Emerald Beach to Jimmy’s Beach

As it was only 350 kms to our next stopping point we had a leisurely breakfast before packing up at Emerald Beach. Heading out onto the highway we were soon heading south. The tell tale signs winter was past its worst were evident – lots of beautiful wattles were in bloom along the edge of the road.

Frequently we found ourselves going over bridges. This area is aptly called the ‘northern rivers’. This is the Nambucca River.

We stopped to swap over driver at a huge roadside stop just north of Port Macquarie. This is the Hastings River to the west of the town centre

and this is the Manning River at Cundletown.

Lots of the terrain along the way was well forested too.

As the time approached 2pm we came to our turn off to the left, just south of the Myall Lakes.

Distance travelled – 124kms

Jimmy’s Beach

Within half an hour we were checked in at Jimmy’s Beach Holiday Park and set up in a lovely spot and enjoying a very late lunch.

Then it was time to explore. We’d barely made it out of the caravan and Mel was pulling on the lead. Sure enough there was another dog to meet. Amazingly it was almost Mel’s twin to look at. That’s Mel on the left.

Introductions over we headed off out the back gate, along a well treed path towards the beach.

Some more wattle in bloom could be seen. Loved this pale yellow one.

This large Banksia near the end of the trail had quite a tilt but we could easily walk beneath it.

Here’s one of the flower cones.

Waynderrabah Beach

Up a sand dune we clambered and there was the Waynderrabah beach.

It was quite a long beach. We ended up walking down as far as the fisherman and back. As you can see the sunlight was fading by this time.

Jimmy’s Beach

After breakfast the next morning we headed off in the opposite direction as the day before to check out Jimmy’s Beach. At the front of the holiday park we had to watch where we stepped.

Sadly at the end of the path to the beach we discovered it was not a dog friendly beach so here’s a quick snap of Jimmy’s Beach I took.

I also took one across the water to Nelson Bay before we returned to collect our car. Looks quite close but it’s over 8o kms and an hour’s drive away.

Obviously we would have to go somewhere else to take Mel for a walk.

Tea Gardens

Driving along we passed through Hawks Nest and over the bridge to the little town of Tea Gardens. We noticed this pelican up high roosting on a light pole.

The Myall River was extremely still and excellent reflections of the scenery could be seen.

We parked and did a short walk along the edge of the river taking in the scene – lots of watercraft, ranging from boats to houseboats

to a Post office? Not so sure that would be a good place to post a letter or parcel.

We also saw more birdlife with this bird fanning it’s wings to enjoy the winter sun.

By now it was lunchtime so we bought some lunch at one of the bakeries in Tea Gardens and admired the scene while we ate, sitting at a picnic table.

Later that afternoon we drove into Hawks Nest to take a look and go for another short dog walk. The scenery was similar to what we’d seen the previous day at Waynderrabah beach. The difference being we were a bit earlier so could see everything bathed in sunlight, not shadows.

Next time we drive further south to Lake Macquarie.