Bundanon, Bundanoon and Other B Places

06 October 2023 / Story: Dewi & Neil Brewitt, Anda Clayton; Photos: Anda Clayton, Rose Smith

South Coast Chapter – Bundanon to Bundanoon and other B Places

23 September 2023

I’ve been everywhere, man

Crossed the deserts bare, man

I’ve breathed the mountain air, man

Of travel I’ve had my share man,

I’ve been everywhere

I’ve been to Bundanon, Bomaderry, Bolong, Back Forest, Berry, Burrrawang, Burradoo, Berrima, Bowral, Bundanoon….

Saturday morning, 4 MX5s met at the United Petroleum in Tomerong excited and ready to be surprised by Bob, our run leader. All we knew was that we were going to Bundanon and the rest was a surprise. Our first stop was the beautiful estate of Bundanon where we were joined by Paul who kindly gave Brian and Neil a lift up the hill to the café where we had our morning tea. It was a first visit for most of us and we were truly amazed by the beautiful scenery and peacefulness of the place. After our cuppa and cake, lots of photos and chats, we were off again in search of places beginning with ‘B’.

From Bundanon, we head for Bomaderry and drove past Bomaderry High School, where Rose and Geoff first met. Continuing on Bolong Road, Back Forest Rd and Bryces Rd, our lunch stop was Berry Treat Factory. Surprisingly, it was not too busy despite being a weekend. The food was great, and all the ladies left with a bagful of goodies from The Treat Factory and managed to hit the Berry shops too! What a productive afternoon!

We then travelled down Berry Mountain towards Kangaroo Valley and onto the Illawarra Highway towards Burrawang, Burradoo and Bendooley Estate in Berrima. We arrived in sleepy Bundanoon just before 4pm and booked into the Bundanoon Country Inn, our humble abode for the night. A few of us went for a walk around town before we gathered in the motel’s conference room for happy hour. Dinner was absolutely scrumptious at the Little Jacks Style Thai restaurant which is situated in the Ye Olde Bicycle Shop. We returned to our accommodation with happy hearts and full bellies, eagerly anticipating what tomorrow will bring.   Thank you, Bob and Linda!

Well, not quite everywhere, man

Just places beginning with B….

Maybe next time, we’ll go in search of places beginning with ‘C’.

Over to you, Anda!

Story by Dewi & Neil Brewitt

24 September 2023

A new day dawned, and most of us gathered on time for our next day’s adventure. One of us, hm hmm, that would be me, ended up trusting her watch, resulting in a panicked run down the main street to join the group waiting patiently. A red face and a new watch battery on order.

So Bob, what’s in store for us today? Departing the motel, we turned right towards Goulburn, now that’s not a B word Bob! Soon enough Bob remedied the situation by turning down Jerrara Rd to Bungonia. Bungonia, a sleepy village, was a scheduled coffee stop. Three guesses how many cafes are located in Bungonia? Zero, zilch, none. Googlemaps to the rescue and we found Johnno’s Corner General Store nearby in the middle of nowhere on Oallen Ford Rd which could offer us a coffee and overpriced groceries. Incidentally, a bit of a misnomer as it’s not even on a corner!  

Caffeinated, we continued on in the search of more B words. “Beautiful bush” commented Linda over the 2-way, tick. As we neared Goulburn we passed Brisbane Grove. A quick run down the M31 and a right turn into Breadalbane prior to our arrival at our lunch destination in Collector at Fedra Olive Grove. Here we enjoyed a delicious lunch in the shade of a tree overlooking the estate’s olive groves. Several of us made purchases of their award-winning olive oil.

By now we were guessing that the next stop may be Bungendore which indeed was the case. Still full as googs from lunch, we had little interest in stopping for any more food! We pushed onwards to Braidwood, where some of us said our goodbyes, others decided to stay for a spot of retail therapy. Brian and I continued on down Clyde Mountain to Bateman’s Bay and on through Burrill Lake to blissful home sweet home, which doesn’t start with a B.

So, as you can see, during the course of the weekend, we’ve been everywhere Man, that starts with a B!

Thank you Bob and Linda for another fun weekend away. You kept us guessing most of the way!

Anda Clayton