Bellingen to Bendemeer: The Ultimate Detour (Part 2)

So, we’re still bumbling along Waterfall Way at this stage – ultimately headed for Bendemeer.

After a particularly intense night of camping, we once again found ourselves looking for breakfast. I don’t even know where we were at this point, let alone the name of the Café! What I do know, it that it was a little like a car-boot sale in there, with all sorts of quirky items displayed around us as we gobbled up our eggs.

Sadly, this brekkie was underwhelmingly bog-standard; nothing like the previous day. Beggars can’t be choosers!

After a few more Waterfall stops, our day started to get considerably better. We drove and drove, along the most beautiful winding road and through some cute little towns, until we got to Bendemeer.

We had already decided that Bendemeer was as far as we intended to drive, although I have no clue why we picked it. Most likely because the next stop would have taken too long for us to reach, as we had to be back in time for our New Year’s plans. Fortunately for us, our random selection leads to yet another wonderful location!

Again, we were utilising our camping app, on the hunt for the cheapest place to stay but in desperate need of a shower and real bathroom facilities. If I ever have to see another long-drop, it will be too soon.

We pulled into a basic but beautiful campground called Bendemeer Tourist Park. This place is essentially just a couple of fields but has great views overlooking the MacDonald River and the mountains beyond – they even had free WiFi which was a real luxury for us – it’s the small things that count!

We decided to wander off and explore a little, unintentionally making our way to the Bendemeer Hotel and enjoying a couple of drinks. Truth be told, if you are looking for luxury, this hotel is not it. Perhaps I’m just bitter because they asked for my ID, which I had forgotten, and so I had to stand in a different section to Mike to order my OJ…

They do however have a very pretty garden where you can eat and drink to your heart’s content, whilst admiring the undisturbed nature around you.

I suppose we found Bendemeer so lovely because it was a stunning day. Everyone around us was friendly and relaxed, it was hot, the sun was shining, the camp owners had pet horses and alpacas (potentially llamas but does anyone really know the difference?). All in all, it was bliss.

It turned out to be another chilly night for us, what with the mountains and all, but our spirits were not dampened and the sunset was particularly magical.

The following morning  I went to wash up using the outside kitchen area and came across a homemade campfire. This sight stirred up sudden nostalgia for days spent in the South of France, or indeed the time I spent working at a summer camp in America; times of simple pleasure.

With these fond memories in mind, I can safely say at that moment I was content. Completely and utterly content. Yes, I was washing up (never ideal), but everything from the way the sunlight bounced off of the fluffy llama’s back, to the peaceful sounds of the river nearby – everything was perfect in that moment.