Can you pick the REAL Chinaman?

 

Li Lin, his charming wife Li Yin, and their son and keen angler Jacob were with us for what have been the warmest three days so far this spring.

If you can spot the REAL Chinaman in the above photograph, we are happy to give you a dozen dim sims next time you stay at Riverbend Cottage ☺

 

The Lin Family from Sydney

 

They must've enjoyed their stay because they wrote in the guestbook:
"Peter and Padma, our family had a wonderful time staying at Riverbend, from the quiet nature of the area to the easy access to the river. Thank you for being very generous and understanding, catering to our needs. It is a shame we could not stay longer!!"

 

(in case you wondered: the Chinese characters mean "Thank you!!!")

 

A bird fancier's view of Riverbend

 

Anthea and John from Canberra spent three sunfilled days at Riverbend with John, an amateur ornithologist, hunting down the birdlife with his camera.

As he wrote, "These are the birds I saw on or from your property: Pelican, black cormorant, little pied cormorant, silver gull, eastern great egret, royal spoonbill, grey teal, chestnut teal, wood duck, black duck, Australasian coot, purple swamphen, sulphur-crested cockatoo, galah, King parrot, rainbow lorikeet, masked lapwing, grey fantail, brown thornbill, superb fairy wren, and a small water bird that I saw only once, and then not clearly. I think it was an Australasian grebe (also known as “little grebe”). They dive and stay under water for quite a while."

 

Last breakfast

 

On their last morning, most guests linger for as long as possible to delay their departure from "Riverbend". However, if you have a long return trip ahead of you and need to leave early, we will serve you a sumptuous breakfast on the morning of your departure to help you on your way.

 

If you don't want to cook ...

 

Your Cottage has everything you need to cook up a storm but if you feel like a break, you can just walk across the bridge to the village and buy a take-away from one of the two shops, Benny's General Store and Rick's Café.

Things to do

 

So you've done plenty of NOTHING at "Riverbend" and wonder what else is there?

Well, a trip up and down the Clyde River with Merinda River Cruises should be on everyone's list of things to do (we'll wave as you pass "Riverbend" :-)

Afterwards, you've earned yourselves a bit of retail therapy at the Village Centre and Bridge Plaza Batemans Bay.

Then learn about the local history at The Old Courthouse Museum or visit the Birdland Animal Park, followed by lunch (or dinner) at the Catalina Country Club or Batemans Bay Soldiers Club.

A few clicks down the highway is Mogo Village with its many touristy shops, Mogo Zoo, and the historic Gold Rush Colony (if you happen to be here on Sunday, 17 November, join us at the old Gold Rush Town for an evening with the Old Gold Folk Club).

If it's a Saturday, don't miss the Moruya Country Market and afterwards treat yourselves to lunch at the Moruya Bowling Club (also in Moruya from October 17 - 19 is the Jazz Festival). On the way back take the leisurely drive along the coast and pull in at the Tomakin Club.

As you come back into Batemans Bay along Beach Road, stop at the Olive Tree Café for a cuppa while watching the boats in the Bay.

But wait! There's more:

Batemans Bay Mini Golf

Dave Wood Fine Calligraphy Art Gallery

Clyde River Berry Farm

Ulladulla Leisure Centre

Ulladulla Harbour Markets

Tenpin Bowling Alley in Ulladulla