Port Macquarie
A 4am start to our drive to Port Macquarie. The reason for the early start, to avoid traffic on Pendle Hill road as people flee Sydney for the Easter long weekend.The drive from Camden to the M7 was a breeze, with next to no traffic. Pendle Hill road, that is a nightmare, was also deserted! And with a good drive, and a stop at a Stop, Revive, and Survive, for a free coffee. We arrived at Port Macquarie at 8.30am. Only problem, checkin was not till 2pm! But that gave us time to enjoy breakfast at one of many establishments open on Good Friday.
Queens Lake Nature Reserve is just South of Port Macquarie, and is a haven for koalas and wildlife. Ideal for swimming, fishing, birdwatching, picnicking, and boating. But be careful, once in the woods, the sealed road turns into what one would describe a fire trail! A 2WD vechical can still drive along the track, but in wet conditions, that might be a different story.
Sunrise at Flynn's Beach taken over two mornings. Beggars can not be choosers, so I had to take what Mother Nature gave me! Ideally, little more cloud and colour would have seen a good mornings sunrise.
The image of Flynn's Beach taken during the day was more than an occupational hazard with a irate bikini clad young lady proclaiming she was here first! Like really!! Your boyfriend was spending more time groping you than taking photographs. I walked past them and proceeded to take my image, next thing I see the lady in my viewfinder!
You're not taking a photo! I know, I'm not taking a photo of you, or with you in it! I was here first she proclaims, as she placed her hands on hips!
Along the southern breakwall of Port Macquarie's Hastings River,there are series of painted rocks that one can not miss. They started as an art competition in 1995, but are now an outdoor gallery that anyone can add their own touch to. The walk starts at Port Macquarie's Town Green, extends along the river, and finishes along the back of Town Beach.
Tacking Point Lighthouse is Australia's thirteenth oldest lighthouse. It was built on a rocky headland about 8 kilometres south of Port Macquarie in 1879 by Shepherd and Joseph William Mortley, to a design by the New South Wales Colonial Architect, James Barnet. It is operated by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority and is classified by the National Trust of Australia (NSW).
Australian feral camels are feral populations consisting of two species of camel: mostly dromedaries (Camelus dromedarius) but also some bactrian camels (Camelus bactrianus). Imported into Australia from British India and Afghanistan, during the 19th century for transport and construction during the colonisation of the central and western parts of Australia, many were released into the wild after motorised transport replaced the use of camels in the early 20th century, resulting in a fast-growing feral population.
St Agnes' Parish
St Agnes' Parish
St Agnes' Parish
St Thomas Anglican Church
St Agnes' Parish
When in Port Macquarie, a visit to the koala hospital is a must. All around Port Macquarie, one will find sculptures of koalas, as the one photographed at the hospital. For more information, visit the link below.
http://www.koalahospital.org.au