Hello from the Five Star Vagabond

Welcome to 700 travel blogs, to access a full index on your mobile please scroll to the bottom & choose from 700 locations. Email is [email protected]

Gold Coast Broadwater

August 22, 2017 by David Herd

Spectacular Gold Coast View

 Gold Coast Broadwater

Gold Coast Broadwater Gold Coast Broadwater all add up to a breathtaking view of Surfers Paradise which is located 800 kilometers north of Sydney & 80 kilometers south of Brisbane.

We are looking east to Marina Mirage on the right & the Vercace Hotel o the left.

Broadwater entrance

Gold Coast Broadwater Beside those rocks is the entrance channel to the Broadwater, or the exit depending on which way you are going. 🙂

Blue Sky Boats Gold Coast Broadwater

Gold Coast Broadwater Here is a closer look at the rock wall on the southern side of the seaway entrance.

Hundreds of boats use the seaway every day.

 Gold Coast Broadwater Everything from jet skis to huge luxury cruisers, all hoping to enjoy Blue Sky Boats Gold Coast Broadwater & maybe a bag full of fish.

For a great hotel room rate (with free cancellation) just book through THIS LINK.

Some get into trouble when the sea is rough.

Blue Sky Boats Gold Coast Broadwater The rescue boat is always there to lend a hand.

My friend’s catamaran. 

Gold Coast Broadwater

 A nice way to escape the rat race of Surfers Paradise. 🙂

Gold Coast Broadwater

Gold Coast Broadwater

 A great day out on the Broadwater.

Some guys prefer to fish.

Gold Coast Broadwater Boats, who needs boats? We are here to catch a big one.

And I’m here for a sun tan.

Gold Coast Broadwater

 So no matter what you are interested in you will find it n the Broadwater.

Did I mention the seafood?

Gold Coast Broadwater You have two great choices, pull into Charis seafood at Labrador & pick up your lunch. Those of you with a sharp eye will notice the mud crabs are $36.90 a kilo, well tat was 2010, sadly in 2017 they have doubled in price.

Direct from the trawler.

Gold Coast Broadwater This is my preference, they are located just north of Marina Mirage, just call Curly on 0417 668 591, he’s one of the boat owners, he will let you know what they have in stock.

Best prawns in the world.

Gold Coast Broadwater These medium size king prawns are around $25 aud a kilo. Check out more seafood on THIS LINK.

Decisions, decisions.

Gold Coast Broadwater Take the at out or……..

Order lunch at one of the many restaurants?

Gold Coast Broadwater

 So many decisions & such little time. 🙂

Gold Coast Broadwater

Gold Coast Broadwater What a fabulous part of the world.

Houston, we have lift off.

 

The kite surfer is having a ball.

An amazing view.

Gold Coast Broadwater From my friends apartment, it does not get better than this. By the way it’s for sale3 for a lazy $1.5 million AUD.

I’m guessing now in 2021 it will be closer to $2.5 million.

Here is the view from the opposite side of the Broadwater towards Southport.

Gold Coast Broadwater

Over the years I spent countless hours on my boat in this very area.

Finally a birds eye view of Surfers Paradise

Gold Coast Broadwater

Absolutely spectacular, featuring the Southport yacht in the foreground.

For a great hotel room rate on the Gold Coast just book through THIS LINK.

Thanks for visiting my Gold Coast Broadwater photo blog.

                   

                           Here are some more posts to check out 

         Sydney                               Paris                                   Bangkok           
 497d0b6e-c0bd-4ba2-86be-c02100f050a8        65470622-d17a-4b90-bf97-2574df4c412d        1a2160c1-41f7-465a-954c-631e083eb229
          Tokyo                        Rio De Janeiro                        Budapest
f59e958e-8eaf-48b4-8e96-c291a0c13d1a        f044491e-69aa-4082-b49b-1ff33557d7d4        a6a948cd-f30a-49ea-a905-82be4d202cc9
           London                            Beijing                            Capetown
2246c6cf-5fa6-4fbe-ac30-b569253ad2a6        f65d714b-f44c-4b2e-9505-3511ebecbb80        4e82052a-24d0-41e1-ab84-10e8f27634d1
 
                        Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you                                
                         book through these links below.  Book now & pay later.
                                                                 Plus free cancellation .
                                               Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
                                            d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037            01a75360-9573-473f-acba-3a187f779b7f
 
9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1)

That’s all folks

1g Duck

Check out these great food photo blogs.

 

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos

Brighton Beach English resort

May 6, 2017 by David Herd

The Eye Brighton beach

Brighton Beach English resort

Brighton Beach English resort

Brighton Beach English resort, what a pleasant surprise. If you can overlook the pebbles on the beach instead of sand there are so many great pubs and restaurants to choose from. The photo above was taken from my hotel, the New Madeira, only 40 Quid per night.

For a good discount just book through THIS LINK.

Brighton Beach English resort

Brighton Beach English resort

Brighton is a great city with lots of things to do and see.

The opposite view

Brighton Beach English resort

Two major attractions, the Eye & the Pier. 

La Chateaux Du Vin

Brighton Beach English resort

Above is AgnesPaulo and Nikki at my favourite restaurant, La Chateaux Du Vin, open for lunch as well as dinner, if you go there please pass on my regards.  😀

Delicious smoked salmon

Brighton Beach English resort

Above is Smoked salon on Matzo which  is an unleavened bread traditionally eaten by Jews during the week-long Passover holiday.

Delicious seafood pasta at La Chateaux

Brighton Beach English resort

The restaurant quickly became my favourite place to eat in Brighton.

Brighton Beach famous English resort         Brighton Beach English resort

More delicious meals at La Chateaux.

David Herd on the Brighton Eye.

Brighton Beach English resort

You get a great view of the city and Brighton beach, the ride is well worth the few Quid.

Girls night out in Brighton.

Brighton Beach English resort

These Brighton babes are ready for a big night out.

Brighton Beach English resort

 Brighton Beach English resort

Only an hour by train to London, if you like lots of pubs & restaurants then put it on your list.

Brighton Beach famous English resort

 Brighton Beach English resort

An awesome from the eye.

Brighton Beach restaurant

Brighton Beach English resort

Lots of places to dine along the foreshore.

No bikinis here

Brighton Beach English resort

Laying fully clothed on pebbles is not my idea of a day at the beach.

The Fishbowl

Brighton Beach English resort

Another quaint little English pub where to can eat fish & chips with a cold beer.

Cafe Rouge

Brighton Beach English resort

This chain of restaurants have lots of branches in London as well, good low cost French food.

The Victory Inn

Brighton Beach English resort

So Brighton Beach has many great little pubs in this wonderful seaside city. 

The Royal Pavilion

Brighton Beach English resort

The Royal Pavilion is a former royal residence. It was built in three stages, beginning in 1787, as a seaside retreat for George, Prince of Wales, who became the Prince Regent in 1811.

Bath Arms hotel.

Brighton Beach English resort

Good food at this popular pub.

Oysters from jersey

Brighton Beach English resort

It’s no secret, I love fresh oysters.

 Great Ham & salad sandwich at the Bath Arms hotel.

Brighton Beach English resort

The leg ham was perfect.

I had some great food in this terrific town.

Brighton Beach English resort

A great seafood lunch beside the beach.

On Brighton Pier.

Brighton Beach English resort

Brighton Beach is a lot fun with lots of great pubs & restaurants.

Holiday Inn Brighton

Brighton Beach English resort

Great location overlooking the beach, just book through THIS LINK for an excellent room rate.

Without a doubt AGODA is the best online Hotel booking site.

 

Super travel tips. Great Britain has an excellent rail service, save up to 80% by booking your ticket before you arrive, just click here.

The New Madeira hotel is in a great location across the road from the Brighton Pier, only 40 Quid per night for a single room, the walls are a little thin so the rooms can be a little noisy, but the price is right as is the location. If you want something more upmarket choose the Holiday Inn.

If the English winter is too cold for you jump on a plane to Thailand

                        Please check out these fabulous posts 

          Istanbul                                 Budapest                        London

Fascinating Istanbul Asia Meets Europe     Hungarian Parliament Building (2)       The Walkie Talkie (5)    

          Mostar                           Dubrobnik                            Split

43638e36-5da5-4162-98e3-635e2c149837        IMG_7425    Split Ancient Croatian Coastal city                     

                 Saigon                            Zagreb                          Vung tau

Ho Chi Minh City South Vietnam       Main Square (3)     Vung Tau statue (6)

Pattaya live webcam
 
9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1)

That’s all folks

1g Duck

Here are some of my most popular posts.

Pattaya live webcam

Beautiful Brazilian beach babes

Copacabana beautiful beach babes

Nana Plaza Bangkok sex sin sleaze

Tim Bristow Iron-Bar Freddy Tropical Joe

Fabulous Commons Bangkok

Sexy Soi Cowboy Bangkok 

Beautiful Budapest

Australian seafood

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 3 photos

Road Trip South Australia

April 13, 2017 by David Herd

Road trip with Japanese students.

Road Trip South Australia

Surfers Paradise Road Trip South Australia

Road Trip South Australia reminds me of the last frontier and the road trip I took in 2003. Three Japanese students, Yukako, Megumi & Noriko & I travelled from the Gold Coast in Queensland, through Broken Hill  NSW to Coober Pedy in South Australia, a fascinating opal mining town where most of the population live in underground houses, then on to Ayers Rock and back home to the Gold Coast via Hervey Bay where we went whale watching. On our marathon journey all through the Australian Outback we traveled 7,300 kilometers  which was around 82 hours behind the wheel. 

The above photo is at Tenterfield on the New England Highway.

Peter Allen Motor Inn

a87c5f32-93ed-48a3-9ce7-e1a600c5c54f (1)

This famous Australian singer son writer was born in Tenterfield. For a discounted room rate just book through THIS LINK.

Listen to Peter sing one of his famous songs about the Tenterfield sadler.

The first stage

Surfers Paradise Road Trip South Australia

Across  NSW to South Australia.

Surfers Paradise Road Trip South Australia

Surfers Paradise Road Trip South Australia

Our first day on the road, we will overnight in Broken Hill.

Trades Hall in Broken Hill.

Surfers Paradise Road Trip South Australia

 The Trades Hall is Broken Hill’s most historically important building. 

Broken Hill in outback NSW.

Surfers Paradise Road Trip South Australia

Broken Hill over 1,100 km (680 mi) west of Sydney and  surrounded by semi-desert.

For a very good discount on a Broken Hill hotel just book through THIS LINK.

Typical outback building

Surfers Paradise Road Trip South Australia

 In the 19th and early 20th century Broken Hill was home to a community of Afghans. Afghans worked as camel drivers in parts of outback Australia, and they made a significant contribution to economic growth when transport options were limited. The camel drivers formed the first sizeable Muslim communities in Australia, and in Broken Hill they left their mark in the form of the first mosque in NSW (1891).

Wilmington South Australia

Surfers Paradise Road Trip South Australia

 Wilmington is a farming community, known for sheep, wheat and barley, but more recently for the planting of olive groves.

Road Trip South Australia, the general store

Surfers Paradise Road Trip South Australia

Wilmington is 305 kilometres north of the state capital, Adelaide.

This was at Byron Bay near the start of our journey.

Surfers Paradise Road Trip South Australia

Such lovely young girls,  Noriko Megumi & Yukako. Thanks for visiting my Surfers Paradise Road Trip South Australia photo blog. Next stop is Coober Pedy.

 Lots more posts here;

   Zagreb Croatia                      Rio de Janeiro                  Brisbane River 

Zagreb Croatia bars restaurants        a7ff7566-9628-434d-a2b1-8c6e8b9a9021       IMG_0100

       

     Koh Samui                                   Korea                                  London

32780a6c-baf6-428a-bd71-68b1bed30b4c         Changdeokgung Palace (2)        IMG_7042

         Bangkok                                   Osaka                                     Pattaya

Soi Cowboy (25)          Osaka 1st night (17)       Walking St Pattaya is wild & sexy 

                                     

             Chiang Mai                      Pattaya                      Chao Phraya river

Chiang Mai with Tone9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1)191de3bb-38fc-45cd-bce7-ef24081c554b

Bangkok Hotels        Pattaya Hotels
d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037b1c99886-3940-4dda-b350-44c5e5c77e41
Pattaya live webcam
9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1)

That’s all folks

1g Duck

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos

Surfers Paradise Sydney Trip

March 28, 2017 by David Herd

Chevron Island Surfers Paradise

Surfers Paradise Sydney Trip

Surfers Paradise Sydney Trip

 Surfers Paradise Sydney  Trip seeing lots of friends & in particular caught up with Karen Greenwood an old girlfriend from 1991, 26 years ago. As you can see see still looks fantastic. 🙂 So many great memories came flooding back, it was certainly wonderful week Surfers Paradise. We are at Franks seafood cafe on Chevron Island.

Here we are 26 years ago.

Surfers Paradise Sydney Trip

I couldn’t resist posting this photo from 1991. 

Melbas on the Park

Surfers Paradise Sydney Trip

I first visited this iconic bar on New Years Day 1982, 35 years ago. The reason I am so sure of the date is it was the day after my unforgettable NYE on Sydney harbour with my overloaded boat being showered by sky rockets.

First stop Kingscliff only a 40 minute drive.

Surfers Paradise Sydney Trip

Just a quick stop for a very good breakfast and some photos.

Breakfast at Kingscliff

Surfers Paradise Sydney Trip

The name of the cafe was Kettles On & the breakfast was excellent.

Miles of deserted beach at Kingscliff

Surfers Paradise Sydney Trip

Certainly an idealic place to live.

Kingscliff to Yamba

Surfers Paradise Sydney Trip

About a 2 hour drive to Yamba on the Clarence river, this is my first visit to this pleasant little coastal town.

The sea was angry that day my friends….

Surfers Paradise Sydney Trip

Many thanks to George Castanza. 🙂

Discounted room rates at Yamba through THIS LINK.

 Mexican

Surfers Paradise Sydney Trip

Strangely Mexican food has never been on my list of favourites.

Mexican! That’s not a Mexican, this is a Mexican.

Surfers Paradise Sydney Trip

My apologies Pablo.

Yamba to Port Macquarie

Surfers Paradise Sydney Road Trip

A 3.5 hour drive with a stop at Grafton for a Maccas.

Old habits die hard…

Surfers Paradise Sydney Trip

Over the years I think I have stopped here at Grafton 20 times for a strawberry shake.

 

Surfers Paradise Sydney Trip, Port Macquarie.

Surfers Paradise Sydney Trip

The mouth of the Hastings River in Port Macquarie.

Centre of town

Surfers Paradise Sydney Trip

Port has quite a large shopping centre & a population of 80,00 & growing rapidly.

Expected growth

Surfers Paradise Sydney Trip

A very popular area with a good climate and about a 4’5 hour drive to Sydney.

Port Macquarie to Gosford.

 

Surfers Paradise Sydney Trip

With a brief stop at Newcastle to say hi to my old mate Barry Madden.

Barry Madden

Surfers Paradise Sydney Road Trip

Barry & I worked together in the mid 90s with NRMA as financial planners. 

The Settlers Tavern Gosford

Surfers Paradise Sydney Trip

A terrific T Bone at Settlers Tavern at 2 Hely Street, West Gosford. They have a great menu for a local pub, check it out on THIS LINK.

Early morning workout

Surfers Paradise Sydney Trip

It was a perfect Sunday morning for a workout for these rowers.

Gosford to Sydney 

Surfers Paradise Sydney Road Trip

The final leg of my Surfers Paradise Sydney Trip.

Maroubra Beach

Surfers Paradise Sydney Trip

One of Sydney’s famous southern beaches.

Chaotic Coogee Beach.

Surfers Paradise Sydney Trip

Late afternoon & most people have gone home or to the pub. 🙂

For a great room rate in Coogee or anywhere in the world just book through THIS LINK.

Classic Australian pub picture

Surfers Paradise Sydney Trip

This is the Robin Hood hotel at Waverly, however years ago these fabulous pictures were found on most Aussie pubs.

It was a great drive down from from Surfers Paradise  to Sydney stopping at Kingscliff, Yamba, Port Macquarie, Forster-Tuncurry, Gosford & Coogee. Also dropped into Maroubra which is a place I have not seen for over 50 years. Just click on the links to see my photo blogs.

Thanks for visiting my Surfers Paradise Sydney  Trip photo blog. 

           

                    Here are some more posts to check out 

         Sydney                               Paris                                   Bangkok           
 497d0b6e-c0bd-4ba2-86be-c02100f050a8        65470622-d17a-4b90-bf97-2574df4c412d        1a2160c1-41f7-465a-954c-631e083eb229
          Tokyo                        Rio De Janeiro                        Budapest
f59e958e-8eaf-48b4-8e96-c291a0c13d1a        f044491e-69aa-4082-b49b-1ff33557d7d4        a6a948cd-f30a-49ea-a905-82be4d202cc9
           London                            Beijing                            Capetown
2246c6cf-5fa6-4fbe-ac30-b569253ad2a6        f65d714b-f44c-4b2e-9505-3511ebecbb80        4e82052a-24d0-41e1-ab84-10e8f27634d1
 
            Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you            
                book through these links below.  Book now & pay later.
                                                                 Plus free cancellation .
                                               Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
                                            d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037            01a75360-9573-473f-acba-3a187f779b7f
 

Slide show here.

Pattaya live webcam
 
9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1)

That’s all folks

1g Duck

Check out these great photo blogs.

  • Lyme Regis Jurassic coast

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 4 photos

Gosford Central Coast NSW

March 24, 2017 by David Herd

Brisbane Water

Gosford Central Coast NSW

 Gosford Central Coast NSW is located on Brisbane Water just 80 km north of Sydney. Growing up in Sydney this area was where our family would spend our annual holidays.

Breakfast at Tommys Cafe at Gosford

Gosford Central Coast NSW

Before driving to Coogee in Sydney I decided I needed a good breakfast.

Scrambled eggs & avocado

Gosford Central Coast NSW

On Turkish toast of course. 🙂 TripAdvisor rate #6 of 101 Restaurants in Gosford.

A delightful spot in Gosford Central Coast NSW

Gosford Central Coast NSW

I wish I could find Turkish bread in Thailand.

Perfect sunday morning in Gosford

Gosford Central Coast near Sydney

From Gosford it’s just a short cruise to the magnificent Hawksbury River, 

Starship Cruises

Gosford Central Coast NSW

The “Lady Kendall” will take you on a 2.5 hour cruise for $37.

 Gosford Sailing Club Club

Gosford Central Coast NSW

 Located on the foreshore of Brisbane Water. Check it out through THIS LINK.

Shooting some photos

Gosford Central Coast NSW

I never go anywhere without my Canon. 🙂 

A perfect place for a row.

Gosford Central Coast NSW

Opposite the Leagues club.

Gosford Central Coast NSW Central Coast Stadium

Gosford Central Coast NSW

 The stadium has picturesque views over the Brisbane water.

Quality Inn the Willows

Gosford Central Coast NSW

Just book through THIS LINK for an excellent discount.

The Settlers Tavern

Gosford Central Coast NSW

A terrific T Bone have Settlers Tavern at 2 Hely Street, West Gosford. They have a great menu for a local pub, check it out on THIS LINK.

All the meals were excellent

Gosford Central Coast NSW

My friend Geoff had the pasta & his ex fiance Nana ordered a huge meal of steak & seafood. Geoff is a regular visitor to Thailand, follow THIS LINK to see his 50th birthday party.

Time to head south to Sydney.

Gosford Central Coast NSW

The last leg of my road trip is just a short drive south to Sydney along the Pacific Highway. 

And here I am approaching the bridge.

Gosford Central Coast NSW

It’s been a great drive down from from Surfers Paradise  to Sydney stopping at Kingscliff, Yamba, Port Macquarie, Forster-Tuncurry, Gosford & Coogee. Also dropped into Maroubra which is a place I have not seen for over 50 years. Just click on the links to see my photo blogs.

Thanks for visiting my Gosford Central Coast NSW photo blog.

         Checkout some more of my terrific blogs on the links below.       

     Istanbul                                 Budapest                        London

Fascinating Istanbul Asia Meets Europe     Hungarian Parliament Building (2)       The Walkie Talkie (5)    

          Mostar                           Dubrobnik                            Split

43638e36-5da5-4162-98e3-635e2c149837        IMG_7425    Split Ancient Croatian Coastal city                     

                 Saigon                            Zagreb                          Vung tau

Ho Chi Minh City South Vietnam       Main Square (3)     Vung Tau statue (6)

Pattaya live webcam
 
9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1)

That’s all folks

1g Duck

Check out these great photo blogs.

  • Lyme Regis Jurassic coast

 

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos

Forster Tuncurry north coast

March 24, 2017 by David Herd

Arriving at Tuncurry

Forster Tuncurry mid north coast NSW

 Forster Tuncurry north coast NSW was my first stop on the way from Port Macquarie to Sydney in March 2017. A population of over 18,000 people it is a holiday destination for many Sydney people who are only a 4 hour drive away.

Over the bridge to Forster

Forster Tuncurry mid north coast NSW

The bridge is 631 metres long and was built around 1956, prior to that it was a half hour ferry trip between the two towns.

 View from Forster to Tuncurry

Forster Tuncurry mid north coast NSW

It is really a magnificent looking structure.

A fisherman & a pelican

Forster Tuncurry mid north coast NSW

Who is going to catch the first fish? My money is on the Pelican. 🙂

Up a lazy river……

Forster Tuncurry mid north coast NSW

There are so many places here you can go by boat.

A boating paradise.

Forster Tuncurry mid north coast NSW

More water than land around Forster Tuncurry mid north coast NSW.

 Talking about boats….

Forster Tuncurry mid north coast NSW

This one is almost identical to the boat I owned in Sydney in the 80s. One of my most interesting experiences occurred on NYE 1981 on Sydney Harbour, follow THIS LINK for the story of THE GREAT ESCAPE.

The main St in Forster

Forster Tuncurry mid north coast NSW

As you can see the main street is nothing to get excited about.

Nice little coffee shop

Forster Tuncurry mid north coast NSW

I’m happy as long as I find a good coffee shop with the daily newspaper. 🙂

If you have the time take a cruise

Forster Tuncurry mid north coast NSW

Unfortunately I was heading south to Gosford so I didn’t have time for a cruise.

Cruise prices

Forster Tuncurry mid north coast NSW

 Not too many alternatives here.

You could have fun on this boat

Forster Tuncurry mid north coast NSW

As long as your friends contributed to the fuel cost. 🙂

Forster Tuncurry north coast weather

Forster Tuncurry mid north coast NSWAn absolutely beautiful climate in Forster Tuncurry mid north coast NSW.

We always seem to come back to the bridge

Forster Tuncurry mid north coast NSW

No doubt it is the most memorable landmark in the area, and probably even the whole NSW coast.

Over the bridge & back to the highway.

Forster Tuncurry mid north coast NSW

Next stop Gosford, thanks for visiting my Forster Tuncurry mid north coast NSW  photo blog.

For an excellent discount on your room rate in this area just book through THIS LINK.

                    Please check out these fabulous posts 

         Istanbul                                 Budapest                        London

Fascinating Istanbul Asia Meets Europe     Hungarian Parliament Building (2)       The Walkie Talkie (5)    

          Mostar                           Dubrobnik                            Split

43638e36-5da5-4162-98e3-635e2c149837        IMG_7425    Split Ancient Croatian Coastal city                     

                 Saigon                            Zagreb                          Vung tau

Ho Chi Minh City South Vietnam       Main Square (3)     Vung Tau statue (6)

Pattaya live webcam
 
9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1)

That’s all folks

1g Duck

Check out these great photo blogs.

 

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos

Rock Art Port Macquarie

March 23, 2017 by David Herd

 

Southern breakwall Hastings River

 Rock Art Port Macquarie

Rock Art Port Macquarie

 Rock Art Port Macquarie actually began as an art competition in 1995 & gradually evolved into a fascinating outdoor gallery.

Rock Art Port Macquarie

Painted Rock Art Port Macquarie

Sadly after a small amount of complaints 12 in 10 years the rock art is now banned. It’s crazy how a few idiots can spoil things for the majority, what a shame the council won’t hold a vote on the issue.

Celebrating an engagement.

Rock Art Port Macquarie

Two lovers leave their mark to celebrate their engagement.

 The mouth of the Hastings River

Rock Art Port Macquarie

The river descends 1,040 metres (3,410 ft) over its 180 kilometres (110 mi) course. The Hastings river descends 1,040 metres from the Great Dividing Range over its 180 kilometres journey to the coast at Port Macquarie. 

Look closely and you will see the rock art. 🙂

A beautiful day to catch a fish.

Rock Art Port Macquarie

One of the locals has picked a beautiful day to fish off the rocks.

Waiting for the big one 

Rock Art Port Macquarie

Actually I spoke to the guy who said he was trying to catch some small fish to use for bait.

Apparently their life is a circus.

Rock Art Port Macquarie

It says so on the rock. 🙂

A great tourist attraction

Rock Art Port MacquarieYou can spend a very interesting hour or so checking out the Painted Rock Art Port Macquarie.

Port Macquarie

Rock Art Port Macquarie

And so it goes on & on, a great addition to this terrific coastal town.

 

  Port Macquarie’s Town Green

Rock Art Port Macquarie

This is a superb park where people relax and enjoy the perfect environment beside the Hastings River.

Oxley oval

Rock Art Port Macquarie

Just a short way along the road from the painted rocks is Oxly oval where cricket & football are played in beautiful surroundings.

A beautiful park beside the river.

Rock Art Port Macquarie

A great place to relax have a picnic lunch and check out the Painted Rock Art Port Macquarie.

Please check out my photo blog for Yamba on the Clarence River a little further north.

                      Please check out these fabulous posts

     Istanbul                                 Budapest                        London

Fascinating Istanbul Asia Meets Europe     Hungarian Parliament Building (2)       The Walkie Talkie (5)    

          Mostar                           Dubrobnik                            Split

43638e36-5da5-4162-98e3-635e2c149837        IMG_7425    Split Ancient Croatian Coastal city                     

                 Saigon                            Zagreb                          Vung tau

Ho Chi Minh City South Vietnam       Main Square (3)     Vung Tau statue (6)

Pattaya live webcam
 
9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1)

That’s all folks

1g Duck

Check out these great photo blogs.

 

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos

Yamba Clarence River NSW

March 22, 2017 by David Herd

Wonderful NSW coastal town

Yamba Clarence River NSW

Yamba Clarence River NSW

 Yamba Clarence River NSW Coast has a population of just over 6,000, which tends to triple in the holiday season. The economy is based on tourism & fishing. Yamba  was my 2nd stop after leaving Surfers Paradise where I had spent a week catching up with friends.

Mathew Flinders was the first European to visit Yamba Bay in July 1799. 

If you live in Yamba you gotta have a boat.

Yamba Clarence River NSW

The fishing is wonderful all along the NSW Coast.

If you don’t have a boat…

Yamba Clarence River

Go to one of the seafood restaurants along the Clarence River.

Or buy fresh seafood here

Yamba Clarence River NSW

Then sit in the park close by and enjoy it. 🙂

Or perhaps here

Yamba Clarence River NSW Coast

I really love those Sydney Rock oysters (double this price in Sydney) plus the fabulous prawns.

Here is the place to eat

Yamba Clarence River NSW

A nice park overlooking the water is the perfect spot to polish off your prawns & oysters.

You can watch the waves rolling in

Yamba Clarence River NSW

The surf was fairly rough today on March 10th 2017.

Beautiful deserted beach

Yamba Clarence River NSW

Not quite deserted, I can see one person. 🙂

Moby Dick Motel

Yamba Clarence River NSW

A good location on the waterfront, for a great room rate just book through THIS LINK. 

 Coffee or a tattoo?

Yamba Clarence River NSW

Why not do both? 🙂

Yamba Clarence River NSW Coast

Yamba Clarence River NSW

Yamba certainly has a nice friendly feel about it. 

 Another waterfront motel

Yamba Clarence River NSW

You may like to compare room rates to the Moby Dick motel, just use THIS LINK for a great room rate.

Room with a view

Yamba Clarence River NSW

When the Pacific Hotel in Yamba in northern New South Wales opened in 1934 it was lauded as “the most perfectly appointed place of all seaside resorts north of Sydney”. 

The view from your room.

Yamba Clarence River NSW

Eighty seven years later, the Art Deco pub still stands majestically overlooking her namesake in this town at the mouth of the Clarence River.

For a terrific room rate just book through THIS LINK.

Thanks for visiting my Yamba Clarence River NSW Coast photo blog. Next stop is Port Macquarie, check out the painted rock art by the river.

                  Please check out these fabulous posts 

       Istanbul                                 Budapest                        London

Fascinating Istanbul Asia Meets Europe     Hungarian Parliament Building (2)       The Walkie Talkie (5)    

          Mostar                           Dubrobnik                            Split

43638e36-5da5-4162-98e3-635e2c149837        IMG_7425    Split Ancient Croatian Coastal city                     

                 Saigon                            Zagreb                          Vung tau

Ho Chi Minh City South Vietnam       Main Square (3)     Vung Tau statue (6)

Pattaya live webcam
 
9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1)

That’s all folks

1g Duck

Check out these great photo blogs.

  • Lyme Regis Jurassic coast

 

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos

Kingscliff Northern Rivers NSW

March 20, 2017 by David Herd

Breakfast at Kingscliff

Kingscliff Northern Rivers NSW

Kingscliff Northern Rivers NSW

Kingscliff Northern Rivers NSW was my first stop after leaving Surfers Paradise where I had spent a week catching up with friends. My plan was to travel down the coast to Sydney stopping at various coastal towns on the way.

Kettles on

Kingscliff Northern Rivers NSW 

Very popular for breakfast as you can see.

Eggs Benedict for me.

Kingscliff Northern Rivers NSW

Cooked to perfection. 🙂

Huge breakfast for my brother Ian.

Kingscliff Northern Rivers NSW

There is nothing wrong with his appetite. 🙂 

Kingscliff Northern Rivers NSW

Kingscliff Northern Rivers NSW

 A fairly typical coastal town with lots of coffee shops, tourists & terrific beaches.

For instance

Kingscliff Northern Rivers NSW

Miles & miles of surf & sand & deserted at 9am on Wednesday March 8th 2017.

Short walk from the beach to the shops

Kingscliff Northern Rivers NSW

Kingscliff Northern Rivers Coast NSW is a tourist destination with a population of a little over 6,000 with beach and estuary access for swimming, surfing, fishing and all types of water sports.

Choppy surf today

Kingscliff Northern Rivers NSW

Kingscliff is only 14 kms from Coolangatta airport.

Location

Kingscliff Northern Rivers NSW

It’s obvious why Kingscliff is so popular given how close it is to the Gold Coast.

A beautiful day

c002c37e-63a4-4604-8242-251ccda92418

Kingscliff by the beach.

Kingscliff estuary

Kingscliff Northern Rivers NSW

A nice peaceful picnic area.

 Picnic area beside the estuary.

Kingscliff Northern Rivers NSW

Grab the morning paper & relax under the trees.

Time to hit the road & head south

d632e7e9-5006-4763-bdf3-0dd4ee1595f6

I got an amazing deal on my hire car from Apex, 6 days hire and drop it off at Sydney airport for only $150, a special relocation deal.

Here we go

Kingscliff Northern Rivers NSW

After an excellent breakfast I’m on the road again.

Hundreds of new townhouses

Kingscliff Northern Rivers NSW

So many new homes, the demand is obviously here.

Other towns heading south.

Kingscliff Northern Rivers NSW

All are nice little seaside villages, I may well wind up in this area when I return permanently to Australia in the next few years.

This was Chinderah on the way to Kingscliff.

Kingscliff Northern Rivers NSW

One lazy pelican and Mount Warning in the distance.

The highway to Byron Bay.

Kingscliff Northern Rivers NSW

I thought I would bypass Byron Bay and head for Yamba.

Road tunnel

Kingscliff Northern Rivers NSW

Cutting through the hills.

Inside the tunnel

Kingscliff Northern Rivers NSW

Lucky for me there is very little traffic.

Thanks for visiting my Kingscliff Northern Rivers NSW photo blog.

     Istanbul                                 Budapest                        London

Fascinating Istanbul Asia Meets Europe     Hungarian Parliament Building (2)       The Walkie Talkie (5)    

          Mostar                           Dubrobnik                            Split

43638e36-5da5-4162-98e3-635e2c149837        IMG_7425    Split Ancient Croatian Coastal city                     

                 Saigon                            Zagreb                          Vung tau

Ho Chi Minh City South Vietnam       Main Square (3)     Vung Tau statue (6)

Pattaya live webcam
 
9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1)

That’s all folks

1g Duck

Check out these great photo blogs.

 

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos

Kitchens Robina Town Centre

March 19, 2017 by David Herd

Fabulous Robina food court

Kitchens Robina Town Centre

Kitchens Robina Town Centre

 Kitchens Robina Town Centre Gold Coast is the largest and most expensive in QLD costing a whopping $160,000,000. Combining bars, cafes, restaurants along with 40 fresh food retailers. Spread over two levels it features eateries from local hospitality heavyweights such as the Honeyeater Kitchen from ex-Songbirds chef Trent Scarr, David Hayles’ Betty’s Burgers and James Brady’s Mr Pigs Bakehouse; alongside celebrity chef George Calombaris’ first Queensland restaurant, Jimmy Grants.

Kitchens Robina Town Centre Gold Coast

Kitchens Robina Town Centre

The whole place is quite spectacular, I will certainly visit again next time I’m on the coast.

Pure Meats

Kitchens Robina Town Centre

Butchers have come a long way since I grew up, I clearly remember them having sawdust on the floor. Here is an explanation from an old butcher explaining why; 

When my Dad and I butchered, we used it as a safety enhancement and for ease of cleanup as was mentioned. No, we wouldn’t have meat on the floor, but it seemed as the floor would get slippery over time, and without sawdust, it was only a matter of time before someone would slip and it didn’t matter much what you had for footwear.

Often we wore cowboy boots as you basically stand for 8 to 14 hours at a time and it seemed easier on you, but as you can imagine they aren’t known for tractive abilities. If you are packing a 135# or so hind, you really want your feet to stay under you. We never would have worked without sawdust on the floor in the back, the front we left sawdust free but eventually it would make its way up there.

It is a pain though tracking sawdust all over the place, in your vehicle, etc.

Naturally the beef must be hung. 🙂

Kitchens Robina Town Centre

Why is meat hung you may well ask; 

Meat hanging is a culinary process, used in beef ageing, that improves the flavor of meats by allowing the natural enzymes in the meat to break down the tissue through dry ageing. The process also allows the water in the meat to evaporate, thus concentrating the flavor.

Fish Lab by William Wu

Kitchens Robina Town Centre

Not only is this a good looking restaurant they also have a “drying room” next door. Follow THIS LINK for more about it.

The drying room

Kitchens Robina Town Centre

I have never seen anything like this before in a food court.

One of the many cafes

Kitchens Robina Town Centre

There is certainly lots of choices where to have a coffee here.

Too many coffee shops are never enough. 🙂

Kitchens Robina Town Centre

Not too sure if they are all making a living, and I’m guessing the rents are astronomical. 

Such a feeling of space.

Kitchens Robina Town Centre

The high ceilings and open plan gives a feeling of space.

 Spectacular roof at Kitchens Robina Town Centre Gold Coast

Kitchens Robina Town Centre

The architects have really done a great job here.

Lucky Luciano’s

Kitchens Robina Town Centre

I wonder if it’s a mafia hangout? 🙂

Woolworth’s for some serious shopping.

Kitchens Robina Town Centre

As you can see Kitchens Robina Town Centre Gold Coast caters for everything.

Farewell from Robina

Kitchens Robina Town Centre

Thanks for visiting my Kitchens Robina Town Centre Gold Coast photo blog.

   Istanbul                                 Budapest                        London

Fascinating Istanbul Asia Meets EuropeHungarian Parliament Building (2)The Walkie Talkie (5)   

          Mostar                           Dubrobnik                            Split

                     43638e36-5da5-4162-98e3-635e2c149837IMG_7425Split Ancient Croatian Coastal city                    

                 Saigon                            Zagreb                          Vung tau

Ho Chi Minh City South VietnamMain Square (3)Vung Tau statue (6)

Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
 
9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1)

That’s all folks

1g Duck

Holiday Inn

bbc35e6d-80db-4e1c-8f51-83dd84f16520

Fabulous views, excellent restaurants & a very good room rate if you book through THIS LINK.

The building in the middle is the Holiday Inn, on the left is the Amari Hotel which is another very good five star hotel. Use THIS LINK to book for a very good room rate.

Check out these great food photo blogs.

  • Tokyo fabulous food
  • Steakhouse New York


Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos