connect with the forest and
it inhabitants.
The waterways
Hang out at any of the rivers, big and
We’ve hardly found our rhythm before
pulling up 200 metres from the start at
Bray Street Oyster Shed, where fourth
generation oyster farmer, Jade, is waiting
for us on the jetty. We learn the ins and
outs of growing Sydney Rock and South
Pacific oysters and how extreme weather
conditions and floods can send a farmer
broke. By the time we leave a leisurely
hour later we have learnt how to shuck
and swallow oysters, and loaded the
kayaks with several dozens for later.
The coast between Batemans Bay and
Moruya is a treasure trove of pristine
bays, beaches and river mouths that are
popular with surfing, stand up paddle
boarding and snorkelling. Robert from
Broulee Surf School escorts me on a
stand up paddleboard (SUP) tour up the
Tomar River. We glide through crystal
clear water passing over giant stingrays
and tiny fish. This is flat water SUPing at
it’s finest, and Robert challenges me to go
out the heads for some waves. Maybe
next time during a summer visit.