I slept later than I wanted, as I was still suffering from jet lag.    Martin and Chris had already left for work by the time I awoke. 

Homebush Bay

There was no time for breakfast, so I showered and threw everything into the car.  As I was leaving Sydney, I passed by Homebush Bay, where Sydney will be hosting the Olympics in four years.  Martin had told me that the exit was difficult to find, but I spotted it from the highway, took the next exit and quickly found the site where they were building the stadiums, arenas, and other sports venues.  A quick run around the Olympic Park, a tour of the visitors center,  a few photographs and I was back on the road.

Highway 31 Visited

I hopped onto Highway 31 and sped along the tree-lined road with Sydney fading fast behind me.  My first stop was Berrima, a quaint village just a few kilometers off the highway.  I ate lunch (fish and chips served much more fancy than usual) in an old tavern and walked along the main streets through the town's collection of quaint shops.  I picked up some gifts for Nicholas and Timothy.  I found several exquisitely illustrated books about the adventures of indigenous Australian animals ("Tasman Turtle" and "Wallagool Whale".)

Highway 31 leads out of Sydney and hooks up with southbound 51, which takes you down to Bateman's Bay, my destination for the night.  But approaching the junction to 51, Canberra began to call me.  A glance at my map showed it was only about 50 km out of my way, so I decided to detour to the nation's capital.

Canberra

I arrived in Canberra at 5PM.  I drove into downtown as the rest of the city sped in the opposite direction.  When I got to what appeared to be the city center, it seemed deserted.  I stopped at a roadside rest area that overlooked part of the city, hoping I could find something of interest or significance to see.  A young man on a bike stopped and I asked him advice and he pointed  me toward the Parliament Building (Australia's center of government), which was visible in the distance.

I've never seen a building quite like the Parliament building.  It sits very low to the ground and the lawn merges seamlessly with the building, so that one can walk along the grass next two the building and up a slight, grass-covered incline and quickly find oneself at the top of the Parliament Building.   A picnic atop the Parliament Building reveals a terrific view of the city, which is surrounded by lakes and mountains.  I admired the view a few minutes and strolled down the opposite side of the building before continuing on my way.

Through the Mountains in the Dark

Getting out of Canberra was an adventure.  Due to poor planning, I had no map of the city.  I finally discovered a roadside placard which displayed a map, and that pointed me toward the east.  I stopped in Queenbeyan for gas and directions.  The attendant was very friendly and very helpful.  Aussies warm up quickly to strangers. 

I headed down 52 toward Bateman's Bay, hoping to make it by dark.    Eucalyptus trees (which the locals call "gum trees" dominate the landscape.

Bateman's Bay is bordered on one side by the ocean and on the other by densely-wooded mountains.  I arrived at the foot of the mountains just as the sun began to set.  The road wound sharply up and down the mountains and with no street lamps, no sunlight, and the moon shrouded by the tree cover, my knuckles gripped the wheel tightly as I navigated the sharp curves of the mountain road.  Each time I climbed a mountain, I expected to see the town on the other side, but time and again I was greeted by another mountain looming before me.

Finally, I crested a hill and caught a glimpse of the moon playing off the waters of the ocean and bay. 

I had made no hotel reservations but I found a small hotel with a restaurant that was about to close, but allowed me to order a beer and a bowl of soup, before I fell asleep reading.