AUSTRALIA FEA TURES
On the road Down Under: A trip from Sydney toward Melbourne
By Andrew Vadas,
Contributor
SYDNEY, Australia (Dec. 3, 2002) -- Remember the good old days? Those days when you would jump in the car
with a bunch of guys, load up with goodies and head off down the road?
Well folks, it's time for a road trip with a difference - we're going to
throw the clubs in the back, and head south from Sydney.
Over the next few weeks, we'll travel down through Sydney's Royal
National Park, along the F6 or Southern Freeway, and head toward
Melbourne. On the way, we'll play some great golf, consume some great
food and wine, and view some of the most spectacular scenery in Australia.
So what are we waiting for? Let's hit the road!
The journey begins
As we leave Sydney, we pass the Royal National Park, which offers
pristine health, rain forest and coastal habitats to explore. Dotted
along the way are tiny shack settlements, many only accessible on foot
or by sea. Numerous vantage points afford sweeping views of the majestic
coastline and its rocky cliffs. For those who enjoy even closer contact
with nature, a selection of walking tracks along spectacularly scenic
routes reveal secluded waterfalls, lush rainforest and an abundance of
native flora and fauna. Two prime examples are the Wodi-Wodi and Forest
Walks tracks.
Wollongong's coastline is famous worldwide and has been a major drawing card
for tourists since the 1890s. The region's many lookouts
provide breathtaking views both north and south. It's all here - rugged
cliffs playing fortress to the sea, sheltered bays, azure blue waters
and infinite stretches of golden sandy beaches.
Our first port of call is the Russell Vale Golf Course, which is one of
the most panoramic and scenic golf courses on the South Coast, with
views from Wollongong Harbour right up to Austinmer.
A quick bite to eat at Desperado's Cantina in nearby Corrimal, and we
are on our way.
 After
driving, eating and taking in some great scenery, we are ready for
the serious business of golf. And what better place to start than
the Illawarra's newest first class sporting facility; Calderwood
Valley Golf Course. Modeled on the executive style American courses,
it has something for every golfer. The challenging, par-70 has 18
unique holes, each with special features, combining clear creeks,
and stunning scenery. The breathtaking surrounds feature the rugged
Illawarra escarpment as a backdrop.
The course is open to the public, visitors, or social clubs from dawn
till dark every day of the year. Bookings are required for the weekends,
and recommended for Fridays.
And after struggling through a hard day's golf, we book in to the Yallah
House B&B, a unique & historic turn of the century house which recently was
renovated. We have dinner at the adjacent Yallah Woolshed,
Australia's premier country and bush music venue and restaurant, where you
can experience the character and rustic charm of an original historic
wool store.
Day 2 brings a renewed vigor for further exploration of this amazing
region. We travel past Lake Illawarra, back toward the ocean, until we
reach Port Kembla Golf Club.
One of the highest rating courses on the South Coast by Australian
Golf Digest, Port Kembla Golf Course is an 18-hole championship,
par-72 course that has hosted many professional tournaments as well
as the NSW Champion of Champions.
The course is a challenging blend
of tree-lined fairways and strategic water carries, which are sure to
excite any golfer. Warm up on the driving range or practice chipping and
putting on the practice green or use the practice bunkers. You can even
fine-tune your swing with a lesson from the resident professional.
The area also has a diverse range of activities from water sports to
bush walking. There is plenty of accommodation nearby from luxury hotels
to budget stays. Some of these include:
The Fairways Resort Stroll from your room onto the golf
course. The resort has excellent priced accommodation. Facilities
include air conditioning, swimming pool, tennis court and executive
spa suites.
The Oasis resort
Situated on the foreshores of Lake Illawarra, a five-minute drive to the
golf course. The resort has a combination of cabin and motel style
accommodations at reasonable prices. Facilities include a pool,
sauna, spa, room service and restaurant and is within walking distance
to the beach.
Warilla Bowling and Recreation Club
Cabin style, budget accommodation, with air
conditioning, swimming area, restaurants, gymnasium, tennis,
cycleway, children's area. Only 15 minutes south of the golf course.
 The
Novotel Northbeach Stay in absolute luxury, situated on North
Wollongong Beach, only 15 minutes from the golf course. A shuttle
bus can transport you to and from the golf course. Facilities include
beautiful rooms, restaurants, bars, nightclub, tennis pool, spa
and sauna.
And for a truly memorable dining experience, don't forget a visit to
Jindars Bush Tucker Restaurant, which features native herbs & berries to
create tantalizing seafood and native game dishes. Kangaroo, emu and
crocodile dishes are a specialty.
Day 3 sees us travel down the Princes Highway toward Nowra, capital
of the thriving Shoalhaven district, just 95 miles south of Sydney
and 120 miles north of the nation's capital, Canberra.
The Shoalhaven is one of the state's most popular holiday destinations,
and Nowra is conveniently located near outstanding surf beaches.
The area features the magnificent stretches of Jervis Bay with it's
unlimited water sport and fishing opportunities, as well the adjacent
and historic towns of Berry and Kangaroo Valley, where craft and antique
shops abound in an old-world atmosphere.
And while we are here, it seems only natural that we should look in on
the Nowra Golf Club, which is an exciting 18-hole layout contained in
a picturesque setting bounded on one side by the Shoalhaven River and
the other by a spectacular escarpment. The par-68 course presents
golfers of all abilities with a wonderful challenge - quite apart from
some of the best scenery in the Shoalhaven district. A feature of the
lush and well-manicured course is the use of several elevated tees, which
are cut from the escarpment itself.
Our hosts for the evening are the great people at the Nowra Motor Inn.
Dinner at the Captain's Table Restaurant, followed by drinks at
Jeremy's Bar, where we recap tales of our golfing exploits (some of them
were actually true), and it's time to rest.
We have a long journey ahead.
Next instalment: We travel down the coast of New South Wales, through
Ulladulla, Bateman's Bay, Narooma and Bega, till we reach the Victorian
border.
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