It was a little quieter at the pool than on my first visit all those years ago, but there was no denying the view from the deck.
As with on the beach, people at the pool were going about their morning exercise.
Doing their laps on a glorious morning.
I like how the camera captured the strokes so beautifully.
Indarri Falls is a pretty popular place in the school holidays. But since we came in the late afternoon, and because the water was cool, there weren’t too many people.
We moored the canoe, put on our snorkel and mask, and swam in the cool water. I had heard that turtles, catfish and fresh water crocodiles lived there, but unfortunately all I saw were the ubiquitous archer fish. It didn’t however detract from the exhilaration I felt in swimming at such a delightful place.
We weren’t the only ones that liked this place. It’s a wonderful place to bring the kids.
I saw a few canoeists along this stretch of water. Some of them took it very easy indeed.
The pontoon was generally bereft of swimmers, because Queenslanders are chickens when it comes to swimming in cool water.
It was so serene and pretty that I had to get out my sketch book.
Luckily, the swimming areas were unaffected. This was where I was to spend a few happy afternoons. The spring-fed waters of the creek was beautiful to swim and float in. I also enjoyed the passing parade of zebra-striped archer fish and the occasional canoeist.
Surprisingly, not too many visitors were keen to brave the water. At eighteen degrees Celsius, most of the holidaying Queenslanders thought the water too brisk for even a five minute swim. I thought the water cool but refreshing – Sydney beaches were as cold, if not colder, in the middle of summer. Besides, I wasn’t going to miss an opportunity to swim in a beautiful creek. You certainly don’t get water as clean and sweet as Lawn Hill Creek down south.
Everything was looking rather clear that day. From this photo I almost want to swim out to Barrenjoey Head on the other side!
The baths are positively old school. With old school change rooms and steps…
Old school diving blocks…
And an old school pontoon, too.
It’s more lively in the middle of summer…
But it was almost completely deserted last weekend – I say almost because I saw one hardy lady come out of the baths and into the change room!
What a difference six months makes. Where as Karloo Pool was full to overflow back in June, and one needed to get one’s boots wet to cross Kangaroo Creek, by midsummer the water level had significantly gone down, and the creek was reduced to a rambling trickle again.
We made our pilgrimage on a 30C day (most of my visits in the summer tend to be on days like these). The cool water of the pool was perfect, and this time there wasn’t half of the Shire down there. We stayed in for a long time, had lunch, and afterward was around to watch the pool return to its original stillness.
A perfect summer’s day.
I’ve heard a lot about Bouddi National Park, especially about the camping spots, but have never been until recently. It turns out that the park is very accessible, and the first place I visited was Tallow Beach. It’s a 30 minute walk down a fire trail, and even though it was New Year’s Day, fairly deserted.
Despite being overcast, it was warm and rather muggy, so a swim was very welcome. There were also lots of interesting shells to be found, and the beach is good fishing spot when the tide is right.
Further down the coast (although not quite in Wollongong) is the village of Austinmer. It has a little beach that is surfable, rock pool that I’ve swam in many a time, and is backed by the Illawarra Escarpment.
Fortunately/unfortunately, it’s been gentrified, so instead of the old milk bars we now have cafes.
Given that this is one of my favourite places, I think Wattamolla warrants another post.
The highlight of the lagoon for some people is the 5 metre high rock platform. I think it’s a rite of initiation for kids from the Shire to jump off it, and believe me, there’s always a small crowd wanting to do this despite the warning signs.
But the lagoon has some tranquil bits as well, like this place near where we picnicked.
Static and Silence 