Crescent Head South West Rocks Mid-Week Run

13 February 2019 / Story by John Hansen

Tuesday 5 February saw 5 MX-5 cars assembled at the Rivermark Café on Hastings River Drive Port Macquarie for the start of our mid week run to South West Rocks on an extremely hot and humid day. Jane and Greg in their grey GT RF Limited Edition, Pam and Allen in their radiant red ND, Peter in his Heritage burgundy NB, Margaret and Murray in their burgundy NC and Judith and John in their freshly washed galaxy grey NB.

 Our small convoy set off, some with tops down and some with tops up all with the air con on to try and combat the heat for the first stop; Kempsey to pick up Cathy and Wayne in their burgundy NB. The Pacific Highway improvements have shortened the trip to Kempsey considerably and although the highway becomes pretty boring at the posted limit the scenery is quite attractive although huge patches of brown could be seen due to the drought. We proceeded on the well worn route to Barnett's Bakery at Crescent Head for coffee, chat and cakes.

The bakery has a good selection of goods ranging from the sinful to the slightly less sinful which didn’t prevent us from tucking in! The noise level inside the café increased dramatically as it appeared that all of Crescent Head had also decided to join us and turn up for mid morning tea. Afterwards a short trip was in order to the Crescent Head beach front to avail ourselves of the excellent amenities block. Once again we commend Kempsey Council on the building of these fine facilities which are really appreciated by all and sundry.

Having been fed and watered so to speak we were well fortified for our next stop which had us with the goal of gaol! This being the famous Trial Bay Gaol at South West Rocks. Our club has travelled the roads to Arakoon and South West Rocks extensively and the route is well known to us. However the familiarity doesn’t diminish the pleasure of travelling in an MX-5 along a river bank with a sparkling diamond river besides us even if the outside temperature has started to climb up well into the 30s. We took the back road at Arakoon through the park to the Trial Bay Gaol carpark with magnificent views over the Pacific Ocean and the hinterland. The view was a picture postcard scene straight from a tourist brochure. 

Stopping for  a group photograph we took advantage of the view against the backdrop of the Trial Bay Gaol. This Gaol has a fascinating history and was first built to provide a labour force to build a break wall and jetty into the bay which was envisioned to be a major port on the way north. However the construction was never to be completed due to heavy storms that would regularity wash away parts of the structure. This led to the abandonment of the project and the prison. The abandoned prison was used as an internment camp for German nationals in WW1, then left to the elements until the historical significance was appreciated and it underwent extensive restoration as a historic site. National Parks is now responsible for the administration of the site and have established an excellent museum documenting the history of the site. The restored site is now used as a backdrop for films and for staging art and sculpture exhibitions.

While we were admiring the sea, several pods of dolphins decided to play a game with Wayne our intrepid photographer. The dolphins cavorted gaily and staged impressive displays of splashing around however as soon as the camera lens was on them they would dive dive dive! This was judged to perfection as the performance would start again when the camera was turned away. This provided the rest of our group with great amusement until it was decided that the dolphins had won and we retired to the Seabreeze Beach Hotel for lunch.

The Seabreeze Beach Hotel lived up to its name and we took a table near the open window at one end and a large TV screen at the other end for the cricket tragics. Before lunch a short club meeting was held to agree on the various branch administrative positions, all of which were carried unanimously by the members present.

After a lively lunch the next stage of the run was to the Smokey Cape Lighthouse lookout. The drive out to the lighthouse is an interesting MX-5 road with plenty of twists and turns as it snakes through the forest to the very tight turns that lead up to the carpark. Extensive views over the bays can be had from the car park. A formidable incline leads up to the former lighthouse keepers cottages and then up to the lighthouse itself.

Peter and Allen decided that a walk up to the lighthouse would be in order to work off the effects of lunch. The group wished them both well and watched until the pair disappeared from view before deciding how to distribute their assets in the case of a non return! In a clever move Allen had allowed Peter to take the lead and set the pace. Allen admitted that this was to conceal his puffing and heavy breathing on the way up. In any event the pair successfully made the climb and were rewarded with extensive views up and down the coast.

It was agreed that a most enjoyable day was had by all, even with the heat and humidity that had not let up at all during the day. The combination of varied driving conditions, spectacular scenery, glimpses of wildlife, sense of history, good eating and above all great comradeship between members all combined to make this an enjoyable Mid North Coast MX-5 Club run. Many thanks to Allen, co-ordinator for the day, Peter, car sweep and Greg for being the run leader.

Photos to follow.