Five Days In New South Wales
Our three-day stay in Sydney was fun-filled. On our way back to Melbourne, we took the Princes Highway. While the Hume Highway has shorter distance, travellers do not see the town centers in New South Wales as the highway is diverted away from the populated areas. The Princes Highway, on the other hand, provides a panoramic view of the Sapphire Coast as the highway runs through the towns situated therein.
I remember with fondness the beautiful landscapes as we passed through the quiet, quaint agricultural towns of Berry and Milton. Sights of cows grazing on the meadows and of beautiful flowers in full bloom around farm houses make one forget whatever woes he has and help clear, albeit temporarily, the cobwebs in his mind. The cool colors of Nature doing wonders !!
As the road snaked through rolling hills, we came to a halt at the town center of Berry, giving me the opportune time to rush to the town's small museum. Berry has a rich history and takes pride in its development as a small township. Old photos, antiquated farm equipment, the town's first telephone, antique furniture speak well of Berry's rich culture. We had our lunch at the next town of Milton which is just as beautiful.
We were now nearing the Sapphire Coast as evidenced by the magnificent view of the coastline. As we traveled deeper into several townships, namely, Wollongong, Kiama, Nowra, Ulladulah, Narooma and Bega, gum trees in great numbers provided shade and respite to the sun's sweltering heat. At Merimbula, our group checked in at a fine motel with a commanding view of the ocean. Merimbula is famous for its Rock Oysters and is the site of the annual Jazz Festival. For dinner, we had Seafood Special, Burgers with mashed potatoes as sidings, Olive Tapenade Waterfront Burgers, Exotic Mushroom, etc. Indeed we were having a good time.
Early the next day, we continued traversing the Princes Highway, crossing several bridges and enjoying the enthralling sights in Pambula, until we reached the town of Eden. Eden, as the name connotes, is paradise. The town center is situated on a hilly portion that overlooks the bay. It has good hotels and inns, restaurants serving fresh seafood, a small Uniting church and a whale museum. And as one follows the descending road, it takes him to the Port of Eden where trawlers are docked after several days of fishing in the open sea, reaching as far as Tasmania.
Eden is a tranquil place. So quiet one can hear the wind blow, one can hear the chirping of the birds. Everything and every area is clean. Nothing messy, nothing filthy. With a population of about three thousand, Eden lures visitors to the place and its enchanting beauty keeps them coming back. And as I sat alone on that bench overlooking the bay and the museum, the wind seemed to whisper a promise to my ear. That life would still be as good as it is. Good for me, good for everyone. Or was I imagining?
- Konted
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| After 3 days of fun in Sydney, we are now bound for the small towns in New South Wales |
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| Taking the longer Princes Highway |
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| Occasional glimpses of the ocean as you travel the Princes Highway in New South Wales |
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| A beautiful country house |
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| Australian cows |
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| The average life span of an Australian cow is 20 years. |
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| A common sight in the countryside |
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| Adirondack chairs are popular in the rural parts of Äustralia |
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| A Harley Davidson rider is flagged down by a motorcycle cop for possible traffic violation |
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| Traffic slows down at Princes Highway approaching the town of Berry |
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| Berry's town center. The town was named after the Berry Family who were the first settlers in the area. |
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| Wilson & Co. store established in the 1800s |
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| Farm animal figures as props in a store in Berry. Berry is an agricultural town. |
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| This time a black and white cow and a dog |
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| Berry Bakeshop at the heart of the town. Famous for their pies. |
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| Clean Berry Lodging Inn |
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| There is an abundance of inns and motels in Berry like the Bunyip Inn Guest House. |
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| Nice Australian Terriers |
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| The town of Berry has its own school of arts. |
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| A bazaar in one of the side streets |
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| Hard to find items |
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| Waiting for their turn at the ATM machine |
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| Berry's Post Office built in 1886 |
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| The Berry Museum has Scottish Baronial design. |
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| Berry's Museum was erected in 1884 and is housed in what used to be a bank. |
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| Old farm leather gears and accessories |
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| Berry's 1st telephone that enabled the town to establish communications with Sydney authorities in the 1800s. |
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| Old dairy farm machines and equipment |
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| House wares dating back to the 1800s |
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| WW I & II military uniforms |
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| Things used in the old days. |
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| Lodging Inn with wooden boats and canoes as props |
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| The Princes Highway approaching the town of Milton |
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| Milton has numerous hotels, motels and inns for tourists. |
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| Milton town is historic as it has buildings and houses built in the 1800s. Milton is close to the ocean and is also near the mountain ranges. Milton is classified as historic by the Australian National Trust. The name "Budawangs" here refers to the mountain range visible in the area. |
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| The town center of Milton. This road is also part of the Princes Highway. |
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| All seats/tables are taken. |
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| Small bar in Milton where local residents meet and drink beer |
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| Chatting with a local resident |
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| Business is good in Milton. |
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| Milton's old Town Hall |
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| Old Post Office built in 1880. |
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| Milton Theater was built in 1923. It is still operational and has been remodeled. |
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| Old Court House built in 1877 |
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| Way to the store selling antiques made by the famous Turnbull Bros. These are considered treasures from the past. |
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| IGA wine and liquor outlet in Milton |
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| A bus loaded with tourists passes through the town of Milton. This road is part of the Princes Highway. |
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| A heavy duty truck uses the Princes Highway in Milton without causing traffic at the town proper. |
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| Robert M. & Family of Melbourne |
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| Crossing a steady bridge on our way to the next destination. |
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| Beautiful country house in the town of Narooma in New South Wales. Best photo of the day. |
