We undertook a fairly frenzied clean-up on our last morning at Surf Park, including emptying our pantry. The kids dined on a combination of cereal and banana bread (the dizzying levels of sugar clearly a great idea before a prolonged car trip).

Our first stop was Nan Tien Temple, just shy of Wollongong. The approach consisted of weaving past multitudes of heavily-laden articulated vehicles in a profoundly industrial suburb (I don't know about you, but this clearly hints at peace and tranquility to me).

A multitude of signs greeted us, directing us to avoid alcohol and meat (fair enough for a Bhuddist enclave) but also prohibiting bicycles and picnics - which have long been known as adversaries to quiet reflection...

Nan Tien was very pretty, but very recently constructed in the scheme of things. Having been spoiled with previously wandering through both Nikko and Nara in Japan - the immense passage of time evident in both, we were a tough crowd to impress.

A very business-like volunteer foisted a fringed cloth onto Lily (her penchant for short shorts a transgression against all sorts of decorum), only to demand it back once it was clear we weren't entering the temple proper, indicating she has had issues with people stealing these frilly tea-towels in the past. Certainly, she had our measure.

After a failed attempt at gaining a car park anywhere near Wollongong Botanical Garden (the place was heavily infested with Uni students and their modes of transport), resulting in us inadvertently getting stuck on the highway out of town - we took a birds-eye view from Mt Keira Lookout. The brilliant blue sky making a mockery of weather predictions (fortunately).

Undeterred by wall-to-wall P-plated vehicles, we eventually gained access to the Gardens, which were awesome, and gave the kids a chance to stretch their legs.

We made our way to the Lighthouse in Wollongong to take a look around and grab a bite to eat. We negotiated both the freeway and train-line (that bisect the city most unfairly), and encountered a soft-serve ice cream van.

I'd never been to Wollongong previously, and came away with the impression of an almost Gold Coast, almost Forster, together with an industrial Newcastle thrown in. It appears to be in the midst of an identity-crisis, but has plenty of potential (and its choc-tops are superb).

Wanting to avoid another climb up the highway out of Wollongong, we thought we'd stick to the coast. We passed a different suburb/town/hamlet every kilometer or so - each with an embarrassingly gorgeous view of the ocean.

We eventually made our way past Sea Cliff Bridge. with numerous folks walking the length of it and waving at passing cars. We wove our way past a bunch of towns with names largely relating to cliffs, and managed to grab a piccie of the Bridge in question.

Fortunately, we avoided a repeat of our Sydney traffic adventure and made relatively good time back to Newcastle, much to the relief of the Martin kiddies (muttering something about regaining access to wi-fi as they stumbled through the front door).