Early start for drive to Sutherland (southern Sydney suburb) to park car & catch the train into Sydney Central station. Walked through Hyde Park & Botanical gardens - saw Flying Foxes (flying, frying, crying, sighing, … etc!) - to Opera House. Then on to Circular Quay to catch ferry to Taranga Zoo. Iconic views of Bridge & Opera House from the ferry! Then onto the skytrain to fly over the zoo, to the entrance. Spent the next couple of hou...

Quiet morning - D spent a couple of hours sorting out photos & journal whilst L went with Kate to look for clothes for kids - bought M a top & a skirt. After lunch, Kate went to Uni, so we took Millie for a walk at Jerrara Arboretum & Wetland (by the dam). She very enthusiastically hunted all sorts of unseen creatures in the undergrowth, and at one point found an Echidna - thankfully at a time when she was ON the lead! Kids took it in turns to...

Ben, Ellis & Ollie were given the day off school, to come with us to Jervis Bay. Took about an hour to drive to Husskison, mostly in drizzly rain, until about 5 minutes before we got to town, when it started to pour down! Parked at he sea front, and went for a coffee. Café owner very helpful & informative about options for activities if the weather didn't clear up. Wandered around town for 10 mins, then down to the beach - and suddenly there were do...

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...