Riding the Pacific

Highway 1 runs most of the east coast of Australia, though often several kms inland, however, a short detour here and there can bring you to some beautiful beaches and charming seaside towns. A big drive on the first day took us to Coffs Harbour where we stopped for some food and a drink. I stopped briefly in Coffs on my way up (its at the intersection with the Waterfall Way) and is a handy stop with some nice beaches.



Darkness had descended as we reached Port Macquarie, but the morning light revealed some calming waves and beaches on the doorstep, perfect for an early morning stroll and dip in the ocean.

I think it looks a bit Cornish…




The day was shaping up to a beauty and more like the Christmas you would expect, so it was a pleasure to spend more time at the beach, further south at a place called Booti Booti National Park (sponsored by Beyonce and Shakira?). Now this was more like it, white sand, clear water, green bushland and a giant baguette for lunch!

It was hard to drag myself away from here, but more tarmac beckoned as we drove past several lakes and inlets and down to the northern side of Port Stephens and a town called Hawks Nest. As well as a long sandy beach here there were plenty of sand dunes to explore and jump from!

Another first for me as we used the public BBQs they provide everywhere in parks and by the beach over here, filling my face with sausage patties for the drive to Newcastle. Yeah, Newcastle. In some ways like the English one with a lot of industry but some magnificent beaches and a relaxed feel. Again, this provided a good setting for another pleasant morning beach stroll (I could get used to this…)


There was also a large pod of dolphins milling about the coast, enjoying the festive break on the Newcastle beaches.

Newcastle is but a couple of hours from Sydney and the area in between is known as the Central Coast. It’s very much a Sydney getaway, with numerous beachside towns and waterways, full of holiday homes and fancy schmancy cafes. One such place is Terrigal, where a friend is from and who I visited for some nice lunch in one of those fancy cafes besides the water and a little tour of the area. As you can see, the weather was now well and truly rocking, in fact, I had a little sunburn by this point.

The towns of the Central Coast eventually reach the Hawkesbury River, pretty much the border for Sydney and destination New Year. I was conveniently staying south of the harbour which meant the car breezed over Sydney Harbour Bridge, though with all the lanes and tolls there wasn’t much to see other than road signs! Compared with my trip north, the return south had been fairly whistle-stop but the great weather and fine beaches was a perfect contrast to the waterfalls and forests of the inland.