Discover an idyllic coastal road trip
Tourist Drive 14 links SMALL COMMUNITIES on the MACLEAY VALLEY COAST, north of Port Macquarie in NSW. It has no big tourist attractions. Sounds GREAT, right?
Magnificent landscapes, barely trodden beaches and whispering forests await on this journey along the NSW mid-north coast. The drive is only 28 kilometres, but don’t be fooled; it could take you a day or three to mosey between blue ocean and green hinterland. Take the slow road
Why barrel along the Pacific Highway in a part of Australia this beautiful? Turn off at STUART and sloooow down, soak up the POINT ROAD scenery and blow away your urban bother. The road skirts through MT YARRAHAPINNI rainforest and macadamia and avocado farms. Stop at YARRAHAPINNI STUDIO GALLERY for lino prints inspired by local scenes and a chance to bring a little piece of the Macleay Valley Coast home with you.
EXPLORE STUARTS POINT
sits on an arm of the Macleay STUARTS POINT River. Take the through stands of RIVER WALK paperbark and mangroves, stopping for a swim. This is a place that makes you want to be a kid again: try your luck fishing, build a sandcastle on the beach, meander along the sand dunes, or get out in a tinny among paddling pelicans.
Beach it at Grassy Head
From Stuarts Point it’s only four kilometres north to a distillation of all GRASSY HEAD, that’s wonderful about Australian beach towns – without the crowds. White-sand beaches have barely a footprint. Throw in a fishing line, scramble across rock pools, plunge into the waves or snorkel in waters as clear as gin. Or you could simply flop on the sand, of course. All holidays should be this laid-back.
LOOK OUT AT MT YARRAHAPINNI
rises only 498 metres MT YARRAHAPINNI but provides a stunning panorama. This is a significant place to the Dunghutti and Gumbaynggirr people, and you’ll see why as you follow hiking trails past waterholes and burbling creeks, passing through tranquil rainforests where you’ll often spot glossy black cockatoos and busy lyrebirds.
Splash into Scotts Head
Feel any remnants of your city stress ebb away as you arrive in HEAD, whose main SCOTTS beach stretches further than the eye can squint. A swim, surf or long solitary walk beckon. Hit the headland for some whale watching.
MAKE A SLOW EXIT
Soak up the lush farmland and forest as you follow on Scotts Head Road WARRELL CREEK on your trip back to the Pacific Highway. You’ll be refreshed and renewed after experiencing all this in just 28 kilometres. While in the region, you’ll also enjoy driving between and TOURIST DRIVE 12 KEMPSEY SOUTH WEST ROCKS. For more information on Macleay Valley Coast road trips and holidays, visit macleayvalleycoast.com.au