We checked out of the hotel and rode in a cab to the Hertz depot where we collected our Toyota Carolla and headed south on the Pacific Highway. As we crossed the border into New South Wales we lost an hour beacaue NSW has daylight saving. Plan A was to stay at a different location every night. Much planning had gone into this with our Oz friends. However this was not to be for when we planned the trip last year we overlooked the fact this was Easter week. Easter is very popular in Australia with many shops and businesses closed and accommodation at at premium so we felt to hit the road and "wing it" was not an option. We had already booked our first night in Ballina whilst in Brisbane so when we arrived we in the town we called in at the Tourist Information to try an book somewhere for the next night and realised we had a problem. So we opted to extend our stay here a further two nights. It was worth it a beautiful hotel and a lovely town, the only problem was a dearth of restaurants. In fact one night we we to visit the Colonel (KFC). The following night we discovered a RSL club (sort of British Legion with bells on). Whilst here we took a trip to Byron Bay, this town was really buzzing as the was a Soul Music Festival being held there. It was a beautiful ride along the coast road, lovely lookouts across the ocean and a lighthouse. A good couple of days despite the occasional shower.
Sunday 5th April
We got our hour back because daylight saving has now ended in NSW. With the car packed up we hit the road and headed south calling in at Yamba and Coffs Harbour. We got our again a really picturesque route, driving through National Parks and over beautiful rivers and creeks until we arrived at our destination of Port Macquarie.we found our hotel on the headland overlooking the Ocean. Then down into town for something to eat. The following day we had a lazy start watch Prince Harry's arrival in Canberra and visiting the War Memorial there. It's a place we hope to visit whilst there and seeing the poppy wall has really whetted our appetite. When the programme had finished we went out exploring. We drove along the coast stopping at various locations including the Tacking Point lighthouse and gaol point, our hotel was built on the site of the town's gaol. Then down into town and parked up and took a walk around this lovely place.
Tuesday 7th April
Travelling further south again through lovely countryside to a town called Nelson Bay. Our hotel was a little inland but high enough to afford us a beautiful view across the bay. Having driven a few miles once we had checked in we just chilled. The following day after breakfast we drove to Nelson's Head where we visited Port Stephen coast guard control and lighthouse. Marvellous views and I managed to get a couple of cracking pictures of Pelicans in flight. We then drove to the Tomaree National Park. We started to walk through but discovered the gradient and distance would be too much. So we then drove to the Gan Gan lookout where we were able to drive to the summit. Once again breathtaking. Then back to the hotel to get ready for the final leg of our trip.
Thursday 9th April
Up early for our final part of this section of our holiday. We headed back to the Pacific Highway and headed for Sydney. Finding Sydney was the easy bit. Finding the road we needed was the difficult bit, confounded by road works, diversions and woefully inadequate directions by Hertz. We eventually found the depot and dumped the car having travelled 1286 Km which equates to 799 miles. Despite the anxiety of the very last bit it was nevertheless a brilliant part of this holiday.
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