The ships log:
Swansea October 2005
The day started at Swansea. Launching from a little beach just to the South of the Swansea bar, the weather was perfect with blue sky and a forecast of 10 to 15 knot winds.
We had no plan on where we were going as Paul and I have not paddled this part of the coast before. So we would meander down to the South for 3 hours then back 3 hours. Sounds good.
The water was very clear and many surface fish swam around the kayaks. We past caves beach and many bommies on our way. Caves beach obviously named as it has two large caves at the southern end of the beach. These were high up and generally dry caves. Further down we came across a deserted beach? Its the school holidays and there's no one to be seen?
We continue on and found some fun gaunlets to paddle through arriving at a small bay around 7km from where we started, pulled in for morning tea. Only a short stop as we just wanted to continue paddling in this beautiful area.
The coast is rugged compared to the Sydney coast line, although the cliffs are not as high, the rocks are of a conglomerate type and prone to degradation by the ocean swell. We came upon a huge section that had been scalloped out, although not quite a cave yet it was daunting paddling under the overhang.
Just around the corner we came across a big black hole... with the sun shining we could not see inside until we were within the shadow line of the cave. Even then it took some time for our eyes to adjust. We ventured in, constantly turning our heads looking for that 7th wave. Bats began to scatter. The occasional swell that came through although not overly large, made you wonder if we were going to be the meat in the sandwich.... with head room of around 10 meters I don't think we needed to worry today.
We paddled to the end of the cave, it finishes on a nice sandy beach. We could have landed here and had lunch, but we saw no sense in sitting in the dark eating lunch with bats flying around.
On we went, it was now over 3 hours and we needed to turn back... but you know how it is... what's around the next headland. So on we went.
Catherine hill bay was the next beach, we paddle under the large wharf (used for loading coal) and continued on... last headland, ok Paul? Yep... well we did turn back and we will be back again to paddle this beautiful and rugged coastline.