Day 30 - Denman to Stockton Beach
It was another sunny day for our drive from Denman to the Stockton Beach Caravan Park. The Upper Hunter scenery is impressive but there was nowhere to pull over to enjoy it or take photos. As we approached a main highway there were two left turn signs - the first indicating a rest area. I took the turn only to find a locked gate and sign stating the rest area is permanently closed. How sensible it would be to remove the first sign!
The staff at the caravan park are very helpful. For the past week the park has been chaotic moving cabins away from the eroding seafront. About 8 cabins have been moved. This has involved disconnecting them from services, lifting them with cranes, loading them onto semi trailers, putting them down on temporary brick piles, and cementing their chains into the ground in case of strong winds. Two cabins are in front of our site but the rest are in an adjacent reserve. The cabin water tanks are yet to be moved.
Even today waves were still washing over what is left of the dunes onto the road. The great cafe near the park was closed by council due to safety concerns. The managers had no notice so couldn't cancel supplies they had ordered, or let people know their Valentine's Day bookings would not be honoured.
We set up camp and had some lunch before meeting our friends keen to show us around Newcastle where their waterfront apartment is being constructed. The redevelopment of the harbour is impressive with a light train line and repurposing of the the old industrial buildings as cafes and restaurants. A ferry crosses the Hunter River linking Stockton to Newcastle. While I was distracted by a phone call the others were getting a guided tour of this historic ship.
We drove around to the ocean to walk along the headland. The old sea baths are in need of extensive repairs. The council is hoping to secure help from private developers, but many locals are concerned the baths will not be the same.
I chatted to a man setting up vintage photographic equipment to take pictures of the headland. I suspect a modern camera would be easier and take better pics!
We had a lovely dinner with our friends and will catch up with others at a lunchtime concert tomorrow.
The staff at the caravan park are very helpful. For the past week the park has been chaotic moving cabins away from the eroding seafront. About 8 cabins have been moved. This has involved disconnecting them from services, lifting them with cranes, loading them onto semi trailers, putting them down on temporary brick piles, and cementing their chains into the ground in case of strong winds. Two cabins are in front of our site but the rest are in an adjacent reserve. The cabin water tanks are yet to be moved.
Even today waves were still washing over what is left of the dunes onto the road. The great cafe near the park was closed by council due to safety concerns. The managers had no notice so couldn't cancel supplies they had ordered, or let people know their Valentine's Day bookings would not be honoured.
We set up camp and had some lunch before meeting our friends keen to show us around Newcastle where their waterfront apartment is being constructed. The redevelopment of the harbour is impressive with a light train line and repurposing of the the old industrial buildings as cafes and restaurants. A ferry crosses the Hunter River linking Stockton to Newcastle. While I was distracted by a phone call the others were getting a guided tour of this historic ship.
We drove around to the ocean to walk along the headland. The old sea baths are in need of extensive repairs. The council is hoping to secure help from private developers, but many locals are concerned the baths will not be the same.
I chatted to a man setting up vintage photographic equipment to take pictures of the headland. I suspect a modern camera would be easier and take better pics!
We had a lovely dinner with our friends and will catch up with others at a lunchtime concert tomorrow.
