There seem to be two types of short breaks away from home. One is specifically oriented towards events and activities — perhaps a long weekend in Melbourne to watch the football or cricket and take in a show; perhaps a couple of days in Canberra to visit the national capital’s plethora of museums and galleries.
The other is about doing not much at all, but doing it in an inspirational setting that relaxes the body and reinvigorates the mind.
Bundle Hill Cottages, a few minutes up the range from Bawley Point, midway between Ulladulla and Batemans Bay on the NSW South Coast, definitely falls into the latter category.
Their creation has been the retirement option for Darry and May Powell, who discovered Bawley Point while living and working Canberra, then bought the substantial, but completely untouched Bundle Hill property after a decade-long stint in Tasmania.
The four pole-house holiday cabins they have constructed are all hidden among 200 acres of natural bushland featuring deep gullies of rainforest and offer wonderful views down to Bawley Point and the Pacific during the day, and, weather permitting, spectacular star-filled skies filtering through tall eucalypts at night.
The only noises that you’ll hear are the colourful parrots and rosellas that live nearby, the occasional tinkle on the roof of falling gumnuts, and, in the still of evening, the echoes of the surf about 10 or 12 kilometres down the hill.
The cabins are comfortably equipped in terms of lounge and bedroom furniture, and the kitchens provide most necessary utensils and basic ingredients such pepper, salt, olive oil, flour, etc. There are wood fires in the lounge rooms and gas-fired barbecues on the verandahs.
Rates range from $155 to $200 per night, with a minimum stay of two nights. For further details, phone 02 4457 1527, email [email protected] or visit www.bundlehill.com.au.
MEANWHILE, if you’re looking for a bit of aquatic action on the NSW South Coast, consider getting on board with Dolphin Wild Cruises on Jervis Bay, just north of Nowra.
The day we took the trip, skipper Wayne Hunt was almost apologetic as he opened the throttle on The Wild Essence of Jervis Bay and watched several dolphins start surfing the bow wave of the 12.5-metre catamaran, leaving a larger dolphin-cruise boat, at least temporarily, without its prime attraction.
“We’ve only been running Dolphin Wild Cruises for less than a year but the Jervis Bay dolphins seem to have taken a real shine to us,” he said. “I really don’t know what it is but they just love being off the front of our boat.”
It certainly provides an exhilarating experience that’s reflected in the gasps of delight from the dozen or so people hanging over the railing and clicking cameras at a frenetic rate.
The dolphins aren’t quite within touching distance, but they’re very close and they’re obviously having a thoroughly fine time, occasionally turning to look their admirers in eye and falling off the wave. That hardly bothers them because they’re so quick through the water that they can make mockery of Wild Essence’s pair of 300-horsepower diesels. Catching back up just seems part of the fun.
While close encounters of the dolphin kind are certainly the highlights of our two-hours-or-so on Jervis Bay, there are other attractions as well.
Just being out on board a stable, sturdy modern vessel on a large body of water on — in our case — a calm, sunny afternoon is pleasant enough in itself. There are the cliffs of Point Perpendicular to look at, almost uninhabited beaches to lust over, a bit of history related by Wayne, plus coffee, cakes and scones.
Dolphin Wild Cruises is run from Huskisson’s main wharf, about a two-and-a-half-hour drive south of Sydney, by the Aulsebrook family, who’ve lived around Jervis Bay for more than a quarter of a century and began building Wild Essence as a specialist (porpoise-built?) tourist vessel just over three years ago.
They also run whale-watching cruises (May through to November), plus BBQ cruises, seal-colony cruises and, in warmer weather, snorkelling cruises.
Rates range from $33-69 for adults ($19-$32 for children or a 2+2 family rate of $89-$185). For further details, phone (02) 4441 7002 or visit www.dolphinwild.net.
DISCLOSURE: John Rozentals and Sandra Burn White were guests of Bundle Hill Cottages and Dolphin Wild Cruises.
IMAGES
Bundle1-4: Bundle Hill Cottages — an absolute treat set among the forests of the NSW South Coast … with occasional visits from colourful and inquisitive birdlife.
Dolphin: A dolphin catches the bow wave of Wild Essence.
Jervis: An almost desolate beach on the coast of Jervis Bay.
Wayne: Skipper Wayne Hunt brings Wild Essence back into the main wharf at Huskisson.
MEANWHILE, Here are a few local specials to consider:
D’ENTRECASTEAUX CHANNEL: Peppermint Bay cruise
A five-hour cruise departing Sullivans Cove at 11.30am aboard the 23-metre catamaran Peppermint Bay II. The cruise includes Hobart’s harbour, the River Derwent and the D’Entrecasteaux Channel on its way past Bruny Island to Peppermint Bay. The fully guided half-day cruise can include sightings of sea eagles and seals, as well as visits to fish farms. Underwater cameras are designed to provide observation of crayfish and colourful sea gardens. Platters of regional food are provided.
THE DEAL: Buy one adult window seat for $109, get the second free of charge. Valid until 31 Mar 2010 (except Christmas Day). Must be booked before 12 Dec 2009.
CONTACT: Phone 1300 666 787 or visit www.travelmate.com.au
HOBART: Rydges Hobart Hotel
Rydges Hobart Hotel is a 4-star property in North Hobart, 1.7km from the CBD. Has the usual trimmings of a four-star property — king-size beds, broadband access, complimentary parking, restaurant, business centre, 24-hour reception, etc. Gay friendly.
THE DEAL: Stay three nights for the price of two in a Manor Suite. Prices from $139 per person twin-share, a saving of $110 per person. Offer valid for travel until 31 Mar 2010 (excludes 26 Dec 2009 to 5 Jan 2010).
CONTACT: Phone 1300 551 669 or visit www.needtoescape.com.au
LAUNCESTON: Leisure Inn Penny Royal
Penny Royal Hotel and Apartments†is a boutique heritage property with modern facilities located just 5 minutes walk to Launceston CBD, famous Cataract Gorge and the Old Launceston Seaport Restaurants. Originally built as a corn mill in 1840, it was moved 54 kilometres to Launceston and was rebuilt as a hotel over 130 years later — stone by stone.
THE DEAL: Stay three nights in a hotel room at the Leisure Inn Penny Royal and receive one free night. Priced from $165 per person twin share, a saving of $77 per person. Valid for travel until 31 Mar 2010, excluding 25 Dec 2009.
CONTACT: Phone 1300 666 787 or visit www.travelmate.com.au
