This morning we head north leaving the highway to travel through Doyalson, Lake Munmorah and Swansea where we will pause for morning tea on picturesque Lake Macquarie.   We continue along the eastern shoreline through Belmont where we will head for the coast and Newcastle’s spectacular beaches.   We will pass Merewether, Bar Beach, Dixon Park, City Beach and Nobby’s before following the river mouth back into the centre of the city.   Newcastle has undergone a major transformation in recent years, especially around the waterfront and we will explore this vibrant city, taking in much of the new development along with many of its fine heritage buildings.

This afternoon we will travel through Raymond Terrace, detouring from the highway to the riverfront to take in some of the town’s heritage buildings and perhaps see some of the prawn trawlers based on this part of the Hunter.  We will have a short break at Bulahdelah where we will see a fleet of houseboats lining the Myall River.  Continuing north, we will leave the highway just after Taree and follow the mouth of the Manning River to Harrington and the delightful Riverside Lodge.  (Our home for the next 3 nights, Ph: 02 6556 0555).   We will arrive with time to settle in and appreciate our surroundings before dinner tonight at 7.00pm.  

Overnight: Riverside Lodge, Harrington
Meals Included: Morning tea, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, we visit Pilot Hill and stroll along the Harrington seawall before venturing to Crowdy Head and the rugged beauty of Crowdy Bay National Park. Morning tea awaits at North Brother Mountain, followed by a scenic drive via Laurieton and Bonny Hills to Port Macquarie. We enjoy a picnic lunch and wine tasting at Cassegrain Vineyard, then take in the town on a coach tour and wander the Sea Acres Rainforest Boardwalk. Free time allows us to soak up Port Macquarie before returning to Riverside Lodge.

Overnight: Riverside Lodge, Harrington
Meals Included: Breakfast, Morning tea, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, after breakfast, we depart for Eungai Creek to indulge in Devonshire Tea at the buffalo farm. Continuing north, we arrive in South West Rocks for lunch and time to discover its relaxed coastal charm. In the afternoon, we explore the historic Trial Bay Gaol, whose striking ruins overlook the sea. As the day winds down, we journey back to Harrington, where dinner is served at Riverside Lodge.

Overnight: Riverside Lodge, Harrington

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Sadly we leave Harrington this morning although we will enjoy more spectacular scenery along the Lakes Way and Forster Tuncurry Coast.  We will explore Hallidays Point and Blackhead area before travelling on to Forster where we will board our cruise on the beautiful Wallis Lake. We will pass by many oyster leases and perhaps see some of the resident bottle nose dolphins during our 2.5 hour lunch cruise.

We continue along the Lakes Way passing through Pacific Palms, Elizabeth, Bluey’s and Boomerang Beaches before reaching Smith’s and Myall Lakes. We rejoin the Pacific Highway at Bulahdelah for our journey back to Sydney arriving late afternoon.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch