Tuncurry to Bellingen, NSW, Australia

We drove 266 miles today, October 2nd. Left Ross Garrard's at 8:25 a.m. following the Paciific Hwy. past Taree and turning east to pass through the coastal towns of Laurieton, North Haven, Bonny Hills, and Lake Cathie and Port Macquarie.

Each of these towns had marvelous beaches that are filled with people since this is a school holiday and the weather is sunny and warm. It reminds me of Ft. Lauderdale in the 1960s. Rivers and salt-lakes are plentiful along the coast.

At Kempsey we drove out/east to Crescent Head where the waves were long and the approach more shallow allowing stand-up paddle boarders to ride in. Found a bakery with the most plentiful selection of of donuts and pasteries, where Paul had a cup of coffee. 

As we approached Nambucca Heads we were joined by a Titabawasse-sized river flowing toward the ocean. Nambucca Heads is a very hilly town.

At Urunga we turned west to Bellingen, an old quaint town west of the Pacific Hwy. Neil recommended an old tavern/hotel, the Federal Hotel. We had an excellent dinner - lemon/pepper scampi on a most delicious green salad.

We are now sitting uder an umbrella at No. 5 Church Streert and writing this post.

First thing this morning we will head NW to Dorrigo for a forest walk. We then retrace the road back, east to the coast as we continue to Yamba to stay with Neil and Marguerite.

Steve/Brian, I think "followby e-mail" has been added, so am launching this before we get on the road to continue on to Neil/Marg in Yamba, NSW.