AUSTRALIA FEATURES
Roadtrippin' Down Under - Part 2: The Eurobodalla Coast
By Andrew Vadas,
Staff Writer
MORUYA, Australia (Jan. 7, 2003) -- You'll recall that in our last
instalment, we traveled from Sydney's southern boundary through the
Illawarra region. Our last stop-over was in Nowra, and today we prepare for
the second leg of our journey down the magnificent Eurobodalla coast.
The temperate climate means you can enjoy the Eurobodalla at any
time, and the locals say the oysters here are the best in the world. Throw
in some great golf courses, and sounds like it might be hard to take,
doesn't it?
Midway between Nowra and Batemans Bay are the twin towns of
Ulladulla and Mollymook. Here lies a golfer's paradise with a fascinating
story. Founded in April 1952, the original nine-hole Beachside layout was
played on sand greens with a rented two room building serving as the
clubhouse. After the opening of a separate 18 holes and clubhouse in 1977,
Mollymook now offers the golfer the choice of two courses covering the full
gamut of golf, from the amiable 9 holes set down by the South Pacific Ocean
to the more severe 18 hole test of The Hilltop course.
"The Hilltop" is the hub of Mollymook Golf Club for the true
enthusiast. The course is carved out of native bushland that looks out over
the mountains. You will crack the ball through heavily tree lined fairways
that are beautifully accented with the natural waterways of Blackwater
Creek, so there is plenty of water to contend with. At 6216 metres from the
championship tees, The Hilltop is a challenge in terms of accuracy and
distance on the fairways. The greens, too, pose a dramatic test, being both
large and undulating. Once on the putting surface, there may still be a good
deal of golf left.
 Recent
renovations to both the Beachside and Hilltop clubhouses means that
Mollymook now offers more than variety on the fairways, with a choice
of two fine clubhouses offering multiple bar, restaurant and pro
shop options.
Dinner at Tory's Seafood Restaurant in Ulladulla because, after all,
who better to serve local seafood from a pioneer fishing family's own
trawler than the family itself?
And, after blowing the day's budget on some truly great oysters and
wine, cheaper accommodation seemed to be in order. Very comfortable lodgings
can be found in the numerous caravan parks in the area, starting from a
ridiculously low AU$9 (about $5 American) per night! Day 5 saw us head down the Princes Highway towards the heart of the
Eurobodalla.
Located at the entrance to the Clyde River, Batemans Bay is the
major town in the region. The Bay offers a superb selection of great cafes,
restaurants, galleries, walkways and parklands around the water edge. There
is plenty to explore in the surrounding districts either along the coast to
Tomakin or inland to the shopping haven of Mogo and out along the Clyde
River.
But, of course, our time is precious, so it's straight to the
Catalina Country Club to work off those delicious oysters.
Catalina is 27 championship holes of easy-going action, free from
mountain climbing and back breaking bunker shots. Flat landscaped fairways
give you the green carpet treatment in every sense of the world.
The courses are known as The Red, The White and The Blue and can be
played in any combination due to the layout employed. The combination of The
Red and The White course gives a total length of 6,071 metres, The Red and
The Blue gives a total yardage of 6,075 metres and The White and The Blue
gives a total length of 6,074 metres.
Now you're probably thinking that these guys are going to have
oysters again, and you would be right! Jameson's on the Pier at Batemans Bay
is a waterfront restaurant with stunning river and mountain views. And, once
again, their seafood is sensational.
 A
quick drive down the highway to Moruya, and our headquarters for
the night, which will be the Riverbreeze Caravan Park. Our accommodation
is a cabin alongside the Deua River, and we are all set for the
adventures which await us the next day.
Day 6 finds us at the Moruya Golf Club. The fairways have some
tricky slopes, and the whole course presents a challenge to golfers of all
abilities. You need plenty of course management to play to your handicap.
The fairways are lush kikuyu, very even, and are in peak condition year
round, with Kentucky blue around the greens. You won't have a bad lie on the
fairway all day. The rough can be quite thick, even though it's short and
you won't lose too many balls in it The greens are first class, with one
huge double green (9 & 18) about forty metres in diameter, which the locals
are rightly proud of.
And speaking of locals, we are invited back to a barbecue dinner at
the home of one of the members of the club. Some seriously big steaks are
consumed, followed by a couple of beers, and it's time to retire to our
waterfront cabin.
Early on Day 7, we arrive in Narooma, a town which has become
synonymous with great fishing over the years, and has a reputation
world-wide as a mecca for blue water anglers searching out the mighty
Marlin, tuna and other big game fish.
Now whilst a bit of fishing sounds like fun, this is a business
trip, right? So let's get on to the serious business of golf. Narooma
Golf Club is one of the most scenic and challenging courses on the
South Coast, set around a modern clubhouse with stunning coastal
views.
The front nine has vast, undulating fairways built along cliffs in
full view of the Pacific Ocean and Montague Island. The second and third
holes rival the famous holes at Pebble Beach. The back nine is played
between tall timbers with a lake winding between.
Situated between the golf course and the surf beach, we find the
Narooma Surfbeach Resort. Our home for the evening is a cabin with
breathtaking views of Surf Beach. We reflect on our journey so far, and plan
the next leg, as waves break gently in the background.
Ah, the life of a golf writer. It's a tough job, but someone has to
do it!
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