On the way to Noosa

This trip to Noosa and Burleigh heads was one that we sandwiched together following cancellations in 2021 due to Covid. They were separate trips initially but, when rescheduled, we sandwiched them together. Colleen and David were to be joining us for the Noosa section and Ali and Brett for part of the Burleigh heads section.

Our first stop on the way to Noosa was at Port Macquarie and we stayed at the Mid Pacific (Room 213). The drive was plagued by a fair bit of rain but this cleared, thankfully, by the time we got to Port Macquarie, so much so, that we were able to enjoy a walk along the river and a trip to the hotel swimming pool. The Mid Pacific is a much better location than where we stayed the previous year at Rydges; the rooms are much bigger, more recently renovated and the building is much closer to the water, affording lovely views, and the pool has a nicer setting as well. I’d highly recommend the Mid Pacific if ever you’re needing accommodation in Port Macquarie.

I would also recommend the Turkish restaurant, Reyhana, as a dining option. This was a suggestion from Ali and Brett, who had been there previously, and we also enjoyed a lovely meal. Port Macquarie was absolutely packed and so, too, was this restaurant so you will need to book ahead.

Mark rose early for a bike ride and I went on my usual walk and we met up for a coffee at the Little Shack cafe located alongside the river. This was a very different scene from last year though! Last year, when we stopped here, we were the only people and it was pouring with rain, this year the place was packed.

We set off from Port Macquarie and headed to Coffs Harbour Jetty area to have breakfast at the Urban Espresso Lounge, located in the jetty area of Coffs. This was becoming a regular stop for us on this journey.

It was about 2 pm by the time we arrived at Ballina and we were staying. once again, at the Ramada (Room 508), located right on the river. We had a smaller than this year but still with a great view out over the river which was a very brackish brown after all the recent flooding and rain.

We opted to dine in at the hotel restaurant, Mezza, and this was an okay option. Our preferred French restaurant option, Che Bon, wasn’t open given it was a Sunday and decided that if we ever made this trip again we would make sure we weren’t travelling on a Sunday so that we could make a return visit to Che Bon.

It was on our way to Ballina that we heard unfortunate news from Colleen and David; they have both become Covid close contacts and that painted a very different picture for the rest of the trip. We weren’t going to be able to have the fun week in Noosa that we had originally planned, taking Colleen and David to all the fun places we’d been to previously. The trip became rather tainted from this point on and so it was with heavy hearts we went to bed that night, before Monday’s final leg of the drive up to Noosa.