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ACCOMPANYING IMAGES Accompanying images were taken by Sandra Burn White, a freelance photographer whose work forms an essential backdrop to John Rozentals' travel stories. She has also built an extensive album of images which are available for purchase and can be perused on her site: www.sandraburnwhite.com.au
Close enough to fully realise the magnificence and power.
The Point: Wonderful outlook and a chef who can obviously put together some seriously good food.
Fishing and pelican watching on Little Beach. The ramp allows easy wheelchair access for disabled swimmers to a sheltered section of the bay.
Above and below: Watching the sunset from the balcony of the Soldiers Point Marina’s luxurious apartment.
Don’t I have fine teeth? Camels might have had a bad press for temperament, but no probs here.
On board Imagine ... slicing through Port Stephens on a magnificently clear afternoon.
Above and below: Riding Oakfield Ranch’s camels through the sand dunes at Anna Bay.
All images: © Sandra Burn White 2011. |
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Destination: Port Stephens ... JOHN ROZENTALS spends a luxurious 24 hours among camels, whales, pelicans, spectacular sunsets and some very fine food. Images: SANDRA BURN WHITE 0730: You know from the plaques in the window that Depz is one of Nelson Bay’s most highly regarded dining venues. We won’t have time to get there this evening, but we’re pleased to sit outside on a marvellously sunny late-winter morning and enjoy Peter Sheriff’s perfectly cooked poached eggs with bacon, and an omelette generously endowed with ham, cheese and mushrooms inside a crispy “egg shell”. Just one complaint, and it’s certainly not unique to Depz: a few teabags in a pot don’t make a real pot of tea. This could become a Boomer vendetta. Details: Depz, 85 Magnus St, Nelson Bay; phone 02 4984 1500; www.depz.com.au. 0900: A glistening foreshore drive from Nelson Bay to Shoal Bay, with stops at Little Beach, to watch a squadron of pelicans have their breakfast, and Nelson Head Inner Lighthouse. The latter offers a well-put-together museum, a café and a chance to examine the activities of the local Marine Rescue Base. There’s also a well formed pathway down to World War II gun emplacements that must have provided an enviable wartime gig. 1100: A short drive to Anna Bay for an Oakfield Ranch camel ride along the beach and into the largest moving sand mass in the Southern Hemisphere. Camels often get a negative press, but Rodney Sansom’s team prove to be the most placid of creatures, and offer a truly unique insight into the area. Details: Oakfield Ranch; phone 0429 664 172; www.oakfieldranch.com.au. 1200: The sun’s nudging the yardarm so it’s off to Murray’s Brewery for a beer tasting, lunch and brewery tour. Brewer Murray Howe and barman Brian Swift are pretty chuffed. One of their beers, the mid-strength Punch & Judy “Englishish” bitter, has just won a silver medal in the British Beer Show. “How’s that?” Brian asks, “Beating the Brits on their own turf?” Lunch is excellent. The Angry Man’s Mixed Grill soothes the temperament with its smoky ribs, succulent chunk of steak, juicy sausage and pile of comforting mash. And there’s plenty of flavour in a plate of giant roasted portobello mushrooms served with a salad of spinach, beans and herbs. Details: Murray’s Brewery, 3443 Nelson Bay Road, Bobs Farm; phone 02 4982 6411; www.murraysbrewingco.com.au. 1400: Back to the Nelson Bay Wharf to board Imagine for a whale-watching cruise. The sleek, swift and comfortable catamaran is the lovechild of Frank Future and Yves Papin, who joined forces 14 years ago to build the vessel specifically to show tourists the magnificent creatures that inhabit Port Stephens and the adjoining ocean. They have also been profoundly active in the declaration of Port Stephens Marine Park, Australia’s largest. It’s a spectacular three hours of riding the swell and observing, sometimes quite close up, bottlenose dolphins, muttonbirds, schools of fish, a sea eagle, seals ... and, yes ... there (s)he blows ... an enormous right whale, probably male and heading north to lure a female of the species. Details: Imagine Cruises, D’Albora Marina, Nelson Bay; phone 02 4980 9000; www.imaginecruises.com.au. 1700: We check in to Soldiers Point Marina’s new apartment, looking straight over the water to the most spectacular sunset. The marina, recently judged for the second time as Australia’s best, has acquired the apartment mainly for use by its members but it’s also available for holiday rental. It has a sumptuous lounge/dining area, fully equipped kitchen, three bedrooms and extensive balcony. Depending on seasons, rates start at about $350 per night. Divide that among two or three couples and it’s an absolute bargain. Details: Soldiers Point Marina, Sunset Boulevarde, Soldiers Point; phone 02 4982 7445; www.soldiersptmarina.com.au. Bookings can also be made by phoning Port Stephens Accommodation on 02 4981 1577. 1900: Stroll round the corner to Soldiers Point Marina proper for dinner at The Point Restaurant. A wonderful outlook, attentive but not overbearing service, and a chef who can obviously put together some seriously good food. Dishes such as the Chinese master-stock duck (with braised red cabbage, real hash brown and seville-orange sauce) and freshly made fettuccine, served with a delicious sauce, translucent prawns, plump scallops and chunks of salmon, are to die for. Details: The Point Restaurant, Soldiers Point Marina, Sunset Boulevarde, Soldiers Point; phone 02 4984 7111; www.thepointrestaurant.com.au. 2200: Stroll back to our apartment. Sheer bliss. DISCLOSURE; John Rozentals and Sandra Burn White were guests of Port Stephens Tourism. |
