Pittwater Life August 2018 Issue

Travel Life
Travel Life: The Insider
Why short breaks are
important for the soul
It’s funny, but it’s
said native New
Yorkers never
visit the Statue of
Liberty – until they
host visitors! We’re a
big believer the same
notion holds true for
Sydneysiders. Recently
I had occasion to
spread our travel net
broadly across NSW
and the discovery for short
breaks and mini-durationholidays
was remarkable.
Over 10 million visitors
descend on Sydney each year
and NSW Tourism proudly
promotes a fabulous basketfull
of historic places, adventures,
eateries and activities to
consider. Most are less than a
half-day’s drive from our Pittwater
front door.
Mini-stays are good for the
soul. Short, self-drive getaways
come with fringe benefits.
Staying ‘local’ avoids airports:
no regimented check-points, or
meandering lines. We keep our
shoes and belts on.
Sydneysiders are ‘splendidly
surrounded’ by great getaway
options. We’ll drop a few
breadcrumbs, starting with:
Pleasing Port Macquarie!
Recently, with an invitation
from my good pal, Kamahl,
I had occasion to spread my
travel net beyond Sydney’s
suburbs and had a truly
memorable Port Macquarie
experience. Even getting there
was enjoyable – just a little
over four hours up the M1.
(Kamahl headed to Port Mac
for a ‘sold out’ performance at
the city’s famous Glasshouse
Theatre. Check out the Glasshouse
events calendar.)
Bunking Down
We checked into Rydges on
the waterfront; the entire
village and foreshore was at
our doorstep, so we walked
everywhere. We selected the
breakfast inclusive deal and
for dinner, meandered a few
blocks to Bill’s Fishhouse.
Eating Out
I was toted to dinner by
Kamahl... on my birthday! I’d
assumed it was a well-kept secret.
I was wrong. The feel and
fresh food at Bill’s was fabulous,
and as I travel for a living,
I love the rare occasion when I
rock up to be treated like family.
I noted, the same honest
Contacts you need
The best way to find your very own short-break destination is
to simply move your mouse around beforehand. We’ve provided
a short list, and there are numerous ‘walk-in’ locations
for hand-help information and collaterals. Here are a few shortstay
sites you might want to try:
Tourism New South Wales: visitnsw.com
Tourism Port Macquarie NSW: portmacquarieinfo.com.au
Top 10 things to do in Port Macquarie: tripadvisor.com
Hotel Rydges: Rydges.com
Bill’s Fishouse: billsfishhouse.com.au
The Glasshouse Entertainment Centre: glasshouse.org.au
The Koala Hospital: koalahospital.org.au
We love feedback from our readers. Some of our very best
enlightenments come from friends. And if you have any questions,
please ask.
Feel free to drop us an e-mail: readers@pittwaterlife.com.au
attention to all the other tables
surrounding ours.
Foodie heaven
Here you can take a road less
travelled and visit a working
organic market farm where
you can harvest fresh produce,
visit a strawberry farm
and pluck the freshest ripest
berries from the vines, or visit
an oyster lease and sample
plump oysters direct from the
estuaries.
Cultural stuff
The public artworks, artist
galleries and studios scattered
throughout the region will
delight and inspire. Enjoy a diverse
collection of exhibitions,
artist talks, workshops and
education programs to appeal
for all. You can even take a
trail throughout the region and
discover 60 large scale koala
sculptures hand painted by
selected artists.
Koala Hospital
I try to learn something new
each day. This venue delivered
a month’s worth of Sunday
sessions. Dedicated volunteers
are the proud backbone of the
marvellous setting. The Koala
Walk arts are priceless; admission
is free.
Eco wonders
Some of the state’s best
nature experiences are right
here waiting for you. Discover
picturesque river systems, a
coastal rainforest with walking
platforms amongst the trees
and over 40,000 hectares
with Mark Sheehan
of National Parks and State
Forests. Follow walking tracks
with breathtaking views up
and down unspoilt coastlines;
find the perfect spot to enjoy a
picnic alongside waterfalls and
swimming holes; or marvel at
the abundant wildlife.
Shopping
Fabulous boutique and name
brand shops are within a baseball
toss in this town, and I
made some marvellous discoveries
in the well-placed thrift
shops and Vinnies venues.
Eateries along the main drag
run the spectrum, from quick
bites to full-on feasting. Study
the curb-side menus.
The Sunday Stroll
The boulders and rocks that
line the foreshore walkway
have been creatively decorated
by families, overseas visitors
and others and the walk is
simply wonderful. Wear comfy
shoes and tote the camera
along. Go to the 19th century
Tacking Point Lighthouse if
you’re keen, or turn around
and double-back for a completely
different perspective at
the playground.
It’s a Wrap
Next time, we’ll catch up on
whale and dolphin watching,
and I might just tote the
camper and nest for a night
at the Sundowner Breakwall
Holiday Park.
Mark Sheehan is an
entrepreneur and travel
specialist who has helped
build iconic brands such
as TrekAmerica, Insight,
Elite, F2T, Scenic, Trafalgar,
and AmeriCan Adventures.
Mark helped Sir Richard
Branson launch V Australia
(now Virgin Australia), while
penning over 200 travel
guides for onboard Tour
Directors. His best-selling
Know BEFORE You GO Guide
– America Over Easy! Is in
its fifth reprint.
72 JULY 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991