Narrawallee – Summer of Peaches!

/ Wander Lou

It’s been over a month since my last post. I drove south to Narrawallee at the end of November to spend the summer working on a peach farm with my mate Rubie (aka Mountain Goat) who I met on the Appalachian Trail.

This is Narrawallee Beach, which is literally 5 minute walk from where I’m living for the summer. Bliss

The sky on the day I arrived…

We’ve been working six day weeks at the orchard (I’m packing, Rubie’s splitting her time between packing and selling), the fruit is delicious & the work is wonderfully physical, but it’s a challenge fitting in all those other aspects that make up a life. On my one day off, when faced with a choice between hiking or blogging about the last hike, I, of course, choose to get out there and discover new trails, but the thought is always in the back of my mind that I will find time to blog this week. Well, better late than never!

Beautiful sea-moss clad stones at Narrawallee headland

On my first full day in Narrawallee, Bronwyn (Rubie’s mum) took me here, to The Bommie, a stunning little hidden gem located south of the harbour, accessed via the backstreets of Ulladulla. We swam and soaked up the sun for a spell before I returned to my thesis-related Ulysses summary and Bronwyn to her jewellery-making silvercraft. 

The Bommie, Ulladulla

I did a couple of short walks in Morton National Park on my first day off. 

Rainforest loop, Morton NP

Granite cliff face, rainforest loop, Morton NP

Rainforest loop below George Boyd Lookout, Morton NP

More of the path wending its way below the granite outcroppings

Picnic area adjacent to George Boyd Lookout parking area, and starting point to the 1.5km rainforest loop walk

The first and last set of stairs on the short loop walk

The view from George Boyd lookout is pretty awe-inspiring, even on a cloudy day

This sign is provided after you’ve already completed the loop if you happen to set off in a clockwise direction from the carpark, but I guess they probably wouldn’t get many takers if people encountered this sign at the beginning of their intended walk…

So many great rock formations to clamber over, under, through and around

Granite Falls is located down an easy 10-15 min approach trail, with the parking lot a short 5 minute drive down Twelve Mile Road from the George Boyd Lookout carpark, as you’re heading back toward the highway. The falls weren’t flowing when I visited but nevertheless, this natural bowl, seemingly carved out of the valley’s combination of granite and sandstone, and once home to an extensive inland sea, was nothing short of spectacular.

Granite Falls, Morton NP

The following week, I embarked upon a slightly more challenging route on my day off, journeying along the Meroo NP Coastal Track from Termeil Beach to Bawley Pt and back, around (and sometimes over) the rocky shoreline with the receding tide, stopping for occasional swims along the way.

Termeil Beach

Secluded beach

Secluded beach – site of first swim

Rockpool: inverted map of Australia

Meroo Headland

Meroo Headland, Meroo NP

Another echidna sighting – this one tried hard to disguise himself – very sweet

Meroo NP rock art

I got this dead crab to pose for me

Met some local folk making beach art: sand sculptures courtesy of MC, Violet, Austin and Emily

Headland between Meroo and Shelly beach

Beautiful patterns formed in the sandstone from wind and water erosion


Lichen of all shades

More wonderful patterns

Looking back toward Meroo beach

Nuggan Headland

Rough track traversing Nuggan headland

Fab campground at Nuggan head

In between working and hiking, I’ve been trying to find time for the bullet journal…

Some days are more productive than others 😉🎄

A few snaps of the farm:

The original farmhouse

Farm art – the slasher came off a little worse for wear after this encounter..:

The cows have a great diet. I go out each afternoon and call them in. I am developing a pretty solid moo. Small victories a source of pride 😉😇

I camped out a couple of nights in Huskisson. Was aiming for Green Patch at Jervis Bay but their online booking system is ridiculous.

Swam at Hyam’s beach before work while I was down that way. Life is good 🌊

Could have sat watching these seagulls with the sound of the surf in the background all day…
​​Popped up to Nowra to do some chrissy shopping one afternoon after work. It’s quite an arty little town.

Shoalhaven Arts Centre, Nowra

Main st mural (pity about the NAB advertising)

I apply this sentiment to life more broadly

Blast from the past…

Found this great hopscotch mosaic at Milton’s Settlement courtyard – located behind the shops on the main drag

Am currently home in the Blue Mountains for chrissy with the Murphy/Davies clan. Back to Narrawallee and my summer of peaches on Tuesday.

Love and Christmas wishes to all – be safe and have fun xoxo 🎄🎄🎄

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