The place to go, Port Macquarie

The decision we made to visit my sister’s family in Port Macquarie one week before the Easter break was simply excellent. We could avoid the dreadful traffic jam (holiday makers) and enjoyed the delightful last summer weather in Port Macquarie while Sydney was drenched the whole week. After the long overseas trip and travelling 14 countries, I have to admit that there are so many exceptionally beautiful places in Australia and Port Macquarie is definitely one of the places I wouldn’t mind to pack and go at any time.

 

 

Port Macquarie is located midway between Sydney and Brisbane on the North Coast of NSW, 390km from north of Sydney. It is well known as a retirees’ heaven and has extensive beaches and waterways. We have been there already 5 times but each time the place stuns me with indescribable joy. Whenever I visit the town, the feeling of brightness and spaciousness captures my heart and releases all the stresses that I haven’t even noticed I had.

 

The trip to Port Macquarie was delightful from the beginning. We were all 6 people, two of my other sisters, my teenager niece, a cousin from Korea, my lovely husband and myself. We stopped a petrol station near Gosford for a short break and having homemade breakfast in front of McDonald. Imagine that 6 people were munching mouthful of homemade rice balls with seaweed, boiled eggs and fruits in front of McDonald among the many tourists those who were having burgers and chips with soft drinks.  We were definitely outstanding but I cannot imagine that I had to push the heavy and greasy junks into my empty belly (in the morning!!). My European husband was murmuring that we looked like a gypsy family but he looked like enjoying the funny and yummy breakfast.

 

After nearly 5 hours of driving, we have safely arrived in Port Macquarie about lunch time. It was wonderful to see my sister’s family after a year gap (time flies!!!) especially my little niece and nephew. Grown up kids made me realise that how much we got older but who can stop this so, get over thisJ. Second thing I was expecting to see was their first home which my husband and I forced them to buy at our last get-together. We urged them to have their own house by paying off mortgage instead of paying rent. Fortunately, they took our advice and purchased a reasonable size and affordable priced house in order to avoid being struggled by massive mortgage.

 

Their 2 bedroom villa pleasantly surprised us. Close to the beach and town centre, close to the main road but still very quiet as it is sitting at the back of the block, spacious living room and kitchen, little sunroom which can be converted to an extra bedroom, and small courtyard for children… Purchasing the house made them pay the mortgage for their own home less than the rent they used to pay. Paying mortgage forces them to save more so they spend far more consciously than ever before. I was absolutely surprised and proud of them when they told us that they laid floor themselves to save money. It was extremely pleasant to see that they start finding the pleasure of saving and trying to manage their finance. Especially, happy to see the couple is sharing a common goal and working together for it.

Another highlight was the morning run along the beach and river for me and morning surfing for my husband. Start from Town beach to Hasting river running (walking) track stunned me every morning. While my husband was catching waves (sometimes with dolphins

J), I could enjoy my each step next to the indescribable view. The pleasure was so huge that I couldn’t ask more for the days.

 

 

Extra things we could enjoy in Port Macquarie were Dolphin watching. Every time we visited there, we were fortune to see the dolphins. Watching dolphins taking waves with surfers is just unreal. If you are lucky, you can even see the whales. I have seen them on the top lighthouse beach which is another beach I adore in Port Macquarie. A day trip to Lake Cathie and Crescent Head with family was extra bonus. The unique atmosphere of mixing between town and small city captured my heart effortlessly.

I am sorry that I cannot talk about any good restaurants or dining experiences (Personally, I am not a big fan of having food outside.). We shopped at supermarkets and shared cooking duties at home. It was cost-effective

J and healthier choice. Cooking for 8 adults and 2 kids required quite a bit of efforts and time but we could fill up the cooking time with additional chatting, gossiping and playing with kids. I recommend homemade dinner instead of going out especially when you want to get more precious time together with family and friends. The time was as delicious as actual food.

 

Unfortunate fact that we had to go back to work forced us to leave such a heavenly place and return to reality. Already more than 3 weeks have gone since we returned, I am still day dreaming about the morning run and walking along the beaches (especially, when I am in the office). I am extremely sorry that I have to spend most of my days in the cubicles which cut off the connection from outside instead of living (enjoying) my days (life). I know self-pity wouldn’t lead me anywhere but simply I can’t stop being blue.

 

On the way back, we were talking about moving out from Sydney and living in Port Macquarie. This sounds great, doesn’t it? If you want to go away from your daily routines and recharge yourself, I can highly recommend you to visit Port Macquarie. I know the place will surely revive you.