Travel Diary

A DAY AT THE COAST – MOGO & BATEMANS BAY

Tuesday – 3 May

A combined tour with the Probus Club of Tuggeranong & the Tuggeranong 55 Plus Club

It is time to desert the city lights for a breath of sea air!

Travelling by coach with Andrew Gillan, from Horizon Coach Charter, we depart at the respectable hour of 8.00am, from the Town Centre Vikings Club (parking available at the rear of the Club).  We stop at the charming Braidwood Park for morning tea, before beginning our costal visit in the small heritage village of Mogo.  This little patch of paradise has been battered and bruised over the past two years but is slowly recovering.  Now is your chance to support and explore the unique variety that the village offers.   Lunch is at your leisure but not included in the cost.  You are free to bring your own picnic lunch, or why not enjoy some delicious local fare ie Grumpy and Sweethearts.

Then onto the great volunteer run Bateman’s Bay Museum on the edge of the CBD.   Set in the 1905 former courthouse, this museum not only offers exhibits & artefacts on the region’s history but also houses The Book Emporium, home to a wide range of quality pre-loved literature.    The day is not too long and after our coastal ‘cruise around’, we will arrive back in Tuggeranong by 6.00 pm.

The cost for the day is $45.00 (does not included lunch) and booking with payment is required by 28 March.     Please note, to protect all of us, double vaccinations with boosters are required.

 A JAUNT THROUGH JUGIONG…….22/2/22

A cool morning to board the bus at the Burns Club….35 enthusiastic 55ers to venture forth….

Our bus driver Anthony well and truly on time and off we went at precisely 8.29 am. Thankfully no road works traffic accidents or holdups to delay the journey and we arrived in Yass at precisely 9.29. A pleasant wander and cuppa in the park in Yass then off to Jugiong…. It seemed like such a quick trip down the highway with such magnificent scenery to view.

As we entered Jugiong the bus was held by a notorious Jugiong Bushranger – Brian!  Brian is a resident of Jugiong and an Artist. I will be visiting his gallery “The Quirky Crow” https://www.quirkycrow.net/ on my next visit to this town.

Brian was full of information about the local area and gave us a running commentary of the surrounding sites while Anthony drove the bus up and down some rather steep hills. The scenery was to say the least spectacular.

We stopped in the Lions Park in the centre of town. There is a free camping ground which is apparently very well patronised (well it is free) A sculpture by Keith Simpson of a Policeman that lost his life, being killed by a Bushranger.  The tour continued around the western side of the town, and we were lucky enough to see a Wedge Tailed Eagle take flight….

We then pulled in to the “Sir George”. It didn’t appear like there were any locals around the town when we arrived……that’s probably because they were all in Sir George!!!.

It has an interesting history that is available online and has recently been refurbished with a rather trendy appeal. The “beer garden” was quaint and we were seated in a separate section where there was sufficient (just) seating for all of us. Lunch was served all be it a little late, however, it was delicious. On the small side for some but overall, quite satisfying. A wander to the bakery before climbing aboard once more to purchase some rather delicious sourdough bread.

I had a lovely day and found the whole experience relaxing. I was surprised at how fast the day went which is probably a great indicator….Will definitely be making a trip down the highway again in the not too distant future….

Jill Pietzker – Travel Committee member