Another Day Trip To The Lockyer Valley

Winter in South East Queensland means farmers are harvesting potatoes, sweet potatoes, cabbage, broccoli and silverbeet in the Lockyer Valley, less than 90 minutes west of Brisbane. For any day trip taking an esky is compulsory for purchases from road side stalls including fresh eggs and honey. I’m making fortnightly trips out that way following our Premier’s advice to “re-ignite the economy”.

My most recent find in the Lockyer Valley was Scotty’s Barn And Garage at 1709 Flagstone Creek Road, Upper Flagstone which is one of those spots that are worth a visit, particularly if you aren’t concerned about being separated from your partner for hours.

You see, Scotty’s Garage is a showcase of automotive memorabilia with vintage cars and motor bikes and everything in between. There are pumps, petrol signs, workshop tools and car paraphernalia that I am unable to name ( and don’t care). The Love Of My Life, an old bikie in a previous lifetime, lost hours lusting over the 1939 Lincoln Zephyr and an Indian motorcycle.

Then when the Barn Doors are opened you’ll be gobsmacked by the replica 1950’s diner with dance floor, jukebox and pinball machines.

No milkshakes sadly, but you can cross the lawn for Lunch or a Devonshire Tea with Homemade Ginger and Walnut Scones. I sampled more than I should have waiting for the boyo to emerge from his Fantasy Land.

This is a family friendly venue with areas to picnic and playground equipment for the Little People.

As with all places post Covid you need to book in advance http://www.thebarnandscottysgarage.com.au 07 4697 5334

You know, I’m sad my trips to PNG, Longreach, WA and Darwin have been cancelled this year, but I am loving discovering new places closer to home:)

Ulladulla, Books and Empty Esky

My connection with the south coast of New South Wales goes way back. The beautiful coast is an area that was featured on the media over Christmas and New Year because of the apocalyptic bushfires. It was peak tourist season which made it both an environmental and economic disaster.

In normal years Easter would have been the perfect tonic for a semblance of financial recovery as families from Sydney and Canberra flock to the area for school holidays – and Ulladulla’s annual Blessing Of The Fleet celebrations. This is a ceremony which started back in the mid 1950’s when Ulladulla, which means “safe harbour”, was the port for the largest fishing fleet on the south coast and run by Italian immigrants who brought the centuries old tradition over from Sicily.

I have many fond memories of the Blessing Of The Fleet festivities including the year my sister and I were forced to get out of our cossies and to frock up in our Sunday best to meet the Special Navy Guest for the occasion, Admiral Crabbe, whom my  ten year old sister greeted with a “Welcome Admiral Crap”.

2020 has been anything but normal. We spent Easter in lockdown.

Back in the 70’s my Dad won enough money on a galloper named Rajah Sahib to buy a block of land on the hill overlooking Ulladulla harbour. In later years he would wait for the trawlers to return and watch the unloading of their catches from the comfort of his lounge room. Both his and my sister’s ashes were scattered in the ocean just outside the harbour and close to a favoured fishing spot.

Ulladulla, approximately 230 kms south of Sydney, is doing it tough just like so many other townships all along the coast.

Empty Esky is an initiative on social media firstly to promote business devastated by the fires and to encourage visits from tourists when allowed. They’ve highlighted breweries, bakeries, gift shops, jewellers and all manner of local produce to a broad audience.

My money is going to small business this year. I‘m a 1000 kilometres from the south coast so am unable to do much, but I can do a bit……….

………. starting with the Harbour Bookshop in Ulladulla, an independent book store on the highway that runs through the middle of town, which has an easy to manoeuvre website and posts all book orders over $60 at no additional cost. 

Thank you to my two Book Fairies for organising some new books for their old Mo and introducing me to this retail outlet on the coast.

Next month I’ll look into a boutique Gin Distillery I’ve discovered on Empty Esky just a little further down the coast.