A drive across the sea

In July 2003, the New South Wales Roads and Traffic Authority (NSW RTA) permanently closed Lawrence Hargrave Drive following dangerous rock falls. This narrow, winding road hugs the rugged coast between Wollongong and Sydney offering scenic views of the Tasman Sea. Last December the RTA opened a replacement roadway known as the Sea Cliff Bridge.

This 655-metre balanced cantilever bridge curves along the coastline making for a memorable driving experience. Ironically, while rock falls no longer threaten lives, the bridge has become a popular tourist destination putting cars and pedestrians at risk from distracted drivers.


On Saturday afternoon I got to see this bridge for myself. Garry’s family took us for a drive down to Wollongong for a leisurely buffet lunch at the Novotel North Beach. This glass fronted hotel sits across the road from Stuart Park and the local beach front. We couldn’t have picked a better day to visit the beach. We woke to a blue sky with temperatures predicted to hit a high of 23C.


We reached Wollongong in record time from Garry’s parent’s house thanks to the recently opened Westlink M7 tollway. This ring road was still under construction in 2003 when Garry and I departed Australia. It now provides quick access from Western Sydney to the Hume Highway, the main road to Canberra and Melbourne.


The buffet was delicious. We all pigged out on the fresh prawns. I also found room for the incredibly tender octopus salad. Afterwards we wandered across the road to the beach. Surfers were out in force, along with a few brave bathers. A group nearby was enjoying a lively game of beach volleyball.

All this was happening in the midst of winter. In fact temperatures in Sydney are currently hotter than London in the midst of Summer. For a moment I felt terribly homesick and drawn back to Australia.