With an impressive stash of snacks, including Tim Tams balancing on Mr LML’s lap and a few cooler bags in the boot (clearly eager to find gourmet cheeses and fine wines), we are ready to ditch the daily commute for a road trip to NSW.
It’s a lastminute decision to escape and see the New South Wales coast and hinterland all in one week.
Don’t Macquarie about a thing
First up on our trip is the quiet seaside town of Port Macquarie. The view from Taking Point lighthouse is well worth the trek from the centre of town. We arrive just in time to sit on the cliff and watch the sunset over the beach.
Port Macquarie, lighthouse
Beach sunset, Port Macquarie
After dark, the beachside strip comes alive with a mix of chic restaurants, wine bars and casual dining spots. If you can get in early, I recommend getting a window seat at Zebu overlooking the ocean. The chicken with mushroom puree and garlic potatoes dish is absolutely scrumptious and a welcome change from servo sandwiches.
Wining, dining and sleeping by the vines
The next leg of our road trip takes us into the Hunter Valley. We book in at Spicers Vineyards Estate in the beautiful country town of Pokolbin. With vineyards lining the driveway leading up to the modern colonial homestead and cushioned outdoor hanging chairs, this place really has the ‘ooohh’ and ‘aaahh’ factor down pat.
As we enter our suite we are greeted by a bottle of bubbly , a selection of local cheeses and fresh fruit. This is just what we need after five hours of being in the car together, taking car games to the extreme and our freestyle rapping skills to a new low.
Spicers – bubbly and platter
The day we arrive, even our Tim Tams are swimming in their own chocolate, so we quickly head poolside. The staff really know how to make our stay memorable and treat us to complimentary cocktails (different each day!) which are brought out to us by the pool.
Spicers – cocktail by the pool
On the hunt for the best Semillon
With so many vineyards to visit and wines to sample and only three days, it is difficult deciding how and where to spend our time. After some evening iphone research in our robes and slippies, we decide to book a guided wine tour. The next morning Mr LML and I enjoy a gourmet Spicers breakfast of crusty pastries, poached eggs and fruit before being collected by the tour van. We are taken to a selection of the Valley’s boutique and larger family run vineyards.
Perched on the side of a hill looking down over the valley and vineyards, Petersons is an absolute standout with everything a wine lover could want on offer. The friendly winemakers take us through their selection of wines from the local specialty Semillon right through to their rich and velvety Merlots. Needless to say, there is a lot less room in our cooler bags and suitcases after our visit here!
Petersons
View from Petersons
Head in the clouds
We could have happily continued drinking and eating our way through every vineyard in the Hunter Valley, but our time is up and our cooler bags filled.
We leave the hot days in the Hunter for cold and foggy days in the Blue Mountains, Wentworth Falls feels like we are in another country. We can barely see the front door of our quiet mountain retreat when we pull up.
Blue Mountains
This is just what we feel like after the busy few days of vineyard hopping in the Hunter. We quickly rug up in jumpers and warm up by the fire with chilli hot chocolates. Yum!
The fog lifts the following day revealing a fantastic view of the hazy, Blue Mountains from our bedroom window at Moments Mountain Retreat. We walk to The Conservation Hut cafe which has the best panoramic view of the mountain and is a great spot to spend an hour getting comfortable with a good book.
If you want to avoid the crowds at Echo Point Lookout, the views of the mountains are equally as amazing from the walks in Wentworth Falls and the waterfalls are an added highlight.
Waterfall in Wentworth Falls
Brekkie by the beach
On our way home we decide to spend the night at the coastal town of Coffs Harbour with just enough time the next morning for a leisurely breakfast. The local yacht club has a deck perfect for watching the waves roll in while sipping a latte in between bites of bacon and eggs. It’s a relaxing way to start the last day of our road trip home.
Brekkie by the beach
Once home, we pull into the driveway with half empty packets of Tim Tams wedged in the side doors, a boot full of Hunter wines and a bit of NSW scattered on the car floor.
If you can’t decide between cellar doors, mountain walks and sunny beaches, then a road trip through NSW ticks all the boxes. I’d do it all again but definitely with more days to go exploring!