The letters GST meant only one thing to the full complement of staff social club members as they set off on their Great Southern Trip on a fine sunny Saturday morning. Traffic is light as the coach quickly leaves the suburban streets of Sydney and heads out into the green surrounds of the Royal National Park and the Southern Freeway to the Illawarra district. The older houses of the Sydney region are replaced by a patchwork of new housing developments which increasingly line the Freeway and emphasise the willingness of the population to disperse southwards particularly when there is a railway line nearby.
The smooth monotonous flow of the coach wheels on the Freeway is broken by coach captain Ted turning the wheel into the direction of Jamberoo where roads begin to narrow and large herds of dairy cattle nonchalantly raise their eyes without interrupting their incessant chewing. The scenery is rich green and the hills and valleys are spectacularly steep. Our first objective is the Minnamurra Rain Forest and Minnamurra Falls location where morning tea awaits followed by a stroll on the well-constructed boardwalk into the forest. The boardwalk winds high into the forest and gives an excellent view of the trees, vines and ferns which often form magical and convoluted patterns. The sunlight spears occasional shafts through the trees and the water of the falls provides a continuous background rush.
The morning tea stop has created a more relaxed and convivial atmosphere on the coach and the feeling that we are "getting into it". This feeling is enhanced by the next stage of the journey which travels through some of the most beautiful scenery in Australia passing through the Kiama district and the towns of Berry, Nowra , Conjola, Yatteyettah and Ulladulla. When the coach traverses the bridge over the Clyde River, the busy town of Bateman's Bay (proudly named by Captain Cook in 1770) spreads out along the southern bank of the river.
Lunchtime appetites at Bateman's Bay are satisfied at the Pancakes Art Gallery adjacent to the Clyde River. A short trip along Beach Road into Batehaven takes us to our accommodation at the Araluen Motel and the transition into our rooms is smoother than a night-time raid of commandos, thanks to the excellent preparation by our tour organiser Sylvia Russell. Suitably refuelled and refreshed the group gathers again in the late afternoon to board the Clyde Princess in Bateman's Bay for a three-hour dinner cruise on the Clyde River. Early entertainment is provided by Scratchy the dolphin who greets us with several leaping circles around the boat. An on-board sumptuous barbecue follows and it is just about the end of the day for most of these early risers as we leave the boat at about 7.30pm. Some hardier souls "kick on" at the Soldiers Bay Club but all are confident of meeting the 7.30am breakfast schedule the next day.
Sunday morning is warm with a slight breeze as Ted glides his wheels further south to Moruya. A local guide boards the coach at Moruya and an absorbing account of Moruya's history is relayed by tape as the coach passes by the relevant historic points. It would be interesting to delve further into life in Moruya during the RAAF's presence in WW2 when Moruya Airport was very active and airmen repaired to The Air Raid Shelter Tavern. The airport, of course, still functions today for commercial flights.
We stop for morning tea at the Australian Bush Orchestra, a unique area of bushland inhabited by numerous bellbirds that create their own continuous percussion effect. Dr. Mark Tronson, who is chaplain to the Australian Cricket team, manages this property. Apart from his cricket interests, Mark is also a prolific author of books relating to railways. "Tales from the Footplate" is an example of one title that may deserve further reading.
Time limits our next stop in the historic town of Mogo but there is sufficient time to view some of the excellent works of arts and crafts that are for sale. We return to Bateman's Bay for our lunchtime appointment at the Mariners Restaurant giving another fine view across the Clyde River. The staff is friendly and efficient and an excellent meal is enjoyed in pleasant spacious surroundings. The weekend is drawing to an end as we saunter back to the coach with a feeling of well-fed contentment and that almost sleepy Sunday afternoon feeling.
There is still plenty of light and scenery to see as the coach heads north to its destination of Gerringong for afternoon tea. This is a timely spot to break the journey back to Sydney but now the journey proceeds in gathering darkness towards the inevitable increase of traffic lights and buildings in the city areas.
This was an excellent weekend in an interesting and beautiful area of NSW that enables the coach-traveller to see much of the spectacular scenery.
Our thanks go to Sylvia Russell for her great work in making this trip enjoyable and successful. Coach captain Ted was again ever ready to assist our comfort and convenience and happy to participate in our social schedule.