The Fisherman’s co-op at Brunswick is renowned for the best fish and chips in the area. It is an institution and its reputation has spread by word of mouth and people come from far and near to sample the tastiest and most ideal meals of fish and chips around.
Time for us to check it out. It is only a 10 minute drive, so with Mitch, the dog, as back seat passenger we go for lunch.
It is the first day of the school holidays and they are busy. They sell both fresh fish caught that day and cooked meals. I order 2 Orange Roughy and one portion of chips. It is a 20 minute wait.
The jetty is just across the road so while waiting I wander over to watch the action.
Or should I say inaction! Of course you can catch your own…
With school out what better way to spend the day than sitting in the sun, with your mates, waiting for the fish to bite.
The pelicans are showing a lot of interest as well.
This is no flash, up-market dining venue, it is strictly take away. But what better way to eat your fish and chips, wrapped in paper, than on a rustic, rather scruffy picnic bench. Shared with your Mates.
We tear away the paper and tuck in to fish that is white and delicate and melts in your mouth. The chips are crunchy and cooked to perfection, and what they call one serving of chips is more than enough for both of us. Yes the reputation of best fish and chips is well deserved.
Across the road the fishing boats are moored. So after lunch we take Mitch for a walk along the river.
Pelicans are everywhere.
There are also a number of boats with people living on them. This little dog got all excited when Mitch walked by.
Maybe you would like to hire a pirates boat and cruise along the river. At those prices you would need a bunch of mates to sail with you.
Round the corner the river side track goes past the caravan park and it is bursting at the seams. Families set up in rather sophisticated arrangement of tents, with annexes and awnings, comfy, canvas chairs. BBQ’s , chilly bins and fridges, portable washing lines. Today the weather is perfect and the families will be so pleased to make the most of this glorious day.
The water is crystal clear and a safe environment for all types of water sports. I think I see more fishing on the spit.
It is about a 20 minute walk (allowing for photo stops) into the centre of Brunswick Heads.( click here to see more of Brunswick Heads, a very quaint country town) So time to have a coffee before heading home.
It turns out that this coffee shop is the one that Sue and Norm (the home owners we are sitting for) come to regularly and the owner knows Mitch by name.
Of course the end of a perfect day needs celebrating with a special cup cake. Chocolate and Grand Marnier for me and Mango and pineapple for Jack. Yummy….
Meanwhile Mitch chats to a passing friend.
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Here’s another walk Jo. No worries if you can’t fit it in, I know how busy you are with your travels at the moment.
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I remember when a friend came to stay from Tasmania, she said our fish and chips was really different – but just as lush as she was used to!
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Maybe it is the different varieties of fish and your fish come from a colder sea…
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Beautiful scenery and I love fish n’ chips BUT a Grand Marnier cupcake!! Now we are talking! LOL! 😊
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It was delicious…
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These is nothing better than eating fish and chips (or prawns and oysters) at the seaside! 😀
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Oh yum prawns laced with sea air….
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This is such a lovely post, Pauline. The places you walk! The things you see! You really do live in paradise. And I really need a vacation. Maybe I’ll get over there someday. 🙂
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I know you would love it over here Maddie, lots of long empty roads to ride that bike with your hair blowing in the wind.
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It sounds wonderful. … Someday!
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Oh, you’ve gone and done it now PP. I am craving fisn ‘n chips! What a lovely stroll and what nicer than to sit outdoors and eat from the paper then finish it off with a cupcake and coffee. I love the Aussie lifestyle, I was definitely born in the wrong country 😀
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Are you still planning a trip over here to Perth Jude?
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Hope to next year Pauline. Maybe August – October depending on what the son and family have planned 🙂
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That is a perfect time for the wild flower season… 🙂
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Love this post, Pauline. The fish ‘n’ chips sounds delicious, and your photos of the fishermen, the pelicans and the locals enjoying lunch, make me wish I was there to soak up the casual atmosphere. 🙂
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It would be lovely to have your company to share the fish n chips Sylvia
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Oh yum: fish and chips outdoors, and pelicans and peaceful pursuits to watch. A great day out, Pauline.
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Simply sitting in the sun was pleasurable too Tish
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Orange Roughy! A fighting fish? I never heard of that one 🙂 But how fantastic to have pelicans nonchalantly swimming by. So much more exotic than swans! 🙂 I’d gladly join you and Jack at that scruffy bench, Pauline. Thanks for your lovely company.
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Another name for the orange roughy is “deep sea perch” they are found in NZ and Australian waters and are known as the longest living fish and has been known to live to be 100 years old. There’s your bit of trivia for the day Jo…Love to have you join us.
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100! They must be good at dodging fishermen 🙂
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Unfortunately not, they are now on the restricted fishing list so don’t often get them in the fishmongers.
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I love the shot of those boys fishing – you’ve caught teenage body language perfectly. A lovely walk by the river – and now I want fish and chips. Do they do a vegan lo-cal version??? As always, you seize every moment.
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Fish and chips vegan style??? Pushing the limits of diet a bit Meg…Do you remember the film “Stand by me” ? Groups of boys of that age always make me think of that movie
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Groups of boys like that always make me think of my sons and their mates in their teen years: except they’re standing up grunting assessments of the surf.
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Oh yes I know that well 2 of Jack’s sons were surfing fanatics in their teens and at the time we lived in New Plymouth which has one of the best surf breaks in NZ.
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It seems you’re having a great house sit and what a perfect seaside town. It’s very nice to meet Mitch too – he seems a very sociable sort.
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Mitch is one of the best dogs I have looked after, and I have looked after some really nice dogs.
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