Merimbula

WEDNESDAY 24th MAY 2017

Old rail trestle bridge

Short Point

Short Point Beach

Looking south

Good use for old railway lines

Sculpture of a snail without a shell?

Just what every tourist needs

Caravan park birdlife - crimson rosella?

More birdlife - hungry rainbow lorikeets

Crab

Looking down (?) the river

Another river view

Old tree (probably a bit dead)

Crane and spoonbill fishing in the mangroves

Feral oysters

Crab coming out of water

After a brilliant, red sunrise, Tuesday was clear, sunny and warm.  We departed Bairnsdale and travelled through the foothills of the Great Divide to Bruthen before turning towards Orbost.  Apart from being hilly and very windy, the road was good with little traffic.  Once back on the Princes Highway, the road continued in the same manner through tall eucalypt forests (and rain forest) and with the driver in rally mode, it wasn’t long before the passenger’s face was a delicate shade of green.  We had a good rest at Genoa (and a little lie down for one of us!) before continuing to New South Wales and a much poorer quality of road surface.

Merimbula was a very welcome sight, after passing through Eden, and after checking out a caravan park on the southern side of town, we continued to the Merimbula Beach Holiday Park at Short Point.  This is a beautiful park in a beautiful position with some beautiful bird life, as well as being very professionally managed and maintained.

Overnight rain cleared to a fine and sunny morning, although not as warm as yesterday.  We spent a relaxing morning, wandering around the town centre and not doing much else.  After lunch, we enjoyed a long walk along the boardwalk, which follows the river/estuary and gives a good view of the oyster beds.  Although the tide was out, there was still plenty to see.

Merimbula is a lovely seaside town, very popular during the holiday season given the enormous number of holiday accommodation available!  Oysters also appear to play a large part in the local economy.