Travelling to Tomakin - 11/10/19

We eventually headed off at about 1115.  First we had to get a decent picture of us with Kate

Us with Kate and Billy (the girl dog) 

Vic had told us about a scary road they took once and suggested that we do not go via Captains Flat and on that road, but we were interested to see how "hick" Captains Flat really was and pretty interested in the scary road too, so we headed that way.

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We actually had a couple of "scary roads" which were marked "not suitable for caravans" but the worst of them was probably the bit heading in to Araluen from Majors Creek.

terrific views from Clarkes Lookout

It was a really lovely drive.

We spotted this cute little place as we headed out of Araluen again- cubby maybe?


It was a really lovely drive , and on the section from Araluen on to Moyura we passed along the Mogo National Park and Deua National Park -If we hadn't been booked in for the night we would definitely have stayed at the Sandy Creek campground  - which allowed us some good enjoyment anyway as we chose to cross the water crossing and have a look at the lovely campsites along the Deua river on the opposite side of the creek as well as the ones on the road side.

Lots of nice camps here - some with fireplaces and one toilet block on the side closest to the entrance. There is very little info on the web regarding these campgrounds, but...

 Bakers Flat is incredibly pretty. It has a parking spot for vehicles and then you need to carry in to grassy tent spots close to the river (30-200m). There's one spot just up near the carpark which you could probably use with vehicle camping.







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Deua river campground is set up above the river (a bit hard to get down to it) and seemed to have space for about 6 spots. All are in a fairly open area within sight of each other. This is where we had our morning tea. There is a toilet here and a couple of picnic tables and campfire spots.

view down to the river

The winner for us was Sandy Creek by a mile.  Only a short distance further down the road towards Moruya from Bakers Flat and 4WD only.  At least a dozen (probably more) spots in separated areas.  Some across a little water crossing.  Steep hill requiring clearance to get down to the creek and camping areas. A long way to the loo if you take one of the distant spots. right by the river and able to find grassy / flat spot for swags or small tent.  Some big enough for a camper trailer etc.

sign at entrance to campsite track

last spot on other side of river - river behind and on side

lovely spots

track in fairly dry weather - so it would be nasty when wet. This was not a steep section. 

creek crossing

The map below (photographed from one of the info boards) is the best I can do to show their locations.

 We arrived at Tomakin (Moorings Resort) at 3.30pm, and checked in, but I went back a little later to borrow a jigsaw.  Who should I meet heading to reception as well but Lyn Beaumont (The past Principal of Richmond PS where our boys went, and also past members of same parish and parents of some of our favourite youth kids ever) !! He and Wendy are staying for most of the week too, so that will be good.

The unit is pretty basic but adequate (especially when compared to camping) , but downstairs, so no need to walk up each time.  There is a river outside the front door but it is screened by trees.  Ducks and parrots walk and fly past.  No wifi in rooms and you can pay for some, but it's only available in the reception area, so not much point.

I tried to buy an extra block from Belong - and so started a saga which is not worth relating.  Suffice to say that a few days later I had my data after a number of contacts.

main bedroom

lounge with decoration on sofa

fairly basic kitchen

I started the jigsaw and we had the edges pretty much done by the end of today (just a few pieces that had missed the check in the first couple of times, so we are leaving it to find them as we go through the rest of the puzzle.  1000 pieces is too many to check through again.

We ate our pasta and remaining pasta sauce for dinner and fell into comfortable beds (separate rooms) for a really good sleep.