Monday Nov 1
Regional NSW opened today to Sydney-siders after nearly 3 months of lockdown - so off we went. (Not that it impacted us, other than psychologically, but the international border also opened to NSW and Victoria for quarantine free entry).
We left home at 9:20am for the 4h 30m drive to Port Macquarie - making it in the Google maps expected time. We arrived and checked-in to our 2-bedroom unit at the Manta around 2pm then parked and unloaded the car - we had more luggage than we would take on an international trip. Our 2br apartment is waterfront (almost) with excellent views and could be amazing but being a Manta, not quite amazing, but nice enough and so it should be for $320 pn (we booked the 2-br as it was all that was available - big rush to visit regional NSW).
We did some grocery shopping then finally around 4pm had a walk around town stopping at a waterfront pub for a welcome drink. Back at home - we had pasta and salad for dinner followed by a quiet night.
Tuesday Nov 2 - Melbourne Cup day
It was our only full day in the Port so, up early, we drove (only a few k’s) to the Tacking Point Lighthouse and did a walk to the lighthouse and back. While wandering around the lighthouse we spotted a large pod of dolphins cruising by. From here we went to the rainforest walk and did the boardwalk - while there is a cafe there we decided to head back to town to the waterfront pub for lunch. On the way we recalled it was Melbourne Cup - I thought this would not make a difference - ha ha - all venues were full of, mainly, ladies dressed to the nines celebrating with gala lunches. We were able to get into one small area of the pub - it was 90% booked for “ladies who lunch”.
Later in the afternoon we went to the koala hospital but left after a short visit after taking a few photos of the very few koalas on display to the public.
Back at home we decided to go the local bowling club (bolo) just around the corner as we had a free drink coupon from our hotel. It was very lively with Melbourne Cup parties and live music.
Back home we had showers then walked (15 minutes) to Bill’s Fish House for dinner - a shopfront restaurant (a bit dressed up) but good fish - a nice evening. Back home and off to bed.