South West Rocks via Crescent Head Run

17 June 2019 / Story by John Hansen, Photos by Graham Rochester

The Rivermark Café on Hastings River Drive was the start of our Mid North Coast Saturday run up the coast to South West Rocks on 15 June 2019. The skies were overcast and there was a touch of winter in the air; however, the day eventually warmed up and fine weather prevailed for our run. Seven cars made up our convey for the day, Pingky and Graham in a blue BMW, Katie and Keiran with a hot Suzuki Hatch, Jill and Peter, black NB, Pam and Allen, red ND, Margaret and Murray burnished red NC, Judith and John galaxy grey NC and Roby and Peter in an heritage Art Vin NB. Graham was run leader and led us off on the first stage which was to Barnett’s Bakery at Crescent Head. Tops down and heaters up were the order of the day as we set off.

We followed the well-travelled road up the old Pacific Highway to where it joins the new section of the Motorway up to Kempsey and then turning onto the Crescent Head road. For once there was no traffic in front of us on the road out to Crescent Head. This enabled us to enjoy a spirited drive through the countryside to Barnett’s Bakery where we enjoyed morning tea. Then we had the obligatory visit to the beach and very well-appointed amenities block before saying ‘farewell’ to Crescent Head.

The drive out through Belmore Flats to Gladstone, although very familiar to us, is still interesting as we pass through the many small holdings and farms dotted around the countryside. We encountered a large amount of oncoming traffic, so we adopted a leisurely pace that gave us additional time for sightseeing. There were some very impressive letterboxes along the way that I hadn’t really noticed before. One in particular made an impressive statement as it was a large black and white cow sculpture holding a milk churn for letters to be placed in.

The road to South West Rocks goes through Gladstone, Smithtown, Kinchella and Jerseyville following the Macleay River. This drive is an almost quintessential New South Wales river drive. We have followed its route many times and each time the river shows a different face. Today the river was in a sombre mood, reflecting the cloud banks above. It is interesting to think that the river and the towns we pass were once busy commercial enterprises with large amounts of river traffic and that the river was the main highway for the valley. Just before South West Rocks we turned right onto the Arakoon Road to the Smokey Cape Lighthouse.

We parked and looked up towards the lighthouse peeping over the considerable hill in front of us. Now was the time to walk off morning tea and tackle the hill which was looking more like a mountain for some of us! Run leader Graham promised that for those who made the climb we would be rewarded with a display of whales frolicking about. Some raced up others took their time to appreciate the dramatic countryside that the hill revealed. Sure, enough when we reached the top there was a pod of whales to be seen splashing around blowing spouts of water foam into the air and breeching sending waves of white water high into the air as they crashed back into the sea. The view from the lighthouse really must rate as one of the best scenic views around. To the south crescents of beaches can be seen whilst to the north dramatic cliffs fall to the sea, whilst in front were small fishing boats and whales. Reluctantly we left the view, retraced our steps to our cars and made our way into South West Rocks for a well-deserved lunch.

Lunch was at the Seabreeze Hotel and was the usual lighthearted affair with plenty of good-natured banter and convivial conversation. We agreed that although the run was short it had been interesting and seeing the whales was a real bit of ‘icing on the cake’.

Thanks to our Chapter Convenors, Peter and Allen, for setting up the administration for the run and to Graham for being run leader and taking photographs.