The North Coast with Whales (and other animals)

We left Sydney on Monday for Nelson Bay. I'd called Melaleuca Backpackers' Accommodation about 7 that morning to book a hut, having read good reviews on the Net.

Met Jeannette (our hostess); Peter (our host) introduced us to Froggy, the tawny frogmouth who is convalescing on the property after injury and rescue. Froggy was being fed twice daily but now has to shift for his own supper, which he is doing successfully. Unfortunately, though, he has a nasty habit of diving onto the guests, and this put back his full recovery for a few weeks when a frightened guest injured him trying to fend him off.

Also met one of the resident koalas.

And a convalescing wallaby.

Went whale watching the next day.

I've been reading that Australians, in this time of economic downturn, are opting to spend their holiday dollars overseas; and we didn't see big groups of holiday-makers. Lovely! We were able to book & check in on the same day. Well, could also be the time of year: most people going skiing perhaps, instead of to the beach. However, seems the South Korean influx is pretty healthy. Groups of young travellers arriving in Sydney, next day to Nelson Bay: whale watch and sand dune surfing. Next day to the Blue Mountains. . . a look at the Three Sisters and back to Sydney. Home to Seoul the next day.