Drive time: 2 hours 39 mins

Distance: 562km from Newy

Sighted: Seals (so many seals) swimming around the bend from Bermagui Blue Pool, with more lounging on a large outcrop near the pool

Today’s drive first took us via the Tilba villages. I was last here 28 years ago and time has not been especially kind. To be fair, my memory of Central Tilba and surrounds is probably tinged with the favourable mist of time, of a bucolic setting of rolling hills embedded with smooth boulders, cows pasturing on verdant greens, the Pacific Ocean in the distance. You get the idea.

Has the scenic road been moved? Maybe so. The main road is no longer a drive-through viewing pleasure and more of a quick glimpse of hills and boulders as you roll into Tweeville/Tilba. Or maybe we accidentally came in via the tradesman’s entrance.

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Another one night stand, this time in the bright fishing town of Bermagui on the NSW south coast. We ate at Il Passaggio in the town’s wharf complex, where the fish you’re eating comes off the boats you’re gazing on from the restaurant balcony. There’s a chatty bar/brewery next door if you’re looking for a more lively time and to meet some locals.

The warm weather had followed us to Bermagui so before leaving town, we jumped in the absolutely stunning Blue Pool for a morning swim. Despite being Easter holidays, we had the pool to ourselves for a while and it was so glorious gliding around and gazing around at all that beauty. As travellers came and went, we all gawked and talked at the seals who lolled around on the outcrop and swam around with one flipper in the air, having the best time.