About South West Rocks
South West Rocks is a coastal town which attracts both holidaymakers and retirees. Like all the North Coast towns that are not on the Pacific Highway, it is most commonly bypassed by holidaymakers. This has resulted in a town removed from excessive, modern development. It is a haven for people looking for quietness and coastal relaxation. For many years it was a popular hideaway for television personalities eager for a little privacy. Today the township is primarily a tourist destination. It has plenty of accommodation, beautiful foreshores, pleasant beaches, and particularly beautiful stands of Norfolk pines. (sourced from the Aussie Towns website – click for more).
We love South West Rocks (maplink) so it was great to see the Ingenia Holidays South West Rocks caravan park was the place where Tagalong21 group would be staying. A fantastic “creek site” for the majority of the group was a pleasant surprise for all. It was so good to gave down the street and see a row of Bailey caravans.
Happy hour was spent on the grassed area behind the vans with views over the creek, with it’s wildlife and stunning sunsets. Welcome back to SW Rocks!
One of our group, Helen, had run some early morning water aerobics and the early risers were once again in the pool doing their exercises (while I slept) and they also discovered a water slide which brought our the kids in them all.
Nice row of Baileys
Trial Bay Gaol
Even though we had visited the historic convict built Trial Bay Gaol before it was still good to pay another visit. Located only 5.5kms from the caravan park (maplink) it is an absolute must to do when in South West Rocks. What an amazing place and so well constructed, taking 13 years to be completed by convict labour from 1873 to 1886.
The Gaol is also famous for being an internment camp for people of German descent who were feared to be enemy sympathisers during World War 1.
Tagalong21 Farewell Dinner
It was the last night for a couple of our Tagalongers, as they were leaving the group, so it was decided to have the traditional farewell dinner at South West Rocks. Each caravan volunteered to create a main course, salad or dessert and it all came together in the caravan parks games room.
Lots of laughter and joy as we all sat down to an absolutely beautiful meal, with so many flavours and tastes involved.
After dinner it was then time for the “group shot” and it’s pretty hard trying to get 37 people into the photo at the same time, looking at the camera, smiling etc but we managed to pull it off.
Then it was time to rug-up and head back to the firepit to close out the evening with some port & liqueurs. Noice!
