Pacific Hwy drive south

This is a great way to see this vast country.  Of course to see the entire country (like america) would take months/years and we (1) have not the time and (2) most importantly have not the money for this excursion.  So this short drive from Byron to Sydney will have to suffice.

Driving approx. 2-3 hours per day breaks up the trip really well and you have time to stop and leisurely see the sights along the way.  

ALong the way to Coffs the gps took us off on another 'tourist drive' (these are what we would know as scenic drives).  It takes you off the main road through the country side or thru a beach town.   it was great esp. as we had no specific end time.   Of course we got to see our very own ROOS...thats kangaroo my yank friends.   there were about a dozen all lined up in a perfect row watching the road.  we stopped taking their picture and they in perfect pose.  

Moving along back on Pacific Hwy which sort of compares to Rt 301 in suburban md/va, a country ish highway interspersed so often with a town or activity. 

arrived in Coffs and had heard on radio about Lattitude 31 a bar/restaurant on the wharf and had live music on sunday nights.  WHy not?  no room yet but lets hear music and have a beverage.    Again on the wharf spotting more whales breaching.    is this the same ocean?  oh yeah it is. forgot.

very bad service were going to order some raw oysters with our beverage but never ever saw our waitress again.  I guess she panicked at the americans in the place and fled??   we could have dined an dashed but waited and stalked someone to pay and left.  
On to find lodging -  Backpacker place Hula Bula full up but looked like a good place.  Across the street was Paradise or rather "Ocean Paradise" a motel/apartment place.  Note: most places typically are longterm stay/apt type rentals.
for $70 night it was a nice room overlooking the  barby and courtyard and had wifi.  Or sort of. Wifi if you in the common area (which locks at night) so we standing outside the room checking email and updating you blog listeners.    The things I do for my fans!

Purchased more prawns and wine and went to the local beach (again spectacular) arrived just past sunset but basically had the place to ourselves except for a couple very patient and well behaved seagull/beach birds.  Anxious to get a hold of our prawns we ate our share, peeled the rest, then I threw the shells in the surf to return them to nature.   Birds dive bombing and enjoying the remnants.   nature helping nature is my motto.

next day we drove a bit around Coffs but wanted to head out and go to Bellingen and Dorrigo Natl Forest (rainforest).   Bellingen a very cute, artsy town of about 2600.   Nice cafes, restaurants, art shops and a masonic lodge converted into a gallery/cafe.   What a concept!!   Alas it was closed and no sign of any possible opening or contact info.    Had coffee -- great coffee-- at a local coffee shop/ aniques and clothing store.   very funky and cool and had WIFI -- more updates for the masses!!

off about 15 more km winding and crazy country roads to Dorrigo (up up up mtnside roads that swerve an dturn and semi trailers coming to and fro...   NOT for the feint of heart to drive these roads but let m tell you Dorrigo is worth it.  ALthough the circular trail to the waterfalls was about 6km -- its a long hike you will see some amazing trees, vegetation and buttress roots and epiphites.    Even a carpet snake sleeping along the trail.   no other craziness but amazing to behold andt he birdlife here.   Loud little suckers

oh forgot to mention in the morning at the Ocean paradise I fired up the Barby outside and cooked a premade fritatta we had gotten at COLES (supermarket).   Using the two spoons provided in our room for tea and the coffee/tea tray I successfully fired it up and warmed the fritatta and wraps.   Not a bad brekkie.     Coles by the way is a great supermarket - Oz has an amazingly wide variety of cremes, sauces dips and other such things we do not have.    I thought we were the superpower but they eating better than us. 
Also, you do not see many 'fast food' joints over here -- you see the mcdonalds along the highways (and I am sure will see them in sydney) but fast food not really a big thing over here.  Just for us grubby amercians. 

anyway I digress back to bellingen.   Great little town and after surving the mtn roads to and from dorrigo we had another coffee at our favorite coffee spot. I think i "checked in" on facelift so you can check it out yourself.

driving south and back to Pacific Hwy headed the 2 more hours to Port Macquarie.    This is my 2nd fave town after Byron.    smaller and more reserved -- i think is more a senior citizens retirement area but still a young hip crowd.   We could not get into the first backpacker place (thankfully really as it looked very "frat" crowd ish).   next one we went to was OZZIE POZZIE -- love the name and had  a great vibe.  Thankfully they did have a room and was in the front sharing a ensuite and shower with 2 other rooms only.   The room was small but cozy and a great corner room wtih view out to ocean (obstructed but not bad).  Bed was a futon (which lonely planet did advise -- great place with uncomfy beds).    front desk crew very helpful and gave good recommendations. 
we went down to the waterfront got our fish n chips and wine  (this time fish n chips not as good) but was nice sitting on the water.

next day we walked to Koala hospital at 730am and on the way went through park with walking trails and boardwalks.   Came upon a heaping ton of flying foxes up in the trees --was pretty cool to stumble into this and amazing to witness. 
Koala hosp very interesting they rescue injurd or hurt koalas and nurse them back to health and re release them in the wild.   Some like Barry who has all kinds of ailments he will stay and be pampered the rest of his koala life.    such a hardship for barry.

walking back through the 'rainforest' back at backpacker checked out and went for brekkie at Cedro's recommended by one of the backpacker staff and lonely planet.   Food & service was great the best omelette yet in oz and talking the guy into coming to enfield -- he wants to do something different.  we will give you different...

anyway cruising around and heading off south again