Ash had been given a piece of advice from a guy in a Bondi skateboard shop. He wrote some directions to Steamers Beach on a napkin, then said:

“This is a secluded place, so don’t tell many people.”

and apparently:

“It’s an enclosed beach so the waves bounce of either side creating massive surf!”

Ash instantly told everyone that would listen, and we decided it would be our first stop on the East Coast road trip. We spent the night in the Jervis Bay National Park, which incorporates Steamers Beach. Arriving late, we were able to skip the camping fee, saving $50! Although this meant we had to camp away from the official sites. We had to walk with our tents down through the forest in the dead of night, and between the eight of us we had one torch. I expected to pass some birds, insects, maybe even a snake or two, but thought we’d stumbled into Jurassic Park when Kangaroos and Wallabies started jumping around in the bushes. Luke didn’t exactly put everyone’s mind at ease when he told us that a Kangaroos’ natural reaction is to disembowel humans if they get too close. We persevered with tent poles for protection and eventually settled on a little area of white sand that looked out onto the ocean.

The park had warm showers, BBQ’s, electricity, and it was a pleasure to stay there, but Steamers Beach was on our agenda. The ‘secret’ beach ended up being well sign posted, and the only thing keeping it quiet was the two kilometers of stairs that preceded it. The two kilometers were well worth it, and the skater dude’s enthusiasm for the beach was warranted. It was a beautiful, quiet beach, that had surf and fishing a plenty.

We couldn’t be bothered to carry the camping gear down to the beach so only stayed until the afternoon, and headed further down the coast to find a place to sleep. After a few free campsites failed to impress, Ulladulla ended up being infested with mosquitoes, and a crazy guy failed to convince us to go 40 km inland, we ended up in Moruya.

The park we stayed in wasn’t technically a free campsite, in fact there were several no camping signs. However, a few other bums had already set up camp for the night so we figured it was safe. We were not even subtle, as the massive tarp came out, as did the table and chairs, and we camped right in the middle of the park. After a few rounds of a blind chocolate eating game, and the girls thinking they heard Luke and I putting together a jigsaw in our undies, we had a sweet nights sleep. After a realaxing stroll along the river, some breakfast, and a shower in the sink of a public toilet, we were refreshed and ready to hit the road again.

Foot note…

For any other van bums out there, the ‘free’ camping was in Moruya Riverside Park. For anyone that cares to view where we slept check out:

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/3451885