For some, to recharge means enjoyable someplace tranquil. For Explorer Sophie, her final weekend of recharging means diving with sharks at South West Rocks.
We acknowledge that this journey is situated on Djangadi Nation, the standard lands of the Djangadi individuals who have occupied and cared for this land and water for 1000’s of years. We pay our respects to them because the Conventional Custodians and recognise that sovereignty was by no means ceded.
Some individuals may not discover being surrounded by sharks a second of ‘tranquillity’, however for me, being underwater offers me uninterrupted, absolute readability. My drive up the coast from Newcastle to South West Rocks was dotted with uncountable beautiful locations and alternatives to have interaction with the ocean.
I had three days to play with a model new rechargeable, 100% electrical Jeep Avenger and man, did I spend these days properly. I knew coming again to actuality after this weekend was going to be powerful!
If you recognize me, you’ll know the very first thing I want in my life is saltwater. My very first toy was a 90s Ocean Pals Scuba Barbie, and ever since I’ve been constructing my life and job across the ocean.
I selected this stretch of coast for its richness of journey, from snorkelling, scuba, and freediving, to superior surf and secret rock swimming pools the place the water is vibrant aqua blue.
So why the recharge? I spend many hours in entrance of a display screen enhancing and dealing, as many do. It’s essential for my psychological well being to set time for out of doors immersion and self-care the place I can follow rejuvenation and be current with myself.
Right here’s what that appears like for me!
Scuba Diving the 125m Cave at Fish Rock
This was a tear-jerking bucket checklist second for me. This dive website attracts in scuba fanatics from all around the globe for its protected biodiversity and likelihood to swim by way of a surprising 125m cave right into a marine haven of a whole lot of Nurse sharks.
The vary of coral and fish life is astonishing and I virtually got here again with my air tank full as my breath was taken away so usually. The staff at South West Rocks Dive Centre host a double-dive on the rock and it’s tremendous straightforward to ebook an all-inclusive bundle with them.
The Gray nurse sharks are the principle attraction, however you’re more likely to spot turtles, large Eagle rays, lobsters, octopus, and possibly even newly hatched Clownfish! On uncommon days (round 1% of tourists) get to witness swarms of Hammerhead sharks.
We weren’t so fortunate this time, however all of the extra motive to return!
Learn extra: Keep in mind to depart no hint
Exploring South West Rocks on Foot
South West Rocks itself is such a hub of life and has all of the hallmarks of a basic coastal city that I’ve at all times adored. We parked our Jeep Avenger by the bridge at Again Creek and plugged it into the general public charging station.
Many of those stations value subsequent to nothing to recharge your automotive, this one simply occurred to be fully free! So while our automotive was regaining its vitality, we did the identical by having fun with the native cafes, gem outlets, and eating places. I like to recommend Malt & Honey as a one-stop store for excellent meals and occasional.
In the event you’re courageous sufficient, there’s a platform on the Again Creek Bridge to leap off for a enjoyable freefall into the deep river under!
Freediving Trial Bay & Horseshoe Bay
These seashores and bays (many inside strolling distance of the charging station) are every so dazzling, it was exhausting to decide on the place to leap in. After parking up and plugging within the Avenger, we grabbed our fins and masks and ventured into the ocean to navigate our method across the reefs and rocks – Ocean Barbie mode absolutely activated at this level.
We noticed rays and dove deep to spy on a sleeping Inexperienced sea turtle. I like to recommend diving round Bait Reef shore dive, an easy freedive or snorkel, or making your method round the suitable till you discover ‘the gutter’.
Learn extra: Staying Protected on Coastal Rock Platforms
Freediving offers you plenty of freedom to discover the ocean extra deeply, however at all times take into account your potential and the circumstances of the water earlier than leaping in, and by no means dive alone.
I’m fortunate my cousin Maddie is my good mate and dive buddy and I can simply coax her into adventures with me!
In the event you’re not skilled sufficient in freediving, you’ll be able to at all times snorkel or simply discover the rock swimming pools round Path Bay Gaol that are INSANELY picturesque, and as soon as in a blue moon the surf is top-tier too.
Trial Bay Gaol Campground, situated proper by the gaol ruins is without doubt one of the finest places you may get; go to sleep to the sound of the waves and get up to the odor of salty water calling your identify.
Many people catch their dinner by spearfishing and diving off the rocks proper close to the campground. Talking of…
Catching Breakfast
Meandering again down the coast on our method house, we stopped alongside the shoreline of Limeburners Creek Nationwide Park. The Jeep Avenger has a ‘sand’ mode which I used to be very excited to take a look at, so we had been in a position to drive up the seashore on compact sand and take advantage of a totally crowd-less dawn.
However my accountability was breakfast and our little tummies had been a-rumblin’. After a fast free dive off the rocks, I used to be stoked to snag a healthy-sized lobster prepared for our brekky.
We thanked the lobster for giving its life to feed myself, Maddie, and some hungry on-looker locals with a dangerously good lobster scramble on sourdough, recent from the ocean. A little bit of chilli and a squeeze of lemon juice, and we had been in flavour city! I couldn’t consider a greater option to finish the journey.
Psst! Don’t neglect you want a NSW Fishing License to go spearfishing
Calm down, Recharge, Replenish
I designed this journey to disconnect from my common day-to-day and submerge myself within the peace and variety of the ocean. I’m totally grateful for the chance to dive and be underwater the place my head noise may be soothed for some time.
The drive was straightforward and charging stations have gotten extra commonplace, making longer journeys like this extra accessible. My complete invoice for operating the automotive for 3 days, travelling 4 hours north and again, was lower than $80. This was a welcome change from my normal $400+ diesel invoice for my Land Cruiser, and meant more cash put in the direction of pizza, pasta, and good espresso!
I perceive that for a lot of, being in a darkish cave with an oxygen tank and sharks isn’t the epitome of rest, but it surely’s a second I shared with my finest mate and cousin that I’ll always remember. So in the event you’re tied down with deadlines, sick of sitting at your desk or the mind fog is getting somewhat heavy, take into consideration how one can take time to recharge your self. What makes you are feeling alive and in contact with the surface world? What fills your cup and offers you house to breathe?
No matter your excellent journey seems like is as much as you, nevertheless, that is your signal to do it!
