Port Macquarie Summer Holiday

After our great New Year celebrations in Eden, we drove up the coast to Port Macquarie. On a map its a distance that represents about a quarter of the Eastern coast of Australia.......so, as you expect our planning was based upon the assumption that a 25% isn’t much, so cant be far and wont take long.... 6 hours easy drive, was my guess.  The night before the little drive I finally get around to putting the destination into the TOMTOM and OMG – 11hours, 989KM and that’s without a stop!!! All to be done in summer traffic with the caravan on the back and three (4) very very bored girls.   We start calling campsites for a night over campsite but everything in full, so it was time to just get on with it.

Ignoring the 103KPH in a 100 zone (error on TOMTOM!), check out the remaining distance (844Km) and time (10hrs) - I have never watched a TOMTOM so much and willed it to count down more quickly.  The good news is that it didn’t take 11 hours it took over 13, 3 tanks of diesel and 7 movies.......I think we might plan in greater detail next time.    

The drive was actually worth it, we woke in a beautiful campsite in the town of Port Macquarie.  It’s  a part of the World that we all loved and is probably ranked No1 on our list of places we would like to live.

Koala Hospital - each had a very compelling story.  These beautiful animals are so special and we were very lucky to have one resident in the caravan park. We met him on the last night when he walked within a few feet of us on the way to one of his favourite trees – very memorable.  

Beaches, so many to choose from and all just fantastic......although some of the sights on the nudist beach were not so impressive!

The girls are getting so good at making sandcastles ;-)

 

0800 and its BBQ Breakfast on the beach – joined by a friend!!, a very large friend. He seemed very happy with the bits of bacon that we gave him.......not sure if he’s vegetarian? Oh no, we may have converted him!

They aren't all that scary...

Happy Days

I challenge anyone to get a brush through that.

Wind was blowing on the last day, so a great chance to remove the cobwebs and get out.
So nice to sail without a wetsuit. 

Port Macquarie, in our eyes, had everything. Its a short 7 hours drie from home and we are already looking to book for next Christmas. A fantastic holiday.

New Year's Eve - Australian Style.

This year is our first ‘traditional’ Aus New Year.

Camping at the coast in a full, but very friendly and chilled campsite. Exploring remote beaches and little towns during the day and socialising with fiends in the evening, whilst the girls just charge around on their scooters and bikes with everyone else’s offspring.

One of the remote beaches, accessed only via a 10+ mile 4x4 track. It's just under 4.5miles long and I counted 9 people on it, including the Dorsett 5.

Previously, the thought of holidaying in full campsites filled me with dread. The sleepless nights, less than considerate neighbours and marauding packs of feral children, destined for a career in borstal. However, it just seems to work here – we seldom hear anyone up before 8.30AM and the place is virtually silent by 10PM....all very harmonious.   

Last night was New Year’s Eve. Our extended group of 5 families booked a table for 27 at the local Bistro along the beach and we donned our fancy dress to add to the festive feel.    

  

The Dorsett’s become the Von Trapp Family
(Costumes made by Katie and used the curtains from Hill View Eastnor.....smelt a bit musty after 5 years in storage!)



Walking along the beach to the restaurant

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From bout 11PM everyone was on the beach huddled around campfires. Looking across the sea towards the local port of Eden and the coves that fill the coastline. Each beach had several campfires and as midnight approached the fireworks began from each bay, firing high over the sea and briefly illuminating the bay....quickly followed by a cheer from the groups of onlookers.

Sitting with the children on the sand, whilst listening to the waves and enjoying the warmth of the fire was great...........I think we are booking this site again for next year.

Happy New Year everyone
XXxxx 

Holly the Mermaid!

After months of research on the Web and weeks of waiting for

Christmas to arrive, Holly finally got to use her mermaid tail in the sea.  

We visited a beautiful beach near Pambula , which has a shallow lagoon area inside the surf line. The clear, calm water was ideal for Holly.  

After getting into the water she slowly swam around into the
next little cove. The reaction from the little kids was priceless.

As I took the photos there were two little girls next to me who said
“It’s a Mermaid! A real one.......don’t get too close......quick, fetch Mum”

The wonder and amazement in the children’s eyes was fantastic.

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Just to finish the collection, the following were taken at a beach near Port Macquarie...

Happy Holly.
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