Good morning peeps from a rainy, yes RAINY Port MacQuarie!! Rude I known but onwards and upwards, I am British so a bit of rain never hurt me, apart from making my hair go curly which is a sacrifice I am happy to make at this moment in time!
So where was I when we last spoke? Oh yes, heading out for who knew where on route to where I was going. That made sense when it was in my head....
After bidding a fond farewell to Pops and Fred and setting up their sat nav I continued the route I had planned to take, hoping to find somewhere that took my fancy enroute to spend the extra night I now had free. There was one stop however that had to be made and whatever I encountered on the way was a bonus.
First stop was a right off the highway at Kew and another lovely visitor information centre where a helpful gentleman furnished me with booklets galore and one very handy book I could have done with before I set off 'Driving from Sydney to Brisbane'....better late than never tho!! Then I headed towards the coast again (which in reality is never really that far away as the aptly named Pacific Coast Highway would suggest) on the Ocean Road (another dead give away) firstly finding the beautiful North Haven Beach. A blinder of a surf beach but, as always, utterly deserted. I had the whole place to myself. After some writing in the sand and more 'I appear to be naked but I'n not' selfies Winston and I headed off to yet another stunner, Bartletts beach, and then a quick trip to Rainbow Beach.
It was at this point that I got waved at by some very agentive looking workmen on their lunchbreak. I thought nothing of it and attempted to peel myself as gracefully as a middle aged woman wearing no bra and a £5 Primark sundress that I am guessing was not designed for that particular demographic can, but not really managing it. A little stroll on the beach and the above in reverse I headed away, happy that I at least got a smile. It then began to rain a little (more like spitting in the wind) and I meandered past Lake Cathie (pronounced Cat Eye) which then delivered me to the amazing Light House Beach in Port MacQuarie.
An amazing wide sweeping beach, with houses in the clifftop above and the Tacking Lighthouse perched on the hill with yet another incredible view. It was here I decided to stop for a bit of lunch as Port MacQuarie was on my lists of things to do and see, and house the one reason I mainly wanted to visit.
Cheese and biscuits followed and more pondering on why I had been getting so many looks these past couple of days whilst driving around. Maybe it was because I was on my own? Maybe it was because they thought I was a stunner? Maybe it was because from behind the wheel of Winston, as in my recent beach selfies, I look naked? I decided it was the latter and chuckled to myself as I nommed on cheese and crackers, soaking up the view and taking yet more 'I'm not really naked' selfies.
After lunch it was time to find the main event - The Port MacQuaries Koala Hospital!!!!!! Eeeeek!! I was going to melt (and melt I did) but first I had to find it, and after Mavis had very kindly sent me of a totally unnecessary but rather informative unscheduled tour of the town, I finally arrived.
And what a joy it was. All staffed by charity and volunteers, they have been taking in injured koalas since 1973, all started by a couple in their back garden. Now they have over 20 that they care for, some permanent as they are blind and can no longer go back into the wild, and some they are rehabilitating and getting ready for release. They were soooooo cute!! Even if the main reason they are rescued is because they contract Chlamydia and they all go blind! That and road traffic accidents and dog attacks (I mean they get run over, not having car accidents). The staff who run it are amazing and so passionate, I spoke to one in particular called Eileen who had only just started volunteering but was already smitten, and happened to come from Oldham where my Dad was born and quite possibly knew him!!! Small world.
So after the delights of the koalas and the impromptu tour of the town, I decided to spend the night here as Lighthouse Beach was going to be my stop for the first real sunset of my trip. Here in began a saga...
I found a brochure that listed 2 campsites in the town. One called Sundowner on the beach in town, or one at Lighthouse Beach. I know what you are thinking. Hold that thought. So I weighted up the options and decided on the Sundowner as it was in the town and buzzing and I could have a wander round after the sunset. Once again I had a tour of the town whilst Mavis decided where it was, and I finally arrived.
You should always go with your gut instinct and I wish I had here, as after paying $36 to the girl on the counter for a waterfront site, being given a key to the facilities and a map I headed off in search of my pitch, only to drive straight round and all the way back out again. The 'pitch' may have been on the waterfront but you couldn't see it for the massive wall, as decorative as it was, therefore defeating the object and I didn't fancy sleeping between four lads in an estate car and something that resembled a dust cart. So with the key to the amenities still in my hand I headed straight out of town to Lighthouse Beach! And what a joy this little site was. Not right on the beach but a minute walk which rewarded me with another incredible view and almost total isolation. I found my pitch, had a sneak around and headed back out to the lighthouse for the main event, not even bothered that this had cost me another $30, small price to pay for contentment.
A trip via a Coles that was harder to find that a secret nuclear bunker despite a 30 foot sign advertising it (maybe they should have said it was underground) for some supplies and then I settled myself in position for the sunset, cheese roll in hand (I know how to live!).
It was gorgeous and as the sun disappeared behind the ridge I marvelled on the fact that I had yet again seen both a stunning sunrise and sunset in this country I love so much and never fails to amaze me.
It was then back to the site, a little drinkie and time to settle down for the night, woken by the rain thundering down on the roof and smiling, I love that sound, cosy and content.
And here I sit, on day 6 of my trip, watching the rain fall and looking forward to heading out to my next point of call, South West Rocks after firstly looking round the town and shoreline that Mavis has already been so kind to show me. Even the rain can't dampen my spirits although it appears to be dampening Winstons curtains, ready to take on the day when I've finally decided what to wear....
Until later, TTFN xxx
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