Sydney - Part 2

On the second stage of our Sydney holiday we spent a day down on the NSW south coast at Stanwell Tops and Austinmer, just a few kilometres north of Wollongong.

This bridge we were told was built a few years ago and sits just off the coast away from the cliff face. The cliff would sometimes erode and the road that used to be there became dangerous for cars to travel on.

We spent an hour watching the parasailers preparing themselves for take off.

Waiting for the wind to be just right and then....

....lift the parasail into the ready position before... 

...taking a running leap of the edge of a CLIFF!!! Are they for real?

Apparently so...

It's a regular weekend feature at Stanwell Park.

There are parasailing hire companies camped there ready to teach you how to jump for fun!

Next for lift off were the hang gliders.

These parasailers glided down slowly to the sea shore.

Down to that park you can see mid right of this photo. That open sandy section is corded off like an airstrip for safe landing.

Last minute instructions before take off.

The ocean was rough this day so we didn't plan on swimming.

We finished the morning with a leisurely walk along the beach at Stanwell Park.

We found these bright purple shells. Sadly we had to throw them away as they smelt awful. The purple colour comes from a dye that the creature inhabiting the shell excretes. Once the creature has abandoned its' shell home it dries out in the sun and turns white like so many other common shells on the beach.

This friendly little crab didn't mind being held for a moment but soon tried to jump to freedom again.

The cliff face was so interesting with all it's patterns caused by years of waves crashing against the rocks. 

It reminded us of the paintings done by the indigenous peoples of Australia.

Love listening to the waves as they coming crashing in...

...on the jagged rocks!

We meandered in and out of the coast to see what we could discover.

Sadly our wandering ended behind these rocks where we discovered a drowned puppy. We don't know how he got there but seemed to have been washed up with the tide. 'Little Miss' was very distressed and we decided to leave this beach for one further south.

At Austinmer Beach we discovered a swimming pool that has been built into the sea shore. People come each day to swim laps. Some of us had a refreshing swim after a lovely seafood lunch on the beach.

...and then headed back to our accomodation for the night.

Next post: The Blue Mountains.