Day 9 - Exploring my new backyard

Well the day had come to start exploring our new backyard. I’d been hearing about a car show at Rocky Cape all week on the local community radio and I knew the Bandycoot (my boyfriend) would love to come along once he heard there were going to be vintage tractors there too. It was a gorgeous day and we felt a bit bad about leaving the pups at home.

Well the Bandycoot fitted right in with the crowd of car lovers at the show. I’m sure there were more beards there than a ZZ Top concert. Some of the cars on show looked like regular vehicles and we decided they had entered just to ensure they got a good park (the regular parking was full and most people ended up a way down the Bass Highway). We had to park in a ditch beside the highway and it was the first real test of my car’s All-Wheel-Drive capabilities. The car show was on the lawns of the packed Rocky Cape Tavern and there was already an undercover police car set up across the road to nab any overly enthusiastic bikers.

A curly drive along long untouched beach reserves saw us arrive in the picturesque town of Stanley on the harbour. The colonial stone houses under the famous ‘The Nut’ rock formation looking out over the crystal clear sea made for a stunning panorama. After sitting out in the sunshine enjoying a delightful seafood lunch from a local restaurant/takeaway, where they had a large aquarium (which felt a bit like “see ‘em, then eat ‘em”) and $95 lobster (we didn't get any), we went for a stroll along the seafront. While scoping out the seal tour boat we saw a huge stingray glide by under the jetty and, unexpectedly, a large coral shelf.

Driving through the picture perfect streets we found ourselves overlooking the bay and a large park where we could see some very enthusiastic children were swimming. Although I may have mistaken enthusiasm for the early stages of hypothermia. It looked so beautiful, that I wished I could go for a dip. Old churches, curly sheep and endless rolling green hills, it was hard to know where to point the camera next.

A further drive to enjoy the sleepy sweetness of Smithton and then it was to turn around and start heading home. We stopped off at Peggs Beach reserve, which is a signed bird sanctuary, and took a stroll across the smooth sands. It was so pristine I felt like we may have been the first of our species ever to walk along and bravely dip our toes in.

The Bandycoot, ever the romantic, made time for us to stop in an enjoy the famous Boat Harbour beach at sunset and marvel at the crystal clear and calm waters that had earned it a place in the Top 10 Aussie beaches. Today was one those that will forever stay with me, filled with unforgettable beauty and the spirit of exploration.