Photo 1 by Robert Smith. Photo 2 to 4 by Ben Crossett.
The plan was to meet up at Gary W place in Currarong who was allowing us all to stay at his holiday home there over the weekend, which was fantastic. Great little place in a lovely location. For Gary M and I, we chose to take the scenic coastal drive, but unfortunately it took longer than we first thought. Once there grabbed some good old fish and chips from the local and downed some beers with Gary W, Phil, Ben, Rob J. and Jill. Owen and Zoe arrived later that evening ready for the boat dive in the very early hours of the morning.
Once up at the crack of dawn, well Phil was, we drove around the bay to Huskisson to catch the boat, getting left in Garys dust from his M3! Unfortunately Owens car got the better of him, locking him out and breaking his key, alas he was unable to make the boat.
Photos by Ben Crossett
During the hours boat ride to the Drum and Drumsticks we passed massive high 50ft sheer cliff faces and even some migrating whales in the distance. Once arrived at the dive site, downed anchor and geared up for the first dive. The water was crystal clear, around 25m visibility. Seals were in abundance and inquisitive of us. We were told that if we acted like a seal they would come close, so Gary M was well at home there!! The area was full of wildlife with a school of Tuna (I think), a massive Wobbegong, Port Jacksons and of course several seals, probably after the Tuna!
Once back on the boat there was time for cheese and crackers plus some soup, albeit very weak at the top and very lumpy at the bottom! We moved sites to The Gap where a colony of seals was watching us yet again. This dive was fantastic, along a massive sheer wall down to around 10m with all the seals sitting on top of it peering into the water. Visibility again was superb being only 200m from the first dive site.
Photo 1 to 3 by Ben Crossett. Photo 4 by Robert Smith.
Following the dive we headed back to shore where some cold beers were in wait. Re-joined Owen who had a new key and could now get in the car.
That evening following some Gin and Tonics for some, popped out for a Chinese at the local Bowling and Recreation Club. Fantastic slap up meal and really reasonable too.
The next morning the shore was checked out as to what dive we would tackle, the SS Merimbula wreck, a steamship wrecked in 1927 at Whale Point, was suggested. However this involved a 15-20 minute walk, with all the equipment, to the dive site. Most of us were ok with this, just that Gary had twins to carry the distance! We finally agreed and walked to the wreck dive site, with helping hands carrying weight belts (thanks Owen and Zoe) although there was only 5 of us diving this one, Gary W, Phil, Gary M, Ben and I.
Photo 1 to 3 by Robert Smith. Photo 4 by Ben Crossett.
After tackling the waves, entering the water on the rocks, it was a little swim around to the wreck on the other side. The wreck was really good, you could clearly see the hull of the boat with the prop shaft running either side of the boat and the huge boilers which had rolled out. There was loads of marine life living on and in the boat including a Rock Cod. The exit was just as tricky as the entry over the rocks but a bit of team effort we all got out and then had to endure the walk back to the cars with the tanks!
After making our way back to the beach house we all packed up and departed company after a fantastic weekend diving, think everyone enjoyed it. Thanks again to Gary for putting us up in his lovely beach house.
Photos by Ben Crossett
Photos by Ben Crossett
