|
After a number of months planning the trip to dive Fish Rock Cave located at South West Rocks, only a short 5 hour drive north, the trip was deemed a rocking success.
The gang of 14 people all arrived on the Friday and managed to escape the Sydney traffic. The Pacific Highway’s upgrade has just about finished and soon I think that the trip will be only about 4 hours, making this top dive spot a great escape for the weekend.
Friday night we mixed it with the locals at the Riverview Tavern, a new addition to the area with $5 300g steaks and $3 schooners. This is a great place to relax and watch the sun set over the river and unwind from the crazy pace of Sydney.
Day 1 - the wind had dropped but the swell was something to contend with. The boat trip started on a high with an improvised snorkel with a whale and her calf before we even got to the dive site. The scene was set with many added bonuses that Eddie made very clear he was not paying extra for; a snorkel with whales included! The first dive gave everyone a taste of why you drive 5 hours to dive on a rock, although many of the crew had a queasy surface interval with more than half submitting to the over the side fish feeding. Despite the rolling sea, we completed two dives around the rock and enjoyed diving with the Grey Nurse sharks, turtles, schools of king fish, a massive school of yellow tale and juvenile lion fish. We checked out the opening of the cave and the nursery with a giant bull ray demonstrating how best to glide in the current!
On return the gang relaxed as a BBQ dinner in the nearby Arakoon Nature Reserve was organised. What a great setting with the ocean on one side and the bush, complete with kangaroos on the other. Not to mention the very game sausage stealing Kookaburras who struck each time we were distracted by the sensational views! We enjoyed great company and interesting conversations about the environment, science and the gentleman’s glossary of terms. A very educational conversation for the ladies at the table!
Day 2 - the weather had been turned on for us as we experienced flat seas and a change in the wind; again a lovely 22 degrees in the water and an easy 15-20m visibility allowing us to complete two great dives through the cave and a play with the bull rays, schooling king fish and Grey Nurse sharks.
To continue the buzz of the dives many went on to have lunch at the local pub to swap photos and experiences and generally download on a very enjoyable weekend.
The next weekend will be scheduled very soon so keep your eyes open.
Brad Greentree
|