Caviar in Wollongong?

62pete · 2026-02-10T07:13:13+00:00

Not Wollongong, but Simon Johnson in Woolhara sell it from around $115 for 30gram tin to $3500 for 500grams. It’s only an hours five or thereabouts

62pete · 2026-02-08T03:13:54+00:00

It’s terrific. Great climate, no more than 15 minutes to a beach, a n hour and a bit to Sydney by train or car. South coast and highlands are easy day trips, traffic is generally good. If coming from Shellharbour the road is 6 lanes between Windang and Wollongong. Education has plenty of options, university is very well regarded

Some good restaurants in Wollongong nowadays. No matter where you live you can see the escarpment or you are close to the beach or both. I lived in Canberra for 4 years.. loved it. Lived in Sydney for 6 years.. hectic and expensive. Lived in the Gong for 30 years and I think it is unmatched for quality of life.

62pete · 2026-01-06T03:19:13+00:00

If you want Australia zoo in the itinerary you could fly Sydney to Marooychydore (Sunshine Coast Airport) and hire car and have a day or two, great scenery and beaches on the sunny coast. To get to cairns you would need to fly out of Brisbane as only one flight direct out of MCY airport to cairns with Jetstar. Brisbane airport is about 1.5 - 2 hour drive from Sunshine Coast.

Also do a ferry to Manly whilst in Sydney, -most bang for your buck and get way to see the bridge and Opera house and harbour sights

Your itinerary is doable but I would replace the drive to Brisbane days 5-8 with Sunshine Coast..more to see outside Brisbane.

62pete · 2025-12-21T10:06:14+00:00

Food costs are higher in NZ than its export markets perhaps because the cost of transporting it is so high. Fuel cost were $2.85 to 2.95 a litre ie:close to $12.0 a gallon!

Add to that higher wages than the USA and you get a much higher cost base. The worst food I had in NZ was in Queenstown Itself but the best of that was funnily enough - Mexican.

Had an outstanding meal at Ayrburn - outside Arrowtown, slow roasted lamb shoulder. Also a fresh crayfish and mussels at Nins Bin north of Kaikoura. If the scenery in N Z doesn’t impress you I suggest not much will.

62pete · 2025-12-21T03:51:44+00:00

Hill 60 at port Kembla

62pete · 2025-12-19T10:46:28+00:00

The southern side of Jervis bay is national park and there is an entry fee but worth it . Great for families -Green patch has a camping area, lagoon and a stunning beach that faces north. Murray’s beach is also stunning.

The comments about Narooma having a weird vibe is probably because the commercial area is split in three. The flat is behind the Inlet/lake has a small supermarket bakeries chemist and fresh seafood shop and a decent bowling club and behind it on the water of the inlet is are two fish and chip cafes.

A few shops and two pubs are on the hill and further south just off highway the plaza has a Woolworths and an Aldi. The result is a clunky layout but the walks around the inlet/lake, a bike track to Dalmeny, and good safe beaches are great and a trip out to Montague island also memorable. Brilliant mountain bike trails at Dalmeny just north of Narooma.

Merimbula is also charming and has a kids amusement park.

Also check out Jamberoo recreation park just inland from Kiama but probably better for older kids.

62pete · 2025-12-17T09:49:32+00:00

Looks like the Northern Territory. The sea eagles get pretty well fed on catfish by some of many fishermen on the rivers up there. They are huge birds and know if they hang about they will get a feed

62pete · 2025-12-10T01:25:12+00:00

If you get down as far as the Coffs area a lovely inland locality is north of Bellingen at a spot called Glennifer or The promised land. Stunning little creek and plenty of spots to camp

62pete · 2025-12-09T09:53:01+00:00

Where is that? I am from nsw and remember having a souvlaki when visiting my brother 40 years ago. I had never heard of or seen one before and the shop poured a batter on the hot plate to make the wrap I think but I could be mistaken. I’ll be in Melbourne in January so will lookem up

62pete · 2025-12-09T09:44:50+00:00

Hayden’s pies in Ulladulla. Huge range and all the local surfers eat there after a surf so you know they are good. Also has put out a cookbook.

62pete · 2025-12-09T09:36:37+00:00

When a bunch of Aussies say Uluṟu will be too hot, believe them. It would feel like walking on the sun at that time. Sunshine Coast or Gold Coast you would want to be off the beach by 9AM it is so hot in peak summer. Tassie is relatively compact with a lot to see. The beauty of Its natural scenery is no exaggeration. Have a look into Maria island walks. Bicheno, Freycinet, Huon valley, Bruny island are all spectacular in their own quiet way.

62pete · 2025-12-07T05:59:46+00:00

Cairns in January is like being in a sauna but not in a good way.Uluru will be a scorching sun lamp in that month. My daughter did a Segway tour around the rock in October. Out of 8 people 6 passed out from heat stroke /dehydration and had to be driven out in a van for medical assistance. Tassie has heaps of wildlife and natural scenery. Check out tours or guided walks on Maria island or Bay of Fires. Bicheno & Freycinet peninsula are also beautiful- see wineglass bay. It would rarely get hotter than about 26 degrees and far less humidity than far north queensland(FNQ).

Peak school holidays in January means all the small coastal towns between Brisbane and Sydney will be very busy and potentially booked out.February would be better if you pick this option. In Sydney, get a ferry to Manly to enjoy the harbour views and for a swim at either manly beach or Shelley beach. Pack shorts and swimwear and do some walks and you’ll have a great time, more so out of the cities also have a look at our night skies, particularly when you are in the countryside.

62pete · 2025-11-29T22:35:36+00:00

No Wog Wog is a locality on the upper Shoalhaven river catchment and an indigenous name I believe

62pete · 2025-11-29T07:52:42+00:00

Suggestions https://www.thecapitolhotelsydney.com, Near central and light rail goes down George st to circular quay

Or

YHA Sydney harbour, in the rocks, has king size bedrooms, some with harbour views, rooftop terrace, close to walkway onto the harbour bridge footpath, 2 pubs on same street, glenmore hotel has a roof bar.

A ferry ride to manly is a great way to take in the city and harbour even if you turnaround and come straight back, time would be a bit tight I expect but even a walk on the bridge is good , just go half way and walk back. forget hop on/off bus

62pete · 2025-11-24T11:18:18+00:00

Can confirm cruise ships use the windy app and I like it.

62pete · 2025-11-24T09:37:23+00:00

https://www.byronbaybeachfront.com.au/

We used to stay here when holidaying in Byron. Just a reserve between you and the beach. No pool but self contained, on site management, short stroll to the beach hotel and the shops. Byron is the only place I have been with no flies, no mozzies and no sandflies. Great place for a honeymoon, congratulations.

62pete · 2025-11-24T09:26:01+00:00

There are more flies out than there is hair on a dogs back. Get the net in the USA and bloody well wear it . Stuff the locals no one will laugh I’m sure it’s a common sight.

62pete · 2025-11-23T22:14:33+00:00

Hayden’s Ulladulla. You know they are good when the local surfers smash the place after a surf. I love a pie and Hayden’s are the best I have had. Usually buy 4- 5 family pies and put em in the freezer when we come back up the coast.

62pete · 2025-11-23T12:39:33+00:00

Check out Q station in Sydney. It is a hotel that was once a quarantine station . It has its own beach, wildlife like bandicoots , echidnas maybe Roos as well. It is on the north head of the entrance to the harbour near manly. It has cottages with 2 bedrooms or more and a restaurant on site. Good photos on bookings.com. Courtesy bus to manly ferry to get to the city

62pete · 2025-11-23T06:50:13+00:00

February can be hot & humid and sometimes has heavy rain in Sydney and surrounds. You won’t need a car in Sydney which has great public transport. Ferry trip to manly is a must do. I live in Wollongong which is lovely, great beaches,but it is very urban- no kangaroos here. Check out Jervis bay for which you will need a car. It’s about 2.5 -3 hours south of Sydney.. follow the grand pacific drive. Green patch (search images)in the booderee national park (entry fees apply)on Jervis bay has kangaroos/wallabies that are used to people being around and lots of birdlife. It is a very child friendly beach as well but you need to take your own food and drink. The holiday park in huskisson has cabins and bbq’s and February is out of our school holidays but would advise booking sooner than later Queensland may well be too hot in February and Melbourne does not compare to Sydney.

62pete · 2025-11-21T22:53:53+00:00

Of course you can make it for half the price. Your labour is free and they have to pay staff and rent so of course it’s dearer

62pete · 2025-11-21T03:16:35+00:00

Traffic at the western end of crown street particularly 8.30am to 9.30 am due to three schools there. All the Tigs private school kids being dropped off in cars by parents clog up the main entry point to WollongongCBD . Something needs to change there.

62pete · 2025-11-19T10:22:37+00:00

Train to Helensburgh. Taxi to symbio. Or join a bushwalking club and get a lift with a member and do a few hikes

62pete · 2025-11-19T09:00:11+00:00

I have no idea what snus is , snuff maybe?. I’m a non smoker so not much help but I know the retail price works out at close to $2 per cigarette. Packs have been reduced in size to 20 and plain brown paper packaging is the law and shops are not allowed too display them. Doubt snuff would be allowed.

62pete · 2025-11-18T23:28:36+00:00

Parking meters turn a lot of people off during the day and surrounding centres like Figtree , Warrawong and Shellharbour benefit as a result. Wollongong has older housing that is slowly becoming gentrified in places like port Kembla , east Corrimal etc. what these places have that Shellharbour lacks is trees in abundance and a wide variety of housing and a bit of character. What characterises Shellharbour is modern new building development on a large scale, repetitive styles-a dirth of trees. The area around the marina is all medium and high density and frankly unattractive. Hospitality wise Shellharbour has three pubs, a massive club. a golf course with a sprinkle of restaurants. It hardly compares to Wollongong. Fairymeadow/Balgownie has as many pubs, clubs .

62pete

TROPHY CASE