After breakfast, drove up to Albion Park for fuel, then into Shellharbour. Explored Bass Point - saw several different coloured varieties of small birds, lots of gulls, gannets and a pelican. Climbed on the rocky shoreline, and played on Red Sands Beach ("It's NOT red!") Lots of golden lizards sunning themselves on the path, plus some fantastically colourful plant life. We also saw the memorial to the Cities Service Boston, an American ship that grounded o...

Set alarm for 8am, didn't get up 'til 9. Dave already gone to work, boys to school (1st day back after 2 week holiday) & Kate doing Uni work on the computer. Breakfasted, and sorted out the day's route. First stop: Barren Grounds Nature Reserve for an easy 2km walk to Illawarra Lookout. Then a quick stop at Jamberoo Lookout, to view the valley & coast. Next to Carrington Falls & a couple of lookouts before having lunch (leftover pasta) at Nellie's G...

Another leisurely start to the day! Packed cold pizza and Tim Tams for lunch, and Dave drove us all to Minnimurra Falls National Park, for a nice walk through the forest (4.2km return) to the falls. Got told off for speeding by the woman selling parking tickets!! Dropped boys back in Jamberoo, then drove up to Saddleback Mountain's 2 lookouts - great views! Then back home for Dave's meatballs, and wine!

Didn't wake until 10 am - leisurely breakfast, then Dave drove us & the boys to Bombo beach to take Millie for a walk. Sunny day, a bit breezy - kids played on the beach, and at one point, a very excited Millie knocked Matilda flying, and received a scolding! Saw Bluebottle jellyfish corpses, but no whales. On way back, stopped in Kiama to go shopping! D had promised the kids their favorite home-cooked meal - M wanted pizza, J pasta & tuna. Also boug...

Landed at ~6.45am, disembarked and sauntered through customs & baggage reclaim with little delay. Phoned car rental company and waited outside for 30 minutes for pick up. Felt cold for the first time in a month! Short drive to rental office, 10 mins to complete paperwork, then we were off! Took a few mins to get used to driving, especially as the car's an automatic. Kids fell asleep within a few minutes - so a quiet and peaceful drive for half an hour or...