Nice place for lunch between Sydney and Mallacoota

[Cloud Basher]

All,
I am taking the family from Sydney to Leongatha tracking via the coast to Mallacoota then direct Leongatha on 23 January in the new year for my grandmothers 90th birthday in the local flying clubs Archer. It will be our first trip of any length as a family in an aeroplane and I am looking for somewhere to stop along the coast that not only has AVGAS but also a nice place to eat either on the airfield or perhaps within ten minutes or so walk. Something to break up the flight for the kids and wife. Kids are two girls 8 and 6.

Also any sight seeing "stuff" along the way would also be warmly received I am sure. The more interesting I can make the roughly 4 hour trip the more luck I will have in getting them to undetake further trips.

Any suggestions very much appreciated.

Cheers
CB

[On Track]

I haven't been there for many years, but Moruya used to be a good place to call into.

The airport is right next to the beach -- a good place for a picnic. It's well out of town, though, so don't know if you'd be able to buy food anywhere nearby.

[Aussie Bob]

Merimbula wins hands down, it is about a 10 minute, very enjoyable walk into town from the airport and the town is a neat place to visit with plenty to see and some good places to eat.

I would also suggest you stop at Orbost for afternoon tea, great airport and clubrooms.

[VH-XXX]

I assume you have something to attend at Leongatha, otherwise there is not much there for you. Latrobe valley is 40 miles short of Leongatha and Tooradin not far past it to the West but if you are going that far, Moorabbin is a stones throw. Between LTV and Merimbula there is not much other than Lakes Entrance and Orbost/Marlo as stated. Lakes entrance is very nice.

I concur that Merimbula is far better than Mallacoota, thus fuel and food should be more readily available.

[Horatio Leafblower]

If you want to catch a cab into town, Moruya has an excellent restaurant called "The River".

The food is simply awesome, it's my once-a-year gourmet effort for Mrs Leafblower which always seems to blow out to two or three times a year (how does she do that? :confused: )

[compressor stall]

I misread that last sentence and nearly choked on my weetbix.

[Tonym3]

I am with Aussie Bob here and vote for Merimbula. Simple Cafe Food is available at the airport if your there in the thick of the day. I would call the walk into Merimbula town is more like 20-30 minutes. The walk to Pambula might be shorter but I haven't done that. Either way it is easy enough.

[Lasiorhinus]

There's also a cafe at West Sale, right at the airport, if you need an extra stretch legs, or a pee pause, or something. But theyre not open every day - call ahead to make sure.

[Cloud Basher]

Guys,
Thank you very much for the info. Looks like Merimbulah it is at this stage. The 10-30min walk may dictate a cab, but what the hell, it is a holiday! And it works out nicely as a stop at about half way as well. Thanks for all the suggestions, will highlight them in the AOPA book with a few scribbled notes for future reference as well.

All very much appreciated.

Cheers
CB

[rutan around]

Cloud Basher, You don't mention your experience level but as someone who has flown the route you propose a few times over the years I would suggest you don't set your trip time and date in stone.Your px's will thank you for that. I have enjoyed some magic runs but have had some character building ones as well. eg fog problems Latrobe area, 180K past Sale @1000ft in a 135K aircraft, 85K down Ninety Mile Beach in the same aircraft,a 300ft drop in an airpocket at Cape Howe where the Roaring forties meet the South East Trade winds,low clouds and rain in the Woollongong area.Each of these occurred on different trips.Read your forecast carefully for the whole trip. On a good day you will have a wonderful trip. I hope I'm not teaching my Grandmother how to suck eggs.
Cheers RA

[Aussie Bob]

Looks like Merimbulah it is at this stage. The 10-30min walk may dictate a cab,

CB, I suggest you at least walk into town, the walk is along a lovely tree lined path to the bridge, flat and easy. If you want to look at the beach on the way just head up the side of the first motel you get to. Get the cab back when you are full of food.

[peterc005]

If you're flying to YLEG, it's just a short hop over some small hills to Tooradin.

The restaurant at YTDN is right on the airfield and a good place for a family meal.

[Cloud Basher]

Rutan,
I have a couple of days built in up my sleeve before the grandmothers 90th birthday party. So that should be ok as long as we dont have some nasty slow moving fronts around. And all advice is greatfully received especially helpful points that you have pointed out. I am aware of the varying conditions along this path, although I have flown no further south along the coast than Nowra. I can always check the inland route if the coastal weather is looking nasty so I do have a couple of options. The last option is to do the 12-13 hour drive... Fingers crossed for some half decent weather!

Aussie Bob,
If I get away early enough then we will definitely do the walk into town and smell the roses on the way. I guess town is a walk over the bridge? Having never been to Merimbulah, I take it the houses on google maps/earth just north of the airfield is just a number of houses with no real restaurants there?

Peterc005,
Thanks for the handy hint. I have driven passed Tooradin many times and you are not the only one to mention the restaurant. If not this trip I will get there one day. I have only been down there once and that must have been over 22 years ago! Have relations in Leongatha, Korumburra, Inverloch but only flown into YLEG and also the Ag strip just on the outskirts of Leongatha township. Still remember the AirTrucks they used to operate from there. Damn ugly aeroplanes! So ugly they are beautiful I reckon! (If that makes sense!)

Cheers
CB

[Aussie Bob]

Nothing before the bridge except motels and a service station ... Bridge is about two thirds the way to town centre. Have a great trip!

[mustafagander]

Basher,

Try to find the time to do a couple of orbits of the beautiful church at Bodalla, a bit south of Moruya. It was built by the Mort family (Mort's Dock in Balmain SYD) from the same stone as the Sydney Harbor Bridge, quarried at the South Head of Moruya River. Flying low a few miles off shore from MRY-MER is also a great experience - just be aware of the rules if you're in a single. Say hello to Mr Baker at MER!

[osmosis]

Isn't there a seafood restaurant opposite Merimbula/Pambula airport?
http://s1.bild.me/bilder/030611/thumb_7719316800px-Transavia_PL12_Airtruk_Hazair_03.88.jpg (http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=7719316800px-Transavia_PL12_Airtruk_Hazair_03.88.jpg)

[Cloud Basher]

mustafagander,
Mate will definitely do this, the kids will love it!

osmosis,
Will check it out on the wak. We all love seafood so if it is there sounds like the ideal spot for lunch! Might still do the walk to town for an icecream afterwards and get back under our MTOW!

If there are any more suggestions such as the one about the lighthouse on the way down, they would be most welcome. I know there is also a lighthouse near Nowra, so will also check that out. Might become a lighthouse spotting trip!

Thank you all very much for the very informative and useful info. It is very much appreciated.

Cheers
CB

[RobRW]

Best seafood restaurant in town is 5 minutes walk South of the airport.

Wheelers Seafood Restaurant.

Its a great spot, ran the pub there for a couple of years and did some flying out of there... Southern paradise!!

Enjoy YMER!

[Cloud Basher]

RobRW,
Mate I am going to check that out! Sounds great!

One more questions if I may to all:
1. Does anyone know if YMER and YLEG take credit card or cash for fuel?

I have looked in ERSA online and YLEG doesn't say about fuel (but I have found this doesn't necesarily mean it is not available) and YMER says Air BP carnet card but once again I have found sometimes they will take CC or cash. I am currently overseas so a bit hard to call the contact numbers. I also don't have my AOPA airfield directory here either. Once again, any help very much appreciated.

Cheers
CB

[Ted D Bear]

YMER will take cash or CC (with surcharge) if you're there when someone is around. Ring Ian Baker (mobile no. in ERSA) to check.

Ted

[YMRYFlyer]

Merimbula is the place to stop, they have fuel, and pretty much on the southern end of the runway (5 min walk) is the Pambula-Merimbula Golf Club which have great lunches in the restaurant. :ok:

[Seagull V]

Fuel at Leongatha? - Not sure, best check first. Fuel reliably available at Latrobe Valley 7 days during normal hours. Has plenty of coffee but limited tucker.
No fuel at West Sale, Fuel at Bairnsdale doubtful. No fuel at Marlo (Orbost) or Mallacoota last I heard.