DAY 3: Pottsville to Brunswick Heads

Leaving Pottsville

After a very solid sleep, we packed up our little house in Pottsville, repacked our bags, braced ourselves for the next 20km, and then bravely swung the packs around to land on our very bruised and sore shoulders. We decided a quick visit to the chemist was needed to replensish Debbies blister bandaids. Pottsville was a pretty town. Locals were out for coffee and we tried to hide our shock at discovering that you only needed 1.5M to buy a regular house here.

As we crossed the Mooball Creek we chatted to a seasoned fisherman about what we could expect over the next few miles. His advice was to go up the beach 7 or 8 km and then turn inland at the Wooyung Caravan Park and take the bush trail the rest of the way to South Golden Beach.

The trek up the beach was hard going, sand alternately soft and the sun sneakily catching winter flesh. A few locals were out walking, with dogs, or just contemplatively alone. It was interesting to see the erosion along the dunes from the recent storms and flooding in the area.

We had not brought any lunch and as our tummies rumbled thought sadly of the motel biscuit packets, the lone orange, and the seemingly endless minibar wine bottles in our stash. Our fisherman friend had said the caravan park had a small shop and we would be able to get something there. Wooyung Caravan Park is a very exclusive place and the shop held only essentials. Soft drink, chocolate and some two-minute noodles. We were discussing the logistics of preparing noodles in a plastic bag when the guy serving us offered us some vegetarian samosas if we would prefer them. Yes, please! The total bill came to $4 for two cans of coke. Samosas were on the house and came served hot with Sweet Chili Sauce! [More free stuff] After lunch we headed off on the inland route.

Snake!

I nearly stepped on it. Thought it must be dead as it didn’t move a muscle. Stepped away to take a picture and collect some rocks. Tossed one nearby and it sprang to life, and away!

The rest of the walk was uneventful, but the final climb to Ocean Shores was hard, and were pleased to finally descend to Brunswick proper.

The Sails Motel

We arrived at 3pm at The Sails Motel in Brunswick Heads. Tracey provided a very warm welcome for us and once we dropped our packs in our room offered us a few tubs of warm water to soak our mangled feet in.

Our twin room was quite big, 26m2, a decent-sized desk and microwave. I’m starting to think that microwaves are standard now and not something extra in a motel room. But have also noticed over the last few years the phasing out of toasters in hotel rooms. What are people eating for breakfast instead! As it turns out leftover wedges with baked beans.

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