Southwest Rocks via Crescent Head Run

24 July 2020 / John Hansen

Sunday 28 June turned out to be an ideal day for an MX-5 run. The weather was kind, with a dry winter’s crisp sunny day, blue skies and far off white clouds. Eagerly ten members waited for the start at 9 am. Today was a special run, as it was the first time in weeks that we were able to visit a restaurant since the initial lockdown. The plan was a trip up to Crescent Head for a picnic morning tea followed by a pleasant drive up to the Smokey Cape Lighthouse and then over to the Kiosk restaurant at Arakoon.

 

We had 10 members for the run, Coordinator Allen with Pam in their ND, run leader Graham with a Mazda CX series, RobyJ and Peter in a heritage NB, Susan and John NB, Jane and Greg Special Edition RF and John NC. After the initial sign on and briefing we moved out onto the now familiar part of the run up to Crescent Head along Hastings River Drive to the old Pacific Highway; turning right over the river and eventually joining the new Pacific Highway to Kempsey. Although we had been on this part of road many times it was still a great feeling to be motoring along with the top down, taking in the fresh air and looking at the countryside which had greened up since the last bushfires. In seemingly no time at all we were at the Kempsey turn off.

 

From Kempsey we travelled the familiar Crescent Head road which unusually, we had mostly to ourselves, to the car park at Crescent Head Beach, which was packed with people also enjoying a day out. Consequently there wasn’t room for all of us and it was decided to go to the local park for our picnic morning tea. This turned out to be an inspired move as there was ample parking and we had a shaded picnic shed area to ourselves away from the madding crowd. After an entertaining and enjoyable morning tea and the obligatory photo shoot we headed north to make our way to South West Rocks.

 

The drive along Loftus Road to the Belmore River Flat and the subsequent Belmore Right Bank Road is one of the more picturesque countryside drives in the local area. The road provides some interesting corners and care needed to be taken as the glistening river views along the river bank are so beautiful that they can easily be quite distracting. Soon we arrived at the junction with Gladstone Road where we turned right to follow the South West Rocks Road through Gladstone and along the banks of the Macleay River passing through Smithtown and Kinchela to Jerseyville and joining the Arakoon Road. This whole area has a rich history and Gladstone in particular has many interesting eating places and galleries to explore, which are well worth a separate day trip.

 

We followed the Arakoon Road to the outskirts of South West Rocks and then to the turn off to the Smokey Cape Lighthouse. The lighthouse parking lot was pretty full because the day was also the Whale Migration Census Day and many people had come out to see and count the whales. We parked and our party split into two with some members electing to to take the steep well maintained path up to the lighthouse while others explored the surrounding lookouts. No one was disappointed in the view as many whales could be seen from either location. Some of us took the opportunity on the steep climb to pause and admire the aquatic display taking place below us! The view from lighthouse looking north and south is magnificent with the classic curve of the beaches and bays disappearing into the horizon. We took our time appreciating the view of both the whales and the scenery before making our way back to the cars.

It was a short drive to the Kiosk Restaurant just below the old Trial Bay Gaol in the Arakoon Conservation Area at South West Rocks. We were all looking forward to the meal as it was going to be the first time the club had been able to have a restaurant meal since lockdown. After observing all the social distancing procedures, table spacing, signing, in hand sanitising etc we sat down and enjoyed the food and company. The view from the restaurant of the sea and beaches through the trees helped make the meal and day special. It was very pleasant getting together enjoying a meal and the resulting banter. All too soon it was time to leave. Some took advantage of the location to walk down to the beach and others drove up to the Gaol site carpark to look over the ocean.

 

We have seen whales and dolphins at this location before and were not disappointed this time. Although the whales were quite a distance away one could easily see huge plumes of water mist being blown into the air and then a seemingly gigantic cliff forming in the ocean which resolved into an enormous splash as the wales moved through the water. This was very different from the usual viewing experience where one makes a sighting and then wonders where the whale will surface next; this time there was a display after display. All in all, a fitting end to a most enjoyable day. Good driving, eating, exciting viewing and comradeship with fellow members.

 

Many thanks to the club’s coordinators Allen and Peter for organising the run, Graham for leading us and RobyJ and Peter for taking the photographs for our web page (and of course to the whales for their entertaining display!).

 

Your scribe

 

John Hansen