Searching for Laundromats at Speers Point

I decided recently to extend the optimal length of my hotel outstays again, increasing them by an extra week. While my crypto fortune keeps amassing, I have been distracted by my obsession for acquiring wearable tech, and consequently, have fallen behind on my allocated travel allowance. So for now, three weeks will be the norm and hopefully even longer breaks are on the horizon! But while I can safely spend up to two weeks from home without needing to wash clothes, three weeks is a stretch. Therefore, for my November stay at Pippi's at the Point Hotel at Speers Point, I would have to find a laundromat. Luckily for me, I stumbled upon one as I left the railway station at Teralba.

It was spring, so the jacarandas were in bloom.

ABC Laundromat, on Anzac Street in Teralba (Australia, 2025)

Unfortunately it was also hot and steamy, and rather more distant from the hotel than I expected. Tired of waiting for the bus at the station, I commenced walking towards Speers Point, dragging my heavy suitcase. Had to dart across Five Islands Road on the lakeside, dodging the trucks. Missed the shortcut through Speers Point Park, even though it was right in front of me. All up it took more than an hour to reach Pippi's at the Point. I was close to collapse as I staggered into my room and pumped up the air-con. Thankfully, the hotel was so comfortable, I quickly regained my strength.

Suffering a near heat seizure, in my room at Pippi's at the Point Hotel (Australia, 2025)

The week which followed was cooler and I had a chance to explore the surrounding neighbourhood, venturing as far as Warners Bay to the east (on the other side of the point), and to Boolaroo in the north. Shopping at the Spar convenience store at Boolaroo I discovered what seemed to be a brandnew laundromat with modern machines. Sweet! It was much closer to my lodgings than the coin laundry I had previously passed at Teralba, and more convenient as I could eat lunch at the equal opportunity cafe on Main Road while the spin dryers whirred, or purchase my daily supplies. Teralba is just a village by comparison, with no supermarket or other diversions.

Not quite ready but potential laundromat at Boolaroo (Australia, 2025)

It soon became apparent, however, that I had jumped the gun in my enthusiasm for this laundromat. Buying more groceries at Spar last week I interrupted some tradies who were busily adding finishing details to the exterior. An Indian looking guy who was obviously the owner told me that it would not officially open until the following Monday. Too late for me, alas! I had completely run out of fresh clothes, and was forced to recycle many of them, wearing the same items three days in a row. I hurriedly gathered up as many one and two dollar coins as I could carry this morning, and headed back to Teralba with a box of washing powder.  

Accumulating coins, and my Radiant washing powder, at Pippi's at the Point (Australia, 2025)

In the end it didn't cost me that many coins, and it wasn't even a particularly grueling trip getting there and back. Local knowledge obviously helps: I took that short cut through Speers Point Park on the mouth of Cockle Creek where I could photograph the magnificient bridge, and then found an underpath beneath the treachurous Five Islands Road, resplendent with grafiti. The woman working at ABC was friendly and explained how the machines worked. She pointed out a bench across the road with its own bookcase, where I could patiently chill out. I then helped out a foreign guy who'd come here by train from Toronto to do his own laundry. Who knew washing clothes was a social activity and a chance to make friends?

Bubble Fresh finally open at Boolaroo (Australia, 2025)

Today I was back at Boolaroo and lo and behold, the Bubble Fresh laundromat was indeed open for business. It's just a pity that I have only one more week of my break remaining. If I ever find myself staying again from Toronto to Speers Point in the future, this place will be my go-to wash-and-dry solution. The owner claimed that payments are made by card or app only... no coins! That will definitely be a bonus for me. Coins are so heavy and outdated.