There is a row of people behind a fenced platform looking down on the three of us as we bob around near the big cave that is the entrance to the well known Kiama Blowhole. We had paddled around from the boat ramp on the north side of the headland determined not to miss the blowhole as we paddled past on our way to Werri Beach at Gerringong. Now, looking at the large chasm that is the entrance to the famous feature, I realise we would have to be daft to miss it.
From the sea, the blowhole entrance is massive: a huge arch of Latite with a vertical tunnel and a much smaller shallower cave at the very back at sea level which makes the “blow” when a big set of waves roll through. We took turns backing in and sitting under the shaft of bright sunlight that pierces the darkness. “If we mess this up we’ll be on the six o’clock news,” I said to Lisa as we rocked up and down in the low swell and watched the people watching us.
About a kilometre south, on the south side of Kaleula Point, we found a big dark cave. A much narrower opening with a high roof and absolute darkness inside. We could hear the water way back and were able to tell that the cave made a 90 degree turn to the north. This is Friars Cave and extends beyond the 90 degree bend but a head torch is needed as we could see nothing inside.
Further south again, Doug paddled behind a rocky islet, found the “waiting place” not actually a very good place to wait and narrowly avoided being pasted onto the rocks as his kayak pierced the belly of a bigger wave in a rapid exit. He did not swim, leaving that to Lisa who decided it was a good day to try toileting from a kayak and slipped quietly and inadvertantly off the back deck of her boat. Doug and I did not even realise that Lisa had not only been into the water but had also re-entered her kayak via the “cowboy” technique. I made a mental note to try this re-entry method again – I’ve never had success.
At different tide heights and swells, Werri Beach would have a nasty dump as it is a steep beach, but with a metre swell landing at the south end was easy.
Next day, with similar swell but stronger northerly winds, we launched into the Minnamurra River at James Oates Reserve and paddled easily out a shallow bar and around Stacks Island. With the northerly wind forecast to increase, we paddled straight over to Bass Point and around the far eastern side to Boston Point.
From Boston Point we paddled back hugging the coast looking for caves and clefts we could paddle into. We found some small slots to paddle into, some very shallow low caves, and a few deep tunnels but no really big features. There are lots of good rocks for scrambling, bouldering and even pitched climbing on the basalt columns, and this would be a good bit of coast to walk at low tide. A nice easy run in through the bar and late lunch in the sun. Another couple of enjoyable winter paddling days.
All photos DB.
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