Past Events

  Callala Beach weekend

 NSW
 callala beach weekend

Saturday 30th to Sunday 31st October, 2010


    Ten members of the Black Diamond Recreational 4WD Club, based in North Wollongong, joined with 29 members of the CamperTrailers.org community for an enjoyable few days at Callala Beach, on the northern headland of Jervis Bay, on the NSW South Coast, over the October 30/31 weekend.

 

    Despite doom laden forecasts of constant heavy rain the weather remained fine and mostly sunny, with only the early hours of Monday beginning to produce misty rain for those few who had remained an extra day before packing up.

 

    As with most weekend gatherings, time was mostly given over to relaxation and individual activities, but the 4WD group were keen to test their mettle and many of the camper trailer people took up the challenge of short cross country trips, one on Saturday and one on Sunday. Saturday’s outing, especially, was a more exciting time, if the amount of mud on cars and tales of bogged vehicles having to be hauled out were anything to go by.

 

     The camp location was in a recreation area owned by the Callala Beach RSL Club & was arranged via the club committee. The facilities of the club were availed on Saturday night for a $15 a head three-course meal.

 

     The beach was a 600-metre walk down the road and the local wildlife, including an echidna on the beach and a healthy black snake which at one time took up residence under Peter Elliott’s camper, were minor distractions. Of course, some of the younger (plus a few supposedly more mature!?) members made the most of Halloween celebrations. The rest sat around Happy Hour and drank wine.

 

     All in all it was a good weekend’s enjoyment for the NSW members of the group and thanks went out to Allan and Mary Anne Randahl.

 

                 from David Cook.

 

 

more

 

    The Majority of the group arrived on Friday to pick the prime camping spots. Friday night most of the campers put on their hiking boots to walk the 50 metres to the Callala Beach RSL Country Club for tea and raffle, most were lucky and won trays of meat. Saturday a blackboard was placed on display at the amenities block, showing the agenda for the days activities. If you didn’t visit the amenities you missed out. At 10am Trevor, Ian & Lee members of the Black Diamond 4wd & Recreation Club, guided the 16 vehicle convoy on a trip through Currumbene State Forest. The boys had done a recky trip the previous weekend, though during the week it rained, making the track extremely wet. The smaller vehicles made the going tough, especially for Narelle & Pat in their Suzuki on road tyres getting bogged. The 4wd Club was there to assist, as everyone watched the careful procedures of the recovery. Narelle seemed to be enjoying the experience and couldn’t wait for the next adventure. Unfortunately it was necessary to cut the trip short, due to the condition of the track. There were many disappointed, as everyone seemed to be enjoying their new experience at 4wdriving skills. Anyone thinking of venturing to Cape York need to put in practice these driving techniques.

    Saturday night an invitation was extended by the fishing club for the group to join them at there presentation night. Forty lucky people paid $15pp for a three course meal, which included fortified wines on arrival, fresh prawns, cold meat & salads with a glass of wine and dessert. Also raffle tickets were purchased, where a few of our members walked out with fishing rods & reels and even an electric frypan won by Kevin. A little more dancing, drinking & drinking, Mary Anne conned the club’s driver of the Courtesy Bus to drive us the whole 50 metres back to camp. The night ending around the campfire, with many tails of the days activities shared.

 

    Sunday morning a scenic trip had been organized of the surrounding area, including the Lighthouse at Cape Perpendicular & Honeymoon Bay. On return the majority of the campers packed camp then departed Sunday afternoon.

    Each afternoon at 4:30 the campfire was ignited, where everyone gathered for happy hour. The usual Randahl’s questionnaire sheet was handed out on arrival, this time being on Aussie icons. The judging took place at Sunday happy hour, 1st prize won by the Smidt children, Emma & Kate, fortunate for them, their mum brought one book along which just happened to be based on Aussie Icons. The adults prize won by the guy in the red shirts wife, sorry couldn’t remember who won the 3rd prize.

 

   The weekend was enjoyed by all. The weather was perfect, I’m sure the Gods were really looking after us. The fishing club enjoyed our presence and extended an invitation to return next year, Oct 2011.

    I am pleased to announce that we collected $300 in camping fees, which was donated to Legacy.

          from Allan Randahl
 

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photos from Dave >>>>>

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

photos from Mary Anne >>>>

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

more photos

Carolyn's Callala Bay blog  http://carolynscocioz.blogspot.com/2010/10/campertrailer-gathering-at-callala-bay.html

Dave & Joy's website http://members.ozemail.com.au/~joywilkinson/callala.htm